Child Well-Being

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The health and well-being of children is associated with numerous outcomes on their physical, mental, social, and economic development. RAND research covers issues related to physical and mental health and development; child abuse and neglect; bullying, violence, and trauma; child poverty and homelessness; coping with military deployment in families; socioeconomic disparities; access to social services, and more.

Explore Child Well-Being

  • Research Brief

    Research Brief

    One Place, One Budget? Approaches to pooling resources to transform public services

    Summary of report detailing nine case studies where English local authorities are pooling resources to transform public services.

    May 22, 2015

  • Health visitor talking to a mother with baby

    Journal Article

    Home Visiting Start-Up: Lessons Learned from Program Replication in New Mexico

    Growth in federal, state, and private funding is fueling the initiation of home visiting programs around the country.

    May 18, 2015

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Examining the Associations Between Daily Caregiving Discontinuity and Children's Social-Emotional Outcomes

    Many child care centers temporarily move children and teachers in and out of their assigned classrooms throughout the day.

    May 18, 2015

  • Periodical

    Periodical

    RAND Review: May-June 2015

    This issue of RAND Review reports on smart-grid technologies, the nuclear deal with Iran, the education crisis among Syrian children, diversity in the biomedical scientific workforce, and recent philanthropic gifts to RAND.

    May 4, 2015

  • Social worker conducting a home visit with a new mother

    Commentary

    MIECHV Reauthorization: Recommendations from Research

    Funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program was extended through fiscal year 2017, without policy changes. If Congress decides to make policy changes to MIECHV in the future, research on home visiting programs can inform recommendations.

    Apr 17, 2015

  • Shardlow Wharf, Derbyshire, UK

    Commentary

    Pooling Resources for Public Service Transformation

    Poor coordination in government services has long been a source of frustration to users, and a cause of inefficiency and ineffectiveness. The emerging debate about devolution of powers and responsibilities for some public services, and ongoing resource pressures, have encouraged innovative, locally developed approaches.

    Mar 25, 2015

  • Report

    Report

    One Place, One Budget? Approaches to pooling resources for public service transformation

    The Local Government Association (LGA) commissioned RAND Europe to do 9 case studies of local authorities in England (UK) using a pooled approach for service delivery. Based on this RAND Europe made recommendations for a 'public sector reform deal'.

    Mar 25, 2015

  • Woman feeding baby while using laptop and talking on phone

    Commentary

    UK and Europe Are Behind the Times for Single Mothers and Their Children

    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.

    Mar 11, 2015

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Early Life Adversity and Adult Biological Risk Profiles

    Authors determine whether there is a relationship between early life adversity (ELA) and biological parameters known to predict health risks and to examine the extent to which circumstances in midlife mediate this relationship.

    Feb 19, 2015

  • Mom watches on as her baby contemplates steps

    Tool

    Investing in Early Social and Emotional Development Is Key

    For children to flourish and succeed, they must be able to problem solve, handle stress and develop resilience, and interact appropriately with peers and adults. A study of children in Shelby County, Tennessee identifies factors in the home, child care setting, and community that contribute to social and emotional development.

    Jan 14, 2015

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Early Intervention for Abused Children in the School Setting

    This chapter describes the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) program, how it addresses child abuse specifically, the theoretical rationale for the program, and the evidence supporting its effectiveness.

    Nov 21, 2014

  • A boy playing with Cuisenaire rods

    Commentary

    The Time Is Ripe for Evidence-Based Child Policy in the UK

    Today marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain. Even in the UK there are still children who live in poverty and inequality, who experience violence, and who are not afforded rights on par with their peers.

    Nov 20, 2014

  • Report

    Report

    Use of childcare in the EU Member States and progress towards the Barcelona targets: Short Statistical Report No. 1

    This report studies the progress of Member States, and Norway and Iceland, in meeting the Barcelona targets by 2010 by building on the 2008 analysis through examining parenthood and employment, and the cost and quality of childcare.

    Oct 29, 2014

  • Jordanian youth use laptop computers

    Content

    Initiative for Middle Eastern Youth

    RAND’s Initiative for Middle East Youth (IMEY) seeks to better understand and address the complex challenges facing the large youth population in the Middle East today. IMEY supports research and initiatives that focus on a range of socio-economic issues, particularly youth unemployment and education.

    Oct 9, 2014

  • High school student and teacher using digital tablet

    Blog

    How Schools Can Help Students with Traumatic Stress

    Schools are in a unique position to recognize traumatic stress in children. But first, adults throughout the school system—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.

    Oct 2, 2014

  • Report

    Report

    Evidence-Based Practices in Child and Family Services

    This document provides an overview of evidence-based practices in child and family services, including definitions and criteria for identifying them. It was originally published online as part of the Promising Practices Network Issue Brief series.

    Sep 26, 2014

  • Worried teen girl sits on sofa

    Commentary

    We Need to Talk About the Taboo — 'Mental Health Matters'

    The stigma surrounding mental health often leads young people to shy away from seeking the help and support they need. This year's celebration of the UN's International Youth Day (12th August) focuses on mental health and aims to raise awareness and remove the stigma.

    Aug 11, 2014

  • High school students studying at desks in a classroom

    Journal Article

    Attending Successful Schools Can Reduce Risky Behavior in Adolescents

    Most successful schools demonstrate better retention and academic achievement. As a result, being admitted to or attending a successful school can reduce very risky health behaviors among low-income adolescents.

    Jul 30, 2014

  • Brochure

    Brochure

    Fact Sheet: European Platform for Investing in Children

    This fact sheet aims to introduce the European Platform for Investing in Children through a Q&A section, and a diagram illustrating how EPIC operates and reviews practices in the field of child and family wellbeing.

    Jul 25, 2014

  • Nurse listening to baby's heart

    Report

    Implementation Challenges Delay Home Visiting Services in New Mexico

    Home visiting programs can deliver much-needed health care to vulnerable children and their families. However, program implementation efforts in New Mexico have been thwarted by funding delays, insufficient resources, and poor execution of crucial capacity-building tools.

    Jul 23, 2014

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