Many organizations and programs affect the lives of youth involved with the child welfare system. Coordinating services to youth can help improve outcomes and strengthen the support system for youth. Find guidelines, protocols, and other resources for improving collaboration among youth-serving agencies.
Community Solutions for Opportunity Youth: Final Report (PDF - 4,895 KB)
The White House Council for Community Solutions (2012)
Identifies elements of successful community solutions; highlights best practices, tools, and models of cross-sector collaboration; and makes recommendations on how to continue elevating the national awareness of the issues facing opportunity youth.
Family Engagement Inventory
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Offers a web-based tool to assist professionals in child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, and education with family engagement as defined and implemented across these fields of practice.
Health Coverage for Homeless and At-Risk Youth (PDF - 207 KB)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2016)
Reviews who is eligible for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the services covered, how to apply, and a chart of the Medicaid and CHIP income eligibility for children, adults, parents, and pregnant women across the 50 states.
It’s Your Life
American Bar Association, Center on Children and the Law (2017)
Helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in foster care navigate the child welfare system.
Ready by 21
Maryland Department of Human Services (2017)
Examines how the Maryland Department of Human Services is working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure that youth are as prepared as possible for independent living by the time they reach age 21. Information can be found about education, stable housing, health care, financial stability, and mentors.
Supporting Youth in Foster Care: Research-Based Policy Recommendations for Executive and Legislative Officials in 2017 (PDF - 570 KB)
Child Trends (2017)
Examines how policymakers can play an important role in supporting children in foster care and strengthening their families.
Youth.gov
Provides interactive tools and other resources to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships plan, implement, and participate in effective programs for youth. Also find resources about juvenile justice, mental health, school climate, and the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention.
Youth Engaged 4 Change
Allows youth to share their experiences on how to make a difference on topics important to them. The website also provides topical information for youth on support, foster care, education, advocacy, disabilities, employment, and more. Youth Engaged 4 Change is an extension of youth.gov, a project of the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs.