The latest compilation of data from the AFCARS report demonstrates a double digit increase in the number of children within the foster care system over the last 10 years. A critical factor in that increase relates to the current opioid epidemic, which is affecting all states and their child welfare agencies.  Of the 437,465 children in the foster care system during Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2016, approximately 68.1% (or 296,643) of the children were placed as a result of drug abuse or neglect...

More and more, leadership is talked about and addressed through issues such as appointment, training, and mentoring.  Leadership is particularly important and timely when considering child protection and child welfare issues over the last several years. Every election cycle is an opportunity for a local jurisdiction or state to be confronted with the challenges of appointing new leadership. Conflict or controversy often cause a change in leadership, which presents additional challenges...