Many children and youth in the child welfare system and those at risk of abuse and neglect have a variety of physical, mental, social, emotional, educational, and developmental needs. Systems of care is a service delivery approach that builds partnerships to create a broad, integrated process for meeting families' multiple needs. The first round of Child and Family Service Review findings show this systems change model of practice is effective in promoting improved outcomes for children, youth, and families in sites with systems of care initiatives.
History and guiding principles of systems of care
Development of the systems of care approach and its guiding principles.
Systems of care and child welfare
How systems of care relates to child welfare, and how this approach can help support States and communities in improving child welfare outcomes.
Build systems of care in your community
Examples of interagency agreements, strategic plans, assessment instruments, and other tools and resources to help communities build systems of care.
Communicate with professionals about systems of care
Examples of systems of care across the country, contact information for national organizations, Federal systems of care grantees, and a listserv for grantees to share questions and lessons learned.
Systems of care resource library
Publications and promising practices that address the systems of care concept and approach to service planning.