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Caregiver death increases risks of short-term trauma and lifelong adverse consequences for children. One micro-simulation research letter estimated parental deaths in the U.S. to Feb 2021. A global study aggregated COVID-associated orphanhood and co-resident caregiver deaths across 21 countries.
This report captures overall and U.S. state-specific findings, disaggregated by race/ethnicity, for COVID-19-associated orphanhood and death of grandparent caregivers. High rates of orphanhood, marked disparities, and state-specific differences show the overlooked burden among children at…
Abstract
Government efforts toward the prevention, detection, and investigation of child abuse and neglect are carried out through the United States’ child welfare system—a complex web of programs that provide family assistance and promote child safety. Most funding for these activities is split among federal, state, and local governments and comprises specific child welfare–related funding (such as Titles IV-E and IV-B of the Social Security Act) and non–child welfare funding that is spent on programs that support poor and disadvantaged families (Medicaid and TANF). I provide an overview…
In April 2019, the Better Care Network, on behalf of ReThink Orphanages USA, commissioned the U.S.-based policy consultancy, ChildFocus, to begin documenting the ways in which the United States supports and perpetuates overseas orphanages. The following report lays out the results of this preliminary mapping exercise based on: an analysis of existing data; a literature review of U.S government publications and investments; a review of non-profit organizations and foundation activities; an analysis of key supply chains and stakeholders; and the identification of existing data gaps. The…
This report from First Focus on Children presents analysis of the U.S. spending on children and children's services, including child welfare, in 2020. This year’s Children’s Budget includes, for the first time, a deeper analysis of how the federal budget impacts children in spending when it comes to U.S. international affairs budget, which is spent across seven departments and agencies, including the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The authors estimate the children’s share of that spending at around 9 percent and find that this funding is so limited it…
Abstract
Little information is available regarding the financial and non-financial costs of implementing and sustaining universal trauma and mental health screening in state child welfare systems. A cost analysis was conducted as part of a 5-year, federally funded statewide demonstration project to install universal trauma screening in one state’s child welfare system. The project implemented a battery of validated instruments that varied by age of the child (0–18) to measure trauma exposure, post-traumatic symptoms and child well-being. All adjudicated children and youth involved in the…
Abstract
The IV-E Waivers and Family First Prevention Services Act prioritize prevention services, including services that reduce out-of-home placements. Placement in out-of-home care is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes as well as high costs to society. Studies that focus on utilization of health services suggest that these costs are not evenly distributed among recipients, and that high utilizers make up a small percentage of individuals who utilize a disproportionate share of resources. The purpose of the paper is to examine child characteristics and child welfare services…
This brief from Head Start provides an overview of state funding for Head Start, a collection of comprehensive birth to five programs in the U.S. specifically designed to strengthen families, promote school readiness, and improve child health. Among other outcomes, the Head Start programs strengthen families and promote more positive parent-child relationships, more stable and healthy homes, and less child welfare involvement. The brief provides examples of how state investments in Head Start have helped to improve outcomes for at-risk children and families.
This guide from the National Family Support Network provides a brief outline of suggested steps for funders to invest in Family Resource Centers, including resources from the National Family Support Network for each step.
Child welfare agencies across the United States protect and promote the welfare of children and youth who are at risk of, or who have been victims of, maltreatment. The collective public investment by state and local child welfare agencies totaled $29.9 billion in federal, state, and local funds in state fiscal year (SFY) 2016. To put this amount in context, total federal spending in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2016 was $3.9 trillion (Angres and Costantino, 2017).
State and local child welfare agencies rely on multiple funding streams to administer programs and services. At least seven…
This document from Casey Family Programs reviews data on Family Resource Centers and other family support services in the US. In reviewing the family resource center and other family support data, it is clear that many of these kinds of services have much to offer child welfare and broader community efforts that are interested in strengthening families so they do not need child welfare services or use them for a shorter period of time. While more studies are needed, it appears that some family resource centers have been able to reduce family poverty, parent isolation, deficits in…