Child Welfare

Promising Practice: Pre-Arraignment Diversion for Emerging Adults

Executive Summary In this report, we collate a set of promising practices to support the implementation of pre-arraignment diversion programs for emerging adults. Emerging adults are roughly between 18-25 years of age and are uniquely situated between the developmental stages … Read More

A Review of Human-Centered Design in Human Services

Introduction Human services programs, such as those funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF), address complex social issues ranging from supporting healthy relationships, child welfare, and economic mobility to providing high-quality, … Read More

On the Threshold of Change

About the On the Threshold of Change Report As youth grapple with so many new crises in our current world, how may we harness strategic foresight to create better and more hopeful outcomes for young adults exiting foster care so they can … Read More

Every State is Failing to Equip All Kids for Success, Especially Children of Color, Says New Report

Despite improve­ments in many key mea­sures, the Unit­ed States is still fail­ing its chil­dren, espe­cial­ly kids of col­or, as too many chil­dren are blocked from reach­ing essen­tial mile­stones of well-being. Wide and per­sis­tent dis­par­i­ties are hin­der­ing Amer­i­can Indi­an or Alas­ka … Read More

Prenatal Drug Exposure: CAPTA Reporting Requirements for Medical Professionals

If/When/How has released a first of its kind resource for healthcare professionals <https://ifwhenhow.org/resources/prenatal-drug-exposure-capta/> that makes clear when providers are not required to report substance use of pregnant and birthing people and their newborns. Care providers are often unsure of state … Read More

Supporting Diverse Family Structures Through Social Safety Net Programs

Families do not exist in isolation but are instead deeply connected to the socioeconomic and policy environments in which they live. Changing economic conditions play a key role in how families live and form. For example, research has shown that economic stressors, … Read More

Supporting Kinship Families of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

Introduction n recent years, record numbers of unaccompanied immigrant children (UC) have crossed into the United States. Between 2017 and 2022, over 385,000 UC were apprehended crossing U.S. borders. This special population of immigrants are defined as children under the age of 18 who … Read More

Economic Empowerment for People Who Have Experienced Human Trafficking: A Guide for Anti-Trafficking Service Providers

Introduction Human trafficking is a crime inextricably tied to economic victimization. Economic instability is a common precursor to human trafficking exploitation. During a trafficking experience, economic instability may be made worse if individuals are prevented from keeping or controlling their … Read More

Factors That Predict The Safe Recovery Of Missing And Abducted Children

INTRODUCTION Missing and abducted children deservedly garner a great deal of media attention; however, most missing children are not abducted, contrary to stereotypical beliefs about the inherent dangers of childhood. There are many reasons why a child may go missing—they … Read More

Judicial, Court, and Attorney Measures of Performance (JCAMP), Volume I: Measures

Developed by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges – Capacity Building Center for Judges Introduction The Judicial, Court, and Attorney Measures of Performance (JCAMP) project developed this set of performance measures to help the field understand and … Read More