Child Well-Being

Youth Detention and the Pandemic

THE PANDEMIC’S EFFECTS ON YOUTH JUSTICE The data from Casey’s month­ly sur­vey dur­ing this peri­od offer an unpar­al­leled glimpse into hun­dreds of juve­nile jus­tice sys­tems around the coun­try. The Foun­da­tion observed sig­nif­i­cant and con­cern­ing changes — espe­cial­ly for Black youth: READ MORE

Announcing New Resource On Infants Affected By Prenatal Substance Exposure

The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW), with support from the Vermont Oxford Network (VON) developed a four-part series on implementing Plans of Safe Care and Family Care Plans. The series examines the role healthcare providers play … Read More

Experiences of Faith-Based Organizations as Key Stakeholders in Policy Responses to Human Trafficking

Introduction Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) are key stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking [1,2]. They have had a historically prominent role in anti-trafficking efforts in Europe and the United States. Christian missionary societies established the anti-trafficking movement in the 1900s … Read More

Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) before age 3: Evidence for the Family Map Inventory

INTRODUCTION Engaging and supporting parents as key nurturers of children is a hallmark objective of Early Head Start (EHS) and other high quality childhood education programs (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018, 2022). In particular, two-generation programs like … Read More

Effective Alternatives to Youth Incarceration

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As The Sentencing Project documented in Why Youth Incarceration Fails: An Updated Review of the Evidence, compelling research proves that incarceration is not necessary or effective in the vast majority of delinquency cases. Rather, incarceration most often increases … Read More

‘On Paper, You’re Normal’: Narratives of Unseen Health Needs Among Women Who Have Had Children Removed From Their Care

Introduction Child protective services have statutory power to intervene if they believe a child to be at risk of significant harm due to parental neglect, abuse, or concerns around parenting capacity. Local authorities can introduce ‘child protection plans’, which strive … Read More

Using Rapid Cycle Learning to Build Momentum for Change in Two-Generation Service Delivery

Abstract Two-generation initiatives intentionally combine intensive, high quality adult-focused services with intensive, high quality child-focused programs to improve outcomes for children, primary caregivers, and families. The goal of integrating services for primary caregivers and their children is to achieve better … Read More

Report Documents the Critical Elements of Protecting Alaska Native Children — Connections to Culture and the Environment

Research released today highlights an issue rarely discussed in the field of child welfare, but vital to the health and well-being of Indigenous children and families: their stewardship of the natural environment.  The unique study focuses on many generations of … Read More

Restrictions on Food Stamps Will Be Lifted For Former Foster Youth

In a rare mention of foster youth during a White House briefing in May, a spokesperson for President Joe Biden made the case for easing the daily struggles of young adults aging out of the U.S. foster care system.  New … Read More

The Indivisibility of Parental and Child Mental Health and Why Poverty Matters

Child mental health difficulties are common, with approximately one in five young people across all ages globally experiencing them. This is a major cause for concern, as child and adolescent mental health problems have deleterious effects, not only on social … Read More