NEW!

Illinois Child Welfare Excellence in Applied Child Welfare Research New Scholars Award International Competition Read more...

We are most pleased to announce a new journal -- Illinois Child Welfare -- a resource for practitioners, program managers, and policy-makers in the field of child welfare who are looking for knowledge that helps improve services to children and families. Honoring the diversity of cultures and perspectives that constitute child welfare, the journal offers dialogue, constructive debate, and innovative understandings of problems as well as effective solutions. Illinois Child Welfare is multidisciplinary, with editors drawn from the fields of social work, psychology, education, law and medicine. Grounded in an inclusive approach to research, Illinois Child Welfare has a cross-cultural and global focus. The journal is co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Loyola School of Social Work. However, policy and content are decided by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board. Eventually the journal will be published quarterly, but initially annually. While authors are welcome to write on any relevant topic, suggested topics will be listed on this website. The journal will also make it possible to earn continuing education credits by responding to questions about the articles published.

Contents. The journal will be comprised of:

1. Full-length Papers
The inclusive approach to research means that no one research methodology will be privileged, so for instance articles based on case studies are welcome, as are studies that use experimental designs and statistical methods. Manuscripts will be reviewed by two reviewers and the Editor-in-Chief. Guidelines for reviewers and authors are available by mail.

2. "From the Desk of."
An important part of the journal will be brief papers that make it possible for practitioners, administrators, advocates, and policy-makers to write about problems and solutions, and share their insights. Entitled "From the Practitioner's Desk," "From the Administrator's Desk," "From the Policy-Maker's Desk," etc, the aim of these sections is to make it possible for people to share a particular point or an experience that will help others looking for effective solutions to the challenging problems we face.

3. Dialogue and Letters to the Editor
The letters to the editor and dialogue sections offer readers the opportunity to voice their opinions about articles and topics the journal is addressing. Readers can suggest topics they would like the journal to address, and share resources (e.g., books, articles, videos, websites).

4. Book and Resource Reviews
Books and resources such as videotapes and other educational materials that are relevant to those providing services and advocacy for children and families will be reviewed. If there is a resource you would like the journal to review, please contact the Editor-in-Chief. Subscription is possible by completing and sending in the form below, or you can use the journal website.

We invite you to submit your manuscripts for review, as well as any thoughts about articles you are interested in submitting. We also welcome your comments about the state of child welfare and how this journal could help you and others enhance services for children and families. Please contact us.

We have long needed a resource for dialogue with each other about the difficult problems we face in the field of child welfare. This journal will also be a place to find innovative solutions, and support for your efforts to make our society a more sustaining environment for children and their caregivers. Welcome to Illinois Child Welfare, a resource to help us fulfill those ideals!