Additional Resources
The following resources are provided to support states in their efforts to collaborate with child welfare agencies.
Commission Resources
- ICJ Fact Sheet
- ICJ Bench Card on Returns
- ICJ Quick Reference Guide for Cases
- White Paper: Temporary Secure Detention of Non-Adjudicated Juvenile Runaways (does not violate JJDPA)
- White Paper: ICJ Returns, Human Trafficking, and Federal Authorities
- Legal Advisory Opinion 01-2021: HIPAA permits sharing information as required by the ICJ, including through the UNITY System
Summary Report from ICJ Child Welfare Survey
In June 2023, the Interstate Commission for Juveniles surveyed state ICJ Offices about challenges they face when returning runaways to their home states, particularly when disclosures of abuse and/or neglect have been made. The survey was distributed to ICJ Commissioners and staff in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 50 responses were received from at least 31 states (State selection was not a required question). This report summarizes data regarding responses related to collaboration, return processes, challenges, and strategies for resolution of challenges.
View the Child Welfare Survey Summary Report.
Glossary of Child Welfare Terms
A glossary of child welfare terms was developed by to aid ICJ Offices as many child welfare terms are subject to interpretation. The Child Welfare Information Gateway Glossary identifies commonly held definitions for terms that can be found on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website or in products and materials developed by external entities (e.g., Federal or State Agencies or other reliable organizations). Information Gateway is cited as the source unless otherwise noted. For additional information on glossary terms, please see their index Search A-Z.
View the Glossary of Child Welfare Terms.
External Resources
Fact Sheets from the Child Welfare Information Gateway
- How the Child Welfare System Works
- Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect
- Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
- Differential Response: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals
- Cross-Reporting Among Agencies that Respond to Child Abuse and Neglect
- Understanding Child Welfare and the Courts
Search Tools for State Specific Information
- State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers
- State Child Welfare Laws
- Child Welfare State Complaint Offices (Ombudsman)
- Contact Information for Local and County Child Welfare Agencies
- State Liaison Officers for Child Abuse and Neglect
State Danger Assessment/Criteria Resource Samples
- The Danger Threshold and Impending Danger Threats to Child Safety (WI, 2011)
- Child Abuse Reporting: What Criteria Must Be Met? (NY)
- Impending Danger, Safety Threats and the Safety Threshold (MT, 2015)
- Safety Threshold (WA, 2011)
Sample Policies and Resources from Child Welfare Agencies
- Kentucky: Reporting Child Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency
- New Hampshire: Central Intake Screening
- Tennessee: Child Abuse Hotline Policy
- Utah: Child Protective Services Practice Guidelines
Other Related Resources
- Intersections of Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems (OJJDP, 2021)
- Juvenile Justice Information Exchange – Dual Status Youth
- Is there an Effective Practice Model for Serving Cross Over Youth? (Case Family Programs, 2022)
- Differential Response and the Safety of Children Reported to Child Protective Services: A Tale of Six States (ASPE Research Brief, 2016)
- National Runaway Safeline (1-800-RUNAWAY)
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Download a PDF version of the Toolkit on Returns and Child Welfare: Collaborating to Safely Return Runaways when Abuse is Reported