In the second data release from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) since the COVID-19 pandemic began, 2024 findings indicate a continued decline in fourth grade reading skills, with a concerning 70% of students scoring below proficient. This figure is up from 68% in 2022 and 66% before the pandemic in 2019. This is … Read More
Youth
Rate of Uninsured Kids Increased Nationwide and in 29 States in 2024
The latest data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey show that the U.S. rate of uninsured children increased to 6% in 2024, after holding at 5% for three years in a row. More than half of the states and D.C. saw their rates … Read More
Protecting Access to SNAP for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care: Critical Strategies for State Implementation
Young people play an important role in shaping our society and contributing to their families, their communities, and our collective future. Policies that promote their health, wellbeing, and stability can help ensure young people are able to pursue and achieve … Read More
Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) Fiscal Year 2026 Business
This fiscal year marks a time of great change and opportunity for DCFS. During the 2025 regular legislative session, the One Door legislation was passed as Acts 477 and 478. Effective October 1, 2025, the Economic Stability program and Disability … Read More
Child Maltreatment
All 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have child abuse and neglect reporting laws that mandate certain professionals and institutions refer suspected maltreatment to a child protective services (CPS) agency. Each state has its … Read More
Secondary Traumatic Stress and The Child Welfare Workforce: A Case Study on Resilience.
Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) can occur at high rates in professions where employees are indirectly exposed to trauma, have high workloads, and are exposed to other stressors and pressures. Specifically, Child Welfare (CW) staff are at high risk of STS … Read More
Teens Need Families
Thousands of teens in foster care are looking for the love, support, and encouragement that families provide throughout their lives—not just until they turn 18 This year, more than 20,000 young people will leave foster care without a family. Many … Read More
Legal Representation in Child Welfare Proceedings
Benefits of high-quality legal representation READ MORE
Final Rule & Kin-Specific Foster Home Approval Standards: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) concern the Kin-Specific Foster Home Approval Standards. These questions were collected during two Network webinars and through technical assistance requests. The Kin-Specific Standards are the only national model of such standards and were developed to … Read More
School Breakfast and Lunch Programs for Grandfamilies and Kinship Families
Millions of children across the country are raised by their grandparents, other extended family members, or close family friends when their parents are unable to raise them. These families, known as grandfamilies or kinship families, provide a safe, stable, and … Read More