Safety science and safety culture
Explore a variety of our resources related to safety science and promoting a safety culture within child welfare agencies.
Healthy organizations
We believe that a skilled and stable child welfare workforce supported by quality-focused agency environments are key to improved outcomes for children and families. Leaders from the field have asked for resources on building healthy organizations. The documents featured here reflect responses to inquiries about developing an effective workforce and building data-informed infrastructure so that child welfare agencies function at their best.
How do some child protection agencies approach coaching?
Learn how applying methods of coaching within child protection agencies can have significant positive effects on professional development.
How do some child protection agencies approach coaching? (APPENDIX)
Read summaries from several jurisdictions that use coaching models to train and develop their child protection agency staff.
What has been New York’s experience with casework teaming?
New York has found that casework teaming can help child welfare staff better meet the needs of the children and families they serve.
How have counties in New York approached implementation of casework teaming?
Learn how a casework teaming model for child welfare have been implemented in counties across New York.
Do higher standards of proof for child abuse and neglect impact rates of substantiation?
Learn about findings from a study that examines the outcomes related to having higher standards of proof for substantiation.
How can child welfare agencies use safety science concepts during a crisis?
Presenters at the National Partnership for Child Safety Collaborative describe how safety science has been applied during COVID-19.
How have some child protection agencies successfully recruited and retained resource families?
Learn how child protection agencies in New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Washington recruit and retain resource families for children in foster care.
What are some strategies for finding and keeping traditional and therapeutic resource families?
Explore effective strategies that child protection agencies can use to recruit and retain traditional and therapeutic resource families.
How did Michigan’s Children’s Services Agency develop executive performance dashboards?
Learn how Michigan developed performance dashboards to visualize metrics and trends that help inform decision-making.
How can executive performance dashboards support child welfare agency effectiveness?
This brief shares a framework for developing performance dashboards that include key measures to support decision-making.
How can child protection agencies respond to litigation?
Learn about strategies child protection agencies can pursue as they move through a consent decree litigation process.
How can child protection agencies use safety science to promote a safety culture?
Explore ways that agencies can implement the principles of safety science in order to encourage a workplace culture of safety and trust.
How are child welfare leaders applying the principles of safety science to prevent harm to children?
Learn from the experiences of child welfare agency leaders who are applying the principles of safety science within their organizations.
How did Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families and the state Legislature advance a strong relationship to the benefit of children and families?
Learn about the partnership between Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families and the state Legislature, and why it is essential.
Are there parallels between hiring and child protection processes that can help reduce bias and narrow child welfare’s front door?
This brief examines the parallels that exist between strategies for hiring staff and decision-making processes in child protection.
How did Washington, D.C., develop its approach to meaningful continuous quality improvement?
Learn how D.C.’s child protection agency implemented a CQI system that focuses on family support and on preventing child removal.
How does mindful organizing support better outcomes for children and families?
In two videos, Tiffany Goodpasture explains how mindful organizing is being used at the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
How can birth and foster parents partner to achieve reunification?
Listen to an audio recording to learn how birth and foster parent partnerships can build trusting relationships and lead to reunification.
Workforce
Explore our Questions from the Field resources to learn more about the child welfare workforce.