Quick Guides
Click through the tabs to discover various guides designed to help you navigate through the child welfare system.
Our Quick Guides provide clear, easy-to-understand information about the child welfare system and what to expect along the way. They cover important topics such as court processes, case planning, visitation, placement, family engagement, rights and responsibilities, and available supports—helping youth, parents, and caregivers better understand and navigate each stage of the process.
All guides are available in English and Spanish!
CWS Overview
Click on each thumbnail to view the guide in a new window. All resources are in English and Spanish.
CWS Key Players
How Cases are Reported and Investigated
Mandated Reporting
Family Support & Case Plans
Click on each thumbnail to view the guide in a new window. All resources are in English and Spanish.
Case Plans: What they are and how they work
Intro to Child & Family Teams (CFT)
Voluntary Family Maintenance (VFM)
Reunification: A guide for parents
Preparing for CFT Meetings
Placement & Living Arrangements
Click on each thumbnail to view the guide in a new window. All resources are in English and Spanish.
Types of Placements
Kinship Care at a Glance
Resource Parents: Rights & responsibilities
Supporting Youth Through Transitions
How Placement Decisions are Made
Juvenile Dependency Court
Click on each thumbnail to view the guide in a new window. All resources are in English and Spanish.
Key Court Hearings
Parental Rights in Dependency Court
Youth & Court: The courts role in your case
Youth in Court: Your role and voice
Visitation
Click on each thumbnail to view the guide in a new window. All resources are in English and Spanish.
Types of Visitation
A Guide to Visitation
How to Address Barriers to Visitation
Rebuilding Relationships: Birth parents
Rebuilding Relationships: Resource Parents
System Navigation & Advocvacy
Click on each thumbnail to view the guide in a new window. All resources are in English and Spanish.
Working with a Social Worker
Working with the Court System
CWS Rights: Youth
CWS Rights: Birth Parents
CWS Rights: Caregivers
