This issue brief discusses the importance of cultivating a child welfare system that recognizes and responds appropriately to trauma. After providing a brief overview of trauma and its effects, the brief explores steps that are involved in transitioning to a … Read More
Author Archives: Susan Shaffette
How can child protection agencies identify and support youth involved in or at risk of commercial child sexual exploitation?
The second largest criminal industry worldwide (second only to drug dealing and tied with the illegal arms industry), human trafficking is the fastest growing of all criminal enterprises. The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is one form of human … Read More
A New Deal for Transition Age Foster Youth in California: A Policy Roadmap for Ensuring a Resilient Recovery after COVID-19
This policy brief calls upon policymakers at every level to prioritize the immediate and long-term needs of transition age youth who are in foster care or have recently emancipated from foster care. In times of health and prosperity, foster youth … Read More
Truly Universal: Overcoming Barriers to School Choice for Youth in Foster Care.
School choice was intended to expand options and equity, and it holds promise for many students with unique needs. But it is clear that no choice system can be equitable until all students have real access to those choices. Trinidad, … Read More
Tags: Foster Care, Foster Youth
One Adoptive Mom Chooses Love and Acceptance
This article discusses strategies for parents to use when their foster or adoptive child comes out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ). Recommendations include: expect to deal with LGBTQ issues, accept the declaration as truth, show acceptance, understand … Read More
Making an Emergency Plan with Youth in Congregate Care in California: A Toolkit for Dependency Attorneys, Youth Providers, and Advocates
This toolkit explains California foster youth in congregate care facilities face an increased risk of harm compared to youth who live in family homes in a public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that as the daily … Read More
Care4Kids Program
This fact sheet explains the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Department of Children and Families partnered to implement Care4Kids, an innovative program designed to offer comprehensive and coordinated health services for children and youth in foster care. The … Read More
Tags: Foster Care, Fostercare
Educators & Healthcare Workers are the Leading Reporters of Child Abuse
This fact sheet explains New Jersey educators and healthcare workers are the leading reporters of child abuse. It notes that with the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, many children are at risk of child abuse. It … Read More
Tags: Child Abuse, COVID-19
Sexual- and Gender-Minority Families: A 2010 to 2020 Decade in Review
This article reviews research on sexual and gender minority (SGM) families, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, intersex, and other (LGBTQAI+) families, in the past decade (2010–2020). The article details the three primary subareas that make up the majority … Read More
To Leave Racist Roots Behind, Child Welfare Needs a Great Reimagining
The plight of Black children in the child welfare system is one plagued with failure after failure from those who have been put in place to protect them.Chronicle of Social Change – July 01, 2020 CLICK HERE
Tags: Child Welfare, Racism