Public Policy Archives - Page 2 of 9 - National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)

What Happened When America Emptied Its Youth Prisons?

February 23, 2025 | NWI

Between 2000 and 2020, the number of young people incarcerated in the United States declined by an astonishing 77 percent. Over the same time period, arrest rates and serious violent crimes by juveniles fell equally dramatically. What lessons can be drawn from this 20-year experiment and quiet triumph of public policy?

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Parental Consent Rules May Hinder Teen Mental Health Treatment

January 13, 2025 | NWI

Teens living in states requiring parent consent for mental health treatment may be less likely to access care, according to a Northwestern Medicine-led study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

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Preventing Infant and Toddler Maltreatment: A Toolkit

December 7, 2024 | NWI

This toolkit aims to facilitate collaboration among state-level policymakers, agency leaders, administrators, and other partners to pinpoint the connections between policies that promote family well-being and those that prevent child maltreatment. The resources in this toolkit are intended to inform and encourage dialogue, collaboration, and action among state leaders responsible for promoting positive outcomes among children, families, and communities in their states.

Get the toolkit »

State Policies Linked to Reduced Child Maltreatment and Neglect

November 2, 2024 | NWI

New research finds that state child tax credits, higher minimum wage, access to contraception and broader eligibility for food stamps are linked to reduced maltreatment and neglect of children under age 3.

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Children and Youth Resilience Challenge Winners

July 28, 2024 | NWI

Children and Youth Resilience Challenge Winners

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the winners of the HHS Children and Youth Resilience Challenge, a $1 million federal prize competition to identify and elevate promising, community-based initiatives that improve psychological resilience and advance child and youth behavioral health.

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Spring 2024 Updates to the Family First Clearinghouse

June 16, 2024 | NWI

This Spring, the clearinghouse that greenlights foster care prevention services approved one new program that states can finance by drawing down federal funds aimed at lessening the use of foster care, rejected nine others, and announced 16 new programs up for consideration.

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Colorado Decreases Financial Strain for Parents With Children in Foster Care

June 16, 2024 | NWI

Colorado families whose children are placed in foster care will no longer automatically be required to make child support payments – a practice that may delay reunification – thanks to a Colorado Department of Human Services rule change implemented in 2023 and recently turned into law.

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Housing Support Improves Outcomes for Families Involved in Child Welfare

May 13, 2024 | NWI

A new report describes how a program aimed at increasing housing security has had positive impacts on children and families involved with the child welfare system.

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“Last Week Tonight” Discusses Medicaid MCOs

May 13, 2024 | NWI

This episode discusses why millions of people have been kicked off Medicaid, and (starting at minute 17) looks at some of the downsides of Medicaid managed care organizations.

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Giving Children a Voice in the Courtroom

April 8, 2024 | NWI

Two locations in Virginia are piloting programs through the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges to improve the handling of child abuse and neglect cases, reduce the number of children in foster care and improve outcomes for children in care. The programs encourage children to attend court and share their own perspectives.

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