This report presents findings from an in-depth qualitative exploration of adults’ perceptions of the threats facing children. Surveys were conducted with geographically, ethnically, and age-diverse group of parents, step-parents, grandparents, step-grandparents, grown siblings, aunts, uncles and other adults (n=100) on a wide range of topics including: top perceived threats to the welfare, wellness and well-being of today’s children, barriers currently in their path can interfere with the future of young people, physical and emotional issues, including health, obesity, bullying, and teen…
This paper discusses the need for targeted public investment in children’s mental and behavioral health and opportunities presented by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) for promoting children’s cognitive, affective, and behavioral health. The following points are made: emphases within the ACA for prevention and coordination of care enable more family focus, or the two-generation framework, however, important gaps remain that threaten the reach of evidence-based, family-focused health care and ultimately, healthy development; there are untapped opportunities to deliver…
The Responsible Fatherhood, Healthy Marriage and Family Strengthening Grants for Incarcerated and Reentering Fathers and Their Partners (MFS-IP) initiative was established in 2006 by the federal Office of Family Assistance (OFA), and required grantees serve fathers who were either incarcerated or recently released, as well as their spouses or committed partners. The grantees were required to deliver services to support healthy marriage and were also permitted to provide activities designed to improve parenting and support economic stability. From 2006 to 2011, the 12 MFS-IP sites delivered a…
In 2012, the Tennessee Department of Health included the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) module in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a telephone survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to analyze how ACEs affect the State’s general population. This report summarizes the findings from the analysis that indicate ACEs are widespread, common, and prevalent in Tennessee. Overall, 52% of the statewide population had at least one ACE, while 21% had three or more ACEs. Emotional abuse and parental separation or divorce rank as the most common…
The McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University Silver School of Social Work recently partnered with the National Council for Behavioral Health to facilitate a yearlong Learning Community (LC), a promising methodology for helping organizations adopt and sustain practices and principles of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC). A total of 32 behavioral health organizations were enrolled in the LC, 92% of which reported having implemented trauma-informed care in at least six of the National Council’s seven TIC domains by the end of the LC, and 100% of which reported improving…
This report highlights policy strategies that have shown promise in improving outcomes for children and families of color in child welfare systems. The strategic areas for policy development outlined in this report include: analyzing and using data, including collecting data by race, ethnicity, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) eligibility, gender identity and age and the supporting data analysis on the interplay of these categories; supporting families with appropriate services and resources, including investing in the development of the evidence needed to create effective solutions for…
State of the World's Fathers is the world's first report to provide a global view of the state of men's contributions to parenting and caregiving. It brings together key international research findings along with program and policy examples related to men’s participation in caregiving; in sexual and reproductive health and rights; in maternal, newborn, and child health; in violence and violence prevention; and in child development. To achieve full gender equality and maximum well-being for children, changes are needed in policies, in systems and institutions, among service providers, within…
State of the World's Fathers is the world's first report to provide a global view of the state of men's contributions to parenting and caregiving. It brings together key international research findings along with program and policy examples related to men’s participation in caregiving; in sexual and reproductive health and rights; in maternal, newborn, and child health; in violence and violence prevention; and in child development. To achieve full gender equality and maximum well-being for children, changes are needed in policies, in systems and institutions, among service providers, within…
This report based on the State of the World's Fathers(SOWF) report, which captures data policies, programmes, and research related to boys and men's participation in caregiving and fatherhood, maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), and violence prevention, brings together the components related to or advancing child rights and gender equality. By doing so, this report defines a global advocacy agenda for child right and other organizations on engaging boys and men towards equal share in unpaid carework throughout the life-cycle and promoting gender equality and other positive outcomes in…
As a parent or caregiver, you have a key role in your child’s education—you can help bridge your child’s transition from home to school, and give him or her the best chance at success in learning and in life. While your child’s education begins at home, this tool provides you with a set of questions to ask, and important issues to consider when approaching your child’s teachers, principals and counselors about his or her development. As a parent or caregiver, it can be hard to know how to support your child’s learning, but asking your child’s educators the right questions is a good place to…
