Resource Library

Explores the needs behind and principles for services agencies can provide during the pre-permanence timeframe, offering examples of promising programs.

Explores recent research that investigates placement decisions and outcomes for former foster children adopted by relatives.

Aims to help child welfare agencies use data effectively to improve outcomes for children and families. It highlights the five steps in the framework: defining an area of focus, using data to explain issues, selecting strategies /tools, designing and implementing a plan and monitoring/evaluating progress. It emphasizes collaboration with staff, community partners and stakeholders as well as discusses the need for ongoing assessment and adjustment to ensure data-driven improvements in child welfare practices.

Reviews the progress made over the past decade in supporting grandfamilies-families where grandparents or other relatives care for children.

Offers adoption professionals insights into the dynamics of grandfamilies, including strategies for managing birth parent relationships and accessing post-adoption resources. Users will need to create an account and use the code NCEPSFREE to access webinar. A training certificate is available.

Provides the historical background, summary, analysis, resources and program tools related to Title IV-E funded subsidized guardianship/Guardianship Assistance (KinGAP) in all 50 states.

Emphasizes the benefits of placing children with kin, such as reduced trauma, improved well-being, and better permanency outcomes. This article outlines the Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP), which provides financial assistance and other supports to children in kinship care who are eligible for federal foster care payments. The brief discusses barriers to GAP as well as suggests strategies to promote a kin-first culture, expand financial support and increase stakeholder buy-in for GAP.

Explains data-driven decision making (DDDM), a process for deciding on a course of action based on data. Describes the requirements of DDDM and the steps for applying DDDM concepts to organizations and service systems.

Provides practical tips and tools for working with children and youth who have experienced trauma. This guidebook is divided into four distinct areas, which organizes the relational trauma healing four core areas of the framework: Protect, Grieve, Connect and Regulate. When used to guide work with those who have suffered trauma, the framework also continues to bring positive results and healing.

Provides professionals with information to help children, youth, and adoptive families develop and maintain appropriate and evolving connections with birth families.