Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine: Examines how family stressors (household food insecurity and/or caregiver depressive symptoms) relate to child health and whether participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) attenuates stress-related child health risks. WIC participants were favored over nonparticipants on three child health indicators: 1. Fair/poor health; 2. Well-child status and 3. Overweight. Link to Journal Article
Tag Archives: children
Trauma-Informed Practice with Young People in Foster Care
What makes child welfare services for young people in foster care “trauma-informed”?
● An understanding of trauma that includes an appreciation of its prevalence among young people in foster care and its common consequences.
● Individualizing the young person.
● Maximizing the young person’s sense of trust and safety.
● Assisting the young person in reducing overwhelming emotion.
● Strengths-based services. Link to Issue Brief
Responding to Childhood Trauma: The Promise and Practice of Trauma Informed Care
This paper works to increase appreciation of the relevance of trauma in understanding children and in planning to meet their needs. It discusses the vulnerability of children and the unique needs of traumatized children. Part 1 on the challenge of childhood trauma provides a synopsis of child development and the differential responses to trauma, identifies risk and protective factors related to child maltreatment, explains the magnitude of the problem of trauma and consequences related to child psychiatric disorders, adult psychiatric disorders, juvenile and criminal justice, women who have been traumatized, inappropriate interventions, and the psychological effects of trauma on children. Part 2 on trauma-informed care reviews key components of trauma informed care, strength based approaches and the promotion of resilience, the use of the public health model, and programmatic approaches to trauma informed care. Recommended public policies at the federal, State, and local levels are also discussed, and a list of suggested reading is provided. Link to Brief
The Texas Blueprint: Transforming Education Outcomes for Children and Youth in Foster Care.
In 2010, the Supreme Court of Texas issued an Order Establishing the Education Committee of the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (Children’s Commission). This order was the Texas response to mandates in the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. The Education Committee collaborated to create recommendations to improve educational outcomes of children and youth in foster care. The recommendations fell into eight categories:
- Judicial Practices
- Data and Information Sharing
- Multi-Disciplinary Training
- School Readiness
- School Stability and Transitions
- School Experience, Supports, and Advocacy
- Post-Secondary Education
- Future Collaboration
Supporting Children of Parents with Co-occurring Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
June 2012, Research To Practice Brief, National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center:
It is well documented in the literature that children growing up in homes headed by a parent with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders are at an increased risk for a multitude of psychosocial complications. These children are commonly exposed to ongoing stressors that can have a cumulative impact on their behavior and development. In a three-year longitudinal study, researchers found that the risk of child behavior problems increased with the number of areas in which the mother reported difficulties. Unfortunately, in families with parental co-occurring disorders, multiple difficulties are commonplace. This brief suggests a number of services and supports for such families. Link to pdf Practice Brief
Preparing Children for Court
Participating in court proceedings may be particularly stressful for children. The Office of Court Improvement, a division of the Office of the State Courts Administrator within the Supreme Court of Florida, released an activity book specifically for children attending dependency hearings. What’s Happening In Dependency Court? aims to familiarize children with the judicial system by providing information related to the court process, legal terms, and the role of court personnel. Information is divided into easy-to-read topical areas, including the following:
Coloring activities and crossword puzzles help children develop proper expectations, understand the importance of the rules and how to behave in court. Not specific to Florida.
What’s Happening In Dependency Court? is available on the Florida State Courts website: