Many government bodies and policymakers have embraced privatization of child welfare services, while others question whether privatization is truly more cost effective or provides the best services. An Assessment of the Privatization of Child Welfare reports on six states' efforts to privatize their child welfare systems and their varying levels of success. This research documents the rich experiences of a variety of communities that have moved to private service delivery and will help child welfare practitioners everywhere understand what privatization can -- and cannot -- do to help them help children. Book jacket.