The following resources offer strategies for successfully implementing reform initiatives based on lessons learned from system reform efforts.
Are There Essential Building Blocks to Achieve Transformational Change in Child Welfare?
Casey Family Programs (2020)
Presents a video series on how to achieve transformational change in child welfare. The videos describe the importance of valuing families through authentic engagement, working together to address systemic inequities, and the need for patience to achieve systems change.
Building a Multi-System Trauma-Informed Collaborative: A Guide for Adopting a Cross-System, Trauma-Informed Approach Among Child-Serving Agencies and Their Partners (PDF - 880 KB)
Brennen, Axelrod, Guarino, & Gonsoulin (2019)
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago & American Institutes for Research
Summarizes lessons learned from efforts to bring together child welfare agencies and their partners to create a framework for cross-system strategic planning and the implementation of trauma-informed systems change.
The Evolution of Child Welfare Reform (PDF - 262 KB)
Collins-Camargo (2016)
CW360° Child Welfare Reform
Offers a summary of child welfare reform efforts and the evolution of child welfare reform over the last 40 years. The article concludes with a section on lessons learned.
How Have Agencies Moved From Evidence to Action? [Webinars]
Casey Family Programs (2018)
Presents a two-part webinar series on how jurisdictions have implemented and promoted evidence-based interventions through their child welfare systems. Each video covers key considerations, experiences, and lessons learned.
Implementation of System-Wide Change in Child Welfare and Behavioral Health: The Role of Capacity, Collaboration, and Readiness for Change (PDF - 564 KB)
Winters, Collins-Carmargo, Antle, & Verbist (2020)
Children and Youth Services Review,108
Examines variables that affect the success of embedding practice change into organizations and describes strategies that can help overcome implementation challenges.
Measuring Disparities in Child Welfare Systems: Five Lessons
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2017)
Discusses lessons learned from efforts to develop tools for measuring and addressing racial disparities in child welfare systems.
Reforming a System That Cannot Reform Itself: Child Welfare Reform by Class Action Lawsuits (PDF - 193 KB)
Lee, Gilbert, Lee, & Staller (2019)
Social Work, 64(4)
Provides an overview of child welfare reform through class action lawsuits and focuses on their role in implementing systemic change.
Transforming Child Welfare Systems to a 21st Century Model That Strengthens and Supports Families and Communities: Innovations From the Field (PDF - 1,372 KB)
Covington (2020)
Alliance for Strong Families and Communities
Describes a public health approach to child welfare and outlines examples of how States and communities are implementing their system reform efforts.
Upstream Investment in Children and Families Pays Off
Casey Family Programs (2020)
Highlights how child welfare system transformation could occur through prevention programs and programs that work to strengthen families before maltreatment occurs. Child welfare leaders have learned that investing in these services shows savings in terms of financial cost and other returns.