A large group of CWEL and Children's Bureau team members posing for a group photo

CWEL stands hand in hand with the U.S. federal government’s Children’s Bureau to usher in a new era of child welfare.

The workforce we imagine is one in which professionals are able to show up authentically–and have the tools they need to support children and families.

We invite you to join us in shaping a workforce dedicated to boundless opportunities for all.

Together, let’s create and sustain fulfilling careers in child welfare.

Our comprehensive initiatives include:

We’re connecting college graduates to careers in child welfare. One way we’re doing this is by building partnerships with universities. Additionally, we’re working to increase enrollment in Title IV-E stipend programs.

We offer a 15-month leadership development fellowship to ensure leaders are supported in improving child welfare systems, leading to better outcomes for children and families.

We partner with agencies to provide pathways to clinical licensure, enabling people to stay in their jobs while pursuing their clinical licensure. We prepare agencies for change using a framework made custom for their needs and support them with technical assistance along the way.

We offer a Culture Keepers Fellowship that provides Indigenous child welfare leaders with project-based learning opportunities and leadership development training. It is facilitated by Indigenous leaders who ensure that fellows are supported in transforming child welfare within the context of their tribe’s culture.

We provide coaching support for mid-level supervisors in child welfare. Our coaching program focuses on relational supervision, helping supervisors navigate positional power, create growth opportunities for staff, and repair relationships with their teams.

Who we serve

As a child welfare agency working in a state, county, tribe, or territory’s public system, you recruit, retain, and care for the child welfare professionals who make up your teams.

That’s where CWEL can partner with you to support the workforce, ultimately ensuring that the children and families you serve can thrive.

Funded by the Children’s Bureau

CWEL is funded by the Children’s Bureau, an office of the Administration for Children & Families within the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

CWEL presents the leading expertise in the child welfare workforce.