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Child Welfare

Child welfare is the set of public services meant to keep children safe and give them stable homes. State and county agencies do most of the work, courts make the major legal decisions, and federal law supplies funding and standards. The work ranges from responding to reports of abuse to placing children with families who can care for them.

11articles
4topics
December 6last updated

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Latest in Child Welfare

Department of Health and Human Services

Understanding the Unaccompanied Children Program

The Unaccompanied Children (UC) Program is a federal initiative responsible for the care and custody of children who arrive in the United States without a parent…

Topics in Child Welfare

Protecting children

Child Protective Services covers how reports of abuse and neglect are received and investigated, and Child Welfare Reform covers the efforts to change how the system works.

Stable homes

Foster Care covers temporary placement with other families, Adoption covers creating a permanent legal family, and Guardianship covers a court-appointed caregiver for a child.

All Articles on Child Welfare

Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: Resources for Families

Child abuse and neglect are serious issues with lasting effects on children, families, and communities. This article provides information on understanding child abuse and…

26 Min Read

Understanding Adoption Assistance Programs: A Guide for Families

Adoption assistance serves as a crucial support system for families who open their hearts and homes to children with special needs, primarily those adopted…

67 Min Read

Resources for Navigating Foster Care: Support for Parents and Youth

The foster care journey is unique for every child and family, filled with both rewards and challenges. This guide illuminates pathways to support, helping…

46 Min Read

November Adoption Awareness: Myths vs Facts About Foster Care

National Adoption Month, observed each November in the United States, highlights thousands of children and youth in foster care awaiting permanent, loving families. It…

26 Min Read

Introduction to Foster Care: Supporting Children in Need

Foster care is a critical service in the United States, designed to provide temporary care and support for children who cannot safely remain in…

66 Min Read

How to Become a Foster Parent: Steps and Requirements

Opening your heart and home to a child in need is a profound decision that can offer life-changing support to a young person during…

34 Min Read

Foster Care Children Get Free Head Start: Auto-Eligibility Guide

Head Start is a comprehensive federal program dedicated to promoting school readiness of young children, primarily those from low-income families, by fostering their cognitive,…

28 Min Read