June 26, 2014  Subscribe
Child Indicator News

The Child Indicator Newsletter shares major developments and new resources in the field of child and youth indicators. The latest edition includes indicators about public assistance (for example, most supplemental nutrition assistance recipients are in families where at least one person is working), items recommended for inclusion in electronic health records (social connections, health literacy, etc.), new data on adopted and stepchildren (28 percent of adopted children in 2009-11 had adoptive parents of a different race), and more.

Working Families

Who's minding the kids?

This week, the White House held its Summit on Working Families and reported that in nearly three out of five married families with kids, both parents work. Who's taking care of their kids? The percentage of young children enrolled in full-day preschool and prekindergarten programs has increased since 1994, and a substantial percentage of younger children spend time in center- or home-based care. But in many states, the cost of early education is nearly twice as expensive as tuition at a four-year college. Child Trends recently completed a summary of research on child care subsidies that can help low-income families afford quality care, as part of a contract with the U.S. Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation.

Trend Lines Blog

Reducing the high rate of STDs among Hispanic youth

Some 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are reported each year in the U.S., and half of these occur among youth. Youth of color - including Hispanics - are disproportionately affected. Many face barriers to optimal reproductive health, such as distrust of the health care system, but these barriers vary by subgroup. Our latest blog explores some programs and campaigns working to reduce STD rates among Latino youth.

Hispanic Families
Strengths of Latina mothers in supporting education

Latino immigrant parents place a high value on education, but appear to be less involved in their children's learning than parents from other ethnic and racial groups. Is that really the case, or are they involved in different ways? This brief, based on interviews with Latina immigrant mothers, explores how these mothers supported their children's learning and development during the preschool years, and how culture shaped that involvement.

This week, Temple University and the Center for Policy Research launched the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network, established through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. The FRPN seeks to evaluate fatherhood programs across the country and learn how best to serve low-income fathers. To work toward that goal, the FRPN will award a total of $300,000 to three to five selected projects for its first round of funding and is currently accepting proposals. Child Trends staff members serve on workgroups for FRPN. Child Trends studies the role of fathers in children's development, and increasing father engagement among diverse groups.

Early Childhood
The value of family support programs for young children
Family support programs are meant to equip families with the skills, resources and supports they need to nurture their children's early development. Here's why those programs matter! This infographic highlights our work with the Alliance for Early Success, on the Research Base for a Birth through Age Eight State Policy Framework.
   
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