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This study documents that nonresident fathers of children in foster care are not often involved in case planning efforts and nearly half are never contacted by the child welfare agency during their child's stay in foster care. By not reaching out to fathers, caseworkers may overlook potential social connections and resources that could help to achieve permanency for the child. A total of 1,222 local agency caseworkers were interviewed by phone about 1,958 specific cases between October 2004 and February 2005 to examine front-line practices related to nonresident fathers. Interviewers achieved an 83% response rate to the survey. Cases were selected from among children who had been in foster care at least 3 months but no more than 36 months. Children in the sample were all in foster care for the first time, and the child welfare agency's records indicated that each of the children's biological fathers was alive but not living in the home from which the child was removed. Additionally, only one child per mother was eligible for the study. The results of this study provide empirical evidence on the steps that child welfare agencies currently take to identify, locate and involve nonresident fathers in case planning; the barriers encountered; and the policies and practices that affect involvement.

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, describes how disaster preparedness and response (DPR) 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 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. Summaries of laws for all States are included.

This is the final report of the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities, as mandated by the Protect Our Kids Act of 2012. It discusses the Commission’s findings and presents both a comprehensive national strategy for fundamental reform and recommendations specific to populations in need of special attention, including children currently known to child protective services agencies and at high risk for fatality, American Indian/Alaska Native children, and African American children. The report includes recommendations for actions by the executive branch, Congress, and states and counties that the Commission believes will be most effective in ending these tragic deaths, today and into the future.

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 LGBTQ individuals and same-sex couples. It examines laws and policies and provides tips to engage this vital and distinct community effectively. This bulletin includes information about challenges faced by LGBTQ adoptive parents, challenges faced by professionals when working with LGBTQ families, supporting transgender parents, and how to create a welcoming agency.

Discusses the benefits and potential challenges of working with military families who are pursuing adoption, and it describes the many resources available inside and outside of the military support structure. Benefits include the flexibility and diversity of military families, while deployment and frequent relocation can add challenges to the adoption process. Adoption professionals should be aware of the different resources available to military families who wish to adopt.

Part of a series of manuals designed to provide guidance on child protection practices, this manual explains court processes most relevant to child abuse and neglect cases. It introduces concepts and terminology associated with the courts, describes the key court processes, and presents practical information to help child protective services caseworkers prepare for court litigation. Specific chapters address: the general or common court system; the powers of the court and the rights of parents and children in child maltreatment cases; the interplay between child maltreatment legislation and caseworker practice; the juvenile court process; the criminal court process; domestic relations and other court proceedings; the issues involved in going to court, including the rules of evidence, court reports, and testifying; the relationship between caseworkers and the court; and court improvement and best practices. Appendices include a glossary, resource listings, and guidelines for caseworkers for permanency and review hearings. 93 references.

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.