The Child Welfare League of America's role in adoption and child welfare policy

Child Welfare

Since its founding in 1921, the Child Welfare League of America has been instrumental in adoption, child placement, and general child welfare services. The organization has been called "one of the most important players in the history of adoption regulation" in the nation's history and has therefore had a huge impact on domestic policy related to child welfare and adoption ("Child Welfare League of America," 2012). One of the unique aspects of the Child Welfare League of America is its structure and organization. The League is comprised of what are now "hundreds of private and public agencies serving children and families," (Child Welfare League of America, 2014). Leading, engaging, coordinating, and advocating are cornerstones of the Child Welfare League of America.

Goals of the League are to promote public policy that sustains the welfare of children and at-risk families. By coordinating the efforts of various groups across the country, the Child Welfare League of America can mobilize resources that can promote change. This means taking into account research on best practices in social work and related areas, offering targeted solutions to governments, health care organizations, and private institutions. The stated vision of the Child Welfare League of America (2014) is "that every child will grow up in a safe, loving, and stable family." To achieve this goal in a geographically and culturally diverse nation, it becomes necessary to collaborate with various organizations, agencies, and stakeholders.

The Child Welfare League of America places special attention on at-risk children and their communities. Children who have experienced abuse or neglect are top priorities for the Child Welfare League of America. Using a systemic approach to child welfare, the Child Welfare League of America acknowledges the role and importance of family structure, culture, and community issues. However, the Child Welfare League is also concerned with national policies and shifts in social norms. This is why the League has spearheaded recent initiatives like the National Blueprint for Excellence in Child Welfare. The Blueprint represents a collaboration between the League and stakeholders around the country.

Some of the Child Welfare League staff serve as political lobbyists to promote the best interests of children in Washington. Others may be social workers addressing specific needs at the community level. Diversity in its organization ensures success, making the Child Welfare League "the nationally recognized standard-setter for child welfare services," (Child Welfare League, 2014). The structure and organization of the Child Welfare League is dependent on funding from its member organizations, but also receives money from public and private grants. The current CEO and President of the Child Welfare League is Christine James-Brown, who had previously worked as the President and CEO of the United Way.

Employees of the Child Welfare League serve in a number of different posts including communications, media, training, event organization, outreach, program development, consultation, fundraising, professional development services, and public policy. While structured like a hierarchical and multi-departmental organization, the League is a charitable organization and has tax-exempt status as a nonprofit. This ensures that all resources are devoted toward the primary goal of helping children, including any political interventions. The Child Welfare League has an Advocacy Center, a Practice Excellence Center, Consultation Services, and Standards of Excellence available to related organizations.

In addition to the primary stakeholders of children and their immediate families and communities, the stakeholders in Child Welfare League work include "agency administrators, program planners, practitioners, and the broader social service community-including policymakers," (Child Welfare League of America, 2014). The organization offers extensive training services and conferences throughout the year. Conference topics are pertinent to child welfare and include issues like foster or kinship caring and substance abuse. Specific programs include special military family interventions, and partnerships with nurses who work with traumatized children. The Advocacy Center helps foster parents address their financial needs, and also addresses public policy related to funding allocation for child welfare. Issues like the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the HR4980 bill are also addressed through advocacy programs.

Community collaborations, marketing, and public relations strategies are central to the Child Welfare League of America. The League is like the hub of a giant wheel of social service organizations. Thus, it can help guide any interested parties including local, state, and federal organizations and institutions. Guidance comes in the form of advice on acceptable policies, trends in treatment, best practices, and culturally sensitive interventions. Maltreatment prevention, domestic abuse, neglect prevention, child rights, and community programs are all addressed under the rubric of advice and consultation services.

One of the cornerstones of the Child Welfare League of America is eliminating race-based disparities and socioeconomic disparities in child welfare. Therefore, valuing diversity is a fundamental tenet of the organization. Indian Child Welfare is a major section of its advocacy work, especially as the Child Welfare League of America can rectify some of the problems associated with the subjugation of Native American people. The Child Welfare League of America (2014) sets forth "requirements for how tribes, child welfare agencies, and courts work together to address the safety, security, and stability of the child, family and tribe." Other issues related to race, ethnicity, and culture are addressed in frank and forthright ways. The League acknowledges disproportionality and the inequities in treatments and services. Combatting racism and ensuring diversity remain core goals of the Child Welfare League of America.