The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) was established in 1992 and brings the University of Minnesota together with county, tribal, state and community social services in a partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and families involved with public child welfare. CASCW fulfills its mission by focusing its efforts around three primary areas: Professional Education, Outreach, and Research & Evaluation.
The Mission of CASCW
Outreach
CASCW’s Outreach initiatives connect child welfare stakeholders in Minnesota with engaging, relevant and accessible resources and training informed by research. They organize various training events and disseminate training products that bridge the worlds of research, policy, and practice, ensuring the latest information reaches students, administrators, policymakers, and practitioners working directly with children and families.
Professional Education
Professional Education encompasses the Center’s work with Title IV-E students and additional academic opportunities for current practitioners. They are committed to supporting students and professionals dedicated to working in the public or tribal child welfare workforce through the distribution of Title IV-E stipends and through the Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate Program (PACC) as well as the Phoenix Learning Xchange (PLX).
Research and Evaluation
CASCW identifies knowledge gaps through engagement of their stakeholders and conducts meaningful, high-quality research in order to advance the field of child welfare. They disseminate information from policy and practice relevant research undertaken by faculty, staff, and graduate students across the University of Minnesota through web publications, peer-reviewed journal articles, and online modules.
