The NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services (NCDHHS DSS) is committed to partnering with communities, local, state, and federal entities, and others to improve health and well-being for all North Carolinians. It uses ongoing engagement to advance strategic priorities. The Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP), the state's blueprint for strengthening its child welfare system, is a good example. Over the next five years, engagement of external and internal partners will be key to achieving every one of North Carolina's CFSP goals.
NC's 2025-2029 CFSP Goals
1. Strengthen all child welfare staff's ability to assess ongoing safety throughout the child/family's engagement with child welfare services.
2. Increase access to services for children and their families to keep children in the safest, least restrictive setting.
3. Develop and support a stable, competent, and professional workforce in child welfare.
4. Implement continuous quality improvement.
This issue of Practice Notes provides an update on some of the ways our state is using engagement to achieve CFSP goals and positive outcomes for families and children. In this issue, you'll learn:
- The collaboration-focused Safe Babies Court Team program is transforming how the child welfare system works with the courts to support families of infants and toddlers
- Ideas for engaging community partners
- How Family Engagement Committees can strengthen child welfare policy and practice at the local level and more
