Author Archives: Jamar Little

Request for Information: Use and Conservation of Social Security Benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments That Representative Payees Receive for Beneficiaries Residing in Foster Care

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF), Children’s Bureau (CB) oversees the child welfare system, which is administered by State, local, and Tribal child welfare agencies … Read More

President Biden Proclaims November as Native American Heritage Month

During National Native American Heritage Month, we honor the history, rich cultures, and vast contributions of Native peoples. We celebrate the hundreds of Tribal Nations that are ushering in a new era in our Nation-to-Nation relationships. And we recommit to … Read More

Tool Assesses Relational Culture in Organizations

Organizations with healthy relational cultures promote relationship-building with young people so they have the nurturing, support, and guidance they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Relational cultures are embedded in the core mindsets, skills, practices, and supporting structures present at … Read More

Strategies to Support Pregnant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care

Youth in foster care who are expecting or parenting face the compounded challenges of navigating foster care while also navigating a pregnancy or parenthood. Caseworkers and other professionals who support these youth must be prepared to meet their complex needs. … Read More

Sociodemographic Characteristics of LGBTQ Parents in the United States

Much of the existing research on parenting benefits, challenges, and demographics is focused on cisgender, heterosexual parents. A new report expands this research by compiling data from various sources to provide a sociodemographic portrait of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and … Read More

Exploring Shifts in Young People’s Racial and Ethnic Identities

A research brief from Child Trends explores how the racial and ethnic identities of adolescents and young adults may shift over time. Foster Care and the Development of Racial and Ethnic Identity delves into the experiences of young people in foster care … Read More

New Toolkit Provides Guidance on Understanding and Applying ICWA

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 outlines guidance and regulations that govern child welfare practice involving American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children. It upholds the rights and cultures of AI/AN families by outlining protections to keep children with their … Read More

New Report Highlights Child and Family Development Research

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its Child and Family Development Research: Fiscal Year 2023 report summarizing important research projects that seek to improve services for children and families. For … Read More

Family-Agency Leadership Academy Brings Families and Professionals Together for Systems Change

A new training tool from the Children’s Bureau’s Capacity Building Center for States encourages partnerships between child welfare professionals and families with lived experience in child welfare. The Family-Agency Leadership Academy (FALA) is an online resource offering a compilation of videos, tip … Read More

New Report Emphasizes Importance of Post-permanency Services

A recent report from the National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support, Post-Permanency Services: A Worthwhile Investment, emphasizes how critical postpermanency services are in promoting child well-being and long-term permanency for adoptive and guardianship families. The publication highlights key research findings on … Read More