Titles related to supporting and preserving families through a respectful, strengths-based approach that views the family as central to the child's well-being.
35 Family-Centered Practice
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.
Child Welfare Practice to Address Racial Disproportionality and Disparity
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
Explores the factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disproportionality and disparity in the child welfare system. It also describes strategies that can assist child welfare caseworkers, administrators, program managers, and policymakers with addressing these issues in general and at specific decision-making points along the child welfare service continuum.
Child Welfare Practice With Families Affected by Parental Incarceration.
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
Provides an overview of the intersection of child welfare and parental incarceration; highlights practices to facilitate parent-child visits during incarceration, include parents in case planning, and work toward reunification; and points to resources to help caseworkers in their practice with these children and families.
Differential Response: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2020
Explores the practice of of differential response in responding to child welfare cases, various approaches used to support children and families, and recent State implementation efforts that highlight practice in the field.
Domestic Violence: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2020
Provides a high-level overview of the overlap between domestic violence and child welfare, the impact of domestic violence on child witnesses, and the trend toward a more collaborative, communitywide response to the issue. It also points to promising practices, as well as comprehensive resources on the topic.
Embedding Equity Into Disaster Preparedness Efforts in Child Welfare
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
Presents child welfare strategies for reducing disparities for children, youth, and families of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in the wake of disasters.
Family Engagement: Partnering With Families to Improve Child Welfare Outcomes
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
Provides an overview of the foundational elements of the family engagement approach, followed by strategies and promising practices for implementing this approach.
Guidance for Immigrant and Refugee Families: Parenting in a New Country
Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2022
Discusses topics and challenges immigrant and refugee families may encounter that could affect their child or family’s well-being. It describes some of the challenges of raising children in a new country, how the immigrant or refugee experience might affect family dynamics and well-being, and how a family’s strengths (called “protective factors”) can help during difficult times.
Guidance for Immigrant and Refugee Families: The Child Welfare System
Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2023
Aims to help immigrant and refugee families understand what the U.S. child welfare system is and how it can help keep their children safe. This factsheet also discusses some of the issues immigrant and refugee families may encounter if they become involved with the child welfare system and their rights in child welfare scenarios.
Helping Children and Youth Maintain Relationships With Birth Families
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2019
Provides professionals with information to help children, youth, and adoptive families develop and maintain appropriate and evolving connections with their birth families. Children and youth who are adopted need to maintain relationships with their birth families, previous caregivers, or other important connections, and it is vital that their parents support them in doing so. Nurturing these relationships is in the best interests of the child, as ongoing contact with birth family members may minimize or resolve his or her feelings of grief and loss due to separation.
Helping Your Adopted Children Maintain Important Relationships With Family
Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2019
Helps adoptive parents support children, youth, and birth families in strengthening their relationships. Children and youth who have been adopted and maintain relationships with their birth families, caregivers, and other important people in their lives benefit in significant ways. Adoptive parents can play an instrumental role in helping their children maintain contact with their birth families or other important caregivers.
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.
Kinship Care and the Child Welfare System
Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2022
Discusses issues of interest to the growing number of grandparents, other relatives, and family friends caring for children whose parents are unable to care for them. This factsheet is designed to help kin caregivers work effectively with the child welfare system. It also includes resources, such as links to more detailed information or places to find support, to help caregivers learn about and navigate the child welfare system.
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.
Parental Substance Use: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
Reviews what substance use disorders (SUDs) are, how parental substance use affects families, and how child welfare professionals can support these families. It also considers how collaboration between child welfare professionals and SUD treatment providers, as well as others, is an essential component to assisting families. This factsheet is intended to serve as a brief primer on the intersection of parental SUDs and child welfare rather than a comprehensive guide. Additional information and resources are provided throughout to help readers explore the topic in more detail.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2019
Helps child welfare professionals gain a better understanding of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), including which clients should be referred for this approach, how it is implemented, and resources for additional information. PCIT is a family-centered treatment approach for children ages 2–7 with disruptive behavior and has also been used with abused and at-risk children ages 2–12. It is an appropriate therapy for all caregivers—birth parents, adoptive parents, or foster or kin caregivers—and includes the treatment of both the parent and child together along with live coaching. One of PCIT's benefits is that it can help reduce the risk for child maltreatment.
Partnering With Relatives to Promote Reunification
Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2020
Shares stories and advice from caregivers and birth parents who have experienced kinship care on the importance of maintaining boundaries, managing family dynamics, building trust, positive parenting and communication, and securing support.
Prioritizing Youth Voice: The Importance of Authentic Youth Engagement in Case Planning
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
Provides an overview of authentic youth engagement in case planning, including key concepts and tangible strategies for engaging youth.
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.
Supporting Child, Caregiver, and Family Well-Being in Times of Crisis: Strategies to Promote Effective Virtual and Phone Engagement
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway, Child Welfare Capacity Building Center for States
Availability
Year Published
2020
This bulletin for child-serving professionals outside of child protective services discusses ways to support children and their caregivers and connect them with appropriate resources that may mitigate any risks for harm during crisis situations. This document is organized by the five protective factors that build on family strengths to foster child and youth well-being and development. Each section contains questions that professionals can address with parents/caregivers and with children/youth in the course of their work with families, with an emphasis on content appropriate for virtual visits.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth: A Guide for Foster Parents
Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2021
Provides information for foster parents to help them learn about LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other diverse identities and expressions, including Two-Spirit) youth in the child welfare system, the unique risks they face, and the important role that foster parents can play in reducing those risks. The factsheet outlines specific actions that foster parents can take to create a welcoming and affirming home for all youth in their care and to promote a youth's health and well-being, at home and in the community. Also included are links to many resources for more information and support.
Supporting Successful Reunifications
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2017
Offers information to help child welfare agency managers achieve successful reunifications. This bulletin includes a description of the benefits of supporting reunification and preventing reentries, statistics, factors that affect reunification and reentry, and relevant strategies and approaches. It also includes examples of promising practices being implemented by States and localities.
Tiempo virtual en familia: consejos para familias (Virtual Family Time: Tips for Families)
Titulo de la Colección
Hojas Informativas Para las Familias (Factsheets for Families)
Autor(es)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Disponibilidad
Availability
Año Publicado
2020
El tiempo en familia, también conocido como visitas de padres e hijos, es fundamental para promover el vínculo familiar y preparar para una reunificación exitosa. Aunque se prefiere el contacto en persona, hay ocasiones extremas en las que el contacto en persona no es apropiado o seguro, como durante la pandemia de COVID-19 (también conocido como el coronavirus). El tiempo virtual en familia, durante el cual contacta a su hijo a través de llamadas por video, ofrece una alternativa segura. Esta hoja informativa brinda a los padres información sobre sesiones exitosas de tiempo virtual en familia, incluyendo cómo prepararse, consejos y actividades.
Tips for Supporting Virtual Family Time
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2020
Provides child welfare professionals with an overview of how they can promote successful virtual family time, including research about virtual interactions, how to prepare children and families, and tips and activities for visits. Family time, also known as parent-child visits, is a key factor in promoting family bonding and setting the stage for successful reunification after a child has been placed in out-of-home care. Although in-person contact is the preferred method for family time, there are extreme occasions when in-person contact is not appropriate or safe, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual family time, during which contact is established through video or streaming services, offers a safe alternative.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2018
Helps child welfare professionals build a better understanding of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), including which clients should be referred for this approach, how it is implemented, and resources for additional information. TF-CBT helps children, adolescents, and their parents (or other caregivers) overcome trauma-related difficulties, including child maltreatment. It helps children address distorted or upsetting beliefs and attributions and learn skills to help them cope with ordinary life stressors. TF-CBT also helps parents who were not abusive to cope effectively with their own emotional distress and develop skills that support their children.
Using Your Voice: A Guide for Youth on Participating in Case Planning
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
Provides an overview of case planning, youth engagement, and the rights of youth in care as well as tips for participating in case planning and becoming involved in advocacy efforts.
Virtual Family Time: Tips for Families
Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2020
Provides parents with information about successful virtual family time sessions, including how to prepare, tips, and activities. Family time, also known as parent-child visits, is critical to promoting family bonding and setting the stage for successful reunification. Although in-person contact is preferred, there are extreme occasions when in-person contact is not appropriate or safe, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual family time, during which parents contact their children through video, offers a safe alternative.
What Is Child Welfare? A Guide for Disaster Preparedness and Response Professionals
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
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.
What Is Child Welfare? A Guide for Domestic Violence Services Advocates
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2020
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.
What Is Child Welfare? A Guide for Educators
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2018
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.
What Is Child Welfare? A Guide for Health-Care Professionals
Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2018
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.
Working With Children, Youth, and Families on Disaster Preparedness
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
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.
Working With Immigrant and Refugee Families: A Guide for Child Welfare Agencies
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2022
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.
Working With Immigrant and Refugee Families: A Guide for Child Welfare Caseworkers
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2022
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.
Working With Kinship Caregivers
Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2018
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.