Research supports the importance of promoting the well-being of children and families, which includes the cognitive, behavioral/emotional, and social functioning and physical health and development. The adverse effects of child abuse and neglect can span across a child's lifetime, but certain interventions can reduce the behavioral, social, and emotional impacts of maltreatment. Therefore, a focus on well-being should be integrated into all aspects of child welfare services.
The federally mandated Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) help States improve safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for children and families who receive services through the child welfare system. When well-being outcomes are met, families can better provide for their children and children receive appropriate services to meet the educational, physical, and mental health needs. This section provides resources and materials that focus on the importance of well-being and the interventions that promote the well-being of children and youth, parents and families, and the larger community. This section also features tools for assessing and measuring well-being in practice.