Annie E. Casey Foundation
@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social
Building a brighter future for children, families and communities.
https://www.aecf.org/
https://www.aecf.org/
Despite common misconceptions that foster care and adoption are the same, foster care is actually a temporary arrangement during which efforts are made to reunite children with their families of origin, while adoption is a permanent legal process where a child joins their adoptive family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Foster Care
Find answers to common foster care questions, including requirements, payment, timelines and tips for navigating the challenges of fostering.
www.aecf.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Despite common misconceptions that foster care and adoption are the same, foster care is actually a temporary arrangement during which efforts are made to reunite children with their families of origin, while adoption is a permanent legal process where a child joins their adoptive family.
“YouTube is kids’ favorite playground right now. We have to ask whether it’s being maintained in the right ways, if the equipment is safe and giving kids freedom to explore and have positive experiences? Or are they being steered towards experiences that... don’t support their developmental growth?”
Report: More Parents Say Their Kids Under 2 Watch YouTube Than in 2020
YouTube use has risen for babies and toddlers, a recent Pew report found.
www.the74million.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:14 PM
“YouTube is kids’ favorite playground right now. We have to ask whether it’s being maintained in the right ways, if the equipment is safe and giving kids freedom to explore and have positive experiences? Or are they being steered towards experiences that... don’t support their developmental growth?”
Leslie Boissiere, our vice president for external affairs, recently joined @econofact.bsky.social to discuss the Foundation’s new report examining child poverty in the U.S. over the past decade. Listen to the full podcast:
Can Government Support Reduce Child Poverty? | Econofact Chats
A discussion with Leslie Boissiere on the long-run economic and social costs of childhood poverty, and the role of public policy in addressing this problem.
econofact.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Leslie Boissiere, our vice president for external affairs, recently joined @econofact.bsky.social to discuss the Foundation’s new report examining child poverty in the U.S. over the past decade. Listen to the full podcast:
“The chronic absenteeism numbers in high school suggest that kids are really voting with their feet. And so one way to get them back would be to invite them in to be part of the solution, to say, ‘What is it that is not meeting your needs? How can we include your voice in the process...?’”
They Examined 3.3 Million Texts on Chronic Absenteeism. Here Are 4 Big Findings
New report says ‘accessible, timely and specific’ messages to parents, students can trim absences.
www.the74million.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“The chronic absenteeism numbers in high school suggest that kids are really voting with their feet. And so one way to get them back would be to invite them in to be part of the solution, to say, ‘What is it that is not meeting your needs? How can we include your voice in the process...?’”
Juvenile justice systems across the country are trying out non-traditional alternatives to probation and incarceration that emphasize how support, rather than punishment, can help youth get their lives back on track.
What Works Better Than Incarceration to Get Kids Back on Track
The research is clear: When youth get guidance and opportunity instead of punishment, they grow — and communities become safer.
www.aecf.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Juvenile justice systems across the country are trying out non-traditional alternatives to probation and incarceration that emphasize how support, rather than punishment, can help youth get their lives back on track.
“The cost of child care is not only a low-income family problem.”
What free child care in New Mexico will mean to one family
Even middle-class families can be severely cost-burdened by child care.
www.marketplace.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
“The cost of child care is not only a low-income family problem.”
The percentage of Minnesota foster children being taken in by their relatives has doubled in the past decade — and Keeping Families Connected Minnesota, a new non-profit providing free or low-cost legal consults to kinship caregivers, aims to help ease that transition for children and caregivers.
Minnesota Legal Nonprofit Opens to Support Kinship Caregivers | The Imprint
The nonprofit Keeping Families Connected Minnesota, launched in early October, provides free or low-cost legal resources to kinship caregivers in the state.
imprintnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The percentage of Minnesota foster children being taken in by their relatives has doubled in the past decade — and Keeping Families Connected Minnesota, a new non-profit providing free or low-cost legal consults to kinship caregivers, aims to help ease that transition for children and caregivers.
Children in foster care are frequently moved between placements, increasing the chances that they’re chronically absent from school and making it more likely they have to repeat a grade or drop out of school.
What back-to-school season reveals about youth in foster care — and the attendance crisis | Youth Today
Foster youth miss school, repeat grades and drop out more compared to their peers.
youthtoday.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Children in foster care are frequently moved between placements, increasing the chances that they’re chronically absent from school and making it more likely they have to repeat a grade or drop out of school.
An increasing percentage of college students are choosing to double major in hopes that having knowledge across multiple areas will make it easier to find secure and well-paid jobs after graduation.
College students hedge their bets in a chaotic labor market by double-majoring
The practice of double-majoring is rising at many colleges and universities as students fret about getting jobs in an economy seemingly shifting faster than single majors can keep up.
hechingerreport.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM
An increasing percentage of college students are choosing to double major in hopes that having knowledge across multiple areas will make it easier to find secure and well-paid jobs after graduation.
Children experiencing food insecurity are more likely to have anxiety or depression and to develop behavioral issues than their peers.
Food Insecurity Harms Child Development
Sixteen million US children may lose food benefits this week. Research demonstrates that food insecurity has short-term and long-term effects on children's mental and physical health.
www.psychologytoday.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Children experiencing food insecurity are more likely to have anxiety or depression and to develop behavioral issues than their peers.
At the Del Norte High School in New Mexico, students can sign up for internships with organizations addressing homelessness — an opportunity that allows them to achieve academic and career goals while also contributing to their community.
How a Work-Based Learning Model Is Helping Students Stay in School
By connecting learning to community impact, youth are gaining skills — and a stronger sense of belonging and purpose. Learn more.
www.aecf.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
At the Del Norte High School in New Mexico, students can sign up for internships with organizations addressing homelessness — an opportunity that allows them to achieve academic and career goals while also contributing to their community.
“It’s not enough to know your content and be a good teacher, but you also need to be a student of your students… so that you’re crafting instructional and community experiences for students that adequately meet their needs.”
The Middle School Transition Is Tough. How Educators Can Help
A new partnership aims to ease the transition from elementary school to middle school.
www.edweek.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
“It’s not enough to know your content and be a good teacher, but you also need to be a student of your students… so that you’re crafting instructional and community experiences for students that adequately meet their needs.”
As of November 1st, New Mexico has become the first U.S. state to offer free child care to all residents. The state hopes that the new system will help boost its economy and improve K–12 education performance.
www.reuters.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
As of November 1st, New Mexico has become the first U.S. state to offer free child care to all residents. The state hopes that the new system will help boost its economy and improve K–12 education performance.
1 in 3 adults in the U.S. under the age of 25 have experienced a mental, behavioral or emotional health issue in the past year.
CDC reports 40% of teens struggle with mental health as Ohio expands response services
National data shows that 40% of teens struggle with mental health issues. Against that backdrop, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced access to crisis response teams is now available statewide for young pe...
www.cleveland.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
1 in 3 adults in the U.S. under the age of 25 have experienced a mental, behavioral or emotional health issue in the past year.
Over three-quarters of children who enter foster care find permanence by returning to their parents, being adopted by a family member or foster parent or having someone they know become their legal guardian.
What Is Permanence?
Every child needs and deserves to grow up in a safe, loving and nurturing family – a family whose support is unconditional and will last a lifetime.
www.aecf.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Over three-quarters of children who enter foster care find permanence by returning to their parents, being adopted by a family member or foster parent or having someone they know become their legal guardian.
Reposted by Annie E. Casey Foundation
Leslie Boissiere (@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social) joined EconoFact Chats to discuss the effectiveness of public policy in reducing child poverty.
econofact.org/podcast/can-...
econofact.org/podcast/can-...
Can Government Support Reduce Child Poverty? | Econofact Chats
A discussion with Leslie Boissiere on the long-run economic and social costs of childhood poverty, and the role of public policy in addressing this problem.
econofact.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Leslie Boissiere (@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social) joined EconoFact Chats to discuss the effectiveness of public policy in reducing child poverty.
econofact.org/podcast/can-...
econofact.org/podcast/can-...
“One of the really big drivers of challenges with job flexibility and its relationship to well-being is the amount of time that teachers, particularly female teachers, spend on household duties, particularly child care, outside of working hours.”
Report: Female Teachers Experience Worse Work-Life Balance Than Male Colleagues
New survey finds rigid work schedules, an overload of household chores & child care duties and a lack of free time contribute to the gender gap.
www.the74million.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“One of the really big drivers of challenges with job flexibility and its relationship to well-being is the amount of time that teachers, particularly female teachers, spend on household duties, particularly child care, outside of working hours.”
Numerous studies have found that when children experience interactions with police that involve handcuffing, frisking or using physical force, they’re more likely to miss school and to show signs of depression.
How Many Children are Handcuffed in Upstate New York?
An Imprint canvass of the largest upstate New York law enforcement agencies found few policies governing the handcuffing of children.
imprintnews.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Numerous studies have found that when children experience interactions with police that involve handcuffing, frisking or using physical force, they’re more likely to miss school and to show signs of depression.
“The charitable food system is there to support families, but it is tiny compared to the amount of money that is available through SNAP.”
A hunger cliff is days away. Women, children and food banks will feel it first.
Food banks will face logistical and financial challenges in providing the resources currently offered by the SNAP and WIC programs that are set to lose funding.
19thnews.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:06 PM
“The charitable food system is there to support families, but it is tiny compared to the amount of money that is available through SNAP.”
About 22–30% of youth aging out of foster care experience homelessness during their transition to adulthood.
What Happens to Youth Aging Out of Foster Care?
Youth aging out of foster care face challenges with housing, education, employment and more. Learn how these hurdles affect their futures.
www.aecf.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
About 22–30% of youth aging out of foster care experience homelessness during their transition to adulthood.
“This is what happens when you don’t have public federal dollars in the system… It’s going to result in lower quality care for children [or] families pulling back from the workforce and facing greater economic insecurity. We’re going to see a real harmful impact on children and families.”
Child care crisis deepens as funding slashed for poor families
As states brace for less federal money, some are cutting child care spending to balance their budgets. Experts warn these cuts will be disastrous for families and the economy.
hechingerreport.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“This is what happens when you don’t have public federal dollars in the system… It’s going to result in lower quality care for children [or] families pulling back from the workforce and facing greater economic insecurity. We’re going to see a real harmful impact on children and families.”
After only one year of operation, the Youth Mental Health Corps program is already making a difference in student mental health. Schools where mental health navigators are stationed report fewer behavioral referrals, improved student attendance and more students seeking out mental health support.
Schools Tapped Young Adults to Serve as Mental Health Navigators. What Happened Next? - EdSurge News
One year into deployment of the national Youth Mental Health Corps, schools are seeing an impact in student behavior and attendance
www.edsurge.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:52 PM
After only one year of operation, the Youth Mental Health Corps program is already making a difference in student mental health. Schools where mental health navigators are stationed report fewer behavioral referrals, improved student attendance and more students seeking out mental health support.
“B’more for Healthy Babies brings together a network of communities, organizations and resources [to give each] baby born in Baltimore the best start possible. It works to reduce infant mortality in the city… by making sure all families can access the care and services they need."
Helping Families Thrive With B’more for Healthy Babies
Learn how B’more for Healthy Babies is improving maternal and child health through partnership, data and community-driven care.
www.aecf.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
“B’more for Healthy Babies brings together a network of communities, organizations and resources [to give each] baby born in Baltimore the best start possible. It works to reduce infant mortality in the city… by making sure all families can access the care and services they need."
“In a health care desert, women have to travel farther to receive [prenatal] care. If you’re having to do that once or twice a week, that is a huge burden on you… And so it snowballs into a huge financial burden, a health care burden.”
In rural Georgia, pregnancy care could get even harder to find as hospital funds shrink
Rural patients and providers have raised concerns that the loss of more maternity care in northeast Georgia means fewer options.
www.wabe.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
“In a health care desert, women have to travel farther to receive [prenatal] care. If you’re having to do that once or twice a week, that is a huge burden on you… And so it snowballs into a huge financial burden, a health care burden.”
Although fewer college students are following the traditional college-based degree path to becoming a teacher, an increasing number of educators are entering the teaching profession through alternative preparation programs.
Ed. Colleges Are Granting Fewer Degrees, Potentially Affecting the Teacher Pipeline
New national data show fewer, but more diverse, teachers earning education degrees.
www.edweek.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Although fewer college students are following the traditional college-based degree path to becoming a teacher, an increasing number of educators are entering the teaching profession through alternative preparation programs.