Over five years, the National Center will deliver intensive technical assistance (TA) to states, tribes, and territories (STTs) to strengthen collaboration between child welfare and mental health systems and expand access to adoption competent mental health services. We partner with sites to build sustainable structures, strengthen workforce capacity, and implement strategies that improve coordination across systems. Drawing on deep expertise, national networks, and experience supporting large-scale system change, we help STTs move from planning to action. Our approach integrates evidence-informed tools, continuous quality improvement (CQI), and meaningful youth and family engagement to support long-term impact and align with the Children’s Bureau vision for improved outcomes.

Our intensive, on-site TA, combined with a robust Knowledge Hub, provides practical tools, resources, and guidance to support implementation at every stage. Through this work, STTs increase access to comprehensive, adoption competent mental health services for children and youth in foster care, adoption, and guardianship. These efforts lead to stronger mental health outcomes, greater stability, and improved permanency and well-being for children, youth, and families.