Despite the growing interest in the experiences of foster youth, relatively little is known about how foster youth differ from other at-risk youth who have no history of foster care involvement. The goal of this report is to address this gap in the literature, by providing an in-depth look at how transition-age foster youth compare […]
Child welfare
The Importance of Treating for Trauma in Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth
Research over the past several decades has established that youth exposure to violence is a widespread and significant problem. This is particularly true for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, as research has shown that up to 90 percent of these youth have histories of violence exposure, with many reporting multiple serious incidents. Violence […]
Supporting Youth in Foster Care in Making Healthy Choices: A Guide for Caregivers and Caseworkers on Trauma, Treatment
This guide is intended to help caseworkers, foster parents, or other caring adults learn about trauma experienced by youth in foster care and treatment options, including approaches other than psychotropic medication. The guide presents strategies for seeking help for youth, identifying appropriate treatment, and supporting youth in making decisions about their mental health. Additionally, this […]
Racial and Ethnic Disparity and Disproportionality in Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice
Overrepresentation of children of color in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems has been statistically proven in various studies over the years. Though this fact has been generally accepted and effort has been made to reduce disproportionality within both systems, much work remains to be done. In March 2008, a symposium titled “The Overrepresentation […]
Applying Proven Strategies to Reduce Racial & Ethnic Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System
This webinar was offered to states participating in the initiative “Improving Diversion Policies and Programs for Justice Involved Youth with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders: An Integrated Policy Academy/Action Network Initiative.” This initiative is an effort to increase the number of youth with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders diverted out of the […]
Ending Violence so Children Can Thrive
The Attorney’s General’s Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence was established in 2013, based upon a recommendation from the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence. This American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Task Force has been anchored by an Advisory Committee consisting of non-federal experts in the area of AI/AN children exposed to violence and […]