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Lessons Learned from System Reform Efforts
The following resources offer strategies for successfully implementing reform initiatives based on lessons learned from system reform efforts.
Promising Approaches
Children's Bureau
Describes promising approaches in child welfare from more than 20 States that were identified during the CFSR process. Topics include agency, court, and community collaboration; foster and adoptive parent licensing, recruitment, and retention; permanency; and others.
National Study of Child Protective Services Systems and Reform Efforts: A Summary Report | |
Author(s): | Fluke, Harper, Parry, Sedlak, et al. |
Availability: | View Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2003 - 32 pages |
This paper summarizes key findings on practice and policy, as well as changes being undertaken, which were identified during the 2-year National Study of Child Protective Services Systems and Reform Efforts. Topics include background, screening and triage, investigation, collaboration with law enforcement, alternatives to investigation, collaboration in providing services, and looking toward the future. These findings were discussed at a symposium of persons knowledgeable about child protective services policies and practices and their observations are included in this paper. (Author abstract modified) |
Addressing Racial Disproportionality in Child Welfare | |
Series Title: | Issue Briefs |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 391KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2011 - 28 pages |
Focuses on some promising practices from around the country that agencies and jurisdictions have implemented to respond to racial disproportionality in child welfare. The brief looks at the various decision points in the child welfare process where overrepresentation (or underrepresentation) of different racial or ethnic groups may occur and notes promising programs that address disproportionality at those decision points. The issue brief explores disproportionality in terms of prevalence, community development and prevention, reporting and screening, investigation and assessment, service provision, permanency for children in out-of-home care, across the stages of child welfare, States' efforts, and strategies and research. |
For the Welfare of Children: Lessons Learned From Class Action Litigation (PDF - 723 KB)
Meltzer, Joseph, & Shookhoff, (Eds.)
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2012)
Presents a series of papers evaluating the use of class action litigation to reform public child welfare systems. Sections include lessons learned that encompass all stages of the litigation process.
Implementing Evidence-Based Practices: Six "Drivers" of Success (PDF - 178 KB)
Metz, Blase, & Bowie
Child Trends Research-to-Results Brief, 2007
Defines implementation, highlights why effective implementation of evidence-based practices is critical to achieving outcomes, and outlines six components that support successful program implementation.
Lessons Learned in Systems Change Initiatives: Benchmarks and Indicators
Kreger, Brindis, Manuel, & Sassoubre
American Journal of Community Psychology, 39(3/4), 2007
View Abstract
Discusses strategies for measuring the progress of systems change by drawing on analytic frameworks and lessons learned from six systems change initiatives.
Outcomes and Lessons Learned: Casey's Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Reducing Disproportionality and Disparities for Children and Families of Color in the Child Welfare System
Ward (2008)
Examines the processes and influences of a collaborative involving 13 public child welfare agencies that aimed to share ideas, raise awareness, and develop solutions to the problem of disproportionality in the child welfare system. Findings showed the collaborative effectively mobilized child welfare agencies to test and implement strategies to equalize how the system treats these children and their families. (PDF - 436 KB)
Planning and Implementing Change
Lonne, Parton, Thomson, & Harries (2008)
In Reforming Child Protection
View Abstract
Provides an overview of attempts at reform and change management in child protection systems, outlines principles and themes for guiding change processes, and proposes effective reforms at social and organizational levels.