This section examines how agencies and community members can work together to monitor and improve child welfare agency services and outcomes for children and families involved with the child welfare system.
Building and Sustaining Child Welfare Partnerships (PDF - 595 KB)
National Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care (2011)
Highlights the importance of interagency collaboration and community partnerships and describes steps and strategies that child welfare agencies can use to forge partnerships with child- and family-serving organizations and community members.
Building and Sustaining Collaborative Community Relationships (PDF - 648 KB)
Capacity Building Center for States (2017)
Highlights the importance of effective, ongoing collaboration between child welfare agencies and community-based partners to strengthen assessment and decision-making, increase understanding of the family’s needs, promote communication and information sharing across systems, and provide better overall support to children and families.
Building Partnerships in Child Welfare [Video]
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2013)
Discusses the impact of the Family to Family initiative, which focuses on implementing a neighborhood-based, family-focused approach to child welfare.
Community Partnerships for Protecting Children Initiative
Center for the Study of Social Policy
Strives to protect children and support families through improved agency and community collaboration, national and State policy, child welfare reform, and promoting racial equality. The website provides information on communities involved, key strategies, and program evaluation.
Community Partnerships: Head Start/Early Head Start and Child Welfare (PDF - 583 KB)
The Early Childhood-Child Welfare Partnership (2013)
Outlines the importance of community partnerships with child welfare agencies and practical ways to strengthen these relationships.
Engaging Fathers Podcast Series
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2017)
Discusses the beneficial role of fathers in child development and ways to create a more father-friendly child welfare system. This three part series is designed to help child welfare agencies engage and support fathers and paternal family members in creating safe and stable environments for their children.
Making Connections
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Improves outcomes for vulnerable children by strengthening their families' connections to economic opportunity, positive social networks, and effective services and supports. Agencies work in full partnership with residents, community organizations, local government, businesses, and funders.