CFSR Round 4 Process

This section includes the CFSR Procedures Manual; guidance for states; information on logistics, recruitment, and state planning; National Calls (presentations and videos); and Fact Sheets.

CFSR Overview Video

This video provides an overview of the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), which are periodic reviews of state child welfare systems conducted by the Children's Bureau in partnership with states. The video covers the history and purpose of the CFSRs, outcomes and systemic factors, the review process, and program improvement planning.

Role of Legal and Judicial Professionals in the CFSR

This video was designed to provide a general overview of the role legal and judicial professionals can play in their state’s federal CFSR as well as an overview of legal and judicial systems within the context of child welfare cases. Users will take away practical knowledge that can be applied to their own CFSR process.

CFSR Round 4 Procedures Manual

The CFSR Procedures Manual is a comprehensive guide to Round 4 CFSR processes and procedures, including the overall framework; the statewide assessment process; the onsite review; case sampling; stakeholder interviews; determination of substantial conformity; systemic improvement; and developing, implementing, and monitoring the Program Improvement Plan. Appendices include State-Led Review criteria, timeframes, logistics, and planning materials; and statewide data indicators and AFCARS data quality checks. States can contact their Children's Bureau Regional Office or the Child Welfare Reviews Project Help Desk for a copy.

Introduction to CFSR Round 4

Below is information the Children's Bureau delivered on September 21, 2021, to state child welfare administrators and court improvement managers nationwide.

State-Led CFSR Case Review Criteria

This document provides details on how states and the Children's Bureau will work to verify each state's ability to meet the case review criteria to conduct a State-Led Review for CFSR Round 4.

Case Review Sampling Frames: Trial Home Visits

This document provides guidance on the inclusion of cases involving children who returned home on a trial home visit in case review sampling frames. The case review population subject to review for Program Improvement Plan measurement is the same as for the CFSR onsite review.

Requirements and Benefits of State-Led Reviews

This report discusses the requirements and benefits of conducting a State-Led Review, including the factors for states to consider when planning for their CFSRs. A quick reference list to State-Led Review criteria is included in the appendix.

Spotlight Series for the Legal and Judicial Communities

This series spotlights CFSR-related topics for the legal and judicial communities. The content is drawn from the CFSR Round 3 Report for Legal and Judicial Communities, which summarizes states’ performance in meeting safety, permanency, and well-being needs of children and families as a result of the federal Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) conducted between 2015 and 2018. These reports share results in four areas in which the legal and judicial communities play a key role: achieving timely permanency, meaningfully engaging families, promoting and maintaining family relationships and connections, and keeping families together.

CFSR Round 4 Process Graphic

This graphic shows the CFSR and Program Improvement Plan (PIP) process timeline, from the statewide assessment through the post-PIP evaluation period.

State Legal-Judicial Specialist Description/Flyer

This flyer describes the role of the state’s Legal-Judicial Specialist, who will join the state’s CFSR team to assist and support an elevated understanding of how legal and judicial policies and practices contribute to the outcomes achieved as part of the CFSR’s review of the state’s child welfare system. Adding this role to the state’s CFSR team is encouraged but not mandatory.

Engaging Young People With Lived Experience in the CFSRs: Key Considerations, Roles, and Recommendations

Through a series of focus groups, 18 young people with self-identified lived child welfare experience were asked about the best methods of recruiting, engaging, supporting, and retaining young people in all aspects of the CFSRs. This brief summarizes the results of the focus groups and discusses key considerations, roles, and recommendations for states when engaging young people in the CFSRs.

CFSR Reviewer Recruitment

We are recruiting qualified applicants to participate in the CFSRs who are from diverse geographic, racial, ethnic, demographic, and linguistic backgrounds to adequately reflect the diversity of the areas being reviewed. For information on becoming a CFSR reviewer, see CFSR Reviewer Recruitment.

CFSR Reviewers for the Child and Family Services Reviews

JBS International, Inc.'s Child Welfare Reviews Project (CWRP) assists the Children's Bureau in administering the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). The project's responsibilities include recruiting and training CFSR Reviewers, Quality Assurance (QA) Specialists, and Note-Taking Specialists (collectively referred to as “agile staff”). This section provides information about the recruitment and training of child welfare professionals to serve as agile staff for the CFSRs to supplement the Federal Review Team. The same basic qualifications and responsibilities of CFSR Reviewers also apply to QA Specialists and Note-Taking Specialists. The latter are selected from the approved CFSR Reviewer pool and require additional training.

The CWRP conducts CFSR Reviewer, QA Specialist, and Note-Taking Specialist trainings periodically as needed. Agile staff receive an honorarium for participating in trainings and reviews, reimbursement for travel expenses, and a per diem rate for meals and incidental expenses. If you are interested in serving as a CFSR Reviewer, please carefully review the qualifications and responsibilities at the links below. If you believe you are qualified to participate, please email CWRP at cw@jbsinternational.com for a CFSR Reviewer application package.


CFSR Reviewer Recruitment

The Child Welfare Reviews Project (CWRP) oversees a national pool of agile staff who participate in the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) conducted by the Children's Bureau. The CWRP recruits agile staff by taking referrals from state and federal staff, contract staff, and current CFSR Reviewers, Quality Assurance (QA) Specialists, and Note-Taking Specialists, as well as by conducting outreach to Children’s Bureau Regional Offices and national organizations. In addition, state reviewers and QA specialists who successfully participate in a CB-Led Review as part of the state team can apply to join the agile staff pool.

Upon receipt of applications, the CWRP reviews and maintains information on candidates’ qualifications and identifies candidates to participate in CFSR Reviewer trainings. Once trained, these individuals become eligible to participate as CFSR Reviewers. Strong preference will be given to individuals who are experienced in applying the Onsite Review Instrument and Instructions (OSRI), as well as those who also demonstrate fluency in Spanish and/or have lived experience within the child welfare system or within Indigenous/Tribal social services.

The CWRP conducts CFSR Reviewer trainings periodically. Qualified candidates will be required to attend an in-person 2-day training and complete online training and other ongoing trainings as needed. Candidates who attended a State Team Training in Round 4 of the CFSRs may be eligible to join the pool without attending the 2-day training.

Agile Staff Qualifications

CFSR Reviewers, Quality Assurance Specialists, and Note-Taking Specialists (agile staff) are child welfare experts with experience in making professional judgments based on information collected from various sources. They apply this knowledge to participate in the CFSRs. Minimum qualifications include:

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in social work, human services, public administration, counseling, or a closely related field; or a Juris Doctor degree with experience working for a state or Tribal Court Improvement Project or juvenile or family court dealing with child welfare/Tribal cases.
  • Minimum of 5 years of direct field experience and/or supervisory, administrative, or management experience in a public or private child welfare agency. This may include providing services or supervising, administering, or managing programs supporting child protective services, foster care, adoption, family preservation, family support, independent living services, or licensure/approval of foster and adoptive families with state, local, or Tribal agencies.
  • Strong assessment skills, including the ability to: (1) gather information from interviews and documents; (2) pursue the collection of information from various sources; (3) take notes and compile information obtained from multiple sources; and (4) make professional judgments based on the information collected during the reviews.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in social work, human services, counseling, public administration, or a closely related field; or Juris Doctor degree with experience working for a state or Tribal Court Improvement Project or a juvenile or family court dealing with child welfare/Tribal cases.
  • Supervisory, administrative, and/or management experience in a public (federal, state, or local) or private child welfare agency; or at least 2 years of direct experience working for a state Court Improvement Project or juvenile or family court dealing with child welfare cases.
  • Participation in a CFSR on a state team; experience in quality assurance or performance reviews of child welfare services.

Preference will be given to individuals who are experienced in applying the Onsite Review Instrument and Instructions, as well as those who demonstrate fluency in Spanish and/or have lived experience within the child welfare system or within Indigenous/Tribal social services.

CFSR Reviewer Responsibilities

Participation in the CFSRs requires a significant commitment of time and effort. The general responsibilities of agile staff participating in the CFSRs are summarized below:

  • They must be willing and available to participate in multiple reviews and to review and abide by the provisions of their agreement with JBS and a confidentiality provision. (All CFSR agency-related information reviewed or discussed during a CFSR is confidential.)
  • They may not participate in the CFSRs of any state to which they provided child welfare services, technical assistance, or consultation within 1 year before the review. They also may not participate in the CFSR of any state against which they were involved in a lawsuit or other legal action, regardless of the period of the legal action. They may not provide compensated technical assistance to a state during the period following a CFSR in which they participated while the state is developing and implementing a Program Improvement Plan associated with the CFSR findings.

When participating in a CFSR, CFSR Reviewers must:

  • In collaboration with a state CFSR review partner, review case records, interview involved parties, and complete the OSRI.
  • Use professional judgment to make rating decisions based on CFSR instructions and regulations.
  • Participate in group meetings scheduled during the onsite review, as required.
  • Attend the final team debriefing and present information on cases reviewed, as required.
  • Assist in compiling a summary of the team's findings during the onsite review.
  • Remain present at the review site for the entire duration of the onsite review, and participate in all scheduled review activities, from the entrance conference through the exit conference.
  • Remain available for telephone consultation after the review, if needed, to clarify or supplement information recorded on the instruments.

A CFSR Reviewer may also be trained to perform as a Note-Taking Specialist or Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist. These roles are generally reserved for experienced reviewers who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the OSRI and its application.

  • Note-Taking Specialists take notes regarding relevant information during stakeholder interviews, condense information gathered during interviews, and use this information to complete the CFSR Stakeholder Interview Guide. Work is completed during the onsite review or remotely.
  • QA Specialists are experts in the CFSR process and work collaboratively with review teams, including state and federal team members; review completed OSRIs to determine compliance with OSRI instructions; interpret state policy as it relates to the OSRI; and assist the Federal Team Leader in managing the onsite review.

Infographic: Connections Between the Court Improvement Program and the Child and Family Services Review

Meaningful input from a broad array of legal and judicial stakeholders, and collaboration with other system partners, are useful not only for the CFSR and Program Improvement Plan processes but also for Court Improvement Program (CIP) projects. CIPs across the nation have projects in areas the CFSR examines. The data and evidence collected during the CFSR can be used to support CIP projects. This infographic summarizes common goals, associated CIP projects, and potential overlap with outcomes and systemic factors that are the focus of the CFSR.

Capacity Building Center for States CFSR Resources

The Capacity Building Center for States supports state agencies in preparing for Round 4 of the CFSRs. The Center offers publications, tools, peer networking, and technical assistance to help child welfare agencies and their partners plan and implement all phases of CFSR Round 4, from Statewide Assessment planning through Program Improvement Plan development and implementation. The Capacity Building Center for States CFSR resources page is at https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/cfsr

State Planning Package

State Planning Package

This section includes the CFSR State Planning documents, including the State Planning Package summary, the Local Site Coordinator Toolkit, the CFSR Logistical Support Fact Sheet, the CFSR Equipment Fact Sheet, and the CFSR User Request Form.