Judicial

Live Streaming and Virtual Child Sex Trafficking

Online child sexual exploitation has increased dramatically over the past few decades. Minors access digital devices, the internet, and social media platforms at much younger ages than in the past, and devices and platforms are expanding the capacity for image … Read More

Youth Detention and the Pandemic

THE PANDEMIC’S EFFECTS ON YOUTH JUSTICE The data from Casey’s month­ly sur­vey dur­ing this peri­od offer an unpar­al­leled glimpse into hun­dreds of juve­nile jus­tice sys­tems around the coun­try. The Foun­da­tion observed sig­nif­i­cant and con­cern­ing changes — espe­cial­ly for Black youth: READ MORE

Restrictions on Food Stamps Will Be Lifted For Former Foster Youth

In a rare mention of foster youth during a White House briefing in May, a spokesperson for President Joe Biden made the case for easing the daily struggles of young adults aging out of the U.S. foster care system.  New … Read More

The Supreme Court leaves Indian Child Welfare Act intact

In a major victory for Native American rights, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld key provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act, a law enacted 45 years ago to remedy decades of past government abuse. By a 7-2 vote, … Read More

Aged Out How We’re Failing Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care

Introduction Think of Us has been focused since its founding on improving the life outcomes of transition-age youth and youth who age out of foster care. In 2019, Think of Us formed a research team to investigate: Why do poor … Read More

Respect is Just a Minimum’ Program Concludes with Graduation Ceremony

LAPLACE — A recent graduation ceremony marked the conclusion of “Respect is Just a Minimum,” a pilot program that introduced high school students to mentorship and instruction related to conflict resolution, health and wellness, financial literacy, and empathic understanding. Through … Read More

Adoption and Guardianship for Children in Kinship Foster Care

Generations United with support from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, created the following brief, national comparison chart, and state-specific charts that focus on adoption and guardianship for children in kinship foster care so that these children can exit foster … Read More

Child and family outcomes of the Safe Babies Court Team – A scoping review

Abstract Children under the age of three are frequently removed from their home and placed in foster care, resulting in critical impediments to their development and well-being. These placements result in significant short and long-term economic costs. The Safe Babies … Read More

Four Ways That Courts Can Actively Engage Children and Youth Involved in Child Welfare Proceedings

Four Ways That Courts Can Actively Engage Children and Youth Involved in Child Welfare Proceedings, authored by the NCJFJC in partnership with the Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Permanency, outlines how judges and other court professionals can engage … Read More

 Family First – Title IV-E Prevention Plan Implementation Updates

Part One Watch Video The Children’s Bureau (CB) hosted a webinar to share the lessons and experiences of two jurisdictions whose Title IV-E Prevention Plans received approval from CB. The webinar’s intent was to provide child welfare leaders and their partners with … Read More