Child Well-Being

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

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

Effectiveness of Family-Involved Interventions in Reducing Co-Occurring Alcohol Use and Mental Health Problems in Young People Aged 12–17: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

1. Introduction Mental health and substance use disorders are the 6th leading contributors to the global burden of disease in young people below the age of 24 [1], measured as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Alcohol is the most widely used … Read More

Why Youth Incarceration Fails: An Updated Review of the Evidence

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Though the number of youth confined nationwide has declined significantly over the past two decades, our country still incarcerates far too many young people. It does so despite overwhelming evidence showing that incarceration is an ineffective strategy for … Read More

Take Action For Adolescents: A Call To Action For Adolescent Health And Well-Being

FRAMING THE CALL TO ACTION Take Action for Adolescents ‒ A Call to Action for Adolescent Health and Development (Take Action for Adolescents or “the Call to Action”) advances the vision that all adolescents in the United States (U.S.) should … Read More

Take Action Toolkit

A Guide To Implementing Take Action For Adolescents- A Call To Action For Adolescent Health And Well-Being I.The Call to Action The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) worked with federal … Read More