Resources

Working With Immigrants Who Are Child Welfare Involved: Promoting Innovative Collaborations and Systems Involvement During a Public Health Crisis

By | Child Welfare System Research, COVID-19, Research

Working With Immigrants Who Are Child Welfare Involved: Promoting Innovative Collaborations and Systems Involvement During a Public Health Crisis

Kristina K. Lovato, Megan Finno-Velasquez, Sophia Sepp, Jesse Jeffrey Ramirez, Robin Hernandez-Mekonnen, and Vanessa Mendoza; Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services (December 13, 2023)

This research explores the experiences and innovations of child welfare agencies and community partners serving immigrant families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Pathway to Permanency: Collaborating for the Futures of Children who are Immigrants in the Child Welfare System

By | Child Welfare System Research, Foster Care, Immigrant Youth, Immigration Relief, Legal/Law, Research, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

A Pathway to Permanency: Collaborating for the Futures of Children who are Immigrants in the Child Welfare System

Joanne Gottesman, Randi Mandelbaum & Meredith Pindar; Child Welfare League of America (2019)

This article explores the unique statewide collaboration between Rutgers Law School and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families to provide immigration legal services to children in foster care, including the purpose, structure, and staffing of the collaboration and services offered.

Child Maltreatment Prevention Interventions for LatinX Immigrant Populations: A Systematic Review

By | Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention, Child Maltreatment, Child Welfare System Research, Parenting

Child Maltreatment Prevention Interventions for LatinX Immigrant Populations: A Systematic Review 

Megan Finno-Velasquez, Sophia M. Sepp, Anayeli Lopez, Erin Aquino, Nicole Cherie, & Miquela Ortiz-Upton; Journal of Public Child Welfare (September 8, 2022)

In child abuse and neglect prevention, it is important to take into consideration the unique historical, sociocultural, and linguistic contexts of a population. This systematic review analyzed interventions for use with Latinx immigrant populations.

The Impact of COVID-19 and Immigration Enforcement on Service Delivery for Immigrant Origin Families Involved in the Child Welfare System

By | Child Welfare System Research, COVID-19, Foster Care, Immigrant Youth, Public Charge, Research, Social Work

The Impact of COVID-19 and Immigration Enforcement on Service Delivery for Immigrant Origin Families Involved in the Child Welfare System

Kristina Lovato, Megan Finno-Velasquez, Sophia Sepp, Jesse Jeffery Ramirez, Vanessa Mendoza & Robin Hernandez-Mekonnen; Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal (August 17, 2022)

This research explored the experiences of child welfare agencies and community partner organizations in serving immigrant children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the adaptations implemented to address new challenges.

Equity in Permanency: Assessing the Scope of International Kinship Placements for Children in the U.S. Foster Care System.

By | Adoption, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Culture: Issues & Competencies, Foster Care, Highlighted Resources, Immigrant Youth, Kinship Care, Research, Research Highlight, Transnational Resources

Equity in Permanency: Assessing the Scope of International Kinship Placements for Children in the U.S. Foster Care System.

Elaine Weisman, Antinia Joiner, Julie Rosicky, Jennifer Gillyard, Khadija Barqadle, Liliana Rosario and Tera Proby, International Social Service – USA (March 2022)

This report and accompanying slide deck detail the results and recommendations of a study conducted by International Social Service USA to better understand cross-border placements and family finding and to identify systems that facilitate and support international connections for children and youth in the child welfare system.

Slide Deck

Immigrant Families and Child Welfare Systems: Emerging Needs and Promising Policies

By | Child Welfare System Research, Federal Policy, Highlighted Resources, Immigrant Families Research, Law & Policy, Practice, Research, Social Workers, State Policy

Immigrant Families and Child Welfare Systems: Emerging Needs and Promising Policies

Mark Greenberg, Randy Capps, Andrew Kalweit, Jennifer Grishkin, and Ann Flagg, Migration Policy Institute (April 2019)

Some states and localities have developed specialized policies and practices for working with children in immigrant families, though these vary considerably. This report explores this diversity of approaches, drawing on interviews with child welfare officials from 14 states, six counties, and New York City. For each of nine key issues—ranging from agency staffing and training, to language access policies and cooperation with foreign consulates—the researchers identify a recommended approach and discuss relevant policies and practices.

A Vision for Transforming the Financing of Early Care and Education

By | Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Early Childhood, Research, Research Highlight

A Vision for Transforming the Financing of Early Care and Education

Foundation for Child Development (July 2018)

A new 2018 report, Transforming the Financing of Early Care and Education, by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), outlines a funding strategy that will provide reliable, accessible high-quality ECE for young children from birth to kindergarten entry. The report estimates that the total annual cost of providing high-quality ECE from both public and private funding is $140 billion, and provides a phased-in approach to a transition towards a fully implemented new financing structure.

The 2018 Edition of the Early Childhood Workforce Index

By | Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Early Childhood, Research, Research Highlight

The 2018 Edition of the Early Childhood Workforce Index: Tracking Changes in State Workforce Conditions and Policies since 2016

Foundation for Child Development (July 2018)

In 2016, the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) at University of California at Berkeley created the Early Childhood Workforce Index to shed light on the status of the workforce and to establish a baseline understanding of State early childhood employment conditions and policies in order to strengthen support for the early care and education  (ECE) workforce.  CSCCE recently released the second edition of this biennial report, which provides a comprehensive update on the progress, or lack thereof, made by States to improve ECE workforce conditions and policies since the inaugural edition in 2016.

Language competence in forensic interviews for suspected child sexual abuse.

By | Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention, Child Maltreatment, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Culture: Issues & Competencies, Language Issues, Research, Research Highlight, Trauma

Language competence in forensic interviews for suspected child sexual abuse.

Lisa A. Fontes and Amy C. Tishelman, Child Abuse and Neglect (June 2016)

Forensic interviews with children for suspected child sexual abuse require meeting children “where they are” in terms of their developmental level, readiness to disclose, culture, and language. In this qualitative study, 39 U.S. child forensic interviewers and child advocacy center directors discussed their experiences, practices, and opinions regarding interviews with children and families who are not native speakers of English. Recommendations for practice and further research are included.

The Nebraska Foster Care Review Office Quarterly Report

By | Child Welfare System Research, Foster Care, Highlighted Resources, Research, Research Highlight, State Policies

The Nebraska Foster Care Review Office Quarterly Report

Nebraska Foster Care Review Office (March 1, 2018)

The latest report from Nebraska’s state Foster Care Review Office (FCRO) shows that nearly one in four children who exit the system are brought back into it a second time.

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Child Maltreatment 2016

By | Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention, Child Maltreatment, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Family Violence, Foster Care, Research, Social Work, State Policies

Child Maltreatment 2016

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Children’s Bureau (Feb 1, 2018)

This report presents national data about child abuse and neglect known to child protective services agencies in the United States during federal fiscal year 2016.

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The New Importance of Children in America: A Wake-up Call for Policymakers

By | Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Legal/Law, Research, Research Highlight

The New Importance of Children in America: A Wake-up Call for Policymakers

Dowell Myers, Children’s Hospital Association, Lucille Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, & USC Sol Price School of Public Policy (Oct 12, 2017)

This study finds that two trends, related to significant demographic changes, are creating challenges, elevating the economic role of next generations, and converging to make investing in the health and well-being of children more important than ever.

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A Birth Cohort Study of Asian and Pacific Islander Children Reported for Abuse and Neglect

By | Child Maltreatment, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Culture: Issues & Competencies, Research Highlight

A Birth Cohort Study of Asian and Pacific Islander Children Reported for Abuse and Neglect by Maternal Nativity and Ethnic origin

Megan Finno-Velasquez, Lindsey Palmer, John Prindle, Christina Tam, Emily Putnam-Hornstein; Child Abuse and Neglect (Oct 2017)

This study’s findings show disparities in CPS involvement for children of Asian origin that have implications for health and well-being across the life course. (Link provides abstract only without institutional or paid access.)

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Advocacy Highlights How Medicaid Strengthens Child Welfare System

By | Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Family Separation, Foster Care, Parenting, Research Highlight

Advocacy Highlights How Medicaid Strengthens Child Welfare System

Devin Miller, AAP News and Journals Gateway (Sept 20, 2017)

The recent efforts by the Academy and pediatricians to protect Medicaid as Congress debated health care reform shed light on an often untold story — the program’s important role in the child welfare system, especially its emphasis on keeping families together as they heal.

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The Road to Adulthood: Aligning Child Welfare Practice With Adolescent Brain Development

By | Adoption, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Foster Care, Parenting, Research Highlight, Social Work

The Road to Adulthood: Aligning Child Welfare Practice With Adolescent Brain Development

Annie E. Casey Foundation (July 22, 2017)

This report provides insight into how gender, race, ethnicity and more affect formative developmental experiences in young people. It also provides recommendations for child welfare professionals on how to best support both parents and children through this process.

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Needs Assessments: Trauma-Informed Services for Refugee/Immigrant Children and Families

By | Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Culture: Issues & Competencies, Research Highlight, Trauma

Needs Assessments: Trauma-Informed Services for Refugee/Immigrant Children and Families

Ad-Hoc Committee on Refugee and Immigrant Children and Trauma, The Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition (May 2017)

This report presents findings on mental health services, cultural competency and quality of staff training related to language, cultural, time and institutional barriers. It highlights the gaps in training, areas for development and recommends future training materials.

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Characteristics of Risk, Maltreatment, and Mental Health Needs Among Latino Children of Immigrants in the Child Welfare System

By | Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Culture: Issues & Competencies, Immigrant Families Research, Presentations, Research, Resources, Training & Tools

Characteristics of Risk, Maltreatment, and Mental Health Needs Among Latino Children of Immigrants in the Child Welfare System

Alan J. Dettlaff, PhD, MSW; Jane Addams College of Social Work; University of Illinois at Chicago (March 2013)

A presentation from the 23rd Annual Latino Family Institute, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services describing research and findings about the characteristics of risk, maltreatment, and mental health needs among Latino children of immigrants in the child welfare system.

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Falling Through the Cracks: The Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Children Caught Up in the Child Welfare System

By | Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Deportation, Detention, Family Separation, Foster Care, ICE, Immigration Enforcement, Research, Resources, Trauma

Falling Through the Cracks: The Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Children Caught Up in the Child Welfare System

American Immigration Council (December 2012)

This article highlights the unique challenges that federal and state immigration enforcement actions pose to child well-being and family unity, including the repercussions for children and families involved in the child welfare system.

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Shattered Families: The Perilous Intersection of Immigration Enforcement and the Child Welfare System

By | Child Maltreatment, Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Deportation, Detention, Family Separation, Family Violence, Foster Care, ICE, Immigrant Families Research, Immigration Enforcement, Research, Resources, Spanish Resources

Shattered Families: The Perilous Intersection of Immigration Enforcement and the Child Welfare System

Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation (formerly the Applied Research Center) (November 2011)

This extensive report is the first national investigation on threats to families when immigration enforcement and the child welfare system intersect. It explores the extent to which children in foster care are prevented from uniting with their detained or deported parents and the failures of the child welfare system to adequately work to reunify these families.

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Disappearing Parents: A Report on Immigration Enforcement and the Child Welfare System

By | Child Welfare System Research, Child Well-Being, Deportation, Detention, Family Separation, Foster Care, ICE, Immigrant Families Research, Immigration Enforcement, Research, Resources

Disappearing Parents: A Report on Immigration Enforcement and the Child Welfare System

Southwest Institute for Research on Women & Bacon Immigration Law and Policy Program, University of Arizona (2011)

This report describes families entangled in two vast bureaucracies – the federal immigration enforcement system and the state child welfare system. The report is based on over a year of research, including over fifty surveys and twenty interviews with juvenile court judges, attorneys representing children and parents in juvenile court, and case workers in Child Protective Services.

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