Applying the Science of Child Development in Child Welfare System

Abstract

In this paper, the authors show how the science of child development can be leveraged to strengthen one of these public systems: child welfare. The intended audience includes leaders in the public agencies responsible for child protection and related functions; in the private, non-profit agencies that provide many of the services in these systems; in the courts, which play a critical role in child welfare; in legislative committees that oversee child welfare and related services; and in the many other public systems, such as early childhood education, mental health, and juvenile justice, whose support is essential to success in child welfare. While this paper is focused on child welfare systems in the United States, the researchers believe it may be relevant to other countries with similar systems. Leaders in these areas have the unique opportunity to both drive changes in child welfare policy and practice and model the kinds of actions, from front-line workers and parents, needed to promote healthy child development. The authors hope the paper will be equally valuable to front-line practitioners and supervisors, who are the essential deliverers of effective child welfare services.