What is the Head Start REACH project? The Head Start REACH project is examining the ERSEA approaches that programs for infants and toddlers (Early Head Start) and preschool-age children (Head Start) use to engage Head Start–eligible families experiencing adversities. Adversities … Read More
Author Archives: Jamar Little
Helping Children and Youth Maintain Relationships With Birth Families
Children and youth who are adopted need to maintain relationships with their birth families, previous caregivers, or other important connections, and it is vital that their parents support them in doing so. Nurturing these relationships is in the best interests … Read More
Birth Family Connections and Openness
Children who have been adopted are part of at least two families—their birth or first family and their adoptive family. Many, especially those adopted at an older age, have connections to their birth parents or other members of their birth … Read More
Promising Practice: Pre-Arraignment Diversion for Emerging Adults
Executive Summary In this report, we collate a set of promising practices to support the implementation of pre-arraignment diversion programs for emerging adults. Emerging adults are roughly between 18-25 years of age and are uniquely situated between the developmental stages … Read More
A Review of Human-Centered Design in Human Services
Introduction Human services programs, such as those funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF), address complex social issues ranging from supporting healthy relationships, child welfare, and economic mobility to providing high-quality, … Read More
On the Threshold of Change
About the On the Threshold of Change Report As youth grapple with so many new crises in our current world, how may we harness strategic foresight to create better and more hopeful outcomes for young adults exiting foster care so they can … Read More
Every State is Failing to Equip All Kids for Success, Especially Children of Color, Says New Report
Despite improvements in many key measures, the United States is still failing its children, especially kids of color, as too many children are blocked from reaching essential milestones of well-being. Wide and persistent disparities are hindering American Indian or Alaska … Read More
Supporting Diverse Family Structures Through Social Safety Net Programs
Families do not exist in isolation but are instead deeply connected to the socioeconomic and policy environments in which they live. Changing economic conditions play a key role in how families live and form. For example, research has shown that economic stressors, … Read More
Supporting Kinship Families of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children
Introduction n recent years, record numbers of unaccompanied immigrant children (UC) have crossed into the United States. Between 2017 and 2022, over 385,000 UC were apprehended crossing U.S. borders. This special population of immigrants are defined as children under the age of 18 who … Read More
Economic Empowerment for People Who Have Experienced Human Trafficking: A Guide for Anti-Trafficking Service Providers
Introduction Human trafficking is a crime inextricably tied to economic victimization. Economic instability is a common precursor to human trafficking exploitation. During a trafficking experience, economic instability may be made worse if individuals are prevented from keeping or controlling their … Read More