Author Archives: Jamar Little

Head Start Programs and Child Welfare Partnerships

Community partnerships between Head Start and Early Head Start programs and child welfare agencies can help improve the lives of the children and families they serve. By working together, programs and child welfare agencies can help ensure safety, consistency, and … Read More

Culture and Child Welfare

Culture and Child Welfare explores the important role that culture plays as a protective factor, and how child welfare intervention and prevention programs can support cultural identity. READ MORE

Guide for Providers: No-Cost Training Resources on Kinship/Grandfamily Mental Health Needs

Background Kinship families and grandfamilies form when grandparents, other relatives, or close family friends provide primary care for children whose parents are unable to do so. Kinship/ grandfamilies come together for a variety of reasons, including substance use, child welfare … Read More

Five Things About Youth and Delinquency

Research and data on youth and delinquency is critical for identifying opportunities and developing strategies to support positive development through prevention and intervention. Responses to youth misbehavior by youth-serving systems — including education, child welfare, behavioral health, and justice systems … Read More

New Insights on State Kinship Diversion Policies

FAMILY TIES: ANALYSIS FROM A STATE-BY-STATE SURVEY OF KINSHIP CARE POLICIES DEFINING KINSHIP DIVERSION Many families rely on kin — relatives and close family friends — to provide support in times of crisis or when a parent may need extra … Read More

Feds Clarify Rules on Family First Act, Background Checks, Tribal Child Welfare

The White House used a four-hour public convening on child welfare last week to announce some clarifications to federal policy for the field. Those were made by updating the Child Welfare Policy Manual (CWPM), an online reference presented in a “Q&A” fashion. … Read More

2024 The State of Mental Health in America

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and illness prevention. Our work is informed, designed, and led by the lived experience of those most affected. Mental Health America advances … Read More

What’s Working (or Not) in State Policies for Substance Use During Pregnancy

Substance use during pregnancy (or “prenatal substance use”) is becoming more common. Overdose and substance-related suicide are the leading preventable causes of maternal mortality, and prenatal substance use can increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, developmental disabilities, preterm birth, low birth weight, and decreased … Read More

Human Trafficking Response Guide for School Resource Officers

ABOUT THIS GUIDE As a school resource officer (SRO), you are in a unique position to reach students considered vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking. You play an important role because you may regularly interact with different students as part … Read More

Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana to Relaunch Youth Services Planning Board

[Monroe, LA]— The Children’s Coalition of Northeast Louisiana is relaunching the 4th Judicial District Youth Services Planning Board (YSPB), a member-led board of leaders from across Morehouse and Ouachita Parishes dedicated to improving young people’s outcomes. The Board’s mission is … Read More