News from the Field Archives - National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)
Children Are Limiting Their Own Smartphone Use to Manage Mental Health
September 14, 2025 | NWI
Children are increasingly taking breaks from their smartphones to better manage their mental health, personal safety and concentration spans, research has revealed. They are reacting to growing concerns that spending too much time online can be harmful by taking control of their own social media and smartphone use rather than relying on parents to enforce limits.
What the Evidence Says About Exercise and Teens’ Mental Health
September 14, 2025 | NWI
A large body of research highlights the beneficial effects of physical activity in enhancing physical, psychological and social well-being. This new publication discusses the main implications of this research.
Resources on Authentic Youth Involvement in Policy
September 14, 2025 | NWI
A research group of youth and adult representatives recently conducted a qualitative study focused on analyzing policy “wins” that featured authentic youth engagement. This report describes the study and links to additional resources created by the project, including a policy framework and organizational profiles.
Implementing Kin-Specific Licensing Standards in Foster Care
September 14, 2025 | NWI
Children placed with relatives and kin experience greater placement stability and well-being than those in regular foster care, yet many state licensing standards can create barriers to these placements. In response, a new federal rule from the Administration for Children and Families now allows Title IV-E agencies to create separate licensing or approval standards for kinship caregivers. These standards can reduce unnecessary barriers and support access to foster care maintenance payments that help families meet the unique demands of kinship care. Chapin Hall has created a phased framework to help agencies implement kin-specific licensing standards.
Cash Assistance Can Safeguard Youth Leaving Foster Care
September 14, 2025 | NWI
Unconditional, direct cash payments each month can provide a lifeline to young people transitioning out of foster care in New York City, new youth-led research suggests.
Childhood Verbal and Physical Abuse Leave Similar Impacts
September 14, 2025 | NWI
Cruel words can leave a mark on a child – and may have as much of an impact as physical abuse, new research has found.
Wraparound-Like Approach Holds Promise for Intervention in Psychosis
July 11, 2025 | NWI
Open Dialogue, an approach to mental health treatment, has a lot in common with Wraparound. This article describes the approach, as well as promising findings.
“Addictive Use,” Not Screen Time Alone, Is the Real Mental Health Risk
July 11, 2025 | NWI
Researchers found children with highly addictive use of phones, video games or social media were two to three times as likely to have thoughts of suicide or to harm themselves.
Lack of Sleep Disrupts Key Brain Functions in Adolescents
July 11, 2025 | NWI
Teens’ sleeping habits may affect how their brain functions, according to this new research. And lack of quality sleep may put kids at risk of developing problem behaviors in the future.
Fewer High Schoolers Say They’ve Had Sex
July 11, 2025 | NWI
Today’s high schoolers are reporting lower rates of sexual activity than previous generations. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey from 2023, 32 percent of high schoolers said they’ve ever had sexual intercourse. That’s a noticeable drop from 54 percent in 1991 and 47 percent in 2013.