Connect for Kids / Child Advocacy 360 / Youth Policy Action Center - Weblinks, Child Safety & Protection

Promoting Healthy Families in Your Community: 2008 Resource Packet

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:03:00 -0500

This is an updated version of the 2007 Children's Bureau packet; it offers (1) guidance for service providers in exploring protective factors with families, (2) tipsheets in both English and Spanish,

Recommendations for Policy, Practice and Research on Youth Permanence

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:56:00 -0500

Casey Family Services has released a report from the research roundtable held during the last National Convening on Youth Permanence in 2006. The report offers an overview from national experts of how

Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System: Barriers to Success and Proposed Policy Solutions

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:54:32 -0500

At least one-third of children in foster care have physical or mental disabilities and are at higher risk for poor educational, employment and well-being outcomes. This report from the National Council on Disability finds that federal investments are undercut by lack of coordination across programs and agencies.

Foster Care Central

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:52:47 -0500

Here's a nonprofit social network (think MySpace or Facebook) for social workers, foster parents and others interested in improving the lives of foster and adoptive youth.

Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2006

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 07:02:05 -0500

The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics released its latest annual report, America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-being 2006 on July 14th. The report is a compendium of statistics from 21 federal agencies with the latest available data on 26 key indicators related to children's economic security, health, behavior and social environment, and education and on 9 background measures related to population and family characteristics.

Equity: Moving Toward Better Outcomes for All of Michigan's Children

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 09:34:40 -0600

In every state, African American and Native American children are disproportionately represented in the child welfare population. This report from the Michigan Department of Human Services examines the data on racial disproportionality in the state�s foster care system, and outlines steps to correct this situation. Among the recommendations for the state: identify services and funding to help keep children safely with their birth families; pursue a waiver to allow more flexibility in the use of federal funds; ensure culturally proficient practices; and make sure resources are appropriate to address families� needs. In addition, the report recommends increasing monitoring and accountability.

How the Justice System Responds to Juvenile Victims: A Comprehensive Model

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 08:19:00 -0600

Unlike the more familiar juvenile offender justice system, it�s not always clear how the juvenile victim justice system works, and how the many agencies serving young victims of crime—from police and courts to child protective services and mental health agencies—interact. This bulletin looks at how cases move through the system and the typical processes in the juvenile victim justice system.

Philadelphia Newspaper Focuses on Out-of-School Youth

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 13:05:24 -0600

The Fall 2005 issue of the Philadelphia Public School Notebook includes in-depth coverage of the situation of out-of-school youth in the city. Through interviews with 50 out-of-school youth and articles in English and Spanish, the issue covers topics like data shortfalls, zero tolerance, financial incentive structures, early intervention strategies, and the special circumstances affecting young people aging out of foster care and those who are pregnant and parenting.

State Fact Sheet for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children

Mon, 07 Nov 2005 17:56:26 -0600

Approximately 1 in 12 children in the U.S. are living in households headed by grandparents or other relatives. State Fact Sheets provide helpful state-specific data and information about the range of

Informal Care Not the Best Option, Study Finds

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 18:04:39 -0500

Another new study finds that informal care � using family, friends, or other arrangements --- was associated with lower cognitive-ability test scores in kids ages 3 to 6. By contrast, formal, center-based child care had no negative impact compared with remaining in mothers� care.

Children in Care in Impacted Areas

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 18:00:53 -0500

What�s happening to children in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems in Louisiana and Mississippi? The two are already among the nation�s poorest states, and the recent chaos has disrupted or destroyed facilities, group homes, and foster care arrangements.

CWLA's National Data Analysis System

Mon, 06 Jun 2005 08:26:26 -0500

The Child Welfare League of America offers a comprehensive collection of statistics and data on State child welfare services. Users can customize the data output by requesting data for a particular state and time period, and public child welfare agency users can access another level of data by logging in.

National Foster Care Month

Mon, 02 May 2005 15:02:41 -0500

National Foster Care Month in May provides an opportunity for people all across the nation to get involved, whether as foster parents, volunteers, mentors, employers or in other ways. It is also an opportunity to show our appreciation for the dedication of the foster families who care for these children and youth and the social workers who support them.

Indian Child Welfare Act: Using Existing Information to Target Assistance

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 09:26:01 -0500

In 1960s and 1970s, American Indian children were roughly six times more likely to be placed in foster care than other children, and were often placed in non-American Indian homes or institutions. The 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was designed to protect American Indian families and give tribes a role in making child welfare decisions. An April 2005 Government Accountability Office survey of four states found no consistent pattern in how long children subject to ICWA remained in foster care—but did find that in 2003, these children were somewhat less likely to be reunified or adopted when leaving care and somewhat more likely to leave through a guardianship arrangement.

Foster Children, PTSD and Mental Health

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 09:13:42 -0500

Former foster children are twice as likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as Iraq war veterans, according to the 2005 Northwest Foster Care Alumni study. More than 20 percent of adults formerly in foster care are doing well—but most, however, face major challenges in the areas of mental health, education, and employment. One-third are living at or below the poverty level, and nearly a quarter experienced homelessness some time after leaving foster care.