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Family-Centered Case Planning
Family-centered case planning ensures the involvement and participation of family members in all aspects of case planning, so services are tailored to best address the family's needs and strengths. It includes the family members' recommendations regarding the types of services that will be most helpful to them, timelines for achieving the plan, and expected outcomes for the child and family. Case planning requires frequent updates based on the caseworker and family's assessment of progress toward goals.
Use the following resources to learn more about family-centered case planning, including State and local examples.
ASFA Supervisor-Team Training: Solution-Based Supervisory Practice for Achieving Outcomes in Child Welfare (PDF - 557 KB)
Barbee, Martin, Antle, & Christensen (2003)
Describes a curriculum for providing ongoing, intensive training to supervisors and their teams to improve daily casework practice skills in the areas of family assessment, case planning, and case monitoring.
Case Planning
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections
Links to national and State resources on effective case planning strategies.
Case Planning for Families Involved with Child Welfare Agencies | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 476KB) |
Year Published: | 2011 - 67 pages |
Presents a review of statutes and administrative codes that shows that States are using a variety of approaches to address the issue of case planning in child welfare. States generally require a case plan when a child is placed in out-of-home care or when a child and his or her family are receiving any kind of in-home services to prevent placement. Topics covered include requirements for when a case plan is needed, participants in case planning, and contents of plans. The laws presented are current through December 2010. |
Implementing High-Quality Collaborative Individualized Service/Support Planning: Necessary Conditions (PDF - 6380 KB)
Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health (2003)
Describes steps to achieve high quality implementation of team-based wraparound services. Includes assessments for implementation quality at the team, organizational, and system (policy and funding) level.
Information Packet: Child, Youth and Family Involvement in Case Planning (PDF - 178 KB)
Barinbaum (2007)
Summarizes case planning issues, reviews relevant legislation, and provides information on model programs and resources on this topic.
Tough Problems, Tough Choices: Guidelines for Needs-Based Service Planning in Child Welfare
Feild & Winterfeld (2003)
View Abstract
Designed to help child welfare professionals develop child-and family-specific case plans by providing a structured tool for making case decisions and service plans, a training guide for staff development, and a means for achieving agency-wide consistency in case planning.
State and local examples
Case Planning in Child Welfare: Practice Bulletin (PDF - 127 KB)
Iowa Department of Human Services (2008)
Discusses the ongoing process of case planning and highlights the importance of developing the case plan with the family in order to create a road map for safety, stability, and well-being.
Participatory Case Planning in Child Welfare Services: A Resource Guide (PDF - 767 KB)
Northern California Training Academy (2008)
Describes best practices and outlines steps for using participatory case planning with families in the child welfare system.
Standard: Service Planning (PDF - 57 KB)
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (2009)
Provides direction and guidance regarding family services plans and alternate care plans. The document addresses definitions, documentation, timeframes, monitoring and evaluating family progress, and more.