NCJ Number
236645
Date Published
June 2010
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This brief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Youth offers information on the benefits of family engagement.
Abstract
This brief defines family engagement as a family-centered and strengths-based approach to partnering with families to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families that are involved with the child welfare system. The approach emphasizes open and honest communication with families in order to meet the individual needs of every family and every child. The brief discusses the benefits of family engagement which include enhancing the helping relationship, promoting family 'buy-in', expanding options for including more family members, improving the quality and focus of social worker visits, increasing placement stability, improving timeliness of permanency decisions, and building family decisionmaking skills. Details are also provided on ways that child welfare agencies can achieve meaningful family engagement such as improved agency leadership, trained supervisors, manageable caseloads, availability and accessibility of diverse services, and monitoring family engagement activities. Additional information for child welfare professionals includes specific strategies that reflect family engagement, and key casework elements. Examples of successful State and local family engagement strategies are presented, along with a listing of additional resources for professionals. References