Author Archives: Jamar Little

Inclusive & Innovative Assessments for Students With Learning Disabilities

Introduction and Summary The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a national conversation about the role of public education, what should be taught, and what makes a high-quality education. The mental, emotional, and physical health of students was a pillar in the debate … Read More

Healthy Sexuality for Youth in Foster Care: Tip Sheet

Partnering with Youth to Promote Their Health and Safety Parents and caregivers play an important role in keeping youth in foster care safe by promoting healthy behaviors. Research suggests a lack of parental monitoring is linked to a range of … Read More

Data on Families With Low Incomes Across America Can Inform Two-Generation Approaches

Recent research documents substantial declines in the United States’ poverty rate over the past several decades, including among children. This is very good news that showcases the success of many poverty prevention efforts. However, too many families continue to struggle to meet their … Read More

DCFS hires more than 300 child welfare division employees

The Department of Children and Family Services has hired 326 full-time workers since July, which increases their staff to 3,589. The agency has been under fire after several high-profile child death cases. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks said while she’s pleased, … Read More

Child Welfare: HHS Is Taking Steps to Help States Support Relative Caregivers with Evidence-Based Programs

When parents can’t care for their children, relatives often step in as caregivers. To help these caregivers, states can access federal matching funds if they operate programs Health and Human Services determines to be evidence based. This requires states to … Read More

Common Problems, Common Solutions

Looking Across Sectors at Strategies for Supporting Rural Youth and Families Tool-Kit This paper was developed by Lisa Pilnik and Christine Humowitz on behalf of the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, … Read More

New CDC Report Highlights Youth Risk Behavior Challenges

What is included in the YRBS Data Summary & Trends Report? The YRBS Data Summary & Trends Report includes data on behaviors and experiences for 29 variables across Download Report Additionally, this year’s report includes data on social determinants of health, such as unstable … Read More

Containing Trauma: Closing the Wounds that we Open

Flashbacks.  Nightmares. Distractability.  Mood changes.  Hyper-arousal.  Developmental arrest.  We are taught about the signs and symptoms of traumatic wounding through books and articles, trainings and conferences, symposiums and panels.  We have learned how to adeptly detect our clients’ injuries—the moral, … Read More

The Trauma Triangle: How Fostering Awareness of Reenactments Builds Resilience

The basic concept surrounding trauma-informed care is this: We all have trauma. Some of us are at a higher risk of experiencing trauma. We carry this trauma with us, and if we do not address it, we will not heal … Read More

Take It Down

Today the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is officially launching an exciting new tool for survivors of online child sexual abuse. The groundbreaking platform, aptly named, Take It Down, allows users from around the world to submit a case … Read More