An agency's philosophy, mission, and policy set the tone for workplace culture and interactions between agency staff and community members. The resources in this section examine how child welfare agencies can implement organizational change by moving toward strengths-based, family-centered practice and how to create effective mission and vision statements.
Agency philosophy, mission, and policy
ACF Vision, Mission, and Values
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families
Presents the Administration for Children and Families mission statement, which can be used as a model by child welfare in the creation and development of strategic planning documents.
Nonprofit Vision and Mission Statement Worksheet (PDF - 103 KB)
Whole Whale (2019)
Offers a worksheet designed to help professionals develop clear, coherent mission and vision statements.
Phase 2: Developing Strategy
OnStrategy HQ (2021)
Outlines the process of creating agency mission and vision statements, including guiding questions, practical tips, and examples.
Strategic planning process
Strategic Planning for Nonprofits
National Council of Nonprofits
Identifies strategies that assist in the development and implementation of a strategic vision, including identifying an organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.
Strategic Planning in Child Welfare
Capacity Building Center for States (2019)
Provides guidance and tools designed to support child welfare agencies in implementing strategic, long-term plans. This webpage also provides a series of resources and webinars detailing each stage in the strategic planning process.
Strategic Planning Toolkit
Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center
Features tools and resources to guide State and local organizations in learning about and implementing a strategic plan. Though designed for victim services organizations, these resources apply more generally to child welfare agencies as well.
Strategic Planning in Tribal Child Welfare Programs (PDF - 243 KB)
Capacity Building Center for Tribes, Tribal Information Exchange (2022)
Provides guidance and tools to effectively focus and accomplish assessing the needs, strengths, and objectives of Tribal communities while remaining culturally sensitive.
Strategies to Stage and Scale Up Implementation in Child Welfare Systems [Webinar]
Capacity Building Center for States (2016)
Explores the application of implementation science principles to decisions about staging and scaling new programs and practices that have not been implemented statewide. This webinar examines the elements needed to scale effectively, and representatives from various States provide insights from their experiences with staged implementation approaches. Free registration is required to access this resource.
State and local examples
2015–2019 Strategic Plan (PDF - 285 KB)
Summit County Children Services (2015)
Shares Summit County’s mission and vision, including practical steps for achieving these in their service provision in Ohio.
2016–2020 Five Year Strategic Plan (PDF - 353 KB)
Arizona Department of Child Safety (2016)
Outlines strategic issues and respective goals and strategies for the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Who We Are
Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance
Presents concise mission and vision statements before defining the guiding values and history of this private child welfare agency in Pennsylvania.