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Summarizes the legislative history and purpose of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), the key Federal legislation addressing child abuse and neglect. CAPTA was originally enacted in P.L. 93-247 and was most recently amended on January 7, 2019, by the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-424).

Discusses laws that provide for access to both nonidentifying and identifying information from an adoption record by adoptive parents and adult adoptees. Generally, the person whose information will be disclosed must consent to the disclosure, and methods of providing consent are discussed. Access to the original birth certificate by the adult adoptee also is addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Describes issues that adoptive children, youth, and families may encounter after adoption and the postadoption services available to help them manage their issues. Topics discussed include postadoption issues that adoptive families often encounter, the changing needs for support at different ages and developmental stages, types of postadoption services, finding postadoption services, paying for postadoption services, and advocating for postadoption services. A list of additional resources is also offered.

This resource listing includes selected national organizations that provide agency/member accreditation and/or standard-setting for child welfare-related services.

The United States Census 2000 included "adopted son/daughter" as a response to describe household relationships for the first time in the survey's history. This report summarizes the characteristics of 2.1 million adopted children and 4.4 million stepchildren of householders as projected by the sample. Age of children, number of children, geographic location, racial origin, disability status, and income status are highlighted. The discussion also notes the race, living arrangement, age, and income status of the householder. Of 45.5 million households that reported children in 2000, 89 percent consisted of biological children only, 3 percent consisted of stepchildren only, 4 percent had both biological and stepchildren, 2 percent consisted of adopted children only, and 2 percent had both adopted and biological children. The majority of households with adopted children had only one adopted child. Eighteen percent of households with adopted children included people of different races. 44 notes, 6 figures, 9 tables.

This resource listing provides the contact information of national organizations that offer adoption exchange or matching services. Each entry includes a brief description of the function of the organization and e-mail and web addresses.

This information sheet provides contact information for organizations that support searches for birth relatives. The agencies include advocacy groups, registries, and networks for Jewish and Korean adoptive families.

Includes national organizations that have made it their mission to support, represent, and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) groups that share a focus on child and youth welfare issues. If you are aware of any others, please contact Child Welfare Information Gateway at: OrganizationUpdates@childwelfare.gov. Inclusion on this list is for information purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by Child Welfare Information Gateway or the Children's Bureau.

This report is the second in a series of three reports, based on the Secondary Analysis On Child Abuse and Neglect Topics of Current Policy Interest. This research examined case-level data reported to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) by six States Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Wyoming that offered both alternative response and traditional investigation. Case characteristics, circumstances of reports, and outcomes were examined for 313,838 children of whom 140,072 received an alternative response during 2002. Overall, the findings from the included States indicate that the use of alternative response was either increasing or stable over time, possibly reflecting States at different stages of implementation. It also appears that though children who had been previously referred to alternative response do experience subsequent reports and responses by CPS, they are not generally at any greater risk for subsequent reports than those who received an investigation.

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.

Discusses the requirements set by States for conducting background checks of prospective foster and adoptive parents and other out-of-home caregivers, as well as any adults residing in the prospective caregivers' households. These checks, including State and Federal criminal records and child abuse and neglect central registries, are part of the process of assessing the suitability of these caregivers to provide a safe home for children placed in their care. The circumstances that will disqualify an applicant also are discussed. An overview of Federal requirements also is provided. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Explores how professionals can help youth in foster care consider the full range of legal and relational permanency options available to them as well as understand the feelings that may underlie a young person’s reluctance to pursue permanency.

The second Annual Meeting of State and Tribe Child Welfare Officials convened by the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice reviewed lessons learned from the Child and Family Services Review process and provided tips for program improvement plans. This issue of the Resource Center newsletter summarizes presentations and panel discussions from the conference. The articles highlight conformity with systemic factors assessed during the Child and Family Services Reviews. Presenters noted a need to focus on outcomes, especially in the areas of permanency and well-being. States were advised to target program improvement plans to the areas that had the most significant impact on children and families, using realistic and measurable goals. The Children's Bureau prefers plans that attempt to make systemic changes to the problem areas identified during reviews. Data collection should include accurate information about state status, national standards, and qualitative measures. States also should consider the implementation of innovative programs that apply the principles of family-centered practice, such as family conferencing, court improvement strategies, case plans, community-based collaboration, and culturally responsive services.

The first Annual Meeting of State and Tribe Child Welfare Officials sponsored by the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice addressed the Child and Family Services Review process and lessons learned from pilot states. This biannual newsletter from the resource center summarizes presentations about the benefits of the review system, important components, and the role of tribes in the planning process. Emphasis is placed on the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including policymakers, parents, the courts, service providers, and critics. Reports from Rhode Island, Maine, and Mississippi describe improvements and outcomes that resulted from the review and subsequent technical assistance.

Community collaboratives for child welfare are being formed by local agencies to prevent child maltreatment and promote community responsibility for child and family well-being. The collaboratives feature the use of community-based resources, family-centered services, an emphasis on results, the participation of individuals and community organizations, and flexibility. This issue of the biannual publication of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice examines the characteristics of community partnerships and describes initiatives implemented in several states. The role of the Patch model in the implementation of the Adoption and Safe Families Act in Massachusetts specifically is discussed. Adapted from the British neighborhood approach, Patch was used to improve cooperation between public agencies and consumers of services by increasing access to social services, eliminating miscommunication and boundaries between social service agencies and families, empowering individual and families, nurturing local resources, and respecting diversity.

This edition of the biannual newsletter of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice examines the impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on children, families, and professionals in the child welfare system. The articles highlight the effects of personal loss, economic recession, and state funding shifts on individuals and families who were under stress before the traumatic event. Emphasis is placed on the ways in which child welfare agencies can plan to address the needs of affected children and parents. Responses from the New York City Administration for Children and Families and foster care agencies across the country are described. The newsletter also addresses strategies for identifying and treating children with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health needs, training for child welfare staff, the role of parents in decreasing stress, and secondary traumatic stress among child welfare workers. 2 references.

Outlines affordable housing and homelessness services and how child welfare professionals can collaborate with those systems to help families. Although directed primarily at child welfare professionals, the information in this bulletin also may help housing and homelessness services providers understand the unique needs and concerns of child welfare-involved youth and families and how their programs can help." Grantee spotlight" boxes throughout the document feature examples of programs focused on child welfare and housing collaboration that were funded by the Children's Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Partnerships to Demonstrate the Effectiveness of Supportive Housing for Families in the Child Welfare System (SHF) and Youth At-Risk of Homelessness (YARH) grant clusters.

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. Large caseloads and excessive workloads in many jurisdictions can make it difficult for child welfare caseworkers to serve families effectively, and reducing and managing caseloads and workloads are not simple tasks for child welfare administrators. Nevertheless, agencies are addressing these challenges and successfully implementing a variety of strategies to make caseloads and workloads more manageable.

This study compared the findings of previous research about the incidence of child maltreatment in American Indian and Alaska Native families and analyzed data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) for this population. The research review revealed significant differences in findings because of problems with definitions and data collection methods. However, most of the previous studies documented a high incidence of neglect, violence, alcohol abuse, and foster care in American Indian and Alaska Native children. Positive trends include a decrease in adoption rates and lower rates of sexual and physical abuse. The secondary analysis of NCANDS data examined data for individual children rather than incidents of abuse. Findings indicated that American Indian and Alaska Native children were more likely than White children to be counted for more than one incident of maltreatment. Significant differences also were found between non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native children and Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native children on measures of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Maltreatment rates for Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native children were similar to Hispanic white children. This suggests a need to control for Hispanic ethnicity when analyzing data about child maltreatment. Data collection can be improved by involving Indian nations in the design of a comprehensive system that can be used to make policy decisions. 60 references, 7 figures, and 10 tables.

This directory lists and briefly describes organizations that provide direct services and consultation for the prevention of child maltreatment. The groups conduct research and offer professional training, advocacy, technical assistance, and support to families, service providers, and policymakers. Contact information is provided, including e-mail and Web addresses when available.

This study examined the methods used by states to collect data about child abuse and neglect within the Native American population to determine the accuracy of national statistics. Interviews were conducted with representatives from 57 tribes and officials from 21 states about investigation procedures and the maintenance of statistics at the tribal and state level. An analysis of the interviews revealed that only a portion of child abuse and neglect cases in the American Indian community are recorded by the state. About one-fourth of Indian child abuse and neglect cases are investigated by the tribe only. Other cases are investigated by a combination of agencies including the tribe (65 percent); states (42 percent); counties (19 percent); Bureau of Indian Affairs (19 percent); and a consortium (9 percent). States and counties only report the cases in which they have been involved, which suggests that a maximum of 61 percent of all cases are tracked in the data collection system. Fewer than 20 percent of tribes have an automated record keeping system and only 3.5 percent forward reports to a national database, such as the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. The tribes lack the technical and financial resources to develop a database of child abuse statistics and so must rely on the states and counties to report their information. The author recommends greater coordination in the collection of data and more support for tribes to establish their own recordkeeping systems. 43 references, 4 figures, 3 tables.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2004. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. Nationwide, approximately two-thirds of referrals received were accepted for investigation or assessment. Fifty-eight percent of the investigated cases were later classified as unsubstantiated. The maltreatment rate was 11.9 per 1,000 children in 2004. 64.5% of the children were neglected, 17.5% were physically abused, 9.7% were sexually abused, and 7% were emotionally maltreated. A nationally estimated 1,490 child deaths were related to abuse or neglect. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2006. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2006, an estimated 905,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. The rate and number of children who were victims of child abuse or neglect is lower for FFY 2006 than it was five years ago. During 2002, children were abused or neglected at a rate of 12.3 per thousand children in the population resulting in an estimated 910,000 victims; for 2006, the rate was 12.1, resulting in an estimated 905,000 victims. The rate and number of all children who received an investigation or assessment increased since 2002. For 2002, the rate was 43.8 children per thousand in the population, resulting in an estimated 3,240,000 children who received an investigation or assessment; for 2006, the rate was 47.8 resulting in an estimated 3,573,000 children. Nationally, 64.1 percent of child victims experienced neglect, 16.0 percent were physically abused, 8.8 percent were sexually abused, and 6.6 percent were emotionally or psychologically maltreated. Rates of victimization by maltreatment type have fluctuated only slightly during the past several years. For FFY 2006, a nationally estimated 1,530 children died of abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.04 children per 100,000 in the national population, which is more than the rate of 1.96 children per 100,000 in the national population for FFY 2005. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2007. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2007, an estimated 794,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 59.0 percent of victims experienced neglect, 10.8 percent were physically abused, 7.6 percent were sexually abused, 4.2 percent were psychologically maltreated, less than 1 percent were medically neglected, and 13.1 percent were victims of multiple maltreatments. For FFY 2007, an estimated 1,760 children died due tochild abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.35 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

Examines the roles and responsibilities of child protective services (CPS) workers. It describes the purposes, key decisions, and issues of each stage of the CPS process and strategies for casework supervision, training, and support.

This directory lists organizations that provide information about child sexual abuse, including professional societies, advocacy centers, and toll-free helplines. The organizations offer research services, training, technical assistance, and referrals for professionals and the public.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2003 -- 2006. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2004 -- 2007. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2006 -- 2009. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2008 -- 2011. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2010 -- 2013. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

The Child Welfare Outcomes Report provides information on national performance as well as the performance of individual states in seven outcome categories. The outcomes reflect a consensus of these groups regarding important performance objectives for child welfare practice.

The Child Welfare Outcomes Report is created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet requirements of Section 203(a) of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA).1ASFA created Section 479A of the Social Security Act (the Act) to require HHS to issue an annual report that assesses state performance in operating child protection and child welfare programs under Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Act.2 Child Welfare Outcomes 1998 was the first report created in the Child Welfare Outcomes series of reports. The present report, Child Welfare Outcomes 2010–2014, is the 15th report since the series’ inception. 1 See appendix A for the current specifications of Section 479A of the Social Security Act, as created by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 and amended by P.L. 112-34 and P.L. 113-183. The Children’s Bureau, within the Administration for Children and Families, HHS, is responsible for this report. 2 The Title IV-E agency is the state agency authorized to use federal Title IV-E funds to support foster care, adoption assistance, and kinship guardianship assistance. Title IV-E has been amended on several occasions to provide federal funding to support foster care, adoption, and kinship guardian assistance. Title IV-B provides preventative and protective services for children. For a more detailed understanding of the history and changes over time, please see http://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/title-iv-e-legislation-policy.

The Child Welfare Outcomes Report provides information on national performance as well as the performance of individual states in seven outcome categories. The outcomes reflect a consensus of these groups regarding important performance objectives for child welfare practice.

The Child Welfare Outcomes Report provides information on national performance as well as the performance of individual states in seven outcome categories. The outcomes reflect a consensus of these groups regarding important performance objectives for child welfare practice.

The Child Welfare Outcomes Report is created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet requirements of Section 203(a) of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA). ASFA created Section 479A of the Social Security Act (the Act) to require HHS to issue an annual report that assesses state performance in operating child protection and child welfare programs under Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Act. Child Welfare Outcomes 1998 was the first Report created in the Child Welfare Outcomes series of Reports. The present Report, Child Welfare Outcomes 2016, is the 17th Report since the series’ inception.

Includes contact information for all Child Welfare State Complaint Offices, when available.

Electronic copies of products developed by the National Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care including: evaluation reports; a Policy Action Guide with fillable forms in PDF and Word; short action briefs on family involvement, establishing partnerships in child welfare, gaining staff buy-in, and leadership development; and infrastructure toolkits on various topics around implementing a System of Care. Distributed on a flash drive.

Discusses laws that extend legal protection to children who may be harmed by witnessing acts of domestic violence in their homes. The issues examined include the circumstances that constitute "witnessing" domestic violence and the legal consequence to persons who commit the domestic violence, such as enhanced penalties and fines.

Discusses laws that extend legal protection to children who may be harmed by witnessing acts of domestic violence in their homes. The issues examined include the circumstances that constitute "witnessing" domestic violence and the legal consequence to persons who commit the domestic violence, such as enhanced penalties and fines. This publication presents a general overview of this aspect of child welfare law. Summaries of laws on this topic for all individual States and U.S. territories are available from the State Statutes Search page.

Responding to concerns about the over-representation of minority children in the child welfare system, particularly African-American children, the Children's Bureau sponsored an exploratory qualitative study of the child welfare system's response to children of color. The project was intended to gain insight into the issue of over-representation (or racial disproportionality) from the perspective of the child welfare community, including agency administrators, supervisors, and direct service workers, and to describe the strategies child welfare and child-welfare serving agencies use to meet the needs of children and families of color in the child welfare system. The project team conducted site visits to child welfare agencies to talk with agency administrators, supervisors, and workers, among others, regarding the issue of over-representation, and to find out more about the types of programs, practices, and strategies that are being implemented to meet the needs of children and families of color, particularly African-American children and families. Nine sites were selected for participation, including: one agency each in Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, California, North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas, and two agencies in Minnesota. Participants were asked to describe their own general perceptions of the issue of overrepresentation, the types of policies, procedures or practices they thought would enable their agency to better serve children and families of color, and their own agencies' ongoing programs and policies that address the needs of children and families of color. Across all sites, an overwhelming majority of participants at all levels cited poverty, and poverty-related circumstances, as primary reasons for the over-representation of minority children in the child welfare system. In terms of directions for change, the overwhelming emphasis among participants was for agencies to focus on prevention and provide more front-end or prevention programs and services to families. Current efforts of agencies to serve children of color included prevention programs, recruitment of minority foster and adoptive families, systems reform, collaboration and contracted services, developing councils on over-representation, and focusing on agency practices, including implementing practices related to training and supervision of staff and hiring a diverse staff to better represent the population. A literature review, implications for policy and practice, and recommendations for future research are provided. 111 references. (Author abstract modified)

The Children's Bureau centennial year begins April 9, 2012! Trends come and go, but some things never change. Many of the initiatives and values that formed the foundation of the Children?s Bureau in 1912 remain at the core of our work today.

This directory describes the services and activities of the Children's Bureau's Training and Technical Assistance Network, including the National Resource Centers.

Each of the systems of care principles has individual importance and relational value. Together, they are building blocks that form the infrastructure upon which each community's individualized system of care is built. The keystone to that infrastructure and the system of care itself is a community-based approach. This principle secures the others and allows the infrastructure to stand. Realizing that youth thrive in the context of their homes and communities, child welfare agencies and their partners can support a common or integrated case plan that is culturally appropriate, engages and involves the youth and family, is built upon the strengths of that family, and draws upon the assets of the community. This issue of A Closer Look examines the elements of a successful community-based approach to serving children and families involved with the child welfare system.

Presents an overview of State laws that provide for the development and implementation of an alternative permanency plan concurrently with efforts to reunify the child with his or her family. Compared to more traditional sequential planning for permanency, in which one permanency plan is ruled out before an alternative is developed, concurrent planning may provide earlier permanency for a child. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Explores concurrent planning research and practice. Examines the role of the courts, how to assess for the probability of family reunification, and caseworker training. Provides State and local examples of concurrent planning practice.

Presents an overview of state laws regarding the proper execution of consent when a child is placed for adoption. Consent refers to the agreement by a parent, or a person or agency acting in place of a parent, to relinquish a child for adoption and release all rights and duties with respect to that child. The topics covered include the persons who must consent to a child's adoption, the child's consent to his or her adoption, timeframes for consent, and guidelines for revocation of consent. Summaries of laws for all states and U.S. territories are included.

Written for new child protective services (CPS) caseworkers, professionals working with children and families, other professionals and concerned community members, this manual addresses the definition, scope, causes, and consequences of child abuse and neglect. It presents an overview of prevention efforts and the child protection process from identification and reporting through investigation and assessment to service provision and case closure. This manual is intended to accompany each profession-specific manual in the User Manual Series. Appendices include a glossary of terms, resource listings of selected national organizations concerned with child maltreatment, and State toll-free child abuse reporting numbers. 150 references.

Summarizes State laws that mandate the type and frequency of court hearings that must be held to review the status of children placed in out-of-home care. At these hearings, the court reviews the efforts that have been made to address the family issues that necessitated the out-of-home placement as well as efforts to achieve permanency for the child. This document also lists the persons who may attend the hearings and describes permanency options.

Presents an overview of state statutes that designate the appropriate jurisdiction and venue for adoption proceedings. Jurisdiction refers to the type of court that has the authority to hear adoption cases; venue refers to the geographic location of the court. Summaries of laws for all states and U.S. territories are included.

Provides a list of websites that focus on State-specific guidelines and responses to the COVID-19 emergency. 2-1-1, a free social services hotline, is also a central point of contact for information and referrals on COVID-19. If you are aware of other State measures or updated operations, please contact Child Welfare Information Gateway at OrganizationUpdates@childwelfare.gov.

Discusses State laws that authorize cross-reporting and information sharing among the agencies that must respond to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Typically, reports are shared among social services agencies, law enforcement departments, and prosecutors' offices. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Presents State laws that define the conduct, acts, and omissions that constitute child abuse or neglect that must be reported to child protective agencies. The types of maltreatment defined include physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Provides an overview of both civil and criminal definitions of domestic violence. The definition often varies depending on the context in which the term is used. Statutory definitions across the states generally describe specific conduct or acts that are subject to civil and criminal actions, and the specific language used may vary depending on whether the definition is found in the civil or criminal sections of the state's code. Summaries of laws for all states and territories are included.

Presents State criminal laws that define human trafficking, including involuntary servitude, forced labor and services, and sex trafficking of minors. Federal definitions of human trafficking and the inclusion of trafficking in civil child abuse definitions also are discussed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Discusses State laws that present the factors that courts need to consider when making decisions about a child's appropriate custody and care. Factors to be considered include parental capacity to provide adequate care, sibling and other family relationships, and the child's wishes. The publication also addresses the definition of best interests and guiding principles of best interests determinations. Excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

While the structure for differential response intuitively makes sense, implementing such a system is complex and intricate. This double issue of "Protecting Children" fills a literature void and disseminates cutting-edge knowledge from a practice, philosophical, policy, and research perspective on the approach. The perspectives of many distinguished experts are gathered in this diverse and thought-provoking publication, which addresses: use of differential response with varying case characteristics; evaluative findings; community- and state-specific lessons surrounding implementation; and the practice, policy, and data implications. (Author abstract)

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.

This directory lists organizations that maintain information about resources for parents and caregivers on children with disabilities/special needs. The groups provide direct service or referrals for technical assistance, professional training, respite care, educational issues, and advocacy. E-mail and Web address are provided when available.

Provides an overview of disaster planning for child welfare agencies. Outlines the reasons child welfare agencies should develop disaster plans, provides an overview of plan development, points to resources for creating preparedness plans, and highlights State and local examples.

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.

This factsheet discusses laws that require child welfare agencies to make reasonable efforts to provide services that will help families remedy the conditions that brought the child and family into the child welfare system. The issues examined include what constitutes reasonable efforts, when reasonable efforts are required to be made, and the circumstances under which reasonable efforts to reunify the family are not required. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

This book by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, commonly called the Greenbook, provides communities a framework to develop interventions and measure progress as they seek to improve their responses to families experiencing spouse abuse and child maltreatment. It presents community and institutional leaders with a context-setting tool to develop public policy aimed at keeping families safe and stable. The book is divided into 5 chapters. Chapter 1 articulates an overall principle of safety, well-being, and stability for all victims of family violence and the need to hold batterers accountable for their violence. In chapter 2, a series of principles are developed to guide communities in structuring their responses to families experiencing dual forms of violence. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 focus on specific recommendations for the child protection system, the network of domestic violence service providers, and the juvenile or other trial courts with jurisdiction over child maltreatment cases. Three appendices provide the following information: definitions; federal legislation; and curricula, protocols, and publications. Numerous references.

Examines State laws for maintaining records of child abuse and neglect. Almost all States maintain a statewide central registry, which is a centralized database of child abuse and neglect investigation records. In some States, the individual State agencies that received the reports of suspected abuse or neglect are required to maintain these records. Central registry reports are typically used to aid social services agencies in the investigation, treatment, and prevention of child abuse cases and to maintain statistical information for staffing and funding purposes. Central registry records also are used to conduct background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents.

This report presents a synopsis of the background and objectives of the Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-3), its design and methods, and its key findings. The NIS-3 findings are based on a nationally representative sample of over 5,600 professionals in 42 counties. NIS-3 used the harm and endangered standards to provide insights into the incidence and distribution of child maltreatment and into changes in incidence since the previous study. Results indicate that the incidence of child abuse has increased since the last incidence study was conducted in 1986, the total number of abused and neglected children was two-thirds higher in the NIS-3 than in the NIS-2 using the harm standard to determine the incidence of maltreatment, the number of maltreated children nearly doubled between 1986 and 1993 using the endangerment standard, and the total number of children seriously injured and the total number endangered both quadrupled in the interval between NIS-2 and NIS-3. The study shows that the age and sex of a child victim were related to the rate of maltreatment, but the child's race was not; the incidence of maltreatment varied according to family income, structure, and size and the metropolitan status of a family's county of residence; only a small percentage of maltreated children received attention from child protection services (CPS) for their maltreatment; and the percentages of children whose cases were investigated by CPS declined significantly since NIS-2. In addition, the study provided data on the distribution of child maltreatment by perpetrator characteristics. The report concludes with a discussion of the implications of NIS-3 findings.

Presents State laws regarding the options available to youth who are transitioning to independent living, including the ability to voluntarily extend their placement in out-of-home care. The requirements for remaining in placement and the programs and services available to support the transition to independence also are discussed. Summaries of laws related to these issues for all States and U.S. territories are included.

A resource directory listing of national organizations that provide information & resources for and about fathers & their important role in families and the lives of children.

Provides child welfare professionals with a brief overview of forensic interviewing so they can better understand how such interviews affect their practice with children and families. Forensic interviewing is a means of gathering information from a victim or witness for use in a legal setting, such as a court hearing and is a key component of many child protective services investigations.

This resource listing provides the addresses and phone numbers of organizations that provide information on foster care. Each entry includes a brief description of the function of the organization and e-mail and web addresses when available.

Provides the most recent national statistical estimates for children in foster care from fiscal year (FY) 2018 and also provides earlier data from FY 2008 to allow for some estimate of trends over time. Data were obtained from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). The factsheet provides statistics on number of children in foster care and entering and exiting care and includes information on child characteristics, placement goals and settings, length of stay, and outcomes.

Addresses some of the concerns that LGBTQ prospective foster and adoptive parents may encounter when deciding to foster or adopt a child or navigating the process. The landscape of parenting options for LGBTQ individuals and couples has grown considerably in recent years, with an increasing number of LGBTQ parents choosing to build their families through fostering or adoption. Although many agencies are welcoming to the LGBTQ community, LGBTQ foster and adoptive parents continue to face challenges related to adoption.

Provides parents (birth, foster, and adoptive) and other caregivers with information about the best way to resolve their differences with a service provider or other child welfare professional. Since child welfare agency policies and procedures are State-specific, this factsheet presents information from a national perspective and points to additional resources about where to find information related to a particular State. The information and resources provided in this factsheet address the majority of complaints associated with the CPS system.

This publication lists Federal and private organizations that provide information on funding resources to improve programs and practice in child abuse and neglect and child welfare. Each entry includes contact information and a brief description of the organization.

Grants.gov is a simple, unified "storefront" for all customers of Federal grants to electronically find, apply for, and manage grants. This brochure includes information about the benefits and customer focus of grants.gov, as well as a list of participating Federal grant-making agencies.

Provides an overview of State laws that provide the legal basis for terminating the rights of parents who have been found unfit to parent their children. The circumstances under which the court may find that termination may not serve the child's best interests and under which a parent's rights may be reinstated also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

This directory lists organizations that provide information and services that support the physical and mental health of children and families. The list includes professional societies, as well as research institutes and training programs. Each entry includes contact information and a brief description of the organization.

Organizations that provide information & resources that promote healthy marriages.

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.

Provides guidance on how foster parents can help youth build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care. It describes the challenges youth face, how the adolescent brain affects them during this time, and Federal laws and programs. It also provides concrete ways they can partner with youth.

Summarizes State laws and policies for approving prospective adoptive homes. The publication describes who must be included in the home study, qualifications for adoptive parents, elements of the home study process, exceptions for stepparent or relative placements, postplacement assessments of the child's adjustment to the adoptive family, requirements for placements across State lines, and more. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Reports an estimate of the number of children adopted in each of the States for 2000 and 2001 and uses these numbers to estimate the composition and trends of all adoptions in the United States. Key findings include the fact that, in 2000 and 2001, about 127,000 children were adopted annually in the United States.

Provides highlights from the full report of How Many Children Were Adopted in 2000 and 2001?, which provides an estimate of the number of children adopted in each of the States for 2000 and 2001 and uses these numbers to estimate the composition and trends of all adoptions in the United States. Key findings include the fact that, in 2000 and 2001, about 127,000 children were adopted annually in the United States.

Provides national statistical estimates for the total number of children adopted in the United States in fiscal years 2007 and 2008. The report includes highlights of the data; findings on the numbers of public agency, intercountry, and other adoptions; and data aggregations in exhibits, tables, and appendices. Data were collected by State courts, State bureaus of vital records, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Provides a brief overview of the purposes and functions of the child welfare system and includes a flowchart illustrating how cases typically move through the system.

Due to their potentially unstable living situations, physical distance from friends and family, traumatic experiences, and emotional vulnerability, children involved with child welfare are at risk for being targeted by traffickers who are actively seeking victims to exploit. This bulletin explores how caseworkers can identify and support children who have been victimized as well as children that are at greater risk for future victimization. It provides background information about the issue, strategies caseworkers can use to identify and support victims and potential victims, and tools and resources that can assist caseworkers.

Due to their potentially unstable living situations, physical distance from friends and family, traumatic experiences, and emotional vulnerability, children involved with child welfare are at risk for being targeted by traffickers who are actively seeking children to exploit. This bulletin is intended for child welfare agency leadership and explores how child welfare agencies can support children who are victims of human trafficking, as well as children who are at greater risk for future victimization. It provides background information about the issue, including its scope and relevant Federal legislation and initiatives, and strategies that agencies can implement to address the trafficking of children. State and local policy and program examples also are provided.

Addresses child welfare's work with immigrant children and families; examines current issues related to immigration and child welfare; provides examples of programs and promising practices; and points to resources for professionals, families, and youth. Cultural competency and trauma-informed practice are also discussed.

Summarizes State laws on immunity from prosecution for persons who in good faith report suspected instances of child abuse or neglect. Immunity statutes protect both mandatory and voluntary reporters from civil or criminal liability that they might otherwise incur. The publication also discusses the provision of immunity for taking photographs or x-rays, performing medical examinations or tests, and participating in the investigation or prosecution of child abuse or neglect cases. Laws for all 50 States and territories are included.

Provides an overview of the seven core issues in adoption and how they may affect the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of children and adults who have been adopted, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Although adoption is often a joyful and exciting occasion, it can also give rise to lifelong challenges for members of the adoption constellation. Awareness of these issues can help families better understand each other and the personal effects of the adoption experience.

Ofrece una visión general de las siete cuestiones centrales de la adopción y cómo pueden afectar los pensamientos, sentimientos y experiencias de niños y adultos que han sido adoptados, padres biológicos y padres adoptivos. Aunque la adopción es a menudo una ocasión alegre y emocionante, también puede presentar desafíos de por vida para los miembros de la constelación de adopción. El conocimiento de estos problemas puede ayudar a las familias a comprenderse mejor entre sí y a entender los efectos personales de la experiencia de adopción.Provides an overview of the seven core issues in adoption and how they may affect the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of children and adults who have been adopted, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Although adoption is often a joyful and exciting occasion, it can also give rise to lifelong challenges for members of the adoption constellation. Awareness of these issues can help families better understand each other and the personal effects of the adoption experience.

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.

Discusses State laws that provide safe places for parents to relinquish newborn infants. The purpose of these laws is to prevent these babies from being abandoned at places where they may come to harm. The responsibilities of and immunity from liability for providers who accept the infants, legal protections from prosecution for the parents, and the effect of relinquishment on parental rights also are discussed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Serving children involved in the child welfare system calls for services and support from a variety of human service and community organizations, which is often a challenging aspect of child welfare casework. Interagency collaboration, a core principle in systems of care, focuses on bringing together and engaging critical stakeholders, such as juvenile justice, mental health, education, law enforcement, and Tribal authorities, in a coordinated and integrated effort to serve children whose needs cross multiple systems. This issue of A Closer Look considers the challenges and strategies associated with building and sustaining interagency collaboration in a child welfare driven system of care. The report draws on current research in the field as well as the knowledge and experiences of nine grant communities currently in the fifth year of a 5-year demonstration grant.

Reviews State laws and policies that allow a family member or other person with close ties to a child who has been placed in out-of-home care to become that's child's permanent guardian. Guardianship has emerged as a permanency option for a child who has been placed in out-of-home care as it creates a legal relationship between a child and caregiver that is intended to be permanent and self-sustaining and can provide a permanent family for the child without the necessity of terminating the parents' parental rights. A guardian's rights and duties, approving a guardianship home, modifying or revoking a guardianship, and kinship guardianship assistance are among the issues addressed. Summaries of relevant laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Organizations that provide information and resources for kinship and relative care providers.

Provee información sobre la Ley de 2008 Sobre el Promover de las Conexiones Para Lograr el Éxito y el Aumento de las Adopciones. Esta ley modifica las partes B y E del título IV de la Ley de Seguridad Social para conectar y apoyar a los parientes proveedores de cuidado, mejorar los ingresos para los niños bajo cuidado de crianza, proveer el acceso a cuidado de crianza y la adopción tribal, mejorar los incentivos para la adopción y otros propósitos. Provides information on the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. This act amends parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to connect and support relative caregivers, improve outcomes for children in foster care, provide for tribal foster care and adoption access, improve incentives for adoption, and for other purposes.

Provides web addresses for State statutes that are accessible online and lists the parts of the code for each State and territory that contains the laws addressing child protection, adoption, child welfare, legal guardianship, and services for youth. It also provides web addresses for States' regulation and policy sites, State court rules, Tribal codes, and judicial resources. Links to sources of information about the laws and policies for all States and U.S. territories are available from the State Statutes Search page.

Presents a summary of Federal legislation since 1974 that has had a significant impact on the child welfare field. It provides an overview of each act and its major provisions. To browse or search the summaries of acts included in this publication, visit the Major Federal Legislation Index and Search. The full text of the acts included in this publication can be found on Information Gateway's Index of Federal Child Welfare Laws. The PDF version presents an overview of the legislative history of the included acts. For a Spanish summary of the text related to the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 included in this publication, see Ley de 2008 Sobre el Promover de las Conexiones Para Lograr el Éxito y el Aumento de las Adopciones: Un Resumen.

Discusses state laws and regulations that specify the procedures that state child protection agencies must follow when responding to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. The issues addressed include individual responsibility to report, content of reports, screening reports, investigation procedures, timeframes for completing investigations, and classification of investigative findings. Special procedures for handling child fatalities and drug-exposed children also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all states and U.S. territories are included.

Presents valuable information for youth in foster care related to making decisions about their mental health, treatment options, and the use of psychotropic medications. The guide walks through the steps of recognizing the need for help, finding help and considering treatment options, making treatment decisions, and managing treatment. Checklists and worksheets are included to help youth organize their thoughts.

Using case-level data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect System (NCANDS) for 2002, analyses of the characteristics of male perpetrators of maltreatment were conducted. The study utilized an 18-State data set of 192,392 perpetrators identified by the child protective services system during 2002. The relationship of the perpetrators to the child victims, as well as whether the perpetrator acted alone or with another person, was considered along with demographic characteristics of both perpetrators and victims, and circumstances of the maltreatment. Research questions were: 1) What are the characteristics of male perpetrators of child maltreatment? 2) What specific patterns of child maltreatment are associated with male perpetrators? 3) What outcomes are associated with male perpetrators of child maltreatment? and 4) How does the presence of a mother coperpetrator influence the circumstances surrounding the child maltreatment or the outcomes? Findings indicate that females outnumbered male perpetrators among cases investigated by CPS, by a margin of 10 percent; more than one-half of the male perpetrators where biological fathers; patterns of sexual abuse were more common among male perpetrators; with the exception of mothers' boyfriends, more than one-half of male perpetrators in all father categories received some services; and although recidivism rates were low, biological fathers were more likely to be perpetrators of maltreatment again than were most other male perpetrators. Policy implications are addressed. 27 references, numerous tables.

Includes national organizations selected by the Children's Bureau to serve as partners in the national child abuse prevention initiative. Their collaborative efforts and input focused on preventing child abuse and promoting healthy families were instrumental in creating the prevention Resource Guide.

Includes links to key, national organizations that provide child welfare training and staff development resources.

As part of the national evaluation of family support programs mandated by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Administration on Children, Youth and Families contracted with Abt Associates Inc. to conduct a meta-analysis of existing research about the effectiveness of different types of programs and the impact of services on families with a variety of needs and characteristics. The meta-analysis provides a statistical summary of 665 studies of 260 programs. In general, the findings revealed that family support services resulted in slight improvements in some outcomes. However, existing research has not identified one model that is effective for all groups of people. The majority of programs did not have a significant impact on parents' knowledge about child development, their attitudes about child rearing, or family functioning. The most effective programs used a group approach for parent education and support and targeted specific types of families. Professional staff achieved greater success than paraprofessional staff. Direct services to children had greater impact on cognitive development than parent education. Positive effects also were found for services that were directed toward teen mothers with young children, families with children who have special needs, and families with children who have behavior problems. The meta-analysis concludes that program administrators and policymakers should review the assumptions of current programs and identify approaches that will improve the effectiveness of family support services. The report details the methodology of the meta-analysis and the characteristics of the programs and studies. 26 references, numerous figures and tables.

This paper summarizes key findings on practice and policy, as well as changes being undertaken, which were identified during the 2-year National Study of Child Protective Services Systems and Reform Efforts. Topics include background, screening and triage, investigation, collaboration with law enforcement, alternatives to investigation, collaboration in providing services, and looking toward the future. These findings were discussed at a symposium of persons knowledgeable about child protective services policies and practices and their observations are included in this paper. (Author abstract modified)

The Children's Bureau and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services surveyed local child protective service agencies in 300 counties during 2002 about their structure and organization of screening and intake, investigation, and alternative response functions. Cooperation with other agencies and reform initiatives also were addressed. This report reviews the findings of the research and analyzes differences between agency structures. The majority of child protective service agencies received referrals from state or local hotlines, schools, and individuals. However, few agencies automatically accepted referrals from identified groups of reporters. Two-thirds of agencies responded to screened-in reports with investigations for serious situations or alternative actions for less severe cases. Most of the agencies had guidelines for determining risk or providing alternative services. Although the child protection agencies had primary responsibility for screening reports, they did not have the lead role in investigation and response functions. The most common changes implemented by the local agencies involved information technology, staff training, service philosophy, and interagency collaboration. Summaries of visits to eight sites are included in the report. Numerous tables.

This directory lists toll-free phone numbers maintained by various crisis organizations. It includes organizations that deal with child abuse, child sexual abuse, crime victims, family violence, mental illness, missing/abducted children, rape/incest, substance abuse, suicide prevention, and youth in trouble/runaways.

En esta lista incluye teléfonos gratuitos de diferentes organizaciones que prestan ayuda a las víctimas del abuso de menores, el abuso sexual, el crimen, la violencia doméstica, la violación o el incesto, el abuso de sustancias y los problemas de salud mental. También se incluyen los teléfonos de organizaciones que prestan ayuda a las familias con hijos secuestrados o desaparecidos, hijos que corren el riesgo de suicidarse o que se han fugado de casa.

This resource listing provides contact information for organizations that serve and have information about adult survivors of child abuse. Each entry includes a brief description of the organization.

Organizations that provide services to support and advocate for the children and families of incarcerated people. If you are aware of any others, please contact Child Welfare Information Gateway at OrganizationUpdates@childwelfare.gov. Specific resources about family centered services for incarcerated parents, their children, and families may be found on our website at: Supporting Children and Families Affected by Parental Incarceration.

This resource listing provides the contact information of select organizations that are concerned with child maltreatment. Each entry includes a brief description of the function of the organization and e-mail and web addresses. To find additional organizations, search the Information Gateway database at http://www.childwelfare.gov/organizations/.

This resource list provides the addresses and phone numbers of organizations that serve victims of family violence, professionals, and researchers. Each entry includes a brief description of the function of the organization.

This directory lists national organizations that disseminate information about child fatalities. The organizations provide advocacy, professional training, program development, public awareness, and research services.

This resource list provides the addresses and phone numbers of organizations that maintain information for professionals about legal issues regarding child welfare. A short description of each organization is included. The organizations address children's rights, the prosecution of child abuse, state court proceedings, child welfare policy analysis, and advocacy.

Includes selected national organizations that provide information and resources on immigration issues related to children and families.

This resource listing provides the addresses and phone numbers of organizations that maintain information about the substance abuse in the context of child welfare. Each entry includes a brief description of the function of the organization.

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.

Presents an overview of State laws that give priority or preference to relatives when children are in need of out-of-home care. The issues addressed include locating relatives, determining the fitness of a relative to provide care, and requirements for licensure. Requirements for placing siblings together whenever possible and adoption by relatives also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all 50 States are included.

Examines State laws and policies regarding the development and implementation of plans of safe care that are required by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to ensure the safety and well-being of infants who are identified as being affected by prenatal substance use. The issues addressed include notification/reporting requirements; assessment of the infant and family; development of the plan of safe care; services for the infant, parents, or other caregivers; and monitoring plans of safe care.

Presents State statutes on postadoption contact agreements, which are arrangements that allow contact between a child's adoptive family and members of the child's birth family. Topics covered include the contents of agreements; parties to agreements; the court's role; and enforcing, modifying, and terminating agreements.

Youth in foster care often face multiple challenges that place them at increased risk of using substances. This bulletin provides child welfare professionals with information about the extent and effects of substance use among youth in foster care, ways to identify substance use, how to support youth in care who currently use or are at high risk for using substances, and strategies for prevention. It also addresses why and how you can collaborate with professionals in other fields.

Draws from available literature and practice knowledge to summarize key issues related to providing effective services to support the stability and permanency of adoptions. It is intended to support adoption professionals in addressing adoptive parents' and children's needs for services, recognizing key considerations in providing services, addressing emerging issues, and meeting common challenges in delivery.

Summarizes State laws regarding the types of information that adoptive parents are provided about the background of the child they are hoping to adopt. The information generally relates to medical and genetic history, family and social background, and mental health history of the child and the child's birth family. For the adopted child or youth, it also may include placement history and any history of abuse or neglect. Exceptions for stepparent and relative adoptions also are discussed.

Explores the prevalence of racial disproportionality and disparity in the child welfare system. It also describes strategies that can assist child welfare administrators, program managers, and policymakers with addressing these issues in general and at specific decision points in the child welfare process (e.g., prevention, reporting, investigation, service provision, out-of-home care, permanency). Examples of State and local initiatives that address disproportionality also are highlighted.

Esta guía describe los efectos del trauma en los jóvenes y sugiere estrategias para ayudar a las victimas y de la violencia a que puedan curarse. Basados en conceptos presentados por expertos que asistieron un instituto que se llevo acabo durante la conferencia de entrenamiento de la Asociación de Head Start Nacional (National Head Start Association) en abril del 2000, la discusión enfatiza la importancia de animar a niños y adultos para expresar sus temores. Los maestros y otros adultos son animados para identificar cambios en el comportamiento t pico de los niños y de proporcionar oportunidades para que ellos comuniquen sus sentimientos mediante las artes, historias, y drama. Los adultos deben también asegurar que los niños se sientan salvos y en control. Los expertos hacen recuerdo a los adultos a reconocer sus propias reacciones a trauma para que ellos estén preparados a ayudar a sus hijos. Ayuda profesional debe ser obtenida cuando sea necesario.

This factsheet discusses laws that require child welfare agencies to make reasonable efforts to provide services that will help families remedy the conditions that brought the child and family into the child welfare system. The issues examined include what constitutes reasonable efforts, when reasonable efforts are required to be made, and the circumstances under which reasonable efforts to reunify the family are not required. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Provides an overview of State laws regarding the regulation of the fees and expenses that adoptive parents are expected to pay when arranging a private adoptive placement. Some of the fees and expenses that are typically addressed include placement costs, such as agency fees; legal fees and attorney expenses for adoptive and birth parents; and some of the expenses of the birth mother during pregnancy. Requirements for reporting adoption-related expenses to the court also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Examines State laws that specify when a state court must provide legal representation for a child involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings and whether that representative must be an attorney, guardian ad litem, or a court-appointed special advocate. The qualifications, training, specific duties, and compensation of the representative also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Most children who are subjects of a report of maltreatment to the State or local child protective services (CPS) agency are involved just once with CPS during their lives. Other children are referred more than once and their referrals result in repeated investigations or assessments (rereporting). Some of these children are found to have been revictimized (recurrence). This paper focuses on rereporting and recurrence, and on gaining a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding these children with repeated involvement with CPS. Most previous studies of subvsequent reports alleging maltreatment of the same child or of revictimization have included only small populations, administrative data from only one State, or relatively short observation periods. This study follows children for up to 5 years, using a multiyear, multistate case-level National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) data set that spans the time period from 1998 to 2002.

Provides an overview of State laws related to how States must respond to meet the needs of children who have been subjected to sex trafficking. The issues discussed include the respective duties of child welfare and law enforcement agencies, training requirements, diversion of child victims from prosecution to appropriate services, the array of services provided, and ways of funding services and programs for victims. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

This publication summarizes State laws and policies regarding the actions that a State agency must take when a youth is reported as missing from an out-of-care placement. The issues covered include required notifications to law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the steps the agencies must take to locate the child, and determining the reasons the youth ran from his or her placement and responding to those reasons in making subsequent placements. Agencies also must determine the child's experiences while absent from care, including screening the child to determine if the child is a possible sex trafficking victim. Summaries of laws for all States are included.

Examines State laws and procedures that provide persons who are named as alleged perpetrators in central registry reports the right to review the records and to request administrative hearings to contest the findings and have inaccurate records removed from the registry. Laws that provide for the expunction of old or unsubstantiated reports also are discussed. Summaries of relevant laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Provides an overview of State laws related to the rights of unmarried fathers and the methods by which a man may establish a legal parent-child relationship with his child. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional protection of an unmarried father's parental rights when he has established a substantial relationship with his child. The circumstances in which a man may be presumed to be the father of a child, the use of putative fathers' registries, the use of genetic tests to establish parentage, and the right of rescission of paternity claims also are discussed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Examines the statistics and research related to maltreatment of children with disabilities, risk factors, and strategies for prevention. Issues encountered when assessing a child with a disability for maltreatment are explored; and information about promising prevention, collaboration, and training approaches are outlined.

Explores relevant research, strategies, and resources to assist child welfare professionals in preserving connections among siblings. Sibling relationships can provide positive support and improved outcomes for children involved with child welfare as well as for those in the general population. Connections with siblings can serve as a protective factor for children who have been removed from their birth homes, but for a variety of reasons, siblings may not be placed together or may not have regular contact.

Examines State standby guardianship laws in which a parent may transfer guardianship of his or her child to a specific person under certain conditions. Many States developed these laws specifically to address the needs of parents living with disabling conditions or terminal illnesses who want to plan a legally secure future for their children. Standby guardianships differ from traditional guardianships in that standby guardianships allow the parent to retain much of his or her authority over the child. This publication covers the establishment of standby guardianship, the role of noncustodial parents, parental authority, and withdrawal of guardianship.

Includes website links to adoption information provided by State child welfare agencies in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. Links to State adoption information in Spanish are provided when available.

Includes website links to adoption/guardianship information provided by State child welfare agencies in all the States.

Includes State agency website links to information and resources for mental health care services for children and families in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.

Includes website links to foster care information provided on State child welfare agency websites in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. Links to State foster care information in Spanish are provided when available.

The State Foster Care Manager is the administrator who has oversight responsibility for all foster care services provided to children in the custody of the State and is the key point of contact for concerns regarding foster care programs that cannot be resolved by other existing procedures. This resource list provides contact information for each State's Foster Care Manager.

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program was originally created in 2001 with the passage of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001. Eligibility was expanded in 2008 with the Fostering Connection to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act. The purpose of ETV is to provide financial assistance for post-secondary training and education to youth who have aged out of foster care or who have left foster care after age 16 for kinship guardianship or adoption. Listed below is each State's ETV contact information.

Each State has a designated State Liaison Officer (SLO) for child abuse and neglect. The SLO is responsible for ensuring the compliance to State laws and policies regarding issues such as how and when to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect. This resource list provides contact information for each State's SLO.

Outlines the administrative framework for child welfare services across the country. The way States administer child welfare services can be classified as State administered, county administered, or hybrid—partially administered by both county and State.

Highlights the adoption-related resources and services Child Welfare Information Gateway offers for both professionals and families. Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families by connecting adoption and other child welfare professionals to information and resources that help them address the needs of children and families in their communities.

This brochure informs professionals and the public about the Children's Bureau's history, mission, and activities. It includes information about the Bureau's involvement in research, funding, monitoring, and special initiatives that promote safety, permanency, and well-being for children and families.

The videos showcase the experiences of two Systems of Care communities that worked with birth parents and kin-caregivers in paraprofessional roles. Additional resources include discussion guides, webinar proceedings highlighting strategies and lessons learned, and implementation resources to support the design, development, and implementation of family engagement.

Presents an overview of child welfare supervision and explores the dimensions of supervision that agencies may want to consider as they seek to strengthen the effectiveness of their services to children and families. This bulletin is designed to provide child welfare supervisors, managers, and related professionals with examples of States' efforts to strengthen supervisory capacity and with tools and resources to enhance supervisory skills.

Provides information for foster parents to help them learn about LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) 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 home for all youth in their care and to promote youths' health and well-being in the community. Also included are links to many resources for more information and support.

Intended to help caseworkers, foster parents, or other caring adults understand trauma and treatment and support youth in making decisions about their mental health and using Making Healthy Choices: A Guide on Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care.

Since 1996, seven States have implemented assisted guardianship waiver demonstrations: Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Montanna, New Mexico, North Carolina and Oregon. Montanna and New Mexico's demonstrations offered a guardianship option for children in either Tribal or State custody. In two States -- North Carolina and Oregon -- assisted guardianship was one component of a larger, flexible funding waiver demonstration. The number of States implementing guardianship demonstrations reflects growing interest nationally in the use of guardianship as an alternative permanency option for some children in foster care, particularly children placed with relatives, who cannot be safly reunified with birth parentsor who cannot or do not wish to be adopted. Families may choose not to pursue adiption for many reasons, including reluctance to terminate parental rights fo rfear of the detrimental effects on family relationships, rejection of adoption by the child, and cultural opposition to termination of parental rights. (Author abstract)

Since 1996, four States have implemented substance abuse waiver demonstrations: Delaware, New Hampshire, Illinois, and Maryland. Findings from Delaware and Illinois are summarized in this report. Findings from New Hampshire are incomplete; and Maryland obtained no data on the outcomes of its demonstration. The use of the title IV-E waiver demonstrations to implement substance abuse projects reflects a growing national realization that the substance abuse issues of parents must be addressed to decrease the incidence of out-of-home placement, reduce lengths of stay of children in out-of-home placement, and reduce the cost associated with foster care. These demonstrations have provided States with the means to institute reforms and explore the extent to which child welfare systems can more effectively address safety, permanency, and well-being for children in families with substance-abusing parents.

Throughout the 1990s, several trends in child welfare services contributed to a growing interest in waivers that offer flexibility to States and local municipalities in spending Federal Title IV-E funds while limiting the total IV-E allocations available for services. Key factors that have provided impetus to the development of flexible funding waivers include growth in out-of-home placement costs, increasing complexity in the risk rofiles and service needs of children and families and Federal limitation of the use of title IV-E funds. (Author abstract)

The Policy Action Guide is a capacity building tool that supports the process of identifying and advancing policy strategies to improve child welfare systems and practices. The Policy Action Guide provides a framework for thinking about child welfare policy options and initiating actions that help promote an effective policy initiative.

The Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect Reports data from a representative sample of more than 5,600 professionals from 42 counties in the United States. The analysis examined the number of children harmed by abuse and neglect, child characteristics, family characteristics, perpetrator characteristics, report sources and CPS investigation. Significant increases were found in the number of abused and neglected children who were harmed, and at risk of harm, since the previous study in 1986. Girls were more at risk for sexual abuse, while boys experienced higher rates of emotional abuse and serious injury. At-risk families included single parents, large families, and low income populations. Children harmed by abuse or neglect were most often identified by schools. Slightly more than one-quarter (28 percent) of cases involving harm from abuse and neglect were investigated by CPS, a decrease from 44 percent in 1986. Numerous figures and charts. Document scanned.

This directory lists toll-free phone numbers maintained by various crisis organizations. It includes organizations that deal with child abuse, child sexual abuse, crime victims, family violence, mental illness, missing/abducted children, rape/incest, substance abuse, suicide prevention, and youth in trouble/runaways.

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.

Provides national statistical estimates for the total number of children adopted in the United States in fiscal years 2008–2012. The report includes highlights of the data; findings on the numbers of public agency, intercountry, and other adoptions; and data aggregations in exhibits, tables, and appendices. Data were collected from State courts, State departments of social services, State bureaus of vital records, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Adoption subsidies are perhaps the single-most powerful tool by which the child welfare system can encourage adoption and support adoptive families. Yet little is known about the factors associated with the receipt and amount of subsidies. Data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) offer an opportunity to examine how states use adoption subsidies to help achieve goals of permanency and well-being for children. Of particular interest to this study are patterns of subsidy receipt, the role of federal support for adoption subsidies under Title IV-E, and the relationship between adoption subsidies and adoption outcomes, including the rate of adoptions among eligible children and the timeliness of adoption. Questions of interest include the extent and funding of subsidies; the relationship between children's characteristics, foster care experiences, and subsidy receipt and amount; and variations among states in subsidy practice. These analyses use AFCARS data representing all adoptions during the years FY 1999 to FY 2001. Findings indicate: 1) Nearly all children adopted from foster care in recent years received an adoption subsidy; 2) The median monthly adoption subsidy was $444 per month; 3) Among newly adopted children receiving subsidies, 84 percent received federal adoption assistance through Title IV-E; 4) Children's age and special needs status influenced subsidy receipt and amount; 5) Pre-adoptive relationship and other characteristics of adoptive families influenced children's subsidies; and 6) Analyses found some support for associations between subsidies and adoption outcomes. (Author abstract modified)

Provides families involved with the child welfare system an overview of the court process. This factsheet answers frequently asked questions about parental rights and offers suggestions on how to prepare for and respond to court proceedings. It also includes information on filing an appeal, a glossary of court terms, and recommended resources.

This study was designed to extend current understanding of foster parent retention by producing unbiased estimates of length of service and examining factors associated with licensure, provision of care, and length of service. The study used administrative data, applying data management and analytic methods that have been used to describe the length of stay for children in foster care. Principal research questions include: How have the characteristics of foster parents changed over time? How can variations in activity levels be described, and what foster parent characteristics are associated with varying activity levels? What is the typical length of service for foster parents? and What characteristics are associated with variations in length of foster parent careers? Child welfare agencies in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Oregon contributed data for these analyses. Three key findings indicate: 1) Length of service in foster parenting is shorter than many managers would expect. The median length of service of 8 to 14 months estimated with a longitudinal model for these states is a distinct contrast to the mean time in foster parenting of 5 to 8 years reported in earlier studies. In the three states studied, between 47 and 62 percent of foster parents exited foster parenting within a year of the first placement in their home. 2) Foster parent "burn-out" cannot be identified as a factor in length of service. Higher foster home occupancy and higher levels of care for infants, adolescents, and children with special needs were consistently associated with greater length of service. 3) One-fifth of the foster parent population provides 60 to 80 percent of all foster care. These foster parents may represent a core group of active and experienced foster parents, with whom child welfare workers feel most confident placing children. An appendix lists characteristics of licensed foster parents in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Oregon. (Author abstract modified)

This publication is intended for front line child welfare staff. It discusses the relationship of alcohol and drugs to families in the child welfare system; provides information on the biological, psychological, and social processes of alcohol and drug addiction to help staff recognize when substance abuse is a risk factor in their cases; describes strategies to facilitate and support alcohol and drug treatment and recovery; and explains the benefits of partnering with substance abuse treatment and dependency court systems to improve outcomes for children of parents with substance use disorders. (Author abstract)

Provides an overview of state laws related to efforts to curtail the practice of some adoptive parents placing their adopted children into the custody of unrelated persons without the oversight of a child welfare agency or court. Such transfers put a child at risk of abuse, neglect, emotional trauma, and placement instability. States are utilizing a variety of approaches to curb the practice, including criminalizing the act, placing limits on delegating parental authority through the use of power of attorney, and restricting the use of advertising to find placements for a child. Summaries of laws for all states and U.S. territories are included.

Discusses States laws that permit, regulate, or prohibit the use of advertising or facilitators in private or independent adoptions. Some adoptive parents choose to advertise their interest in adopting, while others may choose to utilize the services of adoption facilitators or intermediaries. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.