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Child Welfare

Child Welfare
q&a
A Champion for Children and Practitioners: Q&A with Dionne Barnes-Proby
Apr 29, 2019
Dionne Barnes-Proby started her career as a child welfare social worker and is now a social policy researcher at RAND. She brings the voices of clients and practitioners to the conversation, so that policies will reflect an understanding of the needs of the populations they're intended to improve.
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Poverty
commentary
Tackling EU Child Poverty Through a Child Guarantee
Joanna Hofman @JoannaBHofman, Katherine Stewart
May 21, 2018
EurActiv
Nearly 26.4 percent of children across the EU are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, poverty or social exclusion. The proposed Child Guarantee initiative might help address this issue. But it could also be worthwhile to encourage member states to look at funding mechanisms that are already in place.
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Public Health
commentary
The Royal Wedding's Bouquet to Public Health
Sarah MacCarthy
May 17, 2018
Fox News Channel
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle asked the public to donate to charities instead of sending wedding gifts. The causes they are passionate about include helping children with HIV, homelessness, hygiene programs for women in the slums of Mumbai, and bringing sport to disadvantaged youth.
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Foster Care
essay
How the Child-Welfare System Could Protect More Kids and Save Billions of Dollars
Apr 25, 2018
It costs billions of dollars each year to investigate child abuse reports, counsel and support families, and provide foster homes for kids at risk. A greater focus on preventing abuse and neglect, and on placing children with relatives rather than strangers, could improve thousands of young lives.
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School Security
commentary
How Can the U.S. Do a Better Job of Keeping Kids Safe at School?
Rajeev Ramchand, Jessica Saunders, Heather L. Schwartz
Mar 26, 2018
Fox News Channel
Many proposals to improve school safety promote the use of technology, such as metal detectors and video cameras. How effective are these devices? The evidence is mixed.
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Sexual Assault
commentary
Here's How a National Database Could Help Colleges Fight Sexual Assault
Coreen Farris, Kristie Gore
Mar 2, 2018
The Hill
At a moment of heightened awareness around sexual violence, America's colleges and universities have an opportunity to lead by example, through a commitment to full transparency about campus sexual assaults and openness to learning from each other's failures and successes.
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Childhood Bullying
commentary
The Ghost of Bullying
Italo A. Gutierrez @ItaloGuti
May 31, 2017
El Comercio
The idea that bullying is experienced by only a few children and adolescents is false. Most cases are verbal, not physical, and victims tend to remain silent. Research has shown that bullying can have negative long-term effects on a person's life.
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Sexual Assault
commentary
Focusing on Tallying the Number of Campus Sexual Assaults Can Make the Problem Worse
Radha Iyengar Plumb
Jan 6, 2017
Dallas Morning News
Accurate reporting of sexual violence is important. But counting and reporting assaults shouldn't be confused with polices that focus on making sure universities have the resources and support systems they need to help victims.
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Education Reform
commentary
Rethinking Student Discipline and Zero Tolerance
Joie D. Acosta, Matthew Chinman, John Engberg, Catherine H. Augustine
Oct 14, 2015
Education Week
Restorative practices are an alternative to zero-tolerance school discipline policies. Rather than mandating prescribed punishments for specific misbehaviors, this more tailored approach aims to empower students.
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Work-Family Conflicts
commentary
UK and Europe Are Behind the Times for Single Mothers and Their Children
Chloe E. Bird @ChloeBirdPhD, Kai Ruggeri
Mar 11, 2015
The RAND Blog
Single parents head 10.4 percent of households with children across Europe — 20.4 percent in the UK — and the socioeconomic gap between single- and two-parent households continues to grow. Accessible and flexible work policies are needed to improve employment conditions for single parents, especially mothers.
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Childhood Trauma
blog
How Schools Can Help Students with Traumatic Stress
Oct 2, 2014
Schools are in a unique position to recognize traumatic stress in children. But first, adults throughout the school system -- including teachers, staff, administrators, school resource officers, and parents -- must be aware of the issue, know how to detect signs of trauma exposure, and create a supportive environment.
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Parenting
commentary
Every Parent Can Be a Better Parent
Barbara Janta
May 15, 2014
The RAND Blog
The 20th anniversary of the International Day of Families on 15th May 2014 provides an appropriate occasion to celebrate the important role parents play in children's lives and the parenting skills that help children achieve their full potential.
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Parenting
commentary
Father's Day: The Important Role Fathers Play in Children's Upbringing
Barbara Janta
Jun 14, 2013
The RAND Blog
Research shows that engaged fathers have a positive influence on their children. Educational success, better social development, and higher self-esteem are some of the documented effects on children who have dads involved in their everyday life.
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Child Welfare
commentary
Investing in Children
Barbara Janta
May 31, 2013
The RAND Blog
The historic objective of Children's Day — celebrated in many European countries on the first day of June — was not simply to celebrate children for who they are, but to bring attention to children around the world who suffer from exploitation, violence, and discrimination.
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United States
blog
The State of the Union 2013
Feb 13, 2013
The 2013 SOTU address will be remembered for its impassioned call for greater gun control just two months after Sandy Hook. But President Obama's second-term agenda can be characterized by its sheer breadth, reflecting the broad range of policy challenges facing the United States today.
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Gun Violence
commentary
Firearms and Gun Control: Many Questions, Some Answers
Sarah Michal Greathouse, Brian A. Jackson, K. Jack Riley @K_Jack_Riley, Andrew R. Morral @AndrewMorral, Debra Knopman, Arthur L. Kellermann
Jan 17, 2013
The RAND Blog
President Obama's task force on gun violence has raised the stakes in the policy debate on gun control and policy in the wake of the recent shootings in Colorado and Connecticut. Some of RAND's top researchers share what is, and what isn't, known about firearms and gun control.
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Emergency Preparedness
commentary
Responding to Newtown
Arthur L. Kellermann
Dec 26, 2012
Health Affairs Blog
Art Kellermann reviews what is known from broad outlines of the Newtown attack and past research on gun violence to offer some preliminary thoughts to the Obama Administration's task force and the public.
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Gun Violence
commentary
Silencing the Science on Gun Research
Arthur L. Kellermann, Frederick P. Rivara
Dec 21, 2012
The Journal of the American Medical Association
The United States has long relied on public health science to improve the safety, health, and lives of its citizens. Perhaps the same straightforward, problem-solving approach that worked well in other circumstances can help the nation meet the challenge of firearm violence, writes Arthur Kellermann.
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Childhood Trauma
blog
Helping Kids Cope with the Effects of Violence and Trauma
Lisa H. Jaycox
May 29, 2012
The impact of violence and trauma on children has led RAND and its partners to focus not only on studying the problem, but working collaboratively to find interventions that help address a significant public health need.
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Extracurricular Activities
commentary
Dropping Out, Imprisoned or Killed: Disparities in Outcomes Faced by Young African American Men
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Aug 26, 2011
Tavis Smiley on PBS
Boys and men of color—in particular, young African American men—are particularly vulnerable to racial and ethnic disparities. That such disparities exist should surprise no one. Nor should the fact that such disparities diminish the life chances of those affected, writes Lois M. Davis.
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Middle East
commentary
Iraqi Refugee Challenge
Kristen Cordell
Jun 28, 2007
United Press International
Iraqi Refugee Challenge, in United Press International.
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commentary
A Laid-Off Child Is a Terrible Mind to Waste
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Nov 10, 2006
Rediff
Published commentary by RAND staff: A Laid-Off Child Is a Terrible Mind to Waste, in Rediff.
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commentary
Use 'Teachable Moments' to Save Young Lives
Jaana Juvonen
Mar 8, 2001
Los Angeles Times
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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