Raising the Bar: Child Welfare’s Shift Towards Well-BeingOver the last decade, there has been an increasing awareness about the poor developmental outcomes for children and youth in the child welfare system. The recognition of the need to improve well-being as a central focus of child welfare’s work has grown from an understanding of the importance of early childhood and adolescence in shaping outcomes, and the impact of toxic stress on the development of children and youth.

This brief summarizes the research, policy and practice trends driving this increased focus on well-being, highlights promising federal, state, and local efforts from across the county, and outlines initial steps for policymakers and advocates to implement a policy and practice agenda in their community.