Rightsizing Congregate Care A Powerful First Step in Transforming Child Welfare Systems This report illustrates how the Annie E. Casey Foundation collaborated with New York City, Louisiana, Maine and Virginia to identify five levers of change, reduce the use of congregate care and improve other performance indicators. The report also includes data on key improvements in each jurisdiction. Read More
African American Children in Foster Care Additional HHS Assistance Needed to Help States Reduce the Proportion in Care This study by the GAO analyzes the major factors influencing the proportion of African American children in care and the extent to which states and localities have implemented promising strategies. The study also examines was in which federal polices may have influenced African American representation in foster care. Read More
When a Parent is Incarcerated A Primer for Social Workers Parenting from jail can be difficult without some help from assigned social workers. Read More
Keys to Your Financial Future Facilitator Guides This guide helps facilitators administer a curriculum aimed at strengthening the financial literacy and independence of young people who have experienced foster care. Read More
From COVID-19 Response to Comprehensive Change Policy Reforms to Equip Youth and Young Adults in Foster Care to Thrive This brief recommends federal policy reforms that build on temporary pandemic-relief measures to expand support for older youth in foster care. Read More
Mecklenburg County: Remaking a Child Welfare System Achieving Results, Advancing Equity and Improving the Lives of Children, Youth and Families Drawing on lessons from Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, this report shows child welfare leaders how to strengthen systems by eliminating racial disparities, preventing system involvement and prioritizing permanence. Read More
Aging Out of Foster Care in America This two-page infographic highlights the steep consequences of stopping foster care at 18 and offers a promising solution: extend high-quality, developmentally-appropriate services to age 21. It is a product of Success Beyond 18, a national campaign by the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative aimed at forging a better path for youth who are exiting foster care and entering adulthood. Read More
Data Snapshot on High-Poverty Communities Children Living in America's High-Poverty Communities This data snapshot highlights newly available national, state and city data in the KIDS COUNT Data Center that shows a 25% increase in the number of children residing in areas of concentrated poverty since 2000. Read More
A Blueprint for Embedding Evidence-Based Practices in Child Welfare Informed by best practices in implementation science, this report outlines a process for integrating evidence-based and evidence-informed programming into child welfare systems. Read More
It’s Time to Talk: How to Start Conversations About Racial Inequities A Race for Results Case Study This report tells how KIDS COUNT advocates in Nebraska, Wisconsin and Washington used solid data, leadership and citizen engagement to spur race-based legislation and community change. Read More
