Author Archives: Susan Shaffette

Strategies to Support the Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Child Welfare and Early Intervention Programs

Daniel Ferguson, Sheila Smith, Maribel Granja, Olivia Lasala, and Hope Cooper Research shows that infants and toddlers involved in Child Welfare (CW) are at risk of poor social-emotional, behavioral, and learning outcomes for reasons such as family adversities, trauma, maltreatment, … Read More

Addressing discrimination supports youth suicide prevention efforts

Experiences of identity-based discrimination are associated with increased risk of suicide, especially among youth with multiple marginalized identities. To effectively reduce suicide among youth, state leaders must understand the relationship between discrimination and suicide risk. Child Trends’ new brief summarizes … Read More

Benefits of Kinship Placement

The American Bar Association (ABA) developed a tool for lawyers to use in trial or during their appellate arguments to help them advocate for kinship placement. Benefits of Kinship Placement includes information and resources that counsel may be able to include in … Read More

Speaking of Change: How Can Kinship Care Advance Racial Equity in Child Welfare?

Amara’s Kinship Program has a second installment in its Speaking of Change webinar series. This webinar, “Speaking of Change: How Can Kinship Care Advance Racial Equity in Child Welfare,” seeks to break down common assumptions and misconceptions about foster care and adoption by sharing … Read More

New Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network Formed

The Administration for Community Living (within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) and Generations United have partnered to form the new Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network. Funded by a 5-year cooperative agreement, the network is the first national technical … Read More

Resources to Help Children and Families in the Aftermath of a Hurricane

Trying to cope during a traumatic situation is tough for an adult, but for a child it is even more complex. Below are some resources for parents, caregivers, and child-serving professionals that provide tips for talking with and helping children and youth cope after a disaster. Talking … Read More

Human Trafficking and Child Welfare:
Scope of Agency Authority

Prepared by Samantha B. Charm, Natasha E. Latzman, RTI International Bethany Gilot, BGilot Consulting Introduction and MethodsHuman trafficking of children and youth, defined as the exploitation of minors for forcedlabor or commercial sex, is increasingly recognized as a public health … Read More

FY 2021 Report to the Committees on the Judiciary on the Study of Investigative Factors Related to Online Child Exploitation Report

NCJFJC-DOJ Number: 305136 Date Published: August 2022 After a comprehensive analysis of the scope of child sexual pornography on the internet, this report discusses its threat to children and issues involved in controlling and preventing it, followed by recommendations for … Read More

HHS Delivers First National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers

Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Administration for Community Living, released the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. It highlights nearly 350 actions the federal government will take to support family caregivers in the coming year and more than 150 actions that … Read More

Louisiana’s Families in Need of Services
Laws Providing the Right Services to
Children and Families

By Curtis Nelson, Jr. Everyone monitoring news outlets have heard comments that more needs to be done to prevent children from engaging in criminal activity, which, due to their minor status, is referred to as delinquency activity. Concerns about public … Read More