Policy & Practice | Summer 2025

community organizations leads to better outcomes. Community engage ment plays a vital role in social work, helping to build a respectful and mutually supportive system. 9 There is a need to advance and evaluate community-based alterna tives to child protective services involvement. These approaches could provide support for children in low income families while addressing the harmful effects of poverty. 10 Fostering relationships and building community trust can complement government programs to create more durable solutions. Streamlining Services for Families and Caseworkers To improve child and family well being, it’s critical to streamline support systems, simplify application barriers, and integrate preventive measures into policy frameworks. By building holistic coordination into support programs, families can thrive and complexity is reduced for caseworkers. This transformation begins with viewing families not as isolated units but as interconnected networks requiring integrated care. Strengthening early care initiatives and leaning into proactive mental health support could drastically reshape outcomes for households across the nation. A Path Forward Achieving program and system alignment won’t happen overnight—it

requires time, effort, and strategic investments. However, state and local agencies can begin by taking small, meaningful steps that lay the founda tion for long-term transformation. By prioritizing people over programs, fostering collaboration between agencies, communities, and policymakers, and working together toward a unified, compassionate approach, we can create a future where families truly thrive. When we focus on meeting the holistic needs of families, the potential to improve outcomes is limitless. Let’s move forward with hope and determination to build a stronger, more empathetic system for all. Reference Notes 1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/ PMC9280401/ 2. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2023/07/OIRA-2023-Burden Reduction-Report.pdf 3. https://hubs.la/Q03lDBwy0 4 . https://hubs.la/Q03lDD-50 5. https://www.chapinhall.org/wp-content/ 6. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/ GOVPUB-HE23_1200-PURL-gpo195170/ pdf/GOVPUB-HE23_1200 PURL-gpo195170.pdf 7. https://hubs.la/Q03lDJ1b0 8. https://www.chapinhall.org/wp-content/ uploads/Chapin-Hall.TANF_Policy_ Brief_7_6_23.pdf 9. https://hubs.la/Q03lDH2G0 10. https://aphsa.org/wp-content/ uploads/2025/01/2025-01-24_CI-Series_ Child-and-Family-Well-Being.pdf uploads/Chapin-Hall_TANF-Child Welfare-Innovations_July-2024.pdf

system. 6 This suggests that poverty is still all too often mistaken for neglect. To address this, it’s essential to approach these situations with empathy and clearly distinguish between poverty and abuse. 7 Families struggling with limited resources need support, not judgment. Evidence links economic challenges with higher risks of child welfare involvement, underscoring the need for comprehensive supports such as quality child care, stable housing, living wages, and sustainable employ ment. These resources improve family stability and reduce reliance on child protective services and foster care. 5 Expanding access to programs like TANF, child care services, and housing assistance has been shown to decrease child welfare interventions. State policies that improve access to TANF benefits, for example, have been associated with reductions in foster care placements. 8 Investing in preventive services holis tically not only reduces child welfare interventions but also helps families stay intact and resilient over time. By addressing the root causes of economic instability, we can create better futures for children and families alike. Collaborating Across Agencies and Organizations No single system can fully address the complex challenges families face. Research consistently shows that breaking down silos between benefit programs and fostering collaboration among health, social services, and

Cúram Supports a Holistic Approach to Family Well-Being

The Cúram platform exemplifies a holistic approach to family well-being through its commitment to “whole-person care,” focusing on people rather than programs. By offering integrated case management, the platform provides a comprehensive view of an individual’s and family’s needs, enabling agencies to deliver tailored support that addresses immediate challenges while fostering long-term stability and success. Through tools such as structured assessments and evidence management, Cúram facilitates informed decision making, ensuring services are coordinated and aligned with the unique circumstances of each family. Its configurable workflows and automated processes empower agencies to implement best practices efficiently, while features like Multi-DisciplinaryTeams encourage collaboration among professionals to address diverse needs holistically. This client-centric approach ensures that families receive the support necessary to overcome barriers, achieve positive outcomes, and advance their social and economic mobility for sustained success. Learn more about Cúram at https://hubs.la/Q03lF3PQ0.

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Summer 2025 Policy & Practice