This manual provides a systematic method for administrators and child welfare specialists to assess a child welfare service delivery system. The management of child welfare programs is considered within the framework of five management functions: planning, resource development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The manual contains seven major sections. The first section provides an introduction to the manual, its conceptual framework, contexts and use. The second section addresses the five management functions. The next five sections cover five child welfare programs: Preventive Services, Protective Services, Foster Family Care, Residential/Group Care, and Adoption Services. The management section and the five program sections contain two parts. The first part is a checklist consisting of a series of goal statements, each one addressing an issue related to the management functions. Criterion questions requiring responses accompany each goal statement to provide objective criteria relevant to goal achievement. The second part of each section consists of resource materials that address the issues covered in the goals and criterion questions. The resource sections (1) discuss the approaches, findings and conclusions of selected authors, (2) give examples of preferred practices, and (3) provide recommended follow-up references. (Au/RH)