Resources and information, including summaries of State laws, relevant to out-of-home care practice.
Case Planning for Families Involved With Child Welfare Agencies
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 812KB) |
| Year Published | 2014 |
Presents a review of statutes and administrative codes that shows that States are using a variety of approaches to address the issue of case planning in child welfare. States generally require a case plan when a child is placed in out-of-home care or when a child and his or her family are receiving any kind of in-home services to prevent placement. Topics covered include requirements for when a case plan is needed, participants in case planning, and contents of plans. Laws for all States and territories are included.
Court Hearings for the Permanent Placement of Children
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 1,155KB) |
| Year Published | 2016 |
Summarizes State laws that mandate the type and frequency of court hearings that must be held to review the status of children placed in out-of-home care. At these hearings, the court reviews the efforts that have been made to address the family issues that necessitated the out-of-home placement as well as efforts to achieve permanency for the child. This document also describes lists the persons who may attend the hearings and permanency options.
Determining the Best Interests of the Child
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 816KB) |
| Year Published | 2016 |
Discusses State laws that present the factors that courts need to consider when making decisions about a child's appropriate custody and care. Factors to be considered include parental capacity to provide adequate care, sibling and other family relationships, and the child's wishes. The factsheet also addresses the definition of best interests and guiding principles of best interest determinations. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Placement of Children With Relatives
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 627KB) |
| Year Published | 2013 |
Discusses State laws that give priority or preference to relatives when children are in need of out-of-home care. The issues addressed include locating relatives, determining the fitness of a relative to provide care, requirements for licensure, and the financial and other supports available to relatives providing care. Requirements for placing siblings together whenever possible and adoption by relatives also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Links to State and Tribal Child Welfare Law and Policy
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 196KB) |
| Year Published | 2015 |
Provides web addresses for State statutes that are accessible online and lists the parts of the code for each State and territory that contains the laws addressing child protection, adoption, child welfare, legal guardianship, and services for youth. It also provides web addresses for States' regulation and policy sites, State court rules, Tribal codes, and judicial resources. Resources for all States and U.S. territories are included.
State Child Welfare Legislation 2007-2008 (PDF - 465 KB)
National Conference of State Legislatures (2009)
Documents significant State legislation enacted during calendar year 2007 and 2008, such as new laws to expedite permanency for foster children, support foster parents and kinship caregivers, and assist youth who are aging out of care.