CASCW developed these child welfare policy briefs as a resource for students, advocates, professionals, and policymakers interested in child welfare policy.
Each policy brief takes an issue in child welfare and provides policy issues and potential evidence-based policy solutions. Also included are two Hot Topic policy briefs that dive into policy issues surrounding mental health and siblings in the child welfare system.
Policy Briefs (2011-2017)
Policy Brief No. 10 - Spring 2017 - Parental Disability in Child Welfare
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 10, Spring 2017
This policy brief provides an overview of how the child welfare system uses parental disability as a consideration in removing children and termination of parental rights.
Policy Brief No. 9 - Summer 2015 - Child Well-Being in Minnesota: Higher Education and Foster Care
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 9, Summer 2015
This policy brief focuses on increasing access to and preparation for higher education opportunities for current and former foster youth.
Policy Brief No. 8 - Fall 2014 - Substance Abuse Treatment Among Minnesota Youth in Foster Care: Implications for Policy Makers
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 8, Fall 2014
This policy brief looks at using policy to ensure that child welfare-involved adolescents and transitional-age youth are receiving the substance abuse treatment and support they need.
Policy Brief No. 7 - Spring 2013 - Father Engagement in Child Welfare
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 7, Spring 2013
This policy brief focuses on using policy to positively engage fathers in their child welfare-involved children’s lives.
Policy Brief No. 6 - Summer 2012 - Educational Experiences of Youth with Disabilities in Foster Care
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 6, Summer 2012
CASCW’s sixth child welfare policy brief continues the discussion on older youth with disabilities in Minnesota’s foster care system. This particular policy brief focuses on the educational experiences of these youth.
Policy Brief No. 5 - Spring 2012 - Older Youth with Disabilities in Foster Care
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 5, Spring 2012
This policy brief is Part One in the Policy Brief Series on Disability. It provides a briefing on the prevalence and experience of older youth with disabilities in foster care in Minnesota using an analysis of state administrative data.
Policy Brief No. 4 - Spring 2012 - Legislative Responses to Defining Risk Among Systems for Children ages 0-5
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 4, Spring 2012
This policy brief provides an overview on how risk is defined by Minnesota’s Early Intervention services and their role in the child welfare field. Included in the brief are overviews of Early Head Start, child protection screenings, and opportunities for cross-system coordination.
Policy Brief No. 3 - Winter 2012 - Legislative Responses to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Child Welfare
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 3, Winter 2012
This child welfare policy brief gives a briefing on racial and ethnic disparities in Minnesota’s Child Protection, Foster Care and Adoption service systems.
Policy Brief No. 2 - Fall 2011 - Child Welfare and Technology: A Guide for Policymakers
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 2, Fall 2011
Continuing the discussion on technology in child welfare, this policy brief gives a briefing on emerging uses of technology for Minnesota’s child protection, foster care and adoption service systems.
Policy Brief 1 (revised) - Spring 2013 - Primer for the 2013-14 Legislative Session
Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 1 (rev.), Spring 2013
This policy brief provides a briefing on Minnesota’s child welfare system, including child protection, foster care, and adoption service systems. Included in the brief are populations served, funding structures, and decision-making criteria for evidence-based policy solutions.
Child Welfare No. 1 - Primer for 2013-14 Legislative Session