What's Going On In There? Understanding the Adolescent Brain and Its Implication for Young People This fact sheet outlines brain research for teens and how kids in foster care are impacted during development by the lack of close relationships. Read More
Overview: The JDAI Story Building a Better Juvenile Detention System Th is publication provides an overview of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), a multi-million dollar, five year, five-site experiment designed to streamline and rationalize local juvenile detention systems. Read More
Cost Avoidance The Business Case for Investing in Youth Aging Out of Foster Care This issue brief highlights the financial price tag to taxpayers of poor outcomes among youth exiting foster care. It analyzes costs in three areas: education, parenthood and justice system involvement. Read More
Changing Course in Youth Detention Reversing Widening Gaps by Race and Place The use of youth detention is surging in some areas, with huge and growing racial disparities arising post-pandemic. Get the facts. Read More
Responsible Demolition: A Baltimore Case Study with National Implications The East Baltimore Revitalization Initiative This report details the responsible redevelopment of blighted urban neighborhoods next to Johns Hopkins University including a national movement and new federal standards for working with lead paint structures. Read More
Reading on Grade Level in Third Grade: How is it Related to High School Performance and College Enro A Longitudinal Analysis of Third-Grade Students in Chicago in 1996-97 and their Educational Outcomes Students who read well by 3rd grade succeed in life, but at what age do you intervene to ensure reading success? Read More
Reflections on Applying Principles of Equitable Evaluation The Annie E. Casey Foundation enlisted WestEd to conduct four evaluations over a two-year period. This document revisits WestEd’s work and the authors’ broader experiences conducting research and evaluation studies. Along the way, readers will explore three basic questions: What is equitable evaluation? How can it be applied? And: What have the authors learned about implementing equitable evaluation principles? Read More
The 30 Million Word Gap The Role of Parent-Child Verbal Interaction in Language and Literacy Development This brief presents data showing that parents can help their child’s vocabulary development and increase critical thinking skills by engaging in frequent conversations. Read More
An Analysis of Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality & Disparity at the National, State, and County Level The brief discusses the efforts of the Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare to reduce the disproportionate number of youth of color in the child welfare system. Read More
Flipping the Script: White Privilege and Community Building This report defines and explores the issues of white privilege and racism across the United States in community building work. Read More