Not Quite Chaos Toward a More Disciplined Approach to Community Building This report introduces two new guides, the Process Framework and the Structural Framework, that aim to bring order to the very organic enterprise that is resident-empowered change. The text — which dives deeply into Casey’s Making Connections initiative in Denver — also pitches a strong case for using these two frameworks to help move community building from a intuition-driven journey to a more disciplined and sustainable field of practice. Read More
Improving Access to Work Supports: Strengthening State Policies and Practices Strengthening State Policies and Practices This brief is packed with fresh ideas and real-world examples aimed at enhancing access to public work supports. It is the product of a national initiative, called The Working Poor Families Project, which supports the policy efforts of state nonprofits seeking to improve economic conditions for America’s vulnerable working families. Read More
Center for Working Families at Community Colleges Clearing the Financial Barriers to Student Success Executive Summary MDC and the Casey Foundation are working together to make sure low-income students at Community Colleges graduate. Read More
Good Policy Requires Good Data Assessing Child Well-Being in Every State When it comes to making decisions aimed at enhancing the lives of children, policy makers are missing a vital resource: strong state-level data. One answer? The National Survey of Children’s Health, which offers quick, clear state-level statistics on a wide range of child wellness factors. Readers will learn about this survey, why it’s so great and how it must to grow to realize its full potential as a tool for helping child welfare programs and policies succeed. Read More
State Legislative Leaders' Perceptions of KIDS COUNT Summary of Research Findings This report recaps results from a survey offered to 333 state legislative leaders and devoted to one topic: KIDS COUNT. Readers will learn what the lawmakers think about KIDS COUNT, what they like and don’t like, and exactly how they use the KIDS COUNT Data Book in the legislative arena to help build a brighter, fairer landscape for America’s children. Read More
Internet-based Children's Data Users Perceptions of KIDS COUNT This brief presents survey data on KIDS COUNT products from users of the internet-based Child Trends Databank. Read More
Expanding JDAI's Focus to Reduce Commitments and Placements: Program Summary Demonstrating that Jurisdictions can Respond to Delinquent Behavior in ways that are More Effective,Fairer, Safer and Less Costly Each year in the United States, thousands of children are placed inappropriately and unnecessarily into youth corrections facilities and various forms of congregate residential placements. Read More
Perceptions and Misperceptions of America’s Children The Role of the Print Media This report examines the print media’s role in fueling misperceptions about children. Read how newspapers may have fueled the confusion. Read More
Food for Thought: Building a High-Quality School Choice Market This report looks at the benefits of school choice in low-income, urban neighborhoods having low educational achievement. Read More
Faith and Action Improving the Lives of At-Risk Youth This report highlights the United Way of Massachusetts Bay’s Faith and Action effort. The initiative helped faith-based organizations in Boston serving at-risk youth evaluate their efforts and determine the impact of their programs. Read More