COVID-19

The Impact of Chronic Underfunding on America’s Public Health System: Trends, Risks, and Recommendations

A strong public health system serves as a cornerstone of well-being and prosperity for the nation and the world. The foundation of such a system includes a focus on evidence-based interventions, an emphasis on prevention and health equity, and, critically, … Read More

KIDS IN CARE: Unaccompanied Children in Federal Government Custody

When established in 2003, the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) Division of Unaccompanied Children’s Services cared for roughly 6,000 children in thirteen facilities. Twenty years later, ORR’s program has grown to over 240 facilities and programs spread across 23 states. … Read More

Pain in the Nation: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths 2024.

Special Feature: Polysubstance Use and Emerging Drug Overdose Trends. Introduction Over the past two decades, deaths from alcohol, drugs, and suicide in the United States have all increased alarmingly. This critical public health issue intertwines with several other concerning trends: … Read More

Families in Transition Report

Introduction Some 1.1 million K-12 students in the United States, a population roughly the size of San Diego, California, experienced homelessness in the 2020–21 school year (NCHE, 2021). Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 18,000 students in Chicago … Read More

Data Snapshot Reveals Alarming Depression Rates Among Youth

OJJDP has updated its Statistical Briefing Book with a new Data Snapshot on major depressive episodes (MDE) among youth. The snapshot draws on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The data show one in five youth ages 12–17 experienced an MDE in … Read More

State of Babies Yearbook: 2023

It is with a deep sense of urgency and shared mission that I introduce you to the fifth edition of ZERO TO THREE’s State of Babies Yearbook, providing a comprehensive look into the health and well-being of the 11 million … Read More

The Science of Engaging Youth Lived Experience in Health Research, Practice, and Policy

Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief INTRODUCTION There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the value of incorporating youth voices in the development of research and programming aimed at supporting youth well-being. Participatory methods have the potential to help address … Read More

The Way Forward: Report of the Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children

Introduction Created by Congress through bipartisan legislation, the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children was charged with conducting a comprehensive study of the programs, grants, and supports available to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians … Read More

Spotlight On Youth Mentoring

WHAT IS MEN­TOR­ING AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? Men­tor­ing involves a sup­port­ive, car­ing rela­tion­ship between an adult and a young per­son, either estab­lished for­mal­ly through a pro­gram or occur­ring nat­u­ral­ly such as with a neigh­bor or coach. For­mal men­tor­ing rela­tion­ships may be offered through … Read More

Latino Grandfamilies: Helping Latino Children Thrive Through Connection To Culture And Family

Toolkit Introduction About 2.7 million children live in grandfamilies or kinship care, families in which children are being raised by grandparents, other extended family members, and adults with whom they have a close family-like relationship such as godparents. According to … Read More