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Outlines the legal definition of child abuse and neglect; the different types of abuse and neglect; and the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, including human trafficking. It also includes information on how to effectively identify and report maltreatment and refer children who have been maltreated as well as additional resources.

Provides a brief overview of child welfare, describes how behavioral and mental health professionals and child welfare workers can support each other, and offers additional information resources. Working together, behavioral and mental health practitioners and child welfare workers can make sure that children, youth, and families receive appropriate services that promote healthy functioning and well-being.

Provides an overview of child welfare and describes how disaster preparedness and response and child welfare professionals can support one another’s efforts when responding to the safety and well-being of children and families during all phases of a disaster.

Provides an overview of basic child welfare services, describes how domestic violence services (DVS) and child welfare professionals can support one another’s efforts in working with families, and lists resources for more information.

Provides an overview of child welfare and describes how educators and child welfare workers can collaborate to prevent child abuse and neglect and ensure children involved in child welfare receive the services and supports they need to succeed in school.

Provides health-care professionals—including pediatricians, family practice providers, hospital nurses, school nurses, and urgent care clinicians—with an overview of the field of child welfare and suggests ways that health-care professionals and child welfare workers can work together to promote better outcomes for children and families involved with child welfare, including children in foster care. Links to resources are also included.

Helps law enforcement agents understand the work of child welfare professionals and how a mutually beneficial relationship is in the best interest of children, families, and communities. Discusses the importance of information-sharing and cross-training and Includes a list of helpful resources.

Summarizes State laws regarding eligibility for becoming an adoptive parent (in terms of marital status, age, residency, and more), eligibility for being adopted as a child or adult, and authority to place a child for adoption.

Discusses the importance of disaster planning in child welfare and how caseworkers and supervisors can prepare themselves and the families on their caseloads for emergencies. It also provides information on response and recovery strategies that child welfare professionals can use in the event of a disaster.

Addresses systemwide strategies that child welfare agencies can implement to assist immigrant and refugee families, including interagency collaboration, screening for immigration benefits, culturally responsive practice, and trauma-informed care. It also provides examples of programs and promising practices.

Provides background information related to the intersection of child welfare and immigrant and refugee families. It then discusses strategies caseworkers can use in their work with these families, including approaches to language and communication, concrete supports, considerations for permanency, culturally responsive practice, and trauma-informed care.

Helps child welfare professionals promote kinship care by providing kinship caregivers with information, referral, and support services to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in their care. Topics covered include the types and benefits of kinship care, training for caseworkers and caregivers, specific strategies for supporting kinship caregivers, and examples of successful State and local child welfare programs that provide services to kinship caregivers.

Helps child welfare and adoption professionals expand their cultural competence and skills when working with and recruiting parents who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other diverse identities and expressions, including Two-Spirit) and same-gender or gender-diverse couples. This bulletin includes information about challenges faced by LGBTQ+ foster and adoptive parents, suggestions for helping LGBTQ+ families navigate challenging systems, and resources for supporting transgender parents. It also examines laws and policies and provides tips for developing welcoming and affirming agencies to engage this vital community.

Provides an overview of how military families can meet the needs of children and youth eligible for adoption. Some children and youth may benefit from the support and training that military families receive, as well as the structured lifestyle that many military families have. It also addresses the unique adoption concerns facing military families, such as permanent change of station orders and deployment overseas during the adoption process. Adoption professionals should learn about military culture and be aware of the different resources available to military families who wish to adopt.

Helps child welfare professionals and others who work with transitioning youth to understand the Federal legislative requirements for transition plans and partner with youth to develop a plan over time and through close youth engagement that builds on their strengths while supporting their needs.