The place for excellence in the child welfare workforce

CWEL’s mission is to advance the child welfare workforce, improving workforce recruitment and retention through site-specific support.

A strong workforce will lead to better outcomes for all children and families.

A professional is standing up and smiling while talking with two professionals sitting down reviewing paperwork in an office setting with bright, natural light coming through the windows.

In collaboration with the Children’s Bureau and led by Families Rising

Funded by the United States Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Children’s Bureau in October 2023, the newly launched CWEL—led by Families Rising—will provide site-specific technical assistance to jurisdictions to support the workforce and improve recruitment, retention, and well-being.

CWEL reflects ACF’s answer to the continued focus and commitment to support the child welfare workforce.

Who is the child welfare workforce?

The child welfare workforce includes case managers, supervisors, tribal child welfare professionals, public agency administrators, CPS, and anyone else working for children and families connected to foster care and adoption.

Importantly, the child welfare workforce is comprised of more than people with social worker degrees. Professionals with human service degrees like criminology, psychology, and sociology also contribute to supporting children and families across the country.

If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place. At CWEL, we’re here to support professionals in adoption and foster care agencies, state systems, and tribes to build teams in which people thrive.

Recent blog posts

Ligia Cushman, MA. Chief Executive Officer, Families Rising

“Leaders can be key drivers of needed systems change in the child welfare workforce. We are dedicated to crafting a future where every professional in the workforce possesses the essential tools, coaching, training, and data for effective leadership.”

Ligia Cushman, CEO of Families Rising
Nathan Ross, LMSW. National Project Director / COO at CWEL.

“We owe it to our children and families to create a workforce improves the capacity of child welfare professionals to provide the support requested by our communities.”

Nathan Ross, CWEL National Project Director
Te'Ata Loper, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association

“I am excited and encouraged that OICWA’s partnership with CWEL will provide support and leadership coaching opportunities to tribal child welfare programs.”

Te'Ata Loper , Executive Director, Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association

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