Resources
In order to truly support the families they serve, child welfare professionals must work across systems and collaboratively engage young people as critical partners when making decisions that impact their lives. Involving youth in the planning and decision-making processes can have a positive impact on the developmental needs of young people in foster care and is widely considered best practice for promoting family integrity and long-term stability for those involved.
Below are resources that demonstrate how the child welfare and legal systems can work collaboratively to ensure that young people and their families are active participants in the court and permanency planning processes and how high-quality legal representation can positively impact youth’s ability to be heard. Find tip sheets, guidebooks, and other concrete examples to help build your organization's capacity to authentically engage youth and support the development of meaningful connections. These resources also highlight how technology and other virtual engagement tools can increase connectedness between youth, families, and resource parents and promote reunification and other permanency.
Child welfare and court collaboration to support youth and families
Empowering Youth in Court
Juvenile Law Center
Focuses on how to support youth in dependency court, specifically by removing attendance and participation barriers. This webpage also outlines strategies used by youth advocates to engage youth in court processes to support long-term success.
High-Quality Legal Representation Is Critical to Creating a Better Child Welfare System
Kelly & Milner (2019)
Child Law Practice Today, January–December
Explains how high-quality legal representation is important to reshaping the child welfare system so that it is less punitive and more helpful, supportive, and healing. Quality legal representation allows for a system where families and children feel their voices are heard and their expectations are better met.
Pathways to Permanency: Expanding on APPLA Provisions and Youth Engagement to Improve Permanency (PDF - 225 KB)
Capacity Building Center for States & Capacity Building Center for Courts
Provides guidance related to agency and court responsibilities outlined in the 2014 Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act. This tip sheet defines agency and court responsibilities related to the another planned permanent living arrangement (APPLA) provisions of the act and provides background information on the purpose of APPLA and the importance of youth engagement and voice in permanency planning.
What Do We Know About Virtual Court Hearings?
Casey Family Programs (2020)
Summarizes key considerations for courts moving to virtual hearings. The webpage also describes the effectiveness of virtual court hearings and their impact on children and families.
Youth Engagement Project
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
Describes the Youth Engagement Project, which aims to improve outcomes for youth in foster care, promote youth engagement in court cases, and support permanency and transition planning as well as extending foster care beyond age 18.
Youth Voice in Court [Video]
Texas Network of Youth Services
Reviews the challenges of including youth voices in court and how to support youth voice in court and provides links to related resources and information. The webpage also shares a video on the importance of youth voice and youth engagement in court cases.
For additional information and to see more State and local examples, visit the following pages on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website:
Meaningful connections and engagement with older youth
A Framework for Effectively Partnering With Young People
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2019)
Offers a framework on authentic youth engagement and reviews how youth engagement benefits young people, why it works, and examples of authentic youth engagement. This webpage contains information on the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.
Collaborative Family Engagement: Why It’s More Crucial Than Ever for Children in Care
Engel (2020)
CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County
Reviews the importance of collaborative family engagement and ensuring children and youth in out-of-home care are in touch with positive family members, friends, caseworkers, teachers, and other supportive contacts. The article refers to Collaborative Family Engagement Tools: A Pocket Guide for Connecting With and Searching for Families.
Engaging Youth and Caregivers in Developing Support Services
AdoptUSKids (2020)
Guides professionals through the process of designing services, which can ensure better alignment to the family's needs, deeper engagement, and demonstrate that the professionals recognize and value their perspectives to then work together to improve their outcomes.
Engaging Young People in a Virtual World
Youth Collaboratory
Offers information on engaging young people virtually and establishing online safety. The webpage also includes links to additional resources on topics such as mentoring, vulnerability during the COVID-19 crisis, and how to engage young people during difficult times.
Integrating Adolescent Brain Development Into Child Welfare Practice With Older Youth, Curriculum, Other Materials
National Association of Social Workers
Provides an online curriculum on integrating the science of adolescent brain development into child welfare practice and related materials for child welfare professionals. The webpage links to handouts, PowerPoint slides, audio files, videos, and other materials as part of the curriculum.
Permanency Pact: Lifelong, Kin-Like Connections Between a Youth and a Supportive Adult (PDF - 2,560 KB)
FosterClub
Offers information on creating a permanency pact, a formalized arrangement that connects youth in foster care with a supportive adult. A permanency pact provides structure and a safety net for youth; outlines a commitment from both parties to a long-term, supportive relationship; and defines clear expectations of that relationship.
Turning Brain “Strains” Into “Gains” for Adolescents in Foster Care
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2017)
Presents a video, "Promoting Brain Gains for Youth Emerging From Foster Care," that examines adolescent brain development and ways child welfare organizations can help youth as they transition out of the foster care system into adulthood.
Youth Engagement Blueprint (YEB) Series
Capacity Building Center for States
Presents a tip sheet series that aims to help child welfare organizations build capacity to promote a culture of youth engagement. The series covers four areas: viewing young people as assets, having the right people, implementing flexible and innovative programs and practices, and using science and technology effectively.
For additional information and to see more State and local examples, visit the following pages on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website:
Now more than ever, child welfare professionals have the opportunity to develop strategies to fight inequities and diminish the trauma and social isolation that families and young people may experience in foster care. Visit the links below to see examples of how the child welfare system has continued serving the needs of families—especially older youth—in foster care in recent months.
How Child Welfare Leaders Can Help Older Youth During COVID-19 Pandemic
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2020)
Embedding a Racial Equity Perspective in the Positive Youth Development Approach
Redd, Moore, & Andrews (2020)
Child Trends
Surviving the Coronavirus Crisis: Current & Former Foster Youth Speak Out
The Imprint
Resources for Professionals and Others Supporting Young People During Times of Uncertainty
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Visit the links below to find additional information about foster care.
