Safety

Child Opportunity Index (COI)

Neighborhoods matter. Children who live in neighborhoods with quality schools, safe housing, access to healthy food, parks, clean air and economic opportunities air are more likely to grow into healthy, productive adults than children who do not have access to … 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

A Research-Based Question and Answer Resource on Sex Trafficking for Youth-Supporting Professionals

This website answers common questions that youth-supporting professionals may have about sex trafficking, describes warning signs that a young person may be a sex trafficking survivor, and offers tips for starting conversations with young people who may be sex trafficking … Read More

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January Is Human Trafficking Prevention Month

By now, many people have heard of human trafficking and slavery, but I always like to start any conversation about this issue with this fact: there are an estimated 50 million trafficked and enslaved people around the world. This number is shocking, … Read More

Resources to Help Children and Families in the Aftermath of a Hurricane

Trying to cope during a traumatic situation is tough for an adult, but for a child it is even more complex. Below are some resources for parents, caregivers, and child-serving professionals that provide tips for talking with and helping children and youth cope after a disaster. Talking … Read More

In-Home Services to Strengthen Children and Families

Most children involved with the child welfare system are not separated from their families but instead receive services while living at home. These child welfare “in-home services” are designed to strengthen and stabilize families that come to the attention of … Read More

Family First Prevention Services Act Website

Signed into law on February 9, 2018, as a part of the Bipartisan Budget Act (HR. 1892), Family First includes long-overdue historic reforms to help keep children safely with their families and avoid the traumatic experience of entering foster care. In … Read More

LA Benchbook

Louisiana CINC Benchbook

The Court Improvement Program of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Louisiana Judicial College, and Pelican Center for Children and Families is delighted to announce the publication of the Louisiana Child in Need of Care Benchbook for Juvenile Judges. The Benchbook project is a … Read More

Back Pocket

Examining the Link: Foster Care Runaway Episodes and Human Trafficking

Children and youth who run from foster care placements are a growing concern among policymakers andpractitioners.1,2 A large number of youth in foster care run away from their placement at least once, and manydo multiple times. Running from care is … Read More

Knowing the Signs of Youth Sex Trafficking

How You Can Help Human trafficking is one of the greatest issues the world faces today, and cases today are typically based in historical trauma. Native communities know this especially to be true. It is no secret that ever since … Read More