The following resources provide information on how child welfare services can be funded as well as examples of how agencies structure funding for their programs, including information on collaborative funding strategies. Collaborative funding strategies are those that combine funding to broaden services and achieve common goals.
Eight Strategies for Funding the Implementation of Child Welfare Programs
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2017)
Presents eight core strategies for funding the implementation of child welfare programs. The strategies consider costs, funding streams, partnerships, and resource allocation.
Funding by Topic: Child Welfare
Rural Health Information Hub
Offers a list of funding programs for child welfare that includes grants, Federal initiatives, foundation funding, and more.
Funding Evidence-Based Programs in Child Welfare With the Family First Act [Webinar]
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2018)
Provides access to a webinar that outlines available funding streams for implementing and sustaining evidence-based programs in child welfare with an emphasis on the Family First Prevention Services Act.
Funding Supports and Services for Young People Transitioning from Foster Care
Tiede & Rosinsky (2019)
Child Trends
Examines how child welfare leaders across the country are using funding sources to serve young people ages 18 and older who are transitioning out of foster care. The report examines funding challenges and explores policy issues for the child welfare field.
Funding to Coordinate Adult and Child Services
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2017)
Explores how bringing together services that address the needs of the entire family is a key component to child welfare systems implementing a two-generation approach, yet most funding is designed for either children or adults.
How Have Some States Developed and Funded Kinship Navigator Programs?
Casey Family Programs (2018)
Details how several States developed and funded kinship navigator programs, including recommendations for how to sustain these programs in the future. The Family First Prevention Services Act provides a dedicated stream of funding for kinship navigator programs.
How States Fund Child Welfare Activities
Child Trends (2016)
Offers a fact sheet on child welfare funding that explores how agencies pay for child welfare services, including funding challenges and best practices.
Solution Series: New Federal Opportunities to Advance Two-Generation Approaches to Improving the Lives of Children and Parents (PDF - 178 KB)
The Aspen Institute (2018)
Explains how State and local child welfare leaders across the country can take advantage of Federal funding opportunities to address intergenerational poverty. The brief summarizes funding available, highlights how States and counties are planning to use these funds to scale up evidence-based practices, and offers steps jurisdictions can take to improve outcomes for children and families while improving government efficiency.
Tribal Leadership Series: Funding Child Welfare Services (PDF - 4,966 KB)
National Indian Child Welfare Association (2018)
Provides information about funding Tribal child welfare programs and services using funds from Federal, State, and Tribal sources. The guide includes an overview of Federal child welfare funding, information on Bureau of Indian Affairs programs that support Tribal child welfare services, Tribal family needs and resource allocations, and more.
What Are Some of the Foundational Elements, Strategies, and Opportunities for Child Welfare Financing? [Webinar]
Casey Family Programs (2018)
Presents a three-part webinar series on child welfare funding and decision-making regarding child welfare financing.
Collaborative funding strategies
Integrated Funding Streams Across the Health and Human Services Continuum
Flagg & Becker (2018)
Urban Institute
Describes how innovative, integrated funding streams across health and human services can improve coordination and information sharing between agencies. The resource showcases how Indiana and Connecticut's funding streams cut across program boundaries can integrate health and wellbeing.
Maximizing Resources
FRIENDS National Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (2020)
Reviews how organizations can maximize resources and optimize resources for a program or initiative by using blended funding, braided funding, and leveraging funding. The webpage also discusses things to consider when examining potential partnerships to maximize funding and provides additional resources.
Pooling and Braiding Funds for Health-Related Social Needs: Lessons from Virginia's Children's Services Act
National Academy for State Health Policy (2016)
Presents a brief on Virginia's long-term experience with pooling funds to meet the needs of at-risk children, youth, and families through its Children's Services Act. The resource examines lessons from Virginia and the benefits and challenges of braiding and blending funding across agencies and explores whether the State's model could serve as a blueprint for other States seeking to coordinate funding and services.