Working across Borders: Effective Permanency Practices at the Intersection of Child Welfare and Immigration.

LEGAL status of immigrant children; FAMILY services; CHILD welfare; OUTCOME assessment (Social services); IMMIGRANT families; CHILD care; EMIGRATION & immigration; FAMILY health; HEALTH planning; INTERPERSONAL relations; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL personnel; GOVERNMENT policy; COMMUNICATION barriers; HUMAN services programs; PATIENTS' families

Children and families involved in the child welfare system and affected by immigration issues are among the most vulnerable populations. Casey Family Programs’ direct services arm has developed promising practices to effectively support legal and relational permanency work with these families. Applying an implementation science framework, this article provides a descriptive case study of international immigration program implementation. Based on input from field office staff, we identified lessons learned from the common successes (e.g., relationship building, work with consulates, transnational practice) and challenges (e.g., detention and deportation, language barriers, workforce development) in implementing policies and practices aimed at improving outcomes for children and families at the intersection of immigration and child welfare. The hope is that these insights will inform other organizations as they look to implement policies and practices aimed at improving outcomes for these children and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]