This manual, Community Partnerships: Improving the Response to Child Maltreatment, relects the widespread
recognition that coordinated multidisciplinary
responses are needed to address the complex needs of today’s children and families. It offers guidance on how diverse community agencies, organizations,
and individuals can join together to provide a web of support for families and create safe, healthy environments for children to thrive. the manual describes the beneits of community partnerships,
outlines the steps to establishing and sustaining partnerships, and provides information on how to measure results. It also describes ways in which child protective services can adapt their practices to engage families’ natural support systems and
increase community involvement in child protection. The importance of responsive, family-centered approaches is underscored throughout the manual.