Collaborative Family Engagement
CFE is a team-based approach between local CASA programs and CPS, as well as Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCC), to engage, find and work with family members and fictive kin in the creation and development of a lifetime network for young people in the foster care system.
Featured Content
What is CFE?
Collaborative Family Engagement is Texas’ approach to connect and engage families. This work aims to strengthen collaboration, model a team-based approach, enhance CASA advocacy and child protection case practice, increase child and family voice in planning and decision making, and increase the connectedness of children while in foster care, and after. Learn more by watching the provided video.
Resources
Introduction to CFE
Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) is an innovative Family Finding partnership between CASA and Child Protective Services…
FY24 CFE DATA
Data continues to be collected and analyzed each year. The CFE model is flexible, so having…
CFE Implementation
Collaborative Family Engagement E-Learning
Welcome to the Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) course, which is the pre-requisite for the follow up…
CFE Manual
The Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE): Creating & Strengthening Lasting Connections Manual (last updated February 2025) provides…
The 4Cs of CFE Card
The 4 C’s card is another tool to help you easily reference the main components of…
CFE Fidelity Index
The CFE Fidelity Index outlines the implementation timeline for local CASA programs and CPS for each…
CFE Value Cards
The CFE Value Card lists the 10 Core Values and five Core Concepts for your easy…
CFE Evaluations
Texas CASA contracted with Dr. Cynthia Osborne and the Child and Family Research Partnership (CFRP) at…
CFE Sustainability Pathway
The CFE Sustainability Pathway outlines the implementation timeline for local CASA programs and CPS as they…
Early CFE: Within the First 14 Days
About Early CFE ECFE is Collaborative Family Engagement done within the first 14 days before the…
CFE Tracking in Optima
Using Optima, programs can now track CFE related activities following the 4 C’s: Collaborate, Cultivate, Convene…
Collaborate
CFE Team Meeting Notes
The CFE Team Meeting Notes can be used as a template for a CFE Team Meeting,…
CFE Postcard for Parents
This two-sided postcard for parents helps explain the crucial role parents play in the CFE process…
Cultivate
Family Searching and Engagement Tools
Three Houses Tool Circles of Trust Tool How to Make a Mobility Map
Genogram Software
The easy-to-use software GenoPro is still available for download and use by CASA program staff, volunteers,…
CFE Mobility Map
A mobility map is a visual timeline of a person’s life created by having them draw…
CFE Tools App
Providing an engaging way for tools to be completed while meeting people where they are at…
Connect Our Kids/Family Connections Tool Training
Connect Our Kids/Family Connections tool is available for CASA staff and volunteers and other child welfare…
Convene
Family Meetings Facilitator Video Series
Video 1: The Why of Family Meetings Video 2: Integrating CFE Elements Video 3: Planning &…
Family Meetings: Best Practices & Principles
Family meetings are the heart of the CFE work, and are believed to be an opportunity…
Meaningful Family Meetings: A CFE Facilitator’s Guide
This guide discusses the philosophy behind family meetings and how they are structured (and in which…
Connect
Advocacy for 0-5 Year Old Children
The infant and toddler (zero to five) population are the largest and most vulnerable group that…
Advocacy for Older Youth
In 2022, there were 5,600 youth aged 14-17 in foster care in Texas, facing difficult questions…
Videos
What is CFE?
The Texas CASA CFE video is the recipient of a Communicator Award of Distinction as part…
Why You Should Participate in CFE
All over Texas, programs are finding that CFE is changing the way they work with families…
CFE & The Legal Community
This video is specifically for the legal community and dives into the benefits of CFE and…
Mobility Mapping Part 1 with Kevin Campbell
A Mobility Map is a child’s memory of his or her life put to paper. The…
Mobility Mapping Part 2 with Kevin Campbell
Part 2 of a mobility mapping session held by Kevin Campbell from Wyoming E-Learning Services.
CFE for Youth
This video explains how a youth in foster care may define the important people around them…
CFE for Parents
This video helps guide parents through what the Collaborative Family Engagement methods can help them with…
CFE for Caregivers
This video is specifically for caregivers and dives into the benefits of CFE and your role…
CFE for Network Members
This video is specifically for people connected to the child, youth or family who may want…