Resource Library

This technical bulletin gives reporting instructions and provides examples for the AFCARS 2020 out-of-home care and adoption and guardianship assistance data elements. The regulation for each element is shown in a blue box. Following the regulation language, CB provides explanatory text, examples, differences between AFCARS 1993 and AFCARS 2020, and data reporting standards. This Technical Bulletin was last revised on January 14, 2022.

This webinar described the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) Technical Assistance Review Process. It began with an overview of the lessons learned from the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) review process. The presentation described the iterative review process and it explains the use of self-assessment tools. As of this presentation, some self-assessment tools were available for public comment and others were in development.

This webinar explained how states are using remote/distance training and learning for CCWIS rollout and implementation. This webinar session provided an overview of key strategies for effective and engaging distance learning models for training and onboarding of new staff. State panelists shared lessons learned with using virtual reality during the onboarding and training process as well as lessons learned from quickly pivoting from in-person training to virtual training due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This webinar, featuring Terry Watt (Director, Division of State Systems), Nicole Harter-Shafer (Federal Analyst, Division of State Systems), and Nick Gompper (contracted technology specialist), provided technical assistance about cloud service computing models.  The webinar distinguished between Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, Software-as-a-Service, and Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) solutions and the webinar included items to consider when evaluating solutions for a specific title IV-E agency need.  In addition, Terry Watt and Nicole Harter-Shafer provided technical assistance about selecting a solution, when to use a COTS waiver, and sole-source justification.  The webinar included several question and answer sessions throughout the presentation.

This webinar described Idaho's and Arizona's experiences implementing child welfare information systems using Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) cloud computing. The state panelists shared their experiences and took questions from participants regarding their state solution architecture, cloud solution procurements, cloud vendor management, solution implementation, and user experience.

This state panel discussion, featuring Alabama, District of Columbia, and Wisconsin, discussed sharing child welfare and education data to improve practice and outcomes. Panelists shared the history of their exchanges along with future visions for their exchanges. In addition, panelists discussed the lessons learned from building relationships between child welfare agencies and education agencies and developing data exchanges between them. The panel included several question and answer sessions throughout the presentation.

This technical assistance document provides guidance to title IV-E agencies about engaging and involving youth in foster care and young adults formerly in foster care (youth and young adults) in the design and development of child welfare information systems, websites, or applications. In addition, the document discusses overcoming barriers with identifying and engaging youth and young adults in the software development process.

This state panel discussed options for implementing the National Electronic Interstate Compact Enterprise (NEICE). NEICE is the electronic exchange of data regarding the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). New York staff shared their perspective on using the NEICE Case Management System (CMS) and Ohio staff shared their perspective on incorporating ICPC functionality in the state system with a direct data exchange with the NEICE clearinghouse. In addition, representatives from APHSA answered questions related to the NEICE clearinghouse and to CMS. This webinar concluded with a question and answer session about both options.

LeadingAgile (Children’s Bureau contracted Agile implementation consultants) led a webinar on how to promote strong, collaborative relationships between program staff and information technology (IT) staff. While much of the content was in the context of Agile collaboration, this presentation was designed to be of benefit to those practicing all types of IT development approaches.

This DSS presentation is the second in a two-part series on CCWIS cost allocation and the difference between CCWIS and non-CCWIS cost allocation. It explains how to use the CCWIS Automated Function Checklist to develop a CCWIS cost allocation plan. In addition, it explains how to apply the cost allocation plan to project costs and how to submit cost allocation plans.