The Phoenix Learning Xchange (PLX) is a collaborative partnership between the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Together, we work to strengthen service quality and foster meaningful, positive relationships between youth in Minnesota’s social service systems and the professionals who support them.
What we do
Our Purpose
PLX was created to bring people together—youth, professionals, community partners, and system leaders—to learn from one another and improve outcomes for children and families involved in the child welfare system. The goal is to support the well‑being of children by improving the systems that serve them.
Who We Are
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW)
Established in 1992, the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), a research and training center located in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, strives to improve the well-being of children and families who are involved in the child welfare system by: educating human service professionals, fostering collaboration across systems and disciplines, informing policy makers and the public, and expanding the child welfare knowledge base.
With this mission in mind, CASCW partnered with DCYF to design, implement, and develop the Phoenix Learning Xchange program.
Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
DCYF provides statewide leadership, guidance, and oversight for Minnesota’s social service systems. Their work spans practice, policy, and collaboration with partners such as the Children’s Justice Initiative, juvenile courts, county agencies, attorneys, guardians ad litem, tribes, and service providers across all 87 counties.
DCYF’s guiding principle—viewing decisions through the eyes of the child—shapes efforts to ensure safety, stability, permanency, and well‑being for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Our Support
Funding support from the Children’s Justice Act and DCYF enabled CASCW to engage with community stakeholders and experts across multiple fields to develop the PLX program.
Our Commitment
At PLX, we believe that meaningful change happens when people learn from one another. We are committed to elevating the youth voice, strengthening professional practice, and building a more responsive, supportive child welfare system—together.
