This brief from Casey Family Programs emphasizes that child protection agencies cannot address children’s behavioral health needs alone and should partner with behavioral health, Medicaid, juvenile justice, schools, and community organizations to create coordinated, trauma-informed systems of care that support children and families early and in the least restrictive settings possible. It highlights key strategies such as engaging families with lived experience, using data to guide decisions, expanding community-based services and prevention supports, strengthening the workforce, and prioritizing kinship and family-centered approaches to reduce unnecessary family separation and improve well-being.