Child Welfare

Trauma-Focused Practice Supplement for the Crossover Youth Practice Model

THE CROSSOVER YOUTH PRACTICE MODEL (CYPM) The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) designed the CYPM to improve multi-system collaboration on behalf of crossover youth and their families and inspire practice and policy changes aimed at better meeting their needs. … Read More

Trends in State Mental Health Policy

Introduction In 2022, COVID-19 restrictions eased and Americans were able to return to familiar routines at work, at school and in their communities. Many people found their lives returning to a new kind of normal, but at the same time, … Read More

Lived Experience of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Scoping Review

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can result in a range of neurodevelopment impairments, which can affect an individual’s physical, behavioural, and cognitive functioning, while also having an impact on everyday life. When these impairments have a significant impact on three or more … Read More

Strategies for Addressing Length of Stay to Improve Outcomes for Youth and Communities

Lessons Learned from the Length of Stay Policy Academy Introduction In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that youth involved in the juvenile justice system thrive best when they receive services and supports in their own homes and … Read More

Predisposing, Enabling, and Need Factors Associated with Psychotropic Medication and Mental Health Service Use among Children in Out-of-Home Care in the United States: A Scoping Review

Introduction 1.1. Background In the United States, more than 600,000 children were placed in out-of-home care in 2021, including non-kinship foster, kinship, treatment foster, residential, and group care. Children in out-of-home care have higher rates of mental health disorders. For … Read More

Class is in Session: A Discussion Guide to Help Families Navigate Schools

This guide is designed to help adoptive, foster, and kinship support group leaders facilitate a discussion on navigating school systems and advocating for children and youth in a school setting. Even if you do not plan to lead a meeting … Read More

Amplifying the Youth Voice During Youth Justice Action Month

October is Youth Justice Action Month—YJAM—an annual observance that’s all about action on behalf of—and with—America’s young people. OJJDP takes the word “action” very seriously. Action can change lives. YJAM is especially significant for OJJDP because justice for youth is the … Read More

Many Hispanic Households With Low Income Access No-Cost or Low-Cost Care, Yet Nearly One in Four Face High Out-of-Pocket Costs

Introduction Child care—especially that which is of high quality—serves a critical dual purpose for families, supporting both parental employment and children’s development. As recognized in a recent White House Executive Order, the costs of providing and obtaining such care are significant, making … Read More

Dismantling Systemic and Structural Racism to Improve the Mental Health and Well-Being of Children and Youth

Systemic racism across various systems, including child welfare, has historically perpetuated inequities experienced by marginalized groups. A May 2023 article in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology explores these inequities specifically related to the mental health needs of marginalized and … Read More

Free Online Training on Serving LGBTQ+ Youth and Families in Child Welfare

A new, interactive online training for serving LGBTQ+ youth and families in child welfare settings is available on the National SOGIE Center’s website. The training was developed by the SOGIE Center and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and covers foundational knowledge … Read More