Introduction In 2022, COVID-19 restrictions eased and Americans were able to return to familiar routines at work, at school and in their communities. Many people found their lives returning to a new kind of normal, but at the same time, … Read More
Author Archives: Jamar Little
Lived Experience of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Scoping Review
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can result in a range of neurodevelopment impairments, which can affect an individual’s physical, behavioural, and cognitive functioning, while also having an impact on everyday life. When these impairments have a significant impact on three or more … Read More
Strategies for Addressing Length of Stay to Improve Outcomes for Youth and Communities
Lessons Learned from the Length of Stay Policy Academy Introduction In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that youth involved in the juvenile justice system thrive best when they receive services and supports in their own homes and … Read More
Promoting Healthy Relationships in Foster Care—“If I Had Seen What a Healthy Relationship Looks Like, that Would Have Changed My Perspective”
Introduction Romantic relationships with high levels of intimacy, support, affection, and satisfaction, contribute to social emotional wellbeing and a sense of self-worth and competence (Collins et al., 2009). Indeed young adults with a history in foster care report that having … Read More
Predisposing, Enabling, and Need Factors Associated with Psychotropic Medication and Mental Health Service Use among Children in Out-of-Home Care in the United States: A Scoping Review
Introduction 1.1. Background In the United States, more than 600,000 children were placed in out-of-home care in 2021, including non-kinship foster, kinship, treatment foster, residential, and group care. Children in out-of-home care have higher rates of mental health disorders. For … Read More
Class is in Session: A Discussion Guide to Help Families Navigate Schools
This guide is designed to help adoptive, foster, and kinship support group leaders facilitate a discussion on navigating school systems and advocating for children and youth in a school setting. Even if you do not plan to lead a meeting … Read More
Sexual Health Facilitators’ Guide to Responding to Youths’ Questions About Sex
For years, researchers have sought to identify the most common sex ed-related questions that students are asking in school and online. Students’ questions largely fall into topics related to the body, identity and relationships, sexual behavior, contraception/protection, and pregnancy. Some questions may prompt teachers or facilitators of sex … Read More
Amplifying the Youth Voice During Youth Justice Action Month
October is Youth Justice Action Month—YJAM—an annual observance that’s all about action on behalf of—and with—America’s young people. OJJDP takes the word “action” very seriously. Action can change lives. YJAM is especially significant for OJJDP because justice for youth is the … Read More
Many Hispanic Households With Low Income Access No-Cost or Low-Cost Care, Yet Nearly One in Four Face High Out-of-Pocket Costs
Introduction Child care—especially that which is of high quality—serves a critical dual purpose for families, supporting both parental employment and children’s development. As recognized in a recent White House Executive Order, the costs of providing and obtaining such care are significant, making … Read More
Dismantling Systemic and Structural Racism to Improve the Mental Health and Well-Being of Children and Youth
Systemic racism across various systems, including child welfare, has historically perpetuated inequities experienced by marginalized groups. A May 2023 article in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology explores these inequities specifically related to the mental health needs of marginalized and … Read More