About the Core Practice Model
California’s child welfare community has a long and respected history of creating and implementing successful approaches to serving children and families. Our state-supervised and county-implemented system has provided numerous opportunities at both the state and local levels for the development of innovative practices and initiatives aimed at improving outcomes. However, multiple emerging and established initiatives and practices have impacted our ability to have a consistent statewide approach for child welfare practice.
In 2012, California’s public child welfare community began efforts to develop a California Child Welfare Core Practice Model that is intended as a framework to support our state’s child welfare social workers and leaders in sustaining and improving practice in all California counties. From the beginning, the goal of this work has been to create a practice model that guides service delivery and decision-making at all levels in Child Welfare. The CPM builds on the great work already taking place by integrating key elements of existing initiatives and proven practices such as Safety Organized Practice (SOP). The CPM amplifies the work that has taken place in California to improve outcomes for children and families in all counties, across the state.
The CPM Brochure (updated in 2024) contains the most recent version of the CPM including the values, guiding principles, leadership commitments, practice components, practice elements, leadership behaviors and practice behaviors. View >
CPM: Learn. Connect. Model. Grow.
We Believe
Theoretical Framework
The framework of the CPM features several theories that help child welfare workers and leaders better understand those they serve and engage; social workers are familiar with most of them. This framework includes:
- Orienting theories related to historical trauma, attachment, and cultural differences
- Bio-developmental theories that lend insight into the lifespan development and life transitions of children, youth, and families
- Intervention theories that address when and how to intervene in order to address and sustain the safety, permanency, and wellness of children, youth, and families
- Organizational theories that further understanding about what is needed at the agency level to support and sustain the Model
Additional information about the theoretical framework can be found on the resource page in the Theoretical Framework category.