Emerging Child Welfare Practice Regarding Immigrant Children in Foster Care: Collaborations with Foreign Consulates

ABOUT THIS ISSUE BRIEF

As the number of immigrant children and children of immigrants in the U.S. has grown, child welfare agencies are serving an increasingly diverse spectrum of families, including many with at least one parent or some children who were born outside the U.S. To improve their work with these families, a number of child welfare agencies have in recent years developed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with foreign consulates promoting cooperation in cases involving children who are nationals of another country.

This ASPE Issue Brief describes agreements between state or county child welfare agencies and foreign consulates regarding cooperation that should occur when immigrant children and/or children of immigrants are placed in foster care. These agreements, currently operating in a handful of jurisdictions, represent an emerging child welfare practice. This brief was prepared by ASPE’s Laura Radel. We thank the state officials who shared their experiences working with consulates on behalf of children in foster care: Jean Ortega-Piron in Illinois, Arleen Lucero in New Mexico, and Leah Stajduhar and Vickie Stock in Washington.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

Office of Human Services Policy

US Department of Health and Human Services

Washington, DC 20201