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Topic: Casework Practice

Scientific Ratings in this topic:
1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence
2 - Supported by Research Evidence
3 - Promising Research Evidence
4 - Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect
5 - Concerning Practice
NR - Not able to be Rated
Learn more about the scale

Definition for Casework Practice:

Casework Practice is the foundation of Public Child Welfare. Casework practice is designed to help families strengthen family functioning and address challenges that may threaten family stability. These activities include administering family-centered assessment and case planning; discussing strengths and needs with families; identifying specific interventions such as self-sufficiency needs, counseling, parenting, educational support, and skill building; and connecting families with the supportive services and resources they need to achieve a nurturing and stable family environment.

Why was Casework Practice chosen as a topic by the Advisory Committee? (Click for Answer)

Casework Practice was chosen by the Advisory Committee because they felt that is an important area to evaluate in order to understand and improve the child welfare workers interactions with families. The child welfare worker's use of family engagement strategies that encourage families to work as partners with Public Child Welfare for the protection of their children are vital to ensure that families receive the services necessary to enhance family strengths.

Findings from the federal Child and Family Service Reviews (CFSRs), which examine state child welfare agency performance, have shown an association between a positive rating on caseworker visits and positive ratings on other areas under review. (Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Findings From the Initial Child and Family Services Reviews, 2001-2004, available at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/results/.)

"The Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which administers the CFSRs, believes that one of the most important ways to promote positive outcomes for children and their families is to ensure the quality and frequency of caseworker visits with the children and families in the agency's care." (National Conference of State Legislatures, Child Welfare and Caseworker Visits with Children and Parents 9/06)

Because of the CFSRs, we now know that caseworker visits are important and may be have a positive impact on outcomes for families. How often a caseworker visits, what happens during that visit, and how focused the visits are on the achievement of Federal Outcomes may determine if a family is reunified or if a child has an opportunity for permanency through adoption or guardianship.

Understanding what needs to happen in the interaction between the caseworker and the family and establishing standards for those interactions is an important next step in enhancing child welfare practices.

Debby Jeter
Deputy Director
Family and Children's Division
San Francisco Human Services Agency
San Francisco, CA

Programs in this topic area

Here are your search results for programs in the area of Casework Practice:

The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.

Programs with a Scientific Rating of 3 - Promising Research Evidence:

Programs with a Scientific Rating of NR - Not able to be Rated:

  • 3-5-7 Model – detailed view
    Topics: Casework Practice
    Children, youth, and parents (biological, foster, adoptive) in the child welfare system
  • Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT) – non-responder
    Topics: Casework Practice
  • Signs of Safety – detailed view
    Topics: Casework Practice, Child Welfare Initiatives, Interventions for Neglect, Motivation and Engagement
    Child protection practitioners working with children and families where there has been suspected or substantiated child abuse or neglect