Research and program examples that demonstrate evidence-based practices
10 Issue Briefs
Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT)
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2013
Describes the characteristics and benefits of AF-CBT, an evidence-supported intervention that targets (1) diverse individual child and caregiver characteristics related to conflict and intimidation in the home and (2) the family context in which aggression or abuse may occur. It was written primarily to help child welfare caseworkers and other professionals who work with at-risk families make more informed decisions about when to refer children and their parents and caregivers to AF-CBT programs. This information also may help parents, foster parents, and other caregivers understand what they and their children can gain from AF-CBT and what to expect during treatment.
Caseload and Workload Management
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2022
Aims to build the knowledge base about caseload and workload issues and help State child welfare managers, administrators, and others learn how they can improve caseload and workload situations in their agencies
Child Maltreatment Prevention: Past, Present, and Future
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2017
Discusses the importance of prevention as a critical component of the nation’s child protection system and examines the history of child abuse prevention, the scope of the problem today, ways in which quality programs are identified and implemented, promising prevention strategies, and issues for future prevention efforts. It outlines programs and strategies that are proving beneficial in reducing the likelihood of child maltreatment, such as public awareness efforts, parent education, home visitation, and community prevention efforts.
Health-Care Coverage for Children and Youth in Foster Care—and After
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2022
The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2020
Provides child welfare professionals an overview of the importance of a trauma-informed child welfare system, its components, and steps needed to transition to trauma-informed child welfare. This issue brief also includes examples of State and local programs incorporating trauma-informed care.
In-Home Services to Strengthen Children and Families
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
Provides an overview of child welfare in-home services, components of effective service delivery, and Federal funding sources for services. It also points to core practice elements of in-home services, evidence-based programs used during the provision of in-home services, and State examples of efforts to improve their in-home services delivery.
Parent Education to Strengthen Families and Prevent Child Maltreatment
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2019
Explores parent education programming for child welfare and highlights programs that have shown positive results or promise for strengthening families and preventing child maltreatment. The brief looks at the elements of effective parent education programs and research that demonstrate their benefit. It also includes examples of State and local parent education programs and a list of resources.
Protective Factors Approaches in Child Welfare
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2020
Provides an overview of national protective factors approaches to prevent child abuse and neglect. It is designed to help child welfare professionals, administrators, service providers, policymakers, and other interested individuals understand the concepts of protective and risk factors in families and communities and learn ways in which building protective factors can help lower the risk of child abuse and neglect now and in the future.
Rural Child Welfare Practice
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2018
Highlights the importance of understanding the concerns and needs of children and families in rural communities, their strengths and resources, and the cultural sensitivity required of child welfare professionals as they work to achieve safety, permanency, and well-being for rural children.
Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development
Series Title
Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2015
Provides basic information on brain development and the effects of abuse and neglect on that development. The information is designed to help professionals understand the emotional, mental, and behavioral impact of early abuse and neglect in children who come to the attention of the child welfare system.