Community-Based Care (CBC) shifts child welfare services from a state-operated model to one led by community-based organizations known as Single-Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs). We, along with our partners at the University of Texas at Arlington and University of Texas at San Antonio produced an independent evaluation of CBC implementation in Regions 1, 2, 3W, and 8B to understand how local context, organizational capacity, partnerships, and innovation shape service delivery. Using interviews, focus groups, and surveys with system leaders, frontline professionals, caregivers, and youth with lived experience, the study explored how CBC is working in practice and where improvements are still needed.
Findings show progress in developing local collaboration, tailoring services, and creating new approaches to meet community needs. However, challenges remain in several key areas. Workforce instability, limited placement and limited behavioral health capacity, and complex cross-system coordination continue to affect implementation and outcomes. Continued progress in implementation will require strengthening the workforce, expanding service capacity, improving coordination across systems, and refining performance measures to better support individualized care and positive outcomes for children and families.
Our Key Recommendations
- Strengthen workforce stability and capacity.
- Update CBC funding methodology to reflect current needs.
- Build behavioral health and service capacity.
- Prioritize youth voice, normalcy, and transition to adulthood.
- Incentivize family connections and reunification.
- Enhance cross-system coordination and community relationships.
- Revise performance measures to better support individualized care and positive outcomes.
The final report is located on the Office of Community-Based Care Transition’s website.
Because the final report is extensive, we have created several condensed resources to help stakeholders quickly access key information.
