1) Approximately 3.2 million allegations of child abuse and neglect were made in 2007 involving 5.8 million children. 794,000 children were found to be victims that year.
2) CASA/GAL volunteers advocate for abused and neglected children in court. In 2008, there were 68,842 volunteers who donated over 5.8 million hours to serve 240,894 children.
3) Studies show that children with a CASA volunteer spend less time in foster care and are more likely to achieve permanency in their living situations.
This document discusses kinship care in Texas, where over 250,000 children live with relatives or family friends instead of their parents. Most of these informal kinship care arrangements receive no financial assistance from the state. The document outlines various public benefit programs that can help kinship families, but notes that many caregivers face barriers to accessing support and the benefits may be insufficient. It recommends establishing a kinship navigator program and outreach efforts to help families learn about and apply for assistance programs. Overall, the document argues that kinship caregivers need more support from Texas to adequately care for the children in their homes.
Celebrating 10 Years of Great Journalism Fostered by the Dennis A. Hunt Fund ...reportingonhealth
This document provides information about the Dennis A. Hunt Fund for Health Journalism, which has supported over 60 journalists over the past 10 years in producing impactful investigative journalism projects related to community health issues. Some of the projects have led to policy changes and community improvements, such as increased access to healthcare and reductions in environmental toxins. The fund continues to support new classes of journalists each year in addressing important health topics.
This document discusses poverty policy issues and provides information on defining and measuring poverty, the history of poverty in America, government assistance programs that help the poor, health insurance programs, and wealth inequality in the United States. It outlines poverty thresholds used to determine poverty status, examines poverty rates over time and their impact on public policy, and lists federal, state, and local agencies that provide aid and social services to low-income individuals and families.
This document discusses poverty policy issues and provides information on defining and measuring poverty, the history of poverty in America, health insurance programs and the Affordable Care Act, poverty assistance agencies, and poverty rates. It defines poverty as having little income or means of support, and notes that poverty is most severe in populated cities and states. The document outlines how poverty is officially measured and lists many government agencies that provide assistance to the poor.
This newsletter article summarizes the proposed Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2017 and analyzes its potential impacts. This is one of many weekly policy updates I published for the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities.
This document summarizes the history of poverty in America from the industrialization era to modern times. It discusses how poverty is measured using thresholds and guidelines, and analyzes poverty levels and the impact of government assistance programs. Specific agencies that help the poor are also outlined, including how healthcare reform like the Affordable Care Act and Promise Zone initiatives aim to reduce poverty rates. Wealth inequality in the U.S. is significant as shown in an included video.
This document provides a summary of data from the 2009 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook about child well-being indicators in Warwick, Rhode Island. It finds that while Warwick performs better than the state average on many indicators, there are still challenges such as high rates of alcohol, drug and cigarette use among high school students. It also shows improvements over time, such as decreases in teen birth rates and the percentage of children with elevated blood levels, but there is still work to be done to improve outcomes for Warwick's children.
This document discusses poverty in America. It provides statistics showing that in 2019, 10.9% of Americans, or 34 million people, lived below the poverty line. Certain groups, such as Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, children, women and disabled individuals face higher rates of poverty. Theories on the causes of poverty include the culture of poverty perspective and generational poverty. Approaches to combat poverty have included curative, alleviative and preventative methods such as public assistance programs and social insurance.
This document discusses kinship care in Texas, where over 250,000 children live with relatives or family friends instead of their parents. Most of these informal kinship care arrangements receive no financial assistance from the state. The document outlines various public benefit programs that can help kinship families, but notes that many caregivers face barriers to accessing support and the benefits may be insufficient. It recommends establishing a kinship navigator program and outreach efforts to help families learn about and apply for assistance programs. Overall, the document argues that kinship caregivers need more support from Texas to adequately care for the children in their homes.
Celebrating 10 Years of Great Journalism Fostered by the Dennis A. Hunt Fund ...reportingonhealth
This document provides information about the Dennis A. Hunt Fund for Health Journalism, which has supported over 60 journalists over the past 10 years in producing impactful investigative journalism projects related to community health issues. Some of the projects have led to policy changes and community improvements, such as increased access to healthcare and reductions in environmental toxins. The fund continues to support new classes of journalists each year in addressing important health topics.
This document discusses poverty policy issues and provides information on defining and measuring poverty, the history of poverty in America, government assistance programs that help the poor, health insurance programs, and wealth inequality in the United States. It outlines poverty thresholds used to determine poverty status, examines poverty rates over time and their impact on public policy, and lists federal, state, and local agencies that provide aid and social services to low-income individuals and families.
This document discusses poverty policy issues and provides information on defining and measuring poverty, the history of poverty in America, health insurance programs and the Affordable Care Act, poverty assistance agencies, and poverty rates. It defines poverty as having little income or means of support, and notes that poverty is most severe in populated cities and states. The document outlines how poverty is officially measured and lists many government agencies that provide assistance to the poor.
This newsletter article summarizes the proposed Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2017 and analyzes its potential impacts. This is one of many weekly policy updates I published for the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities.
This document summarizes the history of poverty in America from the industrialization era to modern times. It discusses how poverty is measured using thresholds and guidelines, and analyzes poverty levels and the impact of government assistance programs. Specific agencies that help the poor are also outlined, including how healthcare reform like the Affordable Care Act and Promise Zone initiatives aim to reduce poverty rates. Wealth inequality in the U.S. is significant as shown in an included video.
This document provides a summary of data from the 2009 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook about child well-being indicators in Warwick, Rhode Island. It finds that while Warwick performs better than the state average on many indicators, there are still challenges such as high rates of alcohol, drug and cigarette use among high school students. It also shows improvements over time, such as decreases in teen birth rates and the percentage of children with elevated blood levels, but there is still work to be done to improve outcomes for Warwick's children.
This document discusses poverty in America. It provides statistics showing that in 2019, 10.9% of Americans, or 34 million people, lived below the poverty line. Certain groups, such as Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, children, women and disabled individuals face higher rates of poverty. Theories on the causes of poverty include the culture of poverty perspective and generational poverty. Approaches to combat poverty have included curative, alleviative and preventative methods such as public assistance programs and social insurance.
Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies.
Baltimore County Communities For The Homeless 2008LakeArea Tech
This document discusses myths and facts about homelessness in Baltimore County. It finds that the most common myth is that homeless people just don't want to work, but in reality almost 1 in 5 homeless persons has a job. It also finds that there are more people needing shelter than available beds. The largest cause of homelessness in the county is an inability to pay rent or insufficient income. Over 6,000 homeless individuals were identified in 2008 in Baltimore County, with 70% being women and children.
1) Children with same-sex parents are less likely to have private health insurance compared to children with married opposite-sex parents.
2) Disparities in private health insurance coverage are reduced for children with same-sex parents living in states that allow same-sex marriage, civil unions, or second-parent adoptions.
3) The findings support policies endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to promote health equity for children with same-sex parents through legalizing same-sex marriage and second-parent adoptions.
Wisconsin Stateof Philanthropy Report 2009 by DFWlitlelady9
Donors Forum of Wisconsin has released the first-ever Wisconsin State of Philanthropy Report highlighting the changes in the state’s philanthropic landscape.
The report provides a detailed looked at grantmaking in Wisconsin as well as a deeper look into how philanthropy is practiced in the state. The report on giving will enhance grantmakers’ ability to tell their giving stories, highlights the impact of Wisconsin’s grantmaking community, and accurately depicts the scope, diversity, and depth of Wisconsin philanthropy.
The document outlines a program called the OzMed Drop Project created by the Ozaukee County Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Consortium to address the problem of prescription drug abuse. The program involves placing MedReturn Drug Collection Units in various law enforcement agencies throughout Ozaukee County, WI to allow residents to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs. Law enforcement representatives praise the program for reducing risks to youth and the environment by preventing access to unused medications. Similar prescription drug drop box programs have also been implemented in other counties.
While Florida has made progress in reforming its child welfare system since privatizing 20 years ago, including finding more permanent homes for children and increasing transparency, significant challenges remain. Foster home availability and stability are still issues, especially for children with complex needs. Case manager turnover is high at 37% statewide on average, and child deaths remain high at 473 in 2015. Further reform will be difficult until Florida stabilizes the large policy swings in reaction to crises and instead develops a unified long-term strategy focused on keeping children safe.
The document discusses the differences between social insurance programs and public assistance programs. Social insurance programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance require contributions from beneficiaries and employers. Benefits are paid as legal entitlements regardless of wealth. Public assistance programs like Medicaid and food stamps are funded by tax revenues and require means testing to determine eligibility based on income and assets. The document also provides details on specific social insurance programs.
This document summarizes barriers to addressing youth homelessness in California. It finds that while federal programs like RHYA are effective, they are underfunded and California does not receive its proportional share. California's investment in reducing youth homelessness has not increased since 1988. Housing development has been the primary strategy but many youth providers lack capacity for HUD funding. Collaboration between youth homelessness providers and child welfare/juvenile justice systems is limited, and transition services are insufficient for youth exiting foster care and juvenile probation. Current licensing regulations also create barriers for youth accessing shelters.
This document analyzes the economic cost of poverty in Ontario. It finds that poverty costs the Ontario government and households in the province $32-38 billion per year, or 5.5-6.6% of GDP. Poverty disproportionately impacts people with disabilities, children, Indigenous peoples, single parents and new immigrants. Reducing poverty through early intervention programs, childcare, skills training and credential recognition would generate economic returns and significantly reduce the social costs of poverty over time.
As who lives in our rural communities changes, so too are the way these communities support themselves. As tax dollars shrink, the philanthropy community is finding itself being asked to play a bigger role.
Child Support Link is a wonderful nonprofit who helps single parents get the child support they deserve for their children. It is a remarkable organization with three fantastic ladies running it.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 radically reformed the US public welfare system by replacing federal entitlement programs with Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF). Federal TANF regulations emphasized strict new work requirements and time limits on cash assistance. PRWORA also impacted legal immigrant eligibility for public benefits by restricting access and increasing support requirements. The history of US immigration policy reflects conflicting views of humanitarianism versus protectionism/exclusion, with the latter predominating since the late 1800s through discriminatory policies. When constructing PRWORA's Title IV, the perception that immigrants were a "welfare magnet" prevailed, seeking to remove the welfare incentive for immigrants entering the US.
United Way of Genesee County funds over 50 programs through more than 30 partner organizations that provide services in basic needs, older adults, strengthening families, child and youth development, and systems change. It invests over $6 million annually in these community programs and services. Donations to United Way stay local and support important initiatives like housing assistance, tax preparation help, attendance court, bone marrow registration, and more to help those in need.
The document proposes developing West Garfield Park to address significant disadvantages. It describes West Garfield Park as predominantly African American with high poverty and low educational attainment. It identifies needs for economic growth, health services, crime prevention, and education to improve quality of life. Charts show West Garfield Park has higher crime and lower education levels than Chicago and neighboring Chatham. Development aims to increase jobs, healthcare access, safety, and education.
United Way of Genesee County funds over 50 programs that provide services in basic needs, older adults, strengthening families, child and youth development, and systems change. It invests over $6 million in these community programs and services each year. Donating to United Way ensures your money stays local and supports important services like housing assistance, senior services, family support, mentoring, and more. United Way also coordinates various community initiatives and brings partners together to address local needs.
The ABLE Act, signed into law in 2014, allows families to save money in tax-exempt accounts for disabled family members so they have financial support to live independently. While intended to help those with any disability, it was initially created for those with autism due to the high costs associated with autism treatments and care. As more children are diagnosed with autism, the costs to families and society are rising significantly. The ABLE Act empowers disabled individuals by allowing them to save money for expenses without losing eligibility for important benefits, helping them to pursue independence and contribute to their communities.
This document discusses housing issues facing transition-aged youth aging out of foster care. It provides data showing thousands of youth age out of foster care each year and experience high rates of homelessness. Research studies are cited that find 12-17% of former foster youth report experiencing homelessness. The document outlines challenges these youth face in obtaining housing, including limited independent living program capacity and lack of affordable housing. It provides recommendations for actions at the state level, such as implementing the Fostering Connections Act, ensuring housing is in transition plans, and building partnerships to create affordable housing opportunities.
This document summarizes research showing that investing in high-quality early childhood education and care can significantly reduce future crime and incarceration rates. It cites studies finding that preschool programs and home visiting initiatives have led to less abuse and neglect, fewer behavioral issues, improved school performance, higher graduation rates, and large decreases in criminal behavior - with participants up to 46% less likely to be imprisoned by age 40. Law enforcement leaders support expanding access to early education as a cost-effective strategy to improve public safety by preventing crime.
This document summarizes issues related to homelessness and education of children and youth. It provides background on the growing number of homeless families and children, and the barriers they face to enrolling and attending school regularly. It discusses the McKinney-Vento Act which aims to remove these barriers, but notes that funding has not kept up with demand. While progress has been made, many challenges remain, including high mobility, lack of resources, and meeting the needs of special populations like unaccompanied homeless youth. Increased funding is needed to fully implement programs that support homeless students' education.
This document summarizes research on the effectiveness of Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) volunteers. It finds that children with a CASA volunteer spend more time with the child, are more likely to have their recommendations accepted in court, and receive more ordered services. Additionally, children with a CASA volunteer are less likely to remain in long-term foster care, reenter the child welfare system, and are more likely to achieve a permanent plan of reunification or adoption. Judges report that CASA volunteers provide high quality, beneficial input that informs court decisions and supports court processes.
NC’s Public Programs Providing Quality Health Care for Kids: Health Check / NC Health Choice, Health Check/NC Health Choice & Medical Home, Healthy & Ready to Learn Webinar, December 11, 2012
Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies.
Baltimore County Communities For The Homeless 2008LakeArea Tech
This document discusses myths and facts about homelessness in Baltimore County. It finds that the most common myth is that homeless people just don't want to work, but in reality almost 1 in 5 homeless persons has a job. It also finds that there are more people needing shelter than available beds. The largest cause of homelessness in the county is an inability to pay rent or insufficient income. Over 6,000 homeless individuals were identified in 2008 in Baltimore County, with 70% being women and children.
1) Children with same-sex parents are less likely to have private health insurance compared to children with married opposite-sex parents.
2) Disparities in private health insurance coverage are reduced for children with same-sex parents living in states that allow same-sex marriage, civil unions, or second-parent adoptions.
3) The findings support policies endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to promote health equity for children with same-sex parents through legalizing same-sex marriage and second-parent adoptions.
Wisconsin Stateof Philanthropy Report 2009 by DFWlitlelady9
Donors Forum of Wisconsin has released the first-ever Wisconsin State of Philanthropy Report highlighting the changes in the state’s philanthropic landscape.
The report provides a detailed looked at grantmaking in Wisconsin as well as a deeper look into how philanthropy is practiced in the state. The report on giving will enhance grantmakers’ ability to tell their giving stories, highlights the impact of Wisconsin’s grantmaking community, and accurately depicts the scope, diversity, and depth of Wisconsin philanthropy.
The document outlines a program called the OzMed Drop Project created by the Ozaukee County Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Consortium to address the problem of prescription drug abuse. The program involves placing MedReturn Drug Collection Units in various law enforcement agencies throughout Ozaukee County, WI to allow residents to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs. Law enforcement representatives praise the program for reducing risks to youth and the environment by preventing access to unused medications. Similar prescription drug drop box programs have also been implemented in other counties.
While Florida has made progress in reforming its child welfare system since privatizing 20 years ago, including finding more permanent homes for children and increasing transparency, significant challenges remain. Foster home availability and stability are still issues, especially for children with complex needs. Case manager turnover is high at 37% statewide on average, and child deaths remain high at 473 in 2015. Further reform will be difficult until Florida stabilizes the large policy swings in reaction to crises and instead develops a unified long-term strategy focused on keeping children safe.
The document discusses the differences between social insurance programs and public assistance programs. Social insurance programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance require contributions from beneficiaries and employers. Benefits are paid as legal entitlements regardless of wealth. Public assistance programs like Medicaid and food stamps are funded by tax revenues and require means testing to determine eligibility based on income and assets. The document also provides details on specific social insurance programs.
This document summarizes barriers to addressing youth homelessness in California. It finds that while federal programs like RHYA are effective, they are underfunded and California does not receive its proportional share. California's investment in reducing youth homelessness has not increased since 1988. Housing development has been the primary strategy but many youth providers lack capacity for HUD funding. Collaboration between youth homelessness providers and child welfare/juvenile justice systems is limited, and transition services are insufficient for youth exiting foster care and juvenile probation. Current licensing regulations also create barriers for youth accessing shelters.
This document analyzes the economic cost of poverty in Ontario. It finds that poverty costs the Ontario government and households in the province $32-38 billion per year, or 5.5-6.6% of GDP. Poverty disproportionately impacts people with disabilities, children, Indigenous peoples, single parents and new immigrants. Reducing poverty through early intervention programs, childcare, skills training and credential recognition would generate economic returns and significantly reduce the social costs of poverty over time.
As who lives in our rural communities changes, so too are the way these communities support themselves. As tax dollars shrink, the philanthropy community is finding itself being asked to play a bigger role.
Child Support Link is a wonderful nonprofit who helps single parents get the child support they deserve for their children. It is a remarkable organization with three fantastic ladies running it.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 radically reformed the US public welfare system by replacing federal entitlement programs with Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF). Federal TANF regulations emphasized strict new work requirements and time limits on cash assistance. PRWORA also impacted legal immigrant eligibility for public benefits by restricting access and increasing support requirements. The history of US immigration policy reflects conflicting views of humanitarianism versus protectionism/exclusion, with the latter predominating since the late 1800s through discriminatory policies. When constructing PRWORA's Title IV, the perception that immigrants were a "welfare magnet" prevailed, seeking to remove the welfare incentive for immigrants entering the US.
United Way of Genesee County funds over 50 programs through more than 30 partner organizations that provide services in basic needs, older adults, strengthening families, child and youth development, and systems change. It invests over $6 million annually in these community programs and services. Donations to United Way stay local and support important initiatives like housing assistance, tax preparation help, attendance court, bone marrow registration, and more to help those in need.
The document proposes developing West Garfield Park to address significant disadvantages. It describes West Garfield Park as predominantly African American with high poverty and low educational attainment. It identifies needs for economic growth, health services, crime prevention, and education to improve quality of life. Charts show West Garfield Park has higher crime and lower education levels than Chicago and neighboring Chatham. Development aims to increase jobs, healthcare access, safety, and education.
United Way of Genesee County funds over 50 programs that provide services in basic needs, older adults, strengthening families, child and youth development, and systems change. It invests over $6 million in these community programs and services each year. Donating to United Way ensures your money stays local and supports important services like housing assistance, senior services, family support, mentoring, and more. United Way also coordinates various community initiatives and brings partners together to address local needs.
The ABLE Act, signed into law in 2014, allows families to save money in tax-exempt accounts for disabled family members so they have financial support to live independently. While intended to help those with any disability, it was initially created for those with autism due to the high costs associated with autism treatments and care. As more children are diagnosed with autism, the costs to families and society are rising significantly. The ABLE Act empowers disabled individuals by allowing them to save money for expenses without losing eligibility for important benefits, helping them to pursue independence and contribute to their communities.
This document discusses housing issues facing transition-aged youth aging out of foster care. It provides data showing thousands of youth age out of foster care each year and experience high rates of homelessness. Research studies are cited that find 12-17% of former foster youth report experiencing homelessness. The document outlines challenges these youth face in obtaining housing, including limited independent living program capacity and lack of affordable housing. It provides recommendations for actions at the state level, such as implementing the Fostering Connections Act, ensuring housing is in transition plans, and building partnerships to create affordable housing opportunities.
This document summarizes research showing that investing in high-quality early childhood education and care can significantly reduce future crime and incarceration rates. It cites studies finding that preschool programs and home visiting initiatives have led to less abuse and neglect, fewer behavioral issues, improved school performance, higher graduation rates, and large decreases in criminal behavior - with participants up to 46% less likely to be imprisoned by age 40. Law enforcement leaders support expanding access to early education as a cost-effective strategy to improve public safety by preventing crime.
This document summarizes issues related to homelessness and education of children and youth. It provides background on the growing number of homeless families and children, and the barriers they face to enrolling and attending school regularly. It discusses the McKinney-Vento Act which aims to remove these barriers, but notes that funding has not kept up with demand. While progress has been made, many challenges remain, including high mobility, lack of resources, and meeting the needs of special populations like unaccompanied homeless youth. Increased funding is needed to fully implement programs that support homeless students' education.
This document summarizes research on the effectiveness of Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) volunteers. It finds that children with a CASA volunteer spend more time with the child, are more likely to have their recommendations accepted in court, and receive more ordered services. Additionally, children with a CASA volunteer are less likely to remain in long-term foster care, reenter the child welfare system, and are more likely to achieve a permanent plan of reunification or adoption. Judges report that CASA volunteers provide high quality, beneficial input that informs court decisions and supports court processes.
NC’s Public Programs Providing Quality Health Care for Kids: Health Check / NC Health Choice, Health Check/NC Health Choice & Medical Home, Healthy & Ready to Learn Webinar, December 11, 2012
The document discusses issues with the current juvenile justice system in Arkansas and advocates for more community-based programs and services for at-risk youth as alternatives to incarceration. It notes that most youth who commit crimes desist from criminal behavior as they mature and that community programs have success rates over 90% in preventing recidivism. The costs of incarcerating one youth is over $131,000 annually whereas community programs save taxpayers millions by preventing children from lives of crime. It highlights real cases of youth helped by community support instead of incarceration.
Comprehensive immigration reform is needed to address several issues and promote economic growth. It should provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already established in the country. This would allow them to work legally and pay taxes, benefiting the economy. Reform must also establish a fair process for refugees seeking asylum to escape unsafe conditions. Finally, reform should focus on developing a sustainable, humane immigration system that meets the needs of the economy while respecting human rights and dignity. Comprehensive changes are necessary to deal with issues humanely and prevent further harm.
The document summarizes a proposal from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative (Casey) to reform how the federal government funds child welfare services. The proposal, titled "When Child Welfare Works", aims to align federal funding with best practices. It recommends limiting federal reimbursement for foster care to 36 months, eliminating reimbursement for shelter care and residential care of children under 13, and limiting reimbursement for residential care of older children to 12 months. The goals are to promote permanency, support family-like settings, improve workforce continuity and increase accountability. The summary analyzes the implications and challenges of implementing the Casey recommendations.
The document discusses several flaws in the U.S. foster care system. It notes that while foster care was originally intended to care for children in need, potential issues were anticipated but seen as necessary risks. Currently, about 75% of children in foster care have been sexually abused. Some ways to address flaws include more effective screening of social workers and foster families, holding negligent parents accountable, and implementing regular training for social workers based on recurring issues. The document also provides statistics on the large number of children currently in foster care and challenges with placing siblings together.
This document summarizes research on the educational challenges faced by students in foster care and potential solutions. It finds that foster care students have much poorer educational and life outcomes compared to the general population, including lower academic achievement, higher rates of grade retention, special education placement, dropping out, and less likelihood of attending or graduating from college. Their challenges are exacerbated by the instability of frequently changing schools due to changes in placement. Expanding education options through scholarship programs could help address these challenges by improving school stability, achievement, and life outcomes for foster care students.
2 0 1 6 S t a t e Fa c t S h e e t sChild Care in America.docxvickeryr87
2 0 1 6 S t a t e Fa c t S h e e t s
Child Care in America:
Every week in the United States, child care providers care for nearly 11
million children younger than age 5 whose parents are working. On
average, these children spend 36 hours a week in child care, and one
quarter (nearly 3 million) are in multiple child care arrangements due to
the traditional and nontraditional working hours of their parents.1
Research has continually illustrated the importance of quality early
experiences in achieving good health, especially within the most
vulnerable populations. Families, child care providers and state and
federal policymakers share responsibility for the safety and wellbeing
of children while they are in child care settings. Basic state
requirements and oversight help lay the foundation necessary to
protect children and promote their healthy development while in child
care.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program
serves approximately 1.45 million children annually in communities
across the country. CCDBG is the primary federal grant program that
provides child care assistance for families and funds child care quality
initiatives. Funds are administered to states in formula block grants,
and states use the grants to subsidize child care for low-income
working families.
In November 2014, President Barack Obama signed S.1086, the Child
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 into law. The new law
includes several measures focused on quality, including requiring
states to:
Promote quality child care by increasing activities to improve
the care, enhancing states’ ability to train providers and develop
safer and more effective child care services.
Strengthen health and safety requirements in child care
programs and providers.
Improve access to child care by expanding eligibility for
participating families and helping families connect with quality
programs that meet their needs by enhancing consumer
education, providing greater options for quality child care and
working to ensure continuity of care, essential for both the well-
being and stability of a child.2
With the new federal child care measures set to take effect, states are
rapidly building, evaluating, and changing their early care and
education quality focused systems (Quality Rating and Improvement
System (QRIS), professional development, licensing and standards).
Implementation of the new regulations must align with these efforts for
sustainability and maximum impact.
Over the past several years, Child Care Aware® of America has
surveyed and conducted focus groups with parents of young children,
grandparents, national child advocacy organizations, and state and
local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies. Those
conversations underscored that child care is an essential building block
1 U.S.
The proposed Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) aims to combine existing child protection schemes under one umbrella scheme with the objectives of creating a safety net for vulnerable children, promoting preventive measures to keep families together, and establishing rehabilitation services. The key components include setting up structures for juvenile justice and for children in need of protection, as well as a proposed revised adoption scheme to streamline the process. States are asked to provide information on their current child protection systems and adoption processes to help develop the integrated scheme.
The Department Of Children And Family ServicesJulia D. Weiss
The document provides an overview of the Department of Children and Family Services in Illinois. It details the number of children in state care in Illinois and the United States. It then reviews literature on the structure and responsibilities of the different departments within DCFS. While some critics claim the system is inefficient and neglectful, the document finds evidence that DCFS has implemented policies and programs to better protect children, such as mandatory background checks and caseload limits for social workers. Interviews with DCFS employees suggest that individuals, not the system itself, are responsible for any abuse or neglect cases. Improving the current system, rather than replacing it, is presented as the best way to help children.
The Department Of Children And Family ServicesJulia D. Weiss
The document provides an overview of the Department of Children and Family Services in Illinois. It details the number of children in state care in Illinois, Cook County, and the United States. While the department aims to provide quality care for children, it has faced criticism from groups like the ACLU over rare abuse cases. However, the document argues this negative media coverage does not reflect the reality of the care provided to most children. It provides statistics on department funding and reviews literature on the structure and goals of the department.
5.3 Better Outcomes for All: Working with Mainstream Services Agencies to End Homelessness
Speaker: John Egan
Ending homelessness requires the support of agencies and resources outside of the homeless assistance system like the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and child welfare. This workshop will identify some of these key agencies and offer ideas on how they can work with homeless assistance providers to improve outcomes for youth, families, homeless providers, and themselves. An additional focal point will be how to ensure community resources are allocated fairly based on need.
Concept note community capacity buildingGharib Hamad
The document discusses strengthening community child protection systems in Zanzibar to address violence against children and gender-based violence. It notes that the Zanzibar Violence against Children Study found high rates of sexual violence against children and low rates of support services utilization. It proposes building the capacity of community structures and the formal child protection system to prevent and respond to abuse cases through activities like training, advocacy, and developing intervention programs. The overall goal is to reduce child abuse in the community by improving protection mechanisms at both the community and government levels.
This document discusses the issue of foster care youth becoming homeless after aging out of the foster care system in New York City. Over 28,000 children are currently in foster care in NYC, many having come from abusive or neglectful homes. When these youth turn 21, they age out of the system and are at high risk of becoming homeless due to lack of housing, employment, education, and support services. Recent legislation and initiatives have aimed to better track outcomes for former foster youth and hold agencies accountable for ensuring their success after aging out.
In the paper the author discusses all major aspects of the proposed legal and social services program including EBP, services flowchart, program structure, employee responsibilities, as well as program goals and implementation.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, a national organization of volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for the safety and well-being of abused and neglected children in foster care. CASA volunteers are independent investigators who make a difference in children's lives by ensuring their needs are met. Research shows children with a CASA volunteer are less likely to remain in long-term foster care. Last year, CASA served about a quarter million children, though over 780,000 are in foster care.
1) CASA volunteers advocate for abused and neglected children in the foster care system at a cost of $80 per month compared to $2,396 per month it costs to keep a child in foster care.
2) Studies have shown that children with a CASA volunteer spend less time in foster care and are less likely to reenter the system, potentially saving millions of dollars.
3) The long-term societal costs of child abuse and neglect are estimated to be over $100 billion annually, so investing in programs like CASA could help reduce these massive economic burdens.
Total Estimated Cost Of Child Abuse And Neglect In The U S 2007vc3jdcasa
This document summarizes an economic impact study that estimates the total annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States. The total cost is estimated to be $103.8 billion. This cost includes both direct costs, such as hospitalization, mental health care, and child welfare services, totaling $33.1 billion, as well as indirect costs to society over the long term, such as special education, juvenile delinquency, lost productivity, and adult criminality, totaling $70.7 billion. The costs are borne by victims, their families, and society as a whole.
Reporting And Reoccurance Of Child Maltreatment 2005vc3jdcasa
This document summarizes research on rereporting and recurrence of child maltreatment using data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). Key findings include:
- Approximately one-third of children were rereported within 5 years, with most rereports occurring within months of the initial report.
- Among victims, 17% experienced a recurrence of maltreatment within 5 years, again mostly within months of the initial report.
- Factors associated with rereporting included reports by medical professionals, age and race of the child, receipt of services, and time since initial report.
The document provides an overview of the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), which collects annual data on child abuse and neglect reports from state child protective services agencies. NCANDS data show that in 2007 approximately 3.2 million referrals, alleging the maltreatment of approximately 5.8 million children, were made to CPS agencies, with 62% of referrals screened in for investigation. The investigations found that 25.2% of children were victims of abuse or neglect.
Child Abuse and Neglect Facilities: Statistics and Interventionsvc3jdcasa
Despite efforts to address the issue, child abuse and neglect fatalities remain a serious problem in the US. Young children under age 4 make up the majority of victims. Parents are the perpetrators in most cases. Child fatality review teams work to accurately track fatalities, improve responses, and identify prevention strategies through multidisciplinary coordination and data collection. Their reviews aim to prevent future deaths and keep children safe.
A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer represents the best interests of children in foster care proceedings. They investigate the child's circumstances, provide information to the court, and help ensure the child has a safe permanent home. CASA volunteers are trained in areas like child abuse and receive ongoing supervision. Children with a CASA spend less time in foster care and are less likely to reenter the system.
1. The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association
National Statistics 2009
100 West Harrison, North Tower, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 270-0072 (800)-628-3233 (206) 270-0078 (fax) nationalcasa.org
Following are the latest statistics available at the time of publication. Visit the Child Welfare
Information Gateway at childwelfare.gov for updates and other powerful figures on the needs of
abused and neglected children.
Children Need Protection and Care More Than Ever
Approximately 3.2 million allegations of child abuse and neglect including 5.8 million children
were made to CPS agencies in 2007.i
In 2007, an estimated 794,000 children were substantiated as victims of child maltreatment, a
rate of 10.6 per 1,000 children in the US and Puerto Rico.ii
Approximately one-half of all victims were White (46.1%); one fifth (21.7%) were African-
American; and one fifth (20.%) were Hispanic. American Indian/Alaska Natives accounted for
1.2% of victims, Asians accounted for 0.8% and Pacific Islanders for 0.2% of victims.iii
Children who had been prior victims of maltreatment were 96% more likely to experience a
recurrence than those who were not prior victims. The youngest children (from birth through age
4) were most likely to be determined to be maltreated than all other age groups.iv
For 2007, an estimated 1,670 children died from abuse or neglect. The rate of fatalities per
100,000 children has stayed fairly stable: 2.0% for 2003, 2.03% for 2004, 1.96% for 2005,
2.04% for 2006 and 2.3% for 2007. Children 0-4 years old accounted for 75.7% of child
fatalities. Children younger than 1 year old accounted for 42.2% of all child fatalities.v
2. Violence often occurs against women and children in the same family. Research indicates that
between 50–70% of men who assault their female partners also abuse their children.vi
On September 30, 2006, there were 510,000 children in foster care. They spent a median of 15.5
months in foster care.vii
Race/ethnicity breakdown of the children in foster care as of September 30, 2006viii
Caucasian 40% 205,662
African-American 32% 162,722
Hispanic 19% 96,967
American Indian/Alaskan Native 2% 10,168
Asian 1% 2,978
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0% 1,104
Unknown 2% 11,286
Two or More Races 4% 19,112
Of the children in foster care on September 30, 2006, 129,000 were waiting to be adopted. Only
51,000 children were adopted from the public foster care system in FY 2006.ix
States spent $23.3 billion in federal, state and local funds in FY 2004. This is a 4% increase since
FY 2002 and a 40% increase since FY 1996.x
All components of child welfare funding—federal, state and local—increased spending between
FY 2000 and FY 2002.xi
Federal spending increased by 7% or $748 million
State spending increased by 7% or $538 million
Local spending increased by 15% or $341 million
National Statistics
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3. Total Annual Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States—Direct Costs (costs
associated with the immediate needs of abused or neglected children)xii
Direct Costs Estimated Annual Cost
Hospitalization $6,625,959,263
Mental Health Care System $1,080,706,049
Child Welfare Services System $25,361,329,051
Law Enforcement $33,307,770
Total Direct Costs $33,101,302,133
Total Annual Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States—Indirect Costs (costs
associated with long-term and secondary effects of child abuse and neglect)xiii
Indirect Costs Estimated Annual Cost
Special Education $2,410,306,242
Juvenile Delinquency $7,174,814,134
Mental Health and Health Care $67,863,457
Adult Criminal Justice System $27,979,811,982
Lost Productivity to Society $33,019,919,544
Total Indirect Cost $70,652,715,359
Abuse is associated with a range of other risks—juvenile delinquency, suicide, unemployment
and poor school performance.xiv
CASA/GAL: Striving to Meet the Need
CASA/GAL volunteers make sure that the abuse and neglect that the children originally suffered
at home does not continue as abuse and neglect at the hands of the system.
The CASA/GAL network consisted of 954 program offices and 46 state associations at the end
of 2007. Over half (56%) of programs were independent nonprofit organizations; 19% were part
of a nonprofit umbrella agency; 23% were part of a state or county agency; and 2% had some
other administrative structure.xv
National Statistics
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4. In 2008, CASA/GAL programs had 68,842 volunteers donate over 5.8 million hours to making a
lifelong difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. In that year, approximately
9,125 new volunteers were trained to help meet the need.xvi
An estimated 240,894 children were served by CASA/GAL volunteers in 2008.xvii
Changes over the past five years in the number of CASA/GAL volunteers and children
served.xviii
Year CASA/GAL Volunteers Children Served
2004 50,801 188,620
2005 53,847 225,204
2006 57,938 220,129
2007 59,717 243,295
2008 68,842 240,894
CASA/GAL: High Quality Advocacy
Judges assign CASA/GAL volunteers to nearly half of the abuse and neglect cases before them.
They express a great need for more volunteers for their cases.xix
Judges, attorneys, child welfare workers and parents overwhelmingly report that volunteers make
a difference with the children they serve.xx
With a limited number of available volunteers, judges assign CASA/GAL volunteers to their
most difficult and complex cases: those with prior maltreatment or contact with child welfare,
cases of extreme neglect, physical or sexual abuse and other cases where children have a great
level of risk.xxi
National Statistics
Page 4 of 7
5. CASA volunteers are far more likely than paid attorneys to visit children in their homes and
more likely to investigate whether there are appropriate services for the child or family. xxii
CASA volunteers are highly effective in getting their recommendations accepted in court, and a
higher number of services are ordered for children and families.xxiii
CASA/GAL: Better Service to Children
Low caseloads for CASA volunteers mean the courts can make better decisions for children.
They handle just one or two cases at a time so that they can give each child’s case the sustained,
personal attention he or she deserves.
CASA volunteers are typically appointed to the more complex children’s cases—those where
there are multiple risk factors which must be fully understood in order to make a placement
decision that will be in the child’s best interests. These complex cases receive more attention so
they can move forward in a timely way.
Children with CASA volunteers may receive more court-ordered services because of the
volunteer’s detailed knowledge of the child’s circumstances. Those services can be more
carefully targeted so that service dollars are used more effectively.
CASA/GAL: An Investment That Yields Huge Savings
Federal law requires that juvenile and family courts appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) in all
cases of child abuse and neglect, who may be an attorney or CASA/GAL volunteer.
By helping to reduce time spent unnecessarily in foster care, CASA programs can reduce child
welfare costs. On September 30, 2006, an estimated 510,000 children were in foster care, at an
estimated annual cost to Americans of $33 billion. If the median length of stay in foster care (18
months) were shortened for children in foster care by just one month, it would realize a savings of
approximately $2.75 billion.xxiv
National Statistics
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6. In 2007, CASA/GAL volunteers contributed more than 5.2 million hours of advocacy for
children. If compensated to perform such a role, the total would be more than $250 million.xxv
87.6% of National CASA expenditures went to fund activities directly supporting CASA/GAL
programs.xxvi
National CASA expended 10.6% of grant money on general and administrative activities and
1.8% on fundraising. This is significantly less than the 16.3% average administrative costs for
human services nonprofit organizations.xxvii
CASA/GAL: Permanent Solutions for Children
Children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster
care, defined as more than 3 years in care: 13.3% for CASA cases versus 27.0% of all children in
foster care.xxviii
Cases involving a CASA volunteer are more likely to be ―permanently closed‖ (i.e., the children
are less likely to reenter the child welfare system than cases where a CASA volunteer is not
involved. Just 9% of CASA children reenter the system. This is in contrast to 16% for children
not served by a volunteer.xxviv
i
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families. (2008). Child
Maltreatment 2007. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm07/
ii
Ibid.
iii
Ibid.
iv
Ibid.
v
Ibid.
vi
McKibben, L., DeVos, E. & Newberger, E. (1989). ―Victimization of mothers of abused children: A controlled
study.‖ Pediatrics, 84: 531; Start, E. & Flitcraft, A. (1988). ―Women and children at risk: A feminist perspective on
child abuse.‖ International Journal of Health Services, 18: 97.
vii
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration on Children, Youth, and Families,
Children’s Bureau (2005). The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Report (AFCARS).
Washington, DC. acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb
viii
Ibid.
ix
Ibid.
x
Scarcella, C., Bess, R., Zielewski, E., Geen, E., The Cost of Protecting Vulnerable Children V: Understanding
State Variation in Child Welfare Financing, The Urban Institute (2006). urban.org/publications/311314.html.
xi
Ibid.
National Statistics
Page 6 of 7
7. xii
Prevent Child Abuse America. (2007). Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse & Neglect In the United States.
preventchildabuse.org
xiii
Ibid.
xiv
Cathy Spatz Widom (1991). Summary of Findings for the American Association for the Advancements of Science.
xv
National CASA Association. (2009) 2008 National CASA Association Annual Local Program Survey. Seattle,
WA. casanet.org.
xvi
Ibid.
xvii
Ibid.
xviii
Ibid.
xix
Organizational Research Services (ORS), (2005). Evaluation of CASA/GAL Volunteer Impact: Judicial Survey.
xx
Dr. Litzelfelner (2003). CASA Consumer Satisfaction Survey. University of Kentucky.
xxi
Caliber Associates (2004). Evaluation of CASA Effectiveness.
xxii
Weisz and Thai (2003). The Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program: Bringing Information to Child
Abuse & Neglect Cases. Nebraska.
xxiii
Caliber Associates (2004). Evaluation of CASA Effectiveness.
xxiv
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration on Children, Youth, and Families,
Children’s Bureau (2005). The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Report (AFCARS).
Washington, DC. acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb
xxv
Bureaun of Labor Statistics (2007). ―May 2007 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, United
States ‖ at http://www.bls.gov/oes/2007/may/oes_nat.htm#b23-0000 . National CASA Association (2007). 2006
National CASA Association Annual Local Program Survey. Seattle, WA. casanet.org.
xxvi
2006, US Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audit of the National CASA Association,
as required by Congress.
xxvii
Ibid.
xxviii
Ibid.
xxviv
Ibid.
National Statistics
Page 7 of 7