Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)

10/06/2026

**CWLA Statement on ICWA Challenge**

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a new constitutional challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA) in N.R. v. Ellison, a case that argues these laws violate equal protection. CWLA celebrates this decision by the Supreme Court.

Our nation has a long, painful history of disregarding Tribal sovereignty and removing Alaska Native and American Indian children from their families, communities, and traditions. Passed in 1978, ICWA is a critical federal law protecting the well-being of Native children by prioritizing family integrity and stability. It is considered the “gold standard” in child welfare policy, grounded in best practices and supported by decades of experience and research. ICWA is fundamental to the well-being of Native children and families.

Tribal Nations fought hard for the safeguards offered by ICWA when it was first passed and have continued to fight to maintain these protections in the decades since. Just three years ago, advocates successfully defeated a similar attack on ICWA in the 2023 Haaland v. Brackeen decision, in which 7 out of 9 of the Supreme Court Justices affirmed the constitutionality of ICWA and preserved Tribal sovereignty in child welfare practice. CWLA was proud to stand alongside the dedicated advocates responsible for that victory and will continue to support protection and robust implementation of this important law.

10/01/2026

In the face of persistent child welfare workforce instability – vacancies, turnover, demanding workloads, administrative burden, inadequate compensation, uneven access to professional development, and the emotional strain of the work itself – the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), with support from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, has undertaken the National Child Welfare Workforce Project to develop a comprehensive framework for strengthening the workforce.

Learn more and purchase: https://tinyurl.com/mrasud93

The project brought together national survey findings, current research, evidence-informed and emerging practices, and guidance from a national advisory committee composed of leaders and practitioners from public, nonprofit, advocacy, and academic organizations and a Tribal representative; individuals impacted by child welfare; researchers; educators; and workforce experts.

The resulting report is intended to help agencies and systems move beyond isolated responses to recruitment and retention and reconsider how child welfare work is organized, supported, and sustained.

09/25/2026

We are pleased to announce the publication of our latest issue of Child Welfare journal, which features articles on food insecurity among college students who have experienced foster care, foster parent support of transgender and non-binary youth in care, experiences of home-based child therapists, oral health care for children in kinship care, and more.

Explore more and order your copy here: https://www.cwla.org/journal-archives/

08/21/2026

Subscribe to Child Welfare Journal this fall!

As the new academic year begins, now is a great time to subscribe—or renew your subscription—and make Child Welfare part of your professional and scholarly reading for the year ahead.

Learn more and subscribe today: https://tinyurl.com/y9e3rfss

As a committed professional, you know the value of receiving CWLA’s Child Welfare journal. Our regular and special-themed issues provide a fresh approach to problem solving and proven, practical ideas that work. You get comprehensive coverage of the latest research, practice issues, program developments, and more—all vital for informed, thoughtful decision-making.

Published since 1922, Child Welfare sheds light on important topics like child abuse and neglect, immigration, racial equity, out-of-home care and family reunification, kinship care, adoptive parenting, research evidence, substance use, and more.

08/18/2026

Submit to Children’s Voice’s “Kids Helping Kids” Column!

Do you know a young person who's making a difference for peers in their community? CWLA's Children’s Voice magazine (https://www.cwla.org/childrens-voice/) is seeking article proposals for our new “Kids Helping Kids” column, which will highlight youth-led programs and projects that uplift other children and teens.

If you’re passionate about amplifying youth voices and showcasing the power of peer-driven support, we’d love to hear from you.

Send your article proposal to Rachel Adams, Children's Voice editor, at [email protected].

08/11/2026

CWLA is pleased to present a three-part virtual training series that features our CWLA Press publication, "Working with Traumatized Children – A Handbook for Healing, Fourth Edition," newly released in 2026.

Working with Traumatized Children
Virtual Training
Mondays, August 17, 24 & 31
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern Time

Purchase a hard copy of the book: https://tinyurl.com/wjefu5vx

Register for the training series: https://tinyurl.com/hmzf9m66

As reflected by evolving research, this edition includes new information on trauma’s impact on the brain, essential practices for providers, an expanded chapter on trauma symptoms, and practical suggestions for creating safety. The training reflects these new additions and gives an overview of the first five chapters of "Working with Traumatized Children."

Participants will gain a strengthened capacity to:
1. Define what trauma is and differentiate it from stress
2. Name the three essential practices of providers necessary for healing trauma in children.
3. Give four examples of trauma symptoms in adults and children.
4. Describe two ways trauma can impact the brains of children.
5. Explain the importance of providing for safety in working with adults and children who have been traumatized.
6. Provide several examples of how systems can be traumatizing or retraumatizing to individuals.
7. Articulate how knowledge about the Vagus Nerve can be helpful in working with families and children who have been traumatized.
8. Express why self-reflective practices and supervision are important when working with adults and children who have been traumatized.

Join us!

08/05/2026

Send us your CWLA 2027 conference proposal by Friday, August 7th!

Details below!

Call for Workshop Proposals:
CWLA's 2027 National Conference, "Shaping Child Welfare's Next Chapter through Innovation and Resilience"
April 5-7, 2027, in Arlington, VA

Submit your workshop by Friday, August 7!
https://tinyurl.com/2rpbzzm4

The theme of CWLA's 2027 Conference, Shaping Child Welfare's Next Chapter through Innovation and Resilience, is rooted in the belief that moments of transition can become moments of transformation. The question before us is not only how to navigate change, but how to use it—to build on the field's strengths, reconsider long-held approaches, and create better pathways for children and families to flourish.

CWLA is seeking workshop proposals that will help inform the field‘s next chapter. We welcome sessions that explore how innovation, workforce transformation, policy development, technology, and community partnerships can contribute to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. We are especially interested in proposals that move beyond identifying challenges and focus on what comes next: new ideas, practical solutions, lessons from implementation, and opportunities for meaningful dialogue.

08/04/2026

CWLA Press Summer Sale! Save today with 40% off!

Use the discount code Pubs40 at checkout: https://community.cwla.org/store/

Browse the latest child welfare titles ranging from wonderful Children’s books to must-have publications related to residential care, child neglect, poverty, parenting, trauma, and CWLA’s jam-packed Compendium of Policy and Practice.

Sale ends August 21st.

☀️

07/18/2026

The new Pathways to Organizational Excellence Certification, from CWLA, the Association Of Children's Residential Centers, and the Center for Youth Justice, Georgetown University at the McCourt School of Public Policy - Georgetown University, helps youth- and family-serving organizations strengthen their culture, improve teamwork, and build stronger connections with the communities they serve.

This year-long certification program supports organizations in becoming fair, community-centered and responsive—so they can meet the real needs of their staff, youth, and families. Through hands-on training, personalized coaching, and practical tools, your team will be equipped with the knowledge, systems, and confidence to thrive—no matter what challenges arise.

Learn more on the Pathways Hub: https://togetherthevoice.org/organizational-excellence/

The Family Needs & Strengths (FANS) assessment and outcome tool for Family Peer Support

07/15/2026

Call for Workshop Proposals:
CWLA's 2027 National Conference, "Shaping Child Welfare's Next Chapter through Innovation and Resilience"
April 5-7, 2027, in Arlington, VA

Submit your workshop by Friday, August 7!
https://tinyurl.com/2rpbzzm4

The theme of CWLA's 2027 Conference, Shaping Child Welfare's Next Chapter through Innovation and Resilience, is rooted in the belief that moments of transition can become moments of transformation. The question before us is not only how to navigate change, but how to use it—to build on the field's strengths, reconsider long-held approaches, and create better pathways for children and families to flourish.

CWLA is seeking workshop proposals that will help inform the field‘s next chapter. We welcome sessions that explore how innovation, workforce transformation, policy development, technology, and community partnerships can contribute to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. We are especially interested in proposals that move beyond identifying challenges and focus on what comes next: new ideas, practical solutions, lessons from implementation, and opportunities for meaningful dialogue.