Brief
This policy brief provides an overview of the Child Support system, the barriers Child Support creates for low-income families, and the policy changes needed for it to effectively meet the collective needs of very low-income fathers, mothers and children. Drawing upon Women In Fatherhood Inc.'s (WIFI's) qualitative research with women, research on fragile families, and interviews with female experts in the fatherhood field, we provide suggestions for changes to Child Support that will better ensure children are cared for and supported by both parents while encouraging father involvement and…
Brief
This article discusses the role of the pediatrician in addressing toxic stress and the development of recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics for implementing prevention, screening, and treatment in clinical practice. The Purposeful Parenting program is highlighted as a way to emphasize face time with infants, and the effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is discussed.
Brief
This brief reviews current research on the unique experiences of blended families and suggests practices to improve effective coparenting. (Author abstract)
Other
Little Children, Big Challenges provides resources for families with young children (ages 3-8) as they encounter the difficult changes and transitions that come with a parent's incarceration.
Other
For many parents, the idea of teen drug abuse seems about as foreign and far off as Jupiter. That is, until the issue is sitting across the table from you thumbing through text messages while wearing an iPod and sporting a surly attitude. Then, it gets real-very real. But don't hit the panic button just that. Adolescent drug abuse and addiction can seem terrifying to deal with, but there is help and hope for your teen. (Author abstract)
Other
In 2007, 1.7 million children had a parent in prison on any given day, and even more have experienced parentalincarceration at some point during their childhood. Parental incarceration can be associated with financial instability,unstable housing situations, school behavior and performance problems, and social stigma. Roughly 10% of incarcerated mothers in state prison have a child in a foster home or other state care. Some estimates indicate that as many as 1 in 8 children who are subjects of reports of maltreatment and investigated by child welfare agencies have parents who were recently…
Brief
Discusses how foster and adoptive parents can help children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse. It provides basic information about sexual abuse and links to other information so that parents can educate themselves about the topic. The factsheet suggests ways to establish guidelines for safety and privacy in the family, and it offers suggestions about when to seek professional help and where to find such help.
Brief
The purpose of this document is to provide a brief overview of Guiding Good Choices, a drug use prevention program that provides users with the knowledge and skills needed to guide children through early adolescence, based on the information available in The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). The content presented in this brief was retrieved from SAMHSA's NREPP. For detailed descriptions of the outcomes and research mentioned, the quality of research rating, full program information, and a…
Other
To help men navigate life as dads, the National Center for Fathering developed an online tool: the Championship Fathering Profile, or CFP. Based on answers to a series of questions, the tool helps dads assess their fathering: where they're strong and where they have room to improve. The National Center for Fathering believes there is great value in dads getting feedback on how they're doing. Taking time to measure their progress as a dad is vital if they want to do their best for their kids. It only takes about twenty minutes to complete. (Author abstract modified)
Brief
This brief highlights programs that are re-thinking services for children and families based on the science of early childhood development and understanding of the consequences of adverse early experiences and toxic stress. Efforts by Acelero Learning in New York City, the Westside Infant-Family Network in Los Angeles, and Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Central Cost in Oregon are described.
