Articles tagged with Child Welfare
A team from Georgia State University has won a $2 million federal grant to improve mental health services for child victims of commercial sex trafficking. The project will expand therapy programs and train therapists working in juvenile justice and foster care systems.
Youth transitioning out of foster care face elevated risks of homelessness and poverty due to lack of family support. A study found that former foster youth struggle with low wages, irregular hours, and limited access to financial opportunities.
A Rutgers University study found that guideline-recommended practices such as nonpharmacological mental health services are frequently not followed. Despite this, higher rates of psychosocial interventions and metabolic monitoring have been achieved for children in foster care compared to other Medicaid-insured children.
Research found that early institutional care was associated with lower DNA methylation at specific stress-related genes. This epigenetic modification can have long-lasting impacts on biological and behavioral processes.
A new study by the University of Washington found that states' varying politics and approaches to social problems drive foster care entry. States with more punitive criminal justice systems tend to remove children from their homes far more frequently than those with generous welfare programs.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center fellowship program successfully trains international surgeons to return home and perform cancer operations, addressing a significant gap in low- and middle-income countries.
A new study found that predominantly white parents in the US prefer to adopt children from other countries due to perceived racial differences, with many citing 'not thinking it's in the child's best interest' as a reason. This bias reflects the American racial hierarchy and has significant implications for race relations in the US.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry finds that high-quality foster care can reduce the development of callous-unemotional traits in adolescents who experienced parent deprivation. The intervention also showed benefits for boys, particularly those with sensitive caregiver responses.
A study published in The BMJ found that weekend births in England are associated with a higher rate of complications, including maternal infections and perinatal death. Researchers analyzed over 1.3 million births between 2010 and 2012 and found that rates varied according to the day of the week.
A new study from the University of Leicester reveals how everyday activities such as playing with pets, going shopping, or swimming give young people in care a better sense of value and well-being. The research highlights the importance of facilitating participation in these activities to improve life chances and personal development.
A new study found that children in foster care are three times more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than their peers. Children with both ADHD and a simultaneous disorder are more likely to receive psychological services, suggesting a high need for these services within this group.
A recent study published in JAACAP found that abandoned children placed in institutions have an increased risk for behaviors similar to those seen in children with autism. However, when moved into child-centered foster family care at a young age, their social behaviors improved significantly.
A study of abandoned Romanian children reveals significant associations between childhood neglect and altered white matter in the brain. Early intervention into foster care promoted more normal development in previously neglected children.
A study by University of Montreal researchers found that 33% of children who were reunited with their families after being placed in foster care were abused or neglected again. The study identified age and the back-and-forth between biological families as significant factors contributing to maltreatment recurrence.
A Quebec study found that 77% of children placed in out-of-home care eventually reunify with their families, with the majority reuniting within 6 months. Younger children and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds face a lower likelihood of family reunification.
Researchers developed a self-administered program called 'Connecting' to guide foster families through exercises that bring them closer together. The program uses short videos of former foster youth describing their experiences in child welfare and encourages caregivers to share basic information with their teens.
A third of Medicare beneficiaries not consistently assigned to the same ACO in both years, highlighting challenges to achieving organizational accountability. About 38% of outpatient care spending billed by ACO physicians was devoted to assigned beneficiaries.
Health outcomes for people with cystic fibrosis have improved dramatically following the implementation of quality improvement strategies, including patient education, nutritional support, and enhanced continuity of care. Key clinical outcomes, such as improved lung function and nutritional status, have also seen significant progress.
A new criminal offence of wilful neglect is needed in the healthcare sector to address appalling care and provide a clear message. Existing regulation is not up to the job, and patients can only seek redress through civil courts, which have limited scope.
A psychiatric nurse brings a fresh perspective to caring for troubled teens in foster care with mental health issues. Research found that adding a mental health nurse can address high rates of psychotropic medication use and improve continuity of care.
A study found that teenagers in the child welfare system have a higher risk of abusing marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs compared to their counterparts outside the system. Parental involvement is a key factor in reducing this risk, with youth who feel supported by parents being less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors.
Usability testing in the foster care system diagnosed what worked and didn't work with a new intervention for families, encouraging problem-solving and collaboration. The testing identified challenges, such as logistics and family engagement, but also found that nearly every parent continued through several sessions of the intervention.
A study by Dr. Ann-Marie Conn found that out-of-home placements can lead to significant improvements in mental health problems among school-age children who have been maltreated, with a decrease in symptoms for 6- to 10-year-olds. However, the benefits were not seen for younger or older children.
The Texas Bar Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to UTSA's Bank of America Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute to initiate a paid mentorship program for delinquent foster youth. The program aims to increase graduation odds and enhance college readiness among participating youth.
A New York City dental school has partnered with a local foster care agency to provide regular dental care to over 650 children, improving their oral health and overall well-being. The program also offers students hands-on experience working with vulnerable pediatric populations.
The NYU College of Dentistry and Graham Windham have partnered to provide regular dental care to over 650 children in foster care since 2011. This partnership has improved the children's oral health, while also providing a unique learning experience for dental students.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that high-risk children adopted from foster care do equally well with gay, lesbian or heterosexual parents. Children in these households achieved significant gains in cognitive development and stable behavior problems.
Young people in foster care face significant financial challenges as they age out of the system. Financial education and matched-savings programs can help them build assets and become financially independent adults. Experts recommend allowing young people to make mistakes and learn from their decisions to ensure financial stability.
A new study by University of Notre Dame economist Kasey Buckles suggests that the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act may be delaying adoptions of special needs children due to varying age-of-eligibility requirements across states.
Adolescents in foster care are at risk of cyber-bullying, privacy loss and personal harm due to lack of guidelines on social media use. Child welfare agencies should develop policies to guide their online activities, says MU expert.
Researchers found measurable changes in children's brains due to institutional care, including decreased gray and white matter. However, positive interventions like foster care can partially reverse these changes, especially for white matter volume.
A new study found that Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) improved the mental and physical health of adolescents in foster care by reducing anxiety and increasing feelings of hopefulness. CBCT also reduced inflammation levels, which is a fundamental risk factor for chronic illnesses.
A Baylor University study found a strong causal link between methamphetamine use by parents and an increase in child maltreatment and foster care placements. The research used data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System to analyze the effect of methamphetamine production restrictions on foster care admissions.
A national study from PolicyLab at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia examines prescription patterns of psychoactive medications in 48 states. The research shows a decline in the use of other psychoactive medications but highlights concerns about the high rates of antipsychotic prescriptions among children in foster care.
A $350,000 grant will enable UC Riverside researcher Tuppett Yates to analyze the impact of new services and communication styles on foster youth transitioning to adulthood. The research aims to identify factors associated with youths' decisions to opt in to extended foster care support.
A new online training program, Honor Our Voices, aims to elevate the voices of children of domestic violence, enabling service providers to better understand and respond to their needs. The platform presents information on child exposure to domestic violence through engaging stories and research-based practices.
The MU program provides tools for social workers to educate couples on strong relationships and marriages, aiming to improve children's stability and well-being. The project has already trained over 200 social workers with positive feedback, offering simple yet effective solutions to foster healthy environments.
A new study finds that intervening early can help young children develop language, with those placed in better care by 15 months showing language skills similar to biological parents. Early foster care intervention is also crucial for preventing severe language delays.
A UT Southwestern study found that children placed with relatives have better outcomes in some areas, but may be at higher risk of substance use and teenage pregnancy. Kinship caregivers receive fewer support services than foster parents.
Kinship caregivers often lack support services and resources, despite providing care to vulnerable children. The study found that kinship caregivers are more likely to experience lower socioeconomic status, yet receive fewer financial and training support compared to foster parents.
Extending benefits through age 21 significantly improves outcomes for foster youths, including increased college attendance and financial stability. This is due to the lack of personal assets and social support, forcing them to navigate life prematurely.
A landmark study reports that many US states have inadequate policies and practices governing psychotropic medication use for foster care youth, with estimated rates of 13-52% compared to 4% in the general population. The report calls for a national approach and resources for medication oversight.
A University of Colorado School of Medicine study found that incorporating mentoring and group skill-building intervention programs for children in foster care may help improve mental health outcomes. The study demonstrated that treatment groups reported fewer symptoms of depression, dissociation, and posttraumatic stress, and better q...
A study of 156 foster care children found that those participating in a mentoring and skill-building program had fewer mental health problems six months after the intervention. The treatment group also reported better quality of life and lower symptoms of dissociation.
A survey of patients and healthcare providers in the southeastern US found that most patients are satisfied with their care, but doctors often lack training on multicultural awareness. The study highlights the importance of effective communication between patients and doctors to address disparities in healthcare outcomes.
Research on early childhood experiences shows that changes in these critical years can significantly impact children's future emotional and psychological well-being. Studies found prenatal exposure to nicotine linked to sleep problems, while antidepressant use during pregnancy associated with increased internalizing behaviors in children.
Children removed from orphanages and placed in foster care experience gains in growth and intelligence, catching up with non-institutionalized peers on many measures. Caregiving environments play a significant role in this catch-up growth, with sensitivity and positive regard being key predictors.
A new study published in Child Development found that children who spend more time in institutional care perform worse on tests of visual memory and attention, but make significant cognitive advances once adopted. Early deprivation can have lasting impacts on brain development.
A new study of young children in Romanian orphanages found that early foster care significantly improved secure attachments to caregivers compared to those placed after age 2. The Bucharest Early Intervention Project, a randomized controlled trial, suggests foster care can be a powerful intervention for vulnerable children.
The American College of Cardiology advocates for a 'Quality First' approach to health care reform, focusing on increasing quality of care and ensuring patient access. The ACC has endorsed six principles necessary for effective reform, including universal coverage, focus on patient value, and payment reforms that reward quality.
A report in Archives of Surgery found that most women surgeons (82.5%) would choose their career again, citing lifestyle implications such as high patient acuity and irregular work hours. Women were also more likely to value part-time work options and child care benefits.
A new study found that high-quality foster care can improve brain activity in children raised in institutions. Institutionalized children showed reduced brain activity when processing faces, but those in foster care demonstrated normalized brain activity.
A new study suggests that a more intensive private foster care model, like the Casey Family Programs, can lead to significant cost savings of up to $6.3 billion over the long term. The program's focus on education, mentorship, and support leads to improved outcomes, including higher future earnings and lower medical care costs.
A study conducted by Oregon State University found that a specialized foster care program reduced teen pregnancy rates among juvenile justice teens. The program, which involved one-on-one care in highly supervised homes, resulted in a 26% pregnancy rate compared to 47% for teens in group care.
A University of Illinois study found significant declines in professional services and social support for adoptive families over three years, despite parents needing continued assistance. Families require ongoing access to professionals, informal support networks, and peer support to help their children thrive.
A new program, Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE), aims to reduce teacher stress and improve student behavior. By teaching mindfulness techniques, teachers can create a positive learning environment, increasing student engagement and reducing disruptive behavior.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that foster children with a history of inpatient mental health treatment are more likely to experience frequent placement disruptions and have lower chances of reunification with their families. The study highlights the need for continued follow-up and referrals to community menta...
A study of children who entered out-of-home care found that those placed with relatives had lower rates of behavioral problems three years later. Placement stability was also a key factor in achieving better outcomes for these children.
A private foster care program has been shown to significantly improve long-term health outcomes for teenagers placed in the program compared to those in public programs. The study found lower rates of mental disorders, ulcers, and cardiometabolic problems, but more respiratory disorders.
A study by Harvard Medical School found that foster care programs with high-quality services and low caseloads significantly reduced rates of major depression, substance use disorders, and physical health issues among adult alumni. The results show a 50% reduction in rates compared to public system alumni.