Information Sharing and Data Systems

Effective communication among child welfare, court, and treatment systems involves developing clear administrative policies and protocols for the proper exchange of confidential information, both at the case level and the systems level. At the case level, an information-sharing protocol that supports efficient communication is critical to make informed decisions about safety and permanency, well-being, and recovery. Shared information at the systems level strengthens an understanding of achievement of goals and forms a foundation of mutual accountability.

• Expand All | Collapse All

  Policy and Practice Resources

  • The Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) Final Rule: Overview

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Children and Families; Children’s Bureau, 2016

    In this report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides an overview of the CCWIS and key provisions of the final rule. The rule provides state and tribal title IV-E agencies with increased flexibility to build smaller systems that more closely mirror their practice models.

    Visit Website The Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) Final Rule: Overview
  • A Collaborative Approach to the Treatment of Pregnant Women With Opioid Use Disorders: Practice and Policy Considerations for Child Welfare, Collaborating Medical, and Service Providers
    (PDF 1.6 MB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2016

    An overview of opioid use by pregnant women and the effects on the infant, evidence-based recommendations for treatment approaches, an in-depth case study, and a guide for collaborative planning are included in this publication. Also included is an overview of the Five-Point Intervention Framework.

    View Document A Collaborative Approach to the Treatment of Pregnant Women With Opioid Use Disorders: Practice and Policy Considerations for Child Welfare, Collaborating Medical, and Service Providers
  • Facilitating Cross-System Collaboration: A Primer on Child Welfare, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, and Courts
    (PDF 1.1 MB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012

    This primer provides information about the operational characteristics of child welfare, substance use treatment, and court systems. Included is an overview of the framework, target population, key legislation and funding sources, and structure and organization of services for each system. This resource is a companion piece to Introduction to Cross-System Data Sources in Child Welfare, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, and Courts.

    View Document Facilitating Cross-System Collaboration: A Primer on Child Welfare, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, and Courts
  • Introduction to Cross-System Data Sources in Child Welfare, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, and Courts
    (PDF 1.1 MB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2011

    In this document, SAMHSA describes 15 primary data-reporting systems used in child welfare, substance use disorder treatment, and court systems. This resource is a companion guide to Facilitating Cross-System Collaboration: A Primer on Child Welfare, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, and Courts.

    View Document Introduction to Cross-System Data Sources in Child Welfare, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, and Courts
  • Pathways of Communication Template
    (PDF 228 KB)

    This template illustrates the communication flow that must occur between community agencies, the alcohol and drug system, the child welfare service system, and the dependency court system. Accessible version with graph explanations (PDF 377 KB)

    View Document Pathways of Communication Template

• Related Online Trainings, Videos, and Webinars

  • Who Cares About Data Sharing: Making the Case to the Courts

    Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, 2017

    Children’s Bureau provides this informational video about the importance of data sharing between the courts and child welfare agencies. Dr. Gene Flango makes the case for practical performance measurement and data sharing needed to help judges make decisions in individual cases regarding child placements, case plans, and visitation.

    Visit Website Who Cares About Data Sharing: Making the Case to the Courts
  • 42 CFR Part 2: Final Rule Overview Webinar
    

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2017

    SAMHSA recently updated the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records regulations (42 CFR Part 2) to facilitate health integration and information exchange within new healthcare models. The updated regulations continue to protect the privacy and confidentiality of patients. This webinar is a high-level view of the changes.

    Watch Video 42 CFR Part 2: Final Rule Overview Webinar
  • Better Together: Developing a Coordinated Response to Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders
    

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW), 2015

    Geared toward child welfare professionals, this webinar addresses collaborative practice at intake and during investigations and includes lessons from collaborative sites throughout the country.

    Visit Website Better Together: Developing a Coordinated Response to Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders

• State and Local Examples

  • Brief 5: Building the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity of Family Drug Courts
    (PDF 3.7 MB)

    Children and Family Futures, 2017

    This document explains the progress by Prevention and Family Recovery (PFR) grantees toward establishing a data- and information-sharing infrastructure. The infrastructure is designed to monitor, evaluate, and share grantees’ progress with project staff, partners, and leadership.

    View Document Brief 5: Building the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity of Family Drug Courts
  • Minnesota Children’s Justice Initiative: Alcohol and Other Drugs Project Communication Structure and Protocol
    (PDF 68 KB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW), 2015

    Minnesota’s child welfare system developed this flowchart to show the communication structure and protocol that explains the flow of communication among community partners, the courts, and child welfare.

    View Document Minnesota Children’s Justice Initiative: Alcohol and Other Drugs Project Communication Structure and Protocol

• Additional Resources

  • Disclosure of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records: Does Part 2 Apply to Me?
    (PDF 1.5 MB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2018

    Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 2 is intended to ensure that a patient receiving treatment for a substance use disorder does not face adverse consequences in relation to criminal proceedings or child custody cases. This factsheet provides healthcare professionals with relevant data about how to implement the 42 CFR program.

    View Document Disclosure of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records: Does Part 2 Apply to Me?
  • Disclosure of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records: How Do I Exchange Part 2 Data?
    (PDF 1.7 MB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2018

    Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 2 prohibits programs from disclosing any information that would identify a person who has or had a substance use disorder, unless that person provides written consent. This document discusses how to properly exchange healthcare records with a Part 2 program.

    View Document Disclosure of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records: How Do I Exchange Part 2 Data?
  • Substance Abuse Confidentiality Regulations

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2018

    SAMHSA’s webpage answers Frequently Asked Questions and provides factsheets regarding substance use confidentiality regulations.

    Visit Website Substance Abuse Confidentiality Regulations
  • Substance Use: Confidentiality Resources

    Legal Action Center, 2017

    The publications and resources on this website explain and discuss the federal regulations protecting substance use disorder confidentiality, with special attention to Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 2.

    Visit Website Substance Use: Confidentiality Resources