Practice-relevant information in the areas of Mental Health, Education, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Family Involvement, Primary Care, Substance Abuse, and Youth Development

Hispanic Teen Pregnancy and Birth Rates

Hispanic teens have higher pregnancy and birth rates than teens in other racial and ethnic groups. While overall birth and pregnancy rates among teens in the U.S. have declined in recent years, rates among Hispanic teens have decreased far less than rates among teens in other racial and ethnic groups. This research brief presents information from a variety of sources about reproductive behaviors and outcomes of Hispanic teens. Authors also suggest strategies based on research findings that may be effective in reducing birth and pregnancy rates among Hispanic teens.

To read the research brief, visit http://www.childtrends.org/Files/HispanicRB.pdf  

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Supporting Kids with Military Parents

This article on the Connect for Kids Web site discusses ways to support children with military parents serving abroad. The article shares a story about a military family and how family members are coping with a parent's deployment to Iraq . The article also provides information about support groups and programs developed specifically for children in military families.

To read this article, visit http://www.connectforkids.org/articles/supporting_kids_with_military_parents

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IDEA: Guide to Frequently Asked Questions

This guide was created by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce majority staff to respond to frequently asked questions about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The guide provides answers to questions in the following categories: Key Definitions; Highly Qualified Teachers; Funding; Private Schools; Charter Schools ; New State Policies; Individualized Education Program; Procedural Safeguards; Discipline Monitoring; and Enforcement

To view the guide, visit http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/education/idea/ideafaq.pdf

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Family Ties Through Prison Walls

The number of children with a parent behind bars has grown to over 2 million since 1991. This article describes the Messages Project in Virginia , an organization that is addressing the problem of how to keep parent-child relationships alive through the years of incarceration. The Messages Project helps prisoners to send video messages to their children. The videotapes, recorded by Messages Project staff, give parents the opportunity to simply talk to their children or read them stories. The tapes are mailed directly to children and families without review or screening by corrections officials.

To learn more, visit http://www.connectforkids.org/articles/family_through_prison

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Guidebook for Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare System Coordination and Integration: Framework for Improved Outcomes

This guidebook contains strategies, tools, and resources to help state and local jurisdictions integrate child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It addresses challenges and barriers to improving services across youth-serving systems and provides practical approaches for overcoming these obstacles. Authors affirm that system coordination and integration will improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. In addition, it will improve the service delivery, program development, and resource allocation of youth-serving systems.

To download the Guidebook, visit http://www.cwla.org/programs/juvenilejustice/jjguidebook.htm

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Promoting a Coordinated and Integrated Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice System

This document was developed by the Child Welfare League of America. Authors cite recent studies indicating a strong connection between child abuse and neglect and juvenile delinquency and make a case for the effective integration of child welfare and juvenile justice systems. In addition, authors provide a detailed framework and action steps for developing a coordinated and integrated youth-serving system. According to the authors, “this framework and action process will bring into sharper focus the full scope of challenges and opportunities that jurisdictions will encounter in more effectively coordinating the child welfare, juvenile justice, and other youth-serving systems.”

To download this document, visit http://www.cwla.org/programs/juvenilejustice/jjintercord.htm .

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The Health and Well-Being of Young Children of Immigrants

The Urban Institute developed this report on the health and well-being of young children in immigrant families for three important reasons: 1) approximately one in five young children in the United States is the child of an immigrant, and children of immigrants are the fastest growing segment of the nation's child population; 2) little is known about this population, as compared to other groups; 3) the young children of immigrants differ in some important ways from immigrant children more generally. The first section of the report provides an overview of immigration trends and their effects on the composition of the young child population. The second section discusses poverty, family structure, and parental work patterns. The third section explores the educational attainment and English proficiency of immigrant parents, and their potential effect on children's school performance. The fourth section examines hardship rates and benefits receipt. The fifth section analyzes health status and health insurance coverage. The final section of the report provides information about child care arrangements in immigrant families.

To download the report, visit http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/311139_ChildrenImmigrants.pdf

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Children of Prisoners, Children of Promise

This article is part of the Spring 2005 issue of The Link , an online publication developed by the Child Welfare League of America. According to this article, approximately 10% of the population younger than 18 has an incarcerated parent. Authors report that strong family relationships can decrease rates of delinquency for these children. In addition, parents who remain in frequent contact with their children while incarcerated are more likely to have post-release reunification and do better upon release and parole. Authors provide resources for effective programs that can help reduce the stigma children experience, foster opportunities to maintain contact with the incarcerated parent, and support the children, parents, and caregivers.

To read more, visit http://www.cwla.org/programs/juvenilejustice/thelink2005spring.pdf