National Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child Welfare Services

The National Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child Welfare Services (QIC PCW) will be jointly established by the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, and Planning and Learning Technologies, Inc. of Arlington, Virginia, both known for facilitating child welfare service enhancement. Our complementary staff experience is highly regarded by the field and includes administering the SR QIC, directing the multi-year evaluation of Kansas' child welfare privatization, and conducting the national QIC evaluation. In partnership with the Children's Bureau, our proposed approach has four overarching qualities: inclusivity, clarity, transparency, and objectivity. As described in this document, the QIC PCW's goals are to: (1) fund, monitor, and evaluate privatization projects; (2) develop a collaborative information-sharing and problem solving network among sub-grantees; (3) promote and support an evidence-based, outcomes-focused approach to reform; and (4) facilitate consensus on appropriate reform models, the respective roles of public and private agencies, and policy and evaluation areas in which the field should focus. As the first step, the QIC PCW needs assessment and gap analysis will be multi-method and triangulated including key informant interviews in all states, content analysis of existing documents, and regional forums held throughout the nation. We budgeted for a national advisory board that will balance important expertise and key viewpoints including: research, child welfare privatization, information dissemination, child welfare program and policy content, public and private service organizations (including faith-based organizations) and national advocacy/public interest groups. The board will provide input at key points and individual members can be called upon on an ad hoc basis. Throughout the project, the board will help ensure our work remains relevant to the field, and that lessons learned are successfully communicated.