Ecosystem for Youth Belonging and Opportunity The concept of a youth development ecosystem, builds from and expands upon Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, which views child development within the context of the system of relationships that form their environment. Broffenbrenner, … Read More
Data
Building And Empowering Impactful Children’s Cabinets
Background Childrens cabinets typically comprise key public and private sector experts and can be critical to the cross-agency coordination of the Governor’s children’s initiatives. A powerful tool in a Governor’s arsenal, they can foster momentum across multiple different departments and … Read More
Bridging the Gaps: Child Welfare’s Vital Role in Public Health Emergencies Addressing Intimate Partner Violence
The National Academies report, “Essential Health Care Services Addressing Intimate Partner Violence,” released on January 11, 2024, serves as a pivotal resource for child welfare agencies and their staff to be effective partners with other key governmental agencies to address … Read More
Mandated Reporting Policies Do Not Promote More Accurate Reporting of Suspected Neglect
Each year, there are approximately 4 million referrals of suspected child maltreatment, with around 2 million of those reports meeting the criteria for an investigation or alternative response. However, only about 600,000 of those reports are substantiated (i.e., an investigator determines that abuse or neglect … Read More
Leveraging Medicaid to Support Children and Youth Living With Complex Behavioral Health Needs
Executive Summary The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already-growing mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) (behavioral health) crisis gripping children and youth in the United States. It has spurred federal, state, and other actions to expand funding and treatment opportunities … Read More
Examining Financial Hardship and Caregiver Subgroups in Kinship Foster Placements: A Machine Learning Approach
Kinship care is the preferred placement option when it is determined that moving a child from their family’s home is necessary due to child abuse and/or neglect. However, notwithstanding kinship care being the preferred choice by families and child welfare … Read More
Analysis of Public Comments on the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
Executive Summary This report presents findings from an analysis of public comments solicited by the Administraion for Community Living (ACL) on the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, published on September 21, 2022. The Strategy was the culmination of several … Read More
Transform Child Welfare through Support for the Workforce
Goals: Child Welfare System Transformation Starts with a Strong Workforce A well-trained and well-staffed child welfare workforce is vital to the goals of legislators and the broader community. All the reforms enacted by Congress in recent years, including screening victims … Read More
NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH 2024
WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT In 2021, 77 percent of eligible youth in foster care, ages 14–21 years old, exited care without receiving the federally funded services necessary to prepare them for adulthood and independent living. Because access to culturally … Read More
Determining the Best Interests of the Child
Courts make various decisions affecting children, including placement and custody determinations, safety and permanency planning, and proceedings for the termination of parental rights. Whenever a court makes such a determination, judges must weigh whether the decision will be in the … Read More