This policy brief highlights the various models child welfare agencies have developed to effectively serve immigrant children and families who touch the child welfare system and identifies policy and practice solutions to increase equitable service provision to this population.
In this position statement, the CICW acknowledges its support for the Obama administration’s expanded deferred action programs and outlines the ways in which expanded deferred action can promote the well-being of children in immigrant families.
Read the StatementThis brief focuses on language access policies. Research suggests that when child welfare-system involved families do not have access to linguistically appropriate services, successful completion of their case plan is impeded. Language access policies address this issue by outlining agency protocol to ensure that limited English proficient (LEP) families receive appropriate interpretation and translation services.
Read the BriefThis brief focuses on policies that address immigration relief options for undocumented immigrant youth involved with the child welfare system. Undocumented youth face barriers in accessing services, including educational and employment opportunities, that can have long-term negative impacts on their well-being. Recognizing the challenges that undocumented youth experience in accessing services and opportunities, the policies in this category aim to reduce these barriers by ensuring that child welfare practitioners are aware of available opportunities for youth to gain legal status. The policies discussed throughout this brief both provide staff with an overview of immigration relief options and offer guidance to staff on how they can provide assistance throughout the application process.
Read the BriefThis brief focuses on issues related to foster care funding for immigrant youth in care. Undocumented immigrant youth are typically not eligible for federal foster care funding, which may pose challenges for child welfare practitioners. In response to these challenges, the policies in this brief provide guidance to child welfare agency staff on obtaining foster care funds for immigrant youth. Included are policies that outline the procedure for applying for Permanent Residence Under Color of Law (PRUCOL) for undocumented minors. PRUCOL is not an immigration relief option, but rather a process through which undocumented children and youth become eligible for federal foster care funding.
Read the BriefThis brief focuses on policies that address the placement of dependent children with undocumented relatives living in the United States. Although research has found that placing children with relative caregivers can enhance emotional wellbeing, research also suggests that child welfare practitioners often encounter barriers when attempting to place children with undocumented relatives. The policies in this category attempt to reduce these barriers and make placement with undocumented relatives a viable option in cases where such placement is in the best interest of the child in custody.
Read the BriefThis brief focuses on policies that address case planning for child welfare system-involved parents residing in a foreign country. Parents face multiple barriers to fulfilling case plan objectives when residing abroad, which in turn poses barriers to family reunification. Policies addressing case planning for parents residing in a foreign country aim to facilitate the process through which child welfare agencies and parents can collaborate transnationally in these cases.
Read the BriefThis brief focuses on policies that address the placement of dependent children with a parent or relative residing in a foreign country, typically for the purpose of reunification, guardianship, or adoption.
Read the BriefA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an official agreement between a child welfare agency and a foreign consulate that is typically developed to coordinate service delivery for foreign nationals who are involved with the child welfare system. MOUs emerged as a result of recognition from the international community that foreign nationals face barriers to maintaining custody of their children when involved with child welfare agencies.
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