Income Inequality Gains Attention: From the Washington Post, this blog provides ten numbers demonstrating why income inequality is a hot topic in Washington.
Behavioral Health Stats Available: Published by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), the "National Behavioral Health Barometer" provides data about key indicators of behavioral health problems including rates of serious mental illness, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, underage drinking, and the percentages of those who seek treatment for these disorders. The Barometer shows these data at the national level, and for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Click here and look at the right hand column to see how your state compares to the nation.
50 State Chartbook on Foster Care: Published by Boston University, this Chartbook provides data on current foster care programs, policies and financing for every state, with a particular emphasis on therapeutic foster care. It also highlights innovative initiatives and best practices being implemented in states throughout the country.
Pregnant & Parenting Foster Care Youth & Psychotropic Use: This Center for the Study of Social Policy brief discusses the use of psychotropic medications for girls who become pregnant or give birth while in foster care. It begins with a discussion on the increased use of psychotropic medications among youth in foster care, misinformation and stigmas surround the use of psychotropic medication during and after pregnancy, and the impact of psychotropic medication use during and after pregnancy. Key points for consideration when treating pregnant youth with mental health needs are reviewed and recommendations are made that stress knowledge, advocacy, and support.
The TAY Triage Tool: Identifying Homeless Youth Most in Need of Services: The Corporation for Supportive Housing has released this report to help providers and systems identify and prioritize homeless youth, ages 18 to 24 who need a housing intervention. The tool identifies six experiences that increase a young person's risk of experiencing five or more years of homelessness. With each experience identified, the risk that the young person will experience five or more years doubles. The tool is described as brief and non-invasive. Download the report.
College Financial Aid Resources for Former Foster Youth: Voice for Adoption receives many requests from students and adoptive parents who are looking for resources for college scholarships and other financial aid resources. This list provides information about potential financial aid opportunities.
2014 Prevention Resource Guide: Making Meaningful Connections: This HHS Resource Guide is intended to support service providers in their work with parents, caregivers, and their children to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. The guide includes information about protective factors that help reduce the risk of child maltreatment, strategies for changing how communities support families, and evidence-informed practices. It also has a directory of national organizations that work to strengthen families, and tip sheets in English and Spanish on specific parenting topics.
Stakeholder Perspectives on Family Finding: The Family Finding model provides child welfare with tools to identify family members and other adults close to a child in foster care, and to involve these adults in developing and carrying out a plan for the emotional and legal permanency of the child. This Child Trends brief describes the importance of establishing such permanent connections for children and youth, along with the challenges in forming and building lasting connections, from the perspectives of judges, guardians ad litem, and family finding specialists.
TANF Data Released: HHS has posted the TANF caseload data for the fourth quarter of FY 2013. See how your state compares by clicking here. And, TANF application data may be found here.
