Child Welfare

What They Are Saying: Child Welfare Reauthorization Delivers First-In-A-Generation Wins for Parents and Families

After an extensive year-long review of child welfare programs in Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, the Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed a bipartisan reauthorization and reform package for child welfare programs. The Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act … Read More

Media Guide FAQs

ABOUT THIS GUIDE As the long-time operators of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Polaris knows how pervasive human trafficking is in the United States. Every year, we answer calls, texts, and chats from tens of thousands of people impacted by … Read More

Perceived Social and Emotional Support Among Teenagers: United States, July 2021–December 2022

Introduction The teen years represent a period of both biological and social transition, resulting in new and unique stressors. Teenagers with social and emotional support are better equipped to handle these stressors and are less likely to experience a variety … Read More

Head Start Programs and Child Welfare Partnerships

Community partnerships between Head Start and Early Head Start programs and child welfare agencies can help improve the lives of the children and families they serve. By working together, programs and child welfare agencies can help ensure safety, consistency, and … Read More

Culture and Child Welfare

Culture and Child Welfare explores the important role that culture plays as a protective factor, and how child welfare intervention and prevention programs can support cultural identity. READ MORE

Guide for Providers: No-Cost Training Resources on Kinship/Grandfamily Mental Health Needs

Background Kinship families and grandfamilies form when grandparents, other relatives, or close family friends provide primary care for children whose parents are unable to do so. Kinship/ grandfamilies come together for a variety of reasons, including substance use, child welfare … Read More

Five Things About Youth and Delinquency

Research and data on youth and delinquency is critical for identifying opportunities and developing strategies to support positive development through prevention and intervention. Responses to youth misbehavior by youth-serving systems — including education, child welfare, behavioral health, and justice systems … Read More

New Insights on State Kinship Diversion Policies

FAMILY TIES: ANALYSIS FROM A STATE-BY-STATE SURVEY OF KINSHIP CARE POLICIES DEFINING KINSHIP DIVERSION Many families rely on kin — relatives and close family friends — to provide support in times of crisis or when a parent may need extra … Read More

Feds Clarify Rules on Family First Act, Background Checks, Tribal Child Welfare

The White House used a four-hour public convening on child welfare last week to announce some clarifications to federal policy for the field. Those were made by updating the Child Welfare Policy Manual (CWPM), an online reference presented in a “Q&A” fashion. … Read More

2024 The State of Mental Health in America

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and illness prevention. Our work is informed, designed, and led by the lived experience of those most affected. Mental Health America advances … Read More