ANSWERED||CWCM Pre-Service Exam
Study Guide||ACE THE TEST ||2025/26
adoption and safe families act - CORRECT ANSWER federal law stating permanency must be
finalized within 12 months. child's health and safety is paramount concern. states must preserve
and reunify families, place child in timely manner.
special immigant juvenile status - CORRECT ANSWER federal law that assists undocumented
children in obtaining legal permanentt residency. able to remain and work in US, qualify for in
state tuition and apply for citizenship. can be deported if not granted.
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 - CORRECT ANSWER national minimum
standards for activities in the child welfare system. requires for case plans to include
permanence goals and are reviewed every 6 months to ensure goals are revised and updated.
Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 - CORRECT ANSWER
kinship guardianship assistance option on behalf of children who have been in foster care of
whom a relative is taking legal guardianship
Indian Child Welfare Act - CORRECT ANSWER protects native american heritage under federal
law; if a native american child is involved in dependency case, the triabl court can take control
or intervene the case. requires CWCM to always determine if child is of native american
heritage. DCF has no jurisdiction on Indian reservations.
interstate compact on the placement of children - CORRECT ANSWER procedures for children
placed across state lines. sending state retains jurisdiction and financial responsibility for child.
cannot place without approval of compact admin of receiving state.
child welfare core principles - CORRECT ANSWER 1. health and safety of children is paramount
concern
,2. prevention/intervention by child protection system should engage families in constructive,
supportive and non-adversarial relationships
3. prevention/intervention should intrude as little as possible into the life of the family, focused
on clearly defined objectives
4. prevention/intervention should be based upon outcomes eval results that demonstrate
success in protecting children and supporting families
"child" legal definition - CORRECT ANSWER any unmarried person under the age of 18 years
who has not been emancipated by order of the court.
birth to 3
teen years - CORRECT ANSWER critical windows of development, uniquely tied to brain
development and the relationship child has with their environment
neglect - CORRECT ANSWER most common maltreatment among infants
birth to 5 - CORRECT ANSWER children in this age range are the most represented in the child
welfare system
reunification - CORRECT ANSWER when children are removed from birth, this is not a good
outcome for:
1. stability in out of home care (no more than 2 moves)
2. achievement of permanency within 12 months of removal - CORRECT ANSWER 2 most
important performance measures within child well-being for child welfare system are:
protective capacities - CORRECT ANSWER personal characteristics that specifically and directly
relate to the protection of one's child.
, trauma - CORRECT ANSWER an emotional response to an event. can be intense, distressing
painful and overwhelm your ability to cope. from direct involvement or witnessing an event.
adverse childhood experience study - CORRECT ANSWER study on how childhood traumatic
experiences affect adult health. ACE's rated on a scale of 1-10. the higher the score, the higher
their likelihood for risky behaviors in adult hood. comparison study.
nurturing and attachment
knowledge of parenting and child development
parental resilience
social connections
concrete supports
social and emotional competence of children - CORRECT ANSWER 6 protective factors
caregiver protective capacities - CORRECT ANSWER takes action
sets aside own needs
demonstrates adequate skills
history of protecting
self-aware
intellectual able/capable
understand threats to child
recognized child needs
understands protective role
articulates plan to protect
able to meet own needs
resilient as a caregiver
tolerant as a caregiver
Study Guide||ACE THE TEST ||2025/26
adoption and safe families act - CORRECT ANSWER federal law stating permanency must be
finalized within 12 months. child's health and safety is paramount concern. states must preserve
and reunify families, place child in timely manner.
special immigant juvenile status - CORRECT ANSWER federal law that assists undocumented
children in obtaining legal permanentt residency. able to remain and work in US, qualify for in
state tuition and apply for citizenship. can be deported if not granted.
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 - CORRECT ANSWER national minimum
standards for activities in the child welfare system. requires for case plans to include
permanence goals and are reviewed every 6 months to ensure goals are revised and updated.
Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 - CORRECT ANSWER
kinship guardianship assistance option on behalf of children who have been in foster care of
whom a relative is taking legal guardianship
Indian Child Welfare Act - CORRECT ANSWER protects native american heritage under federal
law; if a native american child is involved in dependency case, the triabl court can take control
or intervene the case. requires CWCM to always determine if child is of native american
heritage. DCF has no jurisdiction on Indian reservations.
interstate compact on the placement of children - CORRECT ANSWER procedures for children
placed across state lines. sending state retains jurisdiction and financial responsibility for child.
cannot place without approval of compact admin of receiving state.
child welfare core principles - CORRECT ANSWER 1. health and safety of children is paramount
concern
,2. prevention/intervention by child protection system should engage families in constructive,
supportive and non-adversarial relationships
3. prevention/intervention should intrude as little as possible into the life of the family, focused
on clearly defined objectives
4. prevention/intervention should be based upon outcomes eval results that demonstrate
success in protecting children and supporting families
"child" legal definition - CORRECT ANSWER any unmarried person under the age of 18 years
who has not been emancipated by order of the court.
birth to 3
teen years - CORRECT ANSWER critical windows of development, uniquely tied to brain
development and the relationship child has with their environment
neglect - CORRECT ANSWER most common maltreatment among infants
birth to 5 - CORRECT ANSWER children in this age range are the most represented in the child
welfare system
reunification - CORRECT ANSWER when children are removed from birth, this is not a good
outcome for:
1. stability in out of home care (no more than 2 moves)
2. achievement of permanency within 12 months of removal - CORRECT ANSWER 2 most
important performance measures within child well-being for child welfare system are:
protective capacities - CORRECT ANSWER personal characteristics that specifically and directly
relate to the protection of one's child.
, trauma - CORRECT ANSWER an emotional response to an event. can be intense, distressing
painful and overwhelm your ability to cope. from direct involvement or witnessing an event.
adverse childhood experience study - CORRECT ANSWER study on how childhood traumatic
experiences affect adult health. ACE's rated on a scale of 1-10. the higher the score, the higher
their likelihood for risky behaviors in adult hood. comparison study.
nurturing and attachment
knowledge of parenting and child development
parental resilience
social connections
concrete supports
social and emotional competence of children - CORRECT ANSWER 6 protective factors
caregiver protective capacities - CORRECT ANSWER takes action
sets aside own needs
demonstrates adequate skills
history of protecting
self-aware
intellectual able/capable
understand threats to child
recognized child needs
understands protective role
articulates plan to protect
able to meet own needs
resilient as a caregiver
tolerant as a caregiver
