Substance use during pregnancy (or “prenatal substance use”) is becoming more common. Overdose and substance-related suicide are the leading preventable causes of maternal mortality, and prenatal substance use can increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, developmental disabilities, preterm birth, low birth weight, and decreased … Read More
Foster Care
Roots of Support Building: Building Infrastructures to Support Children and Families In the Child Welfare System
BUILDING BRIDGES: STRENGTHENING KINSHIP CARE FOR FOSTER YOUTH WITH COMPLEX NEEDS Research is clear that children fare best when they are kept with families. Kinship care, involving placements with relatives or familiar individuals, offers young people the opportunity to remain … Read More
Instability in Foster Care: How Transitions Into and Out of Foster Care Relate to School Discipline
The goal of the foster care system is to protect children from maltreatment, neglect, and abuse by removing them from unsafe home environments to temporarily place them in family-like settings until a safe, permanent home is found (U.S. Department of … Read More
Empowering Young People in Foster Care: How Technology Supports Aging-Out Transitions
For young people, aging out of foster care is a significant step in their life journey. These young adults now find themselves on the brink of independence, sometimes without a ready support system or accessible resources to help them as … Read More
State-level Data for Understanding Child Welfare in the United States
This comprehensive child welfare resource provides state and national data on child maltreatment, foster care, kinship caregiving, permanency, and older youth in care. The data are essential to help policymakers understand how many children and youth come in contact with … Read More
The Current State of Youth Homelessness Approaches: Insights and Observations
Introduction As of 2018, researchers have estimated that over 700,000 adolescent minors, or 1 in 30 of the population of 13- to 17-year-olds, have experienced homelessness. These numbers are even more alarming when looking at young adults ages 18-25, of … Read More
Associations Between Potentially Traumatic Events and Psychopathology Among Preadolescents in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study®
The current cross-sectional study aimed to extend the literature on childhood adversity by examining the unique associations between potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and a range of mental health concerns, including domain-specific versus comorbid concerns. Participants were 11,877 preadolescents (47.8% female, … 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
Your Case, Your Rights: Your Guide To Exercising Self-Advocacy
Your Case, Your Rights: Companion Guide Step 1: Believing in Your Rights Practicing Self-Empowerment Activities When we were talking with current and former foster youth about creating this guide, a common theme we heard was foster youth needed to believe … Read More
QIC-EY Lessons Learned: Fundamental Insights to Engage Children and Youth
Launched in October 2021 and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, the Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY) is charged with advancing child welfare programs … Read More