As recommended in our 2007 report, the Department of Children and Families has taken action to strengthen the state’s community-based care system. The department has trained child welfare staff on recent statutory changes affecting child welfare and worked with the community-based care lead agencies to develop and implement strategies to help ensure that appropriate placement options are available for children in out-of-home care. The department has also created reporting mechanisms to oversee lead agencies’ use of their increased funding flexibility.