Standards serve a number of functions in child welfare. Goal standards provide a vision of ideal or "best" practice. Accreditation standards may be more prescriptive with descriptions of practices that a competent professional or provider organization should be able to meet. Licensing standards provide basic protections by the State for the well-being of children and families served. Standards provide benchmarks for measuring how well current performance meets the required or desired practice. Resources in the following sections contain standards for agencies and professionals as well as standards for specific child welfare programs and practice areas. On this page, find State and local examples of child welfare standards.

• Program and practice standards
• Professional standards and accreditation

State and local examples

Child Protection Policies & Procedures
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Provides information on the rules and policies of the Idaho child welfare system and links to a list of child welfare standards for that State.

Child Protective Services Access & Initial Assess Standards (PDF - 1,188 KB) 
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Division of Safety and Permanence (2021) 
Presents standards for access and initial assessment that reflect a balance in roles for agencies and child protective services workers between protecting children and preserving the rights of individuals.

Minimum Licensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF - 500 KB)
Arkansas Department of Human Services (2019) 
Reviews licensing requirements and general requirements relating to child welfare agencies in Arkansas. 

OKDHS Child Welfare Practice Standards
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Lists Oklahoma child welfare practice standards and provides key actions and indicators for each standard.

Wisconsin Child Welfare Policies and Standards
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families 
Presents standards and resources on the rules and regulations guiding the Wisconsin child welfare system.