Administration for Children and Families

The Children’s Bureau is seeking feedback from Children’s Bureau Express subscribers. This survey asks readers what they think about Children’s Bureau content, topical coverage, format, style, number and timing of issues, display, and more. Learn more. 

This article offers guiding questions and ideas to help organizations ensure that every permanency plan from conceptualization to implementation is driven by and reflective of youth priorities. Ideas for action and tips for success are discussed for each of the following topics: Youth-centered concurrent planning, support for relational permanency, and ...

This webpage contains resources to support state agencies in preparing for Round 4 of the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). Resources explore how to use data, evidence, and engagement practices to examine performance and make system improvements to achieve better outcomes for children, youth, and families who receive child ...

This article discusses what practitioners and agency staff can do to support young people who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness upon their transition out of foster care at age 18. Examples include:   build authentic relationships with young people  engage in realistic transition planning for the “gap” (the period of ...

This article discusses the benefits of kinship care on young people’s mental and behavioral health, when compared to foster care system involvement. It discusses the role that child welfare agencies can play in strengthening kinship caregivers’ understanding of the resources and practices available to support them. Learn more.  ...

November is National Adoption Month. The annual observance seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the foster care system, and emphasize the value of youth engagement. The 2022 theme is “Small Steps Open Doors,” which speaks to the ...

This webpage shares stories directly from youth and adoptive families about the importance of youth having their voices heard and the impact that building a relationship based on mutual trust can have on a young person’s life. Child welfare professionals should use these stories as they discuss permanency planning with ...

The Administration on Children and Families (ACF) released a “Dear Colleague Letter” today, October 27, 2022, highlighting ways that stakeholders can assist children who have experienced the loss of a parent or caregiver with essential emotional and financial supports. The letter provides a list of additional resources for these children ...

This webpage shares stories directly from youth and adoptive families about the importance of youth having their voices heard and the impact that building a relationship based on mutual trust can have on a young person’s life. Child welfare professionals should use these stories as they discuss permanency planning with ...

November is National Adoption Month. The annual observance seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the foster care system, and emphasize the value of youth engagement. The 2022 theme is “Small Steps Open Doors,” which speaks to the ...