Resource Library

Explores the improvements to the engagement and support of kinship families in New Mexico. This episode explores the strategic public-private collaboration between New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department and the Southwest Family Guidance Center.

Examines the negative impact of ACEs and the connection to historical trauma. Notes that participation in indigenous practices, family support, and social connectedness can contribute to the resilience needed to cope with the adverse impact of ACEs.

Provides information on the theory of change, services offered, staffing, budget, evaluation, and more for Alabama’s post-adoption support program.

Provides adoption professionals with insights into the educational challenges faced by adopted children and offers strategies to support adoptive parents. Speakers discuss strategies for navigating school-based support systems, understanding factors such as trauma, attachment, and behavioral challenges, and emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed approaches for academic success. Users will need to create an account and use the code NCEPSFREE to access webinar. A training certificate is available.

Outlines the research and evaluation requirements of the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 and highlights next steps for state agencies, legislators, and researchers to achieve the Family First Act’s goals of preventing foster care entry. Provides an opportunity for those seeking to support adoptive or guardianship families whose children are at risk of foster care entry or re-entry to understand this funding stream’s requirements for evidence.

Focuses on the ways that developmental science points to changes that could improve the child welfare system and better support the children, families and communities that it serves. Recommendations and observations in this article apply to children and youth of all ages, from birth through adolescence and young adulthood.

Describes a promising trauma training curriculum for foster parents and kinship caregivers—ARC Reflections—and presents findings from an implementation evaluation conducted in five counties in North Carolina. Presents lessons learned from the evaluation and implications for future implementation and scale-up of ARC Reflections.

Examines guardianship as a legal option for children in foster care when going back to their birth parents or getting adopted is not possible or the right fit. The fact sheet includes information on how child welfare professionals can help caregivers navigate guardianship, navigate boundaries with birth parents, and the impacts that guardianship may have on the families lives.

Describes the benefits of conducting an assessment of families’ needs and describes common approaches to doing so.

Explores 12 questions administrators can ask about their support services to ensure they are most effective for families, including: Are providers adoption-and permanency competent? Is the service trauma informed and responsive? Are parents, caregivers, and youth involved in service design and improvement? Offers additional resources for making improvements or conducting assessments.