Child Welfare/Family Services Associations

Organizations whose members are agencies and individual professionals concerned with the welfare of children, youth and their families who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in seminars and conferences, networking with their peers, subscribing to journals and other publications, and taking advantage of other opportunities for continuing professional development. Members may work in a particular field such as adoption, children's protective services, foster care or parenting; or may represent a broad range of systems that serve children, youth and their families. Many child welfare/family services associations set standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members; offer certification programs; maintain a job bank; provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information; promote high quality services through publications, training, consultation and other forms of support which strengthen member agencies and their staffs; and support a public policy agenda that promotes the well-being of the population they serve.