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  Kinship Care and the Child Welfare System

  Child Welfare Information Gateway

  Sometimes grandparents, other relatives, or family friends care for children when their parents are unable to care for them. This arrangement, known as kinship care, can occur with or without the involvement of a child welfare agency, depending on the situation. This factsheet is designed to help kin caregivers work effectively with the child welfare system. It also includes resources, such as links to more detailed information or places to find support, to help caregivers learn about and navigate the child welfare system.

  This publication is also available in Spanish

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  How the Child Welfare System Works

  Child Welfare Information Gateway

  This factsheet provides a brief overview of the purposes and functions of the child welfare system. Child welfare systems typically receive and investigate reports of possible child abuse and neglect; provide services to families that need assistance in the safety and care of their children; arrange for children to live with relatives or with foster families when they are not safe at home; and arrange for reunification, adoption, or other permanent family connections for children and youth leaving foster care. A flowchart illustrates how cases typically move through the child welfare system.

  This publication is also available in Spanish.

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  The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System

  Child Welfare Information Gateway

  This issue brief discusses the importance of cultivating a child welfare system that recognizes and responds appropriately to trauma. After providing a brief overview of trauma and its effects, the brief explores steps that are involved in transitioning to a trauma-informed system and features examples from State and local programs incorporating trauma-informed practice. The brief concludes by highlighting how cross-system collaborations can help promote trauma-informed child welfare practice.

  Acknowledgment(s): This issue brief was developed by Child Welfare Information Gateway with valuable input from George Ake, Melinda Baldwin, Mellicent Blythe, Pamela Cornwell, James Henry, Jason Lang, Susana Mariscal, Kelly McCauley, John McMahon, Heather Pane Seifert, Jessica Strolin-Goltz, and Marc Winokur.

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  Sibling Issues in Foster Care and Adoption

  Child Welfare Information Gateway

  Sibling relationships can provide positive support and improved outcomes for children involved with child welfare as well as for those in the general population. Connections with siblings can serve as a protective factor for children who have been removed from their birth homes, but for a variety of reasons, siblings may not be placed together or may not have regular contact. This bulletin explores relevant research, strategies, and resources to assist child welfare professionals in preserving connections among siblings.

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  Parenting a Child or Youth Who Has Been Sexually Abused: A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents

  Child Welfare Information Gateway

  This factsheet discusses how you can help children and youth in your care by educating yourself about child sexual abuse, understanding the impact of the abuse, establishing guidelines for safety and privacy in your family, and seeking help if you need it. Reading this factsheet alone will not guarantee that you will know what to do in every circumstance, but you can use it as a resource for some of the potential challenges and rewards that lie ahead.

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  Parenting Children and Youth Who Have Experience Abuse or Neglect

  Child Welfare Information Gateway

  Children and youth who have been abused or neglected need safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments to recover from the trauma they've experienced. If you are parenting a child or youth with a history of abuse or neglect, you might have questions about the impacts and how you can help your child heal. This factsheet is intended to help parents (birth, foster, and adoptive) and other caregivers better understand the challenges of caring for a child or youth who has experienced maltreatment and learn about available resources for support.

  This publication is also available in Spanish.

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  Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma

  Child Welfare Information Gateway

  This factsheet discusses the nature of trauma, especially abuse or neglect, the effects of trauma on children and youth, and ways to help a child who has experienced trauma. Parents or foster parents who do not understand the effects of trauma may misinterpret their child's behavior, and attempts to address troubling behavior may be ineffective or, in some cases, even harmful. By understanding trauma, parents and foster parents can help support a child's healing, the parent-child relationship, and their family as a whole.

  This publication is also available in Spanish.