Resource Library

Summarizes the results of an AdoptUSKids project to increase families’ access to respite care, describing key research findings on the effectiveness and value of respite, highlighting model respite programs, and offering guidance for partnerships and sustaining respite services.

Examines how the Inherent Strengths Curriculum for Kinship Caregivers can be effectively utilized across structured caregiver training, tribal kinship navigator services, and support groups. The curriculum emphasizes a strengths-based approach to kinship caregiving, helping caregivers support children while managing stress and improving family resilience.

Provides FY 24 data of Illinois DCFS Post-Adoption Support Services. This annual report shows high utilization across counseling, respite, crisis intervention, and search/reunion services.

Provides an overview of the rural realities that shape access to post-permanency services and explores how these realities can be addressed when strengthening supports for adoptive, guardianship and kinship families.

Defines various types of adoption discontinuity and explores data on the number of adoption/guardianship disruptions and dissolutions as well as parent, child, and systemic factors that affect placement stability.

Explores the topic of disruption and dissolution of pre-adoption and adoptive families. This podcast looks at the grief, trauma, and how to hold compassion for all members of the family.

Discusses ways in which adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impose challenges to the developing brain. Reviews data pointing to the effectiveness of early intervention in addressing neurodevelopmental consequences associated with maltreatment or institutional rearing.

Introduced the EYE curiculum, a resource designed to support child welfare system leaders, youth-serving organizations, communities and young adults with foster care experience in building authentic partnerships. The curriculum also prepares young people with foster care experience to advocate for themselves and others, while participating in meaningfully in shaping the services and policies that affect their lives.

Explores how workers in a tribal child welfare agency can support families at every stage, even when they already have a full plate of work.

Discusses how the Illinois Adoption Advisory Council helped the state develop the comprehensive post-permanency model that is currently in place. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services used the information gathered from the Council to identify needs of adoptive families and the gaps in service provision. This article provides lessons that other states can utilize as they consider how to create and/or leverage adoptive parent councils to improve their post-permanency continuum.     Introduction to the Resources Watch the video below for an overview of the resource or click on the button to access the article directly.