Articles tagged with Child Welfare
A new approach for welfare states updates policies to prioritize social investments and effectiveness, combining theoretical contributions and comparative studies. The approach aims to generate long-term benefits for individuals and society, with a focus on targeted solutions and systematic monitoring.
Researchers analyzed national data and found Black children were more likely to be investigated and placed out-of-home than white children, even when economic profiles were similar. The study suggests racial bias, specifically anti-Black racism, is a key factor driving these outcomes.
Exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy quadruples the risk of child health problems, especially when combined with high humidity. The added weight and hormonal changes in pregnant women make them more susceptible to heat stress.
Research found that early childhood exposure to childcare tax credits affects children's physical and mental health outcomes differently based on their mothers' educational level. Children of more-educated mothers experienced worse health outcomes, while those of less-educated mothers showed improvements.
Regular grandparental care can ease the pressures on parents but may have negative impacts on children's health, with some children showing poorer general health in studies of over 11,000 kids. Grandparental care also benefits parents' satisfaction rates, particularly mothers and fathers.
A University of Sydney-led study found that 42% of Australian adults experienced traumatic events as children, leading to a 50% higher risk of developing mental health or substance use disorders. Childhood trauma is linked to chronic physical health conditions and can have lifelong consequences.
A Weill Cornell Medicine investigator outlines measures to ensure children's health is accounted for within climate change goals. The author suggests adopting 17 standardized indicators related to childhood mortality rates, nutrition, and vaccination coverage to support other targets like the Sustainable Development Goals.
A new study by the University of Exeter warns that the current laws turn a 'blind eye' to the long-lasting financial consequences of domestic abuse. The research suggests that the law should be reformed to take into account the financial impacts of abuse when dividing assets, enabling enhanced awards for victim-survivors.
The Leopoldina discussion paper recommends realigning German development cooperation to focus on both prevention and medical treatment for childhood blindness. The approach, called 'Global Clinical Care', aims to strengthen local care capacities and provide training for ophthalmic specialists through institutional partnerships.
A study found that child welfare system involvement in Pennsylvania increased the likelihood of developmental delay diagnoses for infants and toddlers, particularly those in foster care. Early intervention services were also more accessible to these children.
The termination of thousands of federal grants has raised ethical concerns about clinical trial closures, particularly among children and adolescents. Researchers argue that sudden stops can break trust and harm participants, violating long-standing principles.
The University of Oxford's OSI tool, a brief therapist-guided online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy platform, will be tested in five countries in Asia and South America. The project aims to ensure the tool works in various contexts and create conditions for its widespread implementation.
FAU will implement evidence-based prevention strategies for at-risk youth, including LifeSkills Training, mindfulness programming, and peer mentorship. The program aims to drive long-term systems change, train professionals, and serve 600 youth annually over five years.
A UK study finds that frequent placement changes in foster care increase the risk of mental health problems by more than two-fold. The research highlights the need for early, accessible support and closer collaboration between local authorities and mental health services to address this issue.
A new study reveals that states ending emergency SNAP benefits during the pandemic led to increased difficulty affording food and household expenses, especially for households with children. This reduction in funding threatens the health and well-being of millions of families reliant on the program.
A new study found that better indoor air quality, proximity to natural spaces, healthy diets and strong social bonds are associated with reduced and better-regulated inflammation in childhood. The study used the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) cohort and identified three immune signatures linked to better overall health.
A study by Polish researchers explores how parents and adult children construct shared narratives about their lives in Germany, with different emotional tones. The findings highlight the importance of intergenerational support and preparation for children before departure.
A study at UT Arlington will explore how social media interactions shape teen mental health and behavior, capturing daily surveys over six weeks. The research aims to identify short-term and long-term predictors of serious health problems.
A study analyzed per capita municipal expenditures and their correlation with population changes in small and medium-sized cities in Japan. The results revealed that prioritizing child welfare expenditures is a key strategy to sustain populations, while city planning expenditures on street maintenance and construction were also effective.
A systematic review of child maltreatment found that parents and caregivers with alcohol-related diagnoses were twice as likely to maltreat children. The study pooled data from twelve high-income countries and associated caregiver alcohol-related diagnoses with higher child maltreatment incidence.
A study explored how GALs form relationships with youth and the role of training in this process. Findings highlight the critical role of trust and suggest that enhanced training programs, including trauma-informed care and advanced communication skills, can empower GALs to build meaningful connections.
A Finnish study found that excessive screen time is linked to higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms in adolescence. Promoting physical activity from childhood may help safeguard mental health, with balanced habits crucial for prevention.
US schools are struggling to deploy social workers effectively due to a lack of standardization in roles and implementation. Many districts are unclear about the types of work school social workers can do, leading to inconsistent utilization.
A study by University of Cambridge historian Emily Rhodes found that 17th-century foster carers were entitled to payment from the parish and had significant authority over the authorities. They often accused local authorities of mismanagement and dishonesty, leading to increased funding for their care.
Research on children in foster care with disabilities found that they are less likely to achieve a positive outcome like adoption or guardianship, and have a higher risk of mortality. Children with specific disabilities, such as intellectual disability, physical disability, and emotional disturbance, were particularly vulnerable.
New research reveals Scotland's care system is taking years to find permanent homes for over 1,800 vulnerable children, with 91% experiencing maltreatment before being taken into care. Many children have no contact with their siblings, and crucial information is often missing from administrative data.
A cohort study found that expanded child tax credit (ECTC) enacted substantially lowers food insecurity, whereas ECTC expiration significantly raises it. The monthly payment structure and lack of earnings requirements may play a crucial role in preventing food insecurity.
A study of nearly 30,000 US caregivers found that comprehensive mental health coverage laws reduced difficulties in accessing care for children. Caregivers from diverse backgrounds faced more challenges, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive services.
A recent study published in JAMA Health Forum found that opioid-exposed newborns are 41% more likely to be discharged home with their biological mother when mothers receive medication for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. This reduction in risk is significant, as it can have a positive impact on families and the child welfare system.
A new analysis found that surge facilities reduced the time to reunify unaccompanied migrant children with their families by 30%, preventing a delay of nearly 50 days without such facilities. This study underscores the importance of timely infrastructure for vulnerable groups.
Research reveals a lack of training and resources for US caseworkers to address online safety concerns, resulting in prioritization of physical safety over emotional and social well-being. The study proposes socio-technical systems to improve online safety for foster youths.
A new study highlights the importance of providing developmental supports to young victims of serious child abuse before they start school. Researchers found that children who were removed from their homes and entered out-of-home care were more likely to be developmentally delayed in some areas, but also vulnerable in other areas. The ...
A recent study by University of Houston sleep expert Candice Alfano found that weighted blankets do not improve sleep for children who have experienced various types of maltreatment, including abuse or neglect. Despite the popularity of weighted blankets as a sleep aid, research has been lacking on their effectiveness in this population.
The UC3M study highlights the need to address structural discrimination and promote person-centered care models. It emphasizes the importance of considering people in need as subjects of rights and promoting social participation and inclusion in the community.
A new study from Penn State finds that incorporating a trauma screening into child welfare evaluations leads to better identification of traumatic stress reactions and more appropriate service recommendations. The screening, developed by Christian Connell and Jason Lang, has been shown to increase referrals for specific trauma-focused ...
A growing population of youth with autism and intellectual disabilities are involved in the US foster care system, facing increased risks for mental health diagnoses and trauma. Research found nearly 40,000 youth were in foster care in 2016, a 9% increase from previous years.
Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities face higher risk for foster care involvement, particularly among Black and female populations. The study highlights the urgent need for system-level interventions to address these disparities.
Child marriage declined nationally in India, but one in five girls and nearly one in six boys remain married as children. The practice has become more prevalent in some states/union territories, with a significant increase observed between 2016 and 2021.
Researchers found restricted abortion access led to more children entering foster care, with a 15% increase for Black and racial minority children. The study used state-level data to evaluate the link between abortion restrictions and foster care entries.
Research found that children in child care with onsite meals and snacks had better health outcomes, including lower rates of food insecurity and hospital admissions. Strengthening child care nutrition programs could benefit families and society as a whole through cost savings and improved health.
A new study found that Trump's election was associated with a 5-percentage-point decrease in well-child visits for children of immigrant mothers, compared to US-born families. This decline may have resulted in missed vital pediatric care, including vaccinations and health screenings.
A third of children with a history of social care in England faced school exclusion, according to a new study. The research found that those with special educational needs services or child protection plans were excluded at significantly higher rates than others.
Research shows that households participating in both WIC and SNAP consume high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages. Mothers with young children who rely on these programs drank SSBs 8.7 times/week, compared to 4.5 times/week for those not participating in either program.
Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers finds that crime risk assessment tools, such as machine learning models, are prone to cohort bias when ignoring social change dynamics. This bias can generate inequality in the criminal justice system, distinct from racial bias.
New research highlights the benefits of family-based care for children exposed to early psychosocial deprivation, improving cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social development. The study found that high-quality foster care had a lasting impact on children's brain development and risk of psychopathology.
This special supplement from Annals of Family Medicine highlights the work of six HRSA-funded academic units focused on advancing health care equity and improving primary care practices. The articles cover topics such as workforce training, mental health care seeking, socioeconomic issues, and whole-person oriented healthcare.
A new national study found that states with restricted access to federal welfare benefits had higher numbers of child neglect victims and more children placed in foster care. The study suggests that making it easier for low-income families to receive cash assistance through the TANF program could prevent some child maltreatment and res...
A new study by University of Kansas economist Donna Ginther found that increased TANF caseloads were associated with significant reductions in neglect victims and foster care placements. The research suggests that access to the social safety net, in the form of TANF benefits, helps reduce child abuse rates.
Outreach messages via electronic health record patient portals increased well child care visit scheduling and COVID-19 vaccine receipt in a randomized clinical trial of 945 patients. This tool may help restore delayed well child care in populations affected by the pandemic.
A significant increase in household food insufficiency was observed among lower-income households following the discontinuation of child tax credit payments. The lowest-income households experienced the greatest increase, highlighting the vulnerability of these families to changes in government support.
A study by the University of Queensland found that 65% of childcare centers in rural areas provide meals, while those in disadvantaged communities face significant challenges. The provision of high-quality food is essential for children's learning and development, yet many families struggle to afford nutritious meals.
Researchers captured mothers' experiences using documentary photography, revealing disempowerment, incongruent systems, and the need for relational support to aid recovery. Positive relationships with others in the recovery community were noted sources of support.
A recent study found that only 35% of eighth and ninth graders in the child welfare system have received information on birth control, and even fewer know how to access it. The study highlights a significant gap in sexual and reproductive health education for this vulnerable population.
A UConn study found that Connecticut's notification system for substance-ex exposed infants has connected over half of identified cases with community supports and services. The system, which uses de-identified data, has shown promise in reducing disparities in testing and reporting, but there is still room for improvement.
A NIH study of over 46,000 participants found that childhood poverty combined with crowded housing or parental separation increases the risk of premature death by 41-50%, compared to those without early life adversity. The study also identified a higher risk of premature death for individuals with multiple adverse childhood experiences.
A study found that Black adolescents experienced high rates of online racial discrimination, which predicted worse mental health outcomes. The researchers suggest that recognizing online spaces as impediments to mental growth and well-being is crucial.
A UConn study suggests that frequent communication between caseworkers and professionals involved in child welfare cases is associated with increased likelihood of timely family reunification. The research highlights the importance of interprofessional collaboration to identify barriers, stay on the same page, and make timely decisions.
A survey study found an association between childcare stress and burnout, anxiety, depression, and intent to reduce hours or leave the job. Healthcare workers experienced increased stress and burnout during the pandemic, leading to a higher likelihood of leaving their jobs.
Children with complex congenital heart defects are 5 times more likely to receive an anxiety diagnosis, highlighting the need for mental health assessment and treatment. For adults, 50% experience mood or anxiety disorders, underscoring the importance of integrated mental health care in CHD specialty teams.