Child Welfare Practice Tools

In federal fiscal year 2012, approximately 23,396 young people transitioned out of foster care (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013) and faced the obstacles of adulthood – tight job markets, low wages, elevated tuition rates, and a lack of affordable housing – with limited, if any supports (Torrico Meruvia, 2013). Unlike their peers who may have family to rely on, life’s challenges can make older foster youths’ transition into adulthood a daunting and difficult one. Therefore, it is not surprising that former foster youth experience poor educational outcomes, high rates of unemployment, poverty, health issues, single parenthood, and homelessness (Courtney & Heuring, 2005; Torrico Meruvia, 2013).

In the last decade, the U.S. immigrant population has dramatically increased. In 2011, there were an estimated 40 million immigrants in the U.S.; 11 million of these individuals were undocumented (Pew Research Center, 2013). Children living in immigrant families now represent the fastest growing segment of the child population. In fact, it is estimated that one in four children and youth have an immigrant parent or are immigrants themselves (Capps & Passel, 2004; Torrico, 2010; NASW, 2013).

These standards were developed to broadly define the scope of services that child welfare social workers shall provide; that administrators should support; and that children, youths, and families should expect. They are designed to enhance awareness of the skills, knowledge, values, methods, and sensitivities social workers need to work effectively within the child welfare system.

Though case management has been integral to social work since the founding of the social work profession, the practice of case management has changed greatly over the past century. NASW's standards for social work case management revised in 2013, reflect this evolving context and reinforce the social work profession's leadership role in case management. The practice perspective includes case examples illustrating how the revised standards may be applied with a variety of client populations across practice settings.

Many adults struggle in their parental roles and with the tremendous responsibility that raising children encompasses. Their outlook as caretakers can perpetually shift. Feeling competent and well-suited in the role of being a parent can vacillate to feeling overwhelmed and defeated by children’s responses and behaviors. This fluctuation is often a normal transferal in parenthood. Because parents are frequently exhausted by the commitments of upholding a household and maintaining employment among other crucial obligations, they may not seek the emotional or educational guidance they need to support their relationship with their children.

Economic security is critical to the well-being of all children, youth and families. Yet, too many families across this country experience economic hardships. In 2010, 46.2 million Americans were living in poverty (DeNavas-Walt, Proctor & Smith, 2011). The official measurement of poverty1 is $22,113 for a family of four (Short, 2011) which is insufficient to adequately meet a family’s basic needs. Unfortunately, a lack of economic security places thousands of children, youth and families at risk of experiencing a wide array of life-changing experiences and unhealthy outcomes.