evaluation

The Family First Prevention Services Act paves the way for more federal investment in programs with a solid base of evidence of helping children and families. But this exposes an elephant in the room when it comes to child welfare: there aren’t many models that fit the bill.

The child welfare research community has been waiting for an answer on whether federal dollars will flow for some of the work needed to build up the nation’s array of evidence-based programs for keeping families together.

This is a four part series on the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS), which states can build with federal funding help to replace an antiquated data and management process. This series is written by Dr.

A report by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office raised some doubts about Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to see more older youth and young adults served in the state youth prison system administered by the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

Though the construct of mentoring is somewhat nebulous, everyone understands the concept of mentoring in youth work to mean a positive relationship between an adult and a youth. By and large, mentoring programs tend to start these relationships with younger children.

When Ken Berger arrived as CEO of Charity Navigator, he heard the same message about the organization from many nonprofit leaders. “You guys are doing more harm than good,” Berger said, paraphrasing the consensus.

Last week, our Positive Youth Justice series explored the use of positive youth development (PYD) in re-entry work at Waterside Workshops. The small nonprofit by the San Francisco Bay uses boatbuilding and a bike shop as the starting point of a personal relationship between the staff and youth. 

Last week, our Positive Youth Justice series explored the use of positive youth development (PYD) in re-entry work at Waterside Workshops. The small nonprofit by the San Francisco Bay uses boatbuilding and a bike shop as the starting point of a personal relationship between the staff and youths. 

The Sierra Health Foundation has released a report evaluating the first year of the Positive Youth Justice Initiative (PYJI). To see the foundation’s full report, click here.