News from the Field Related to Wraparound
Screen Time and the Mental Health of Children
March 9, 2020
Researchers studying the results of questionnaires filled out by thousands of children ages 9 to 11 and their parents have found associations between electronic media use and mental health, although they say the magnitude of the impact they measured is statistically small.
Report: Justice-involved youth experience mental and psychological challenges
March 9, 2020
This article covers new research on the intersections of juvenile justice involvement and mental health.
Three Better Ways to Support Foster Youth than Extending Care to 26
March 9, 2020
An alumni of the foster care system discusses his changing views on a California bill which would extend the state’s optional foster care system for young adults through age 25.
Study shows 14% decline in pediatrician visits
March 9, 2020
A new study found a 14% decline in pediatrician visits among children with private insurance, while behavioral and psychiatric visits increased. Preventative visits also increased, perhaps due to the fact that the Affordable Care Act had eliminated copays for this type of visit. This article discusses the implications of these findings.
in children with private insurance. behavioral and psychiatric visits increased. preventative care visits also increased – this was during the time when ACA eliminated copays for these findings.
Child Trends Research: Special Health Care Needs And ACEs
December 13, 2019
Child Trends’ analysis of data from the 2016-17 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) found that children and youth with special health care needs are more likely to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Child Trends authors point out the need to work to ensure that trauma-informed approaches are integrated into places and environments where these children (and their caregivers) receive services.
Mental Health Care Provider Shortage Impacting Children
December 13, 2019
This recent article published online in HuffPost describes the national statistics on the lack of mental health professionals and includes interviews with some affected families. The article cites research published in Pediatrics that although the number of child psychiatrists increased in the U.S. by 20% between 2007 and 2016, it is insufficient for the estimated 17 million children in the U.S. with diagnosable psychiatric disorder.
Research: Bullying Perpetration Associated with Internalizing Problems
December 13, 2019
A new study at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health published recently online in the Journal of Public Health found that youths who reported being perpetrators of bullying were more likely to develop mental health problems compared to those who did not report being perpetrators of bullying.
The senior author, Silvia Martins, MD, PhD, is quoted, “Our findings provide an important extension to previous literature, and indicate that bullying behaviors prevention and intervention strategies among youth should consider how to take into account and handle negative feelings and mental health problems.”
Child Trends Brief: Applying the Research and Evaluation Provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act
November 19, 2019
Child Trends has published a brief with information for state agencies, legislators, and researchers on the Family First Act. The brief outlines research and evaluation requirements for prevention and kinship services currently eligible for federal reimbursement under the Family First Act.
Study: 1 in 5 Children Live in Counties without Child Psychiatrist
November 19, 2019
Recent research published in Pediatrics tracked the number of child psychiatrists in the US over the past decade and how they are distributed by state and county. While the overall number of child psychiatrists increased by 21.3%, and the ratio of child psychiatrists per 100,000 children increased from 8.01 to 9.75. However, despite these increases, approximately 70% percent of US counties have no child psychiatrists, due to the concentration of child psychiatrists in high-income, urban areas.
Tools to Measure Progress in Implementing Trauma-Informed Approach
October 17, 2019
The Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut, Inc. (CHDI) has published “Issue Brief 72: Are We Trauma-Informed? Tools to Measure Progress in a Program, School, or Organization,” which summarizes results of a research review they, along with the Yale School of Medicine, and the Medical University of South Carolina, did of 49 surveys evaluating trauma-informed approach. The reviewers identified four assessment tools as the most promising for evaluating an organization’s progress in implementing a trauma-informed approach.
Read the issue brief on evaluation of trauma-informed approaches»