Release Planning for Successful Reentry A Guide for Corrections, Service Providers and Community Groups This report — a detailed how-to guide for improving release planning procedures — spells out the eight basic needs of all exiting prisoners and identifies some of the main challenges that correction agencies face in addressing each need. Even more, it gives readers specific recommendations for satisfying each exit-day essential to ensure that an individual’s transition from incarceration goes as smoothly as possible. Read More
A Child Alone and Without Papers A report on the return and repatriation of unaccompanied undocumented children by the United States This report — a compelling blend of original research and personal stories — examines how the United States handles the removal and return of some 43,000 unaccompanied child immigrants each year. It offers readers a comprehensive overview of the issue’s most pressing concerns, describes a broken system that is ripe for reinvention and spells out clear policy solutions aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of this vulnerable demographic. Read More
Present, Engaged, and Accounted For The Critical Importance of Addressing Chronic Absence in the Early Grades The research is clear: Missing school has significant consequences for America’s youngest learners. This report — an examination of chronic early absence in education — highlights how poor attendance cracks a child’s academic foundation. It explores causes and potential solutions for this all-too-common classroom challenge and makes a compelling case for giving this issue more attention in relevant child welfare initiatives. Read More
Ensuring Success for Young Children: Transition to Kindergarten This discussion guide outlines ways to support nonprofits that provide early childhood education programs to better prepare children for success in school as research shows that children’s failure in school is due in part to gaps in school readiness. Read More
Continuing in Foster Care Beyond Age 18: How Courts Can Help The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services asked Chapin Hall Center to take a hard look at why some kids stay in foster care after turning 18 and other eligible youth don’t. This issue brief shares the center’s findings and gives public child welfare agencies clear recommendations on raising retention rates in extended care. Read More
Casey Connects: Summer 2008 Shining a Light on Poverty — and Efforts to Combat It This issue of Casey Connects highlights the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s big picture efforts to reduce poverty in America. In addition, readers will learn about Casey-supported initiatives aimed at curbing poverty in Connecticut, Maryland and Rhode Island. A smaller story outlines 2008 KIDS COUNT Data Book findings and recommendations related to juvenile justice reform. Read More
Helping Rural Families Build Economic Success: Earn It, Keep It, Grow It People who live in rural areas work hard, but still struggle to meet their families' needs. This guide outlines ways that funders can help families become financially secure. Read More
What shall we then do? An Interdenominational Guide and Kit for Creating Healing Communities This guide, developed for an interdenominational Christian audience, explains the Healing Communities model which seeks to engage congregations in the restoration and healing of their members who have been affected by crime and incarceration. Read More
Data on Children in Foster Care From the Census Bureau A Working Paper This paper utilizes census data to identify key and defining characteristics of households raising kids in foster care. Read more on the research. Read More
Unlocking the Promise A Guide for Funders Interested in Transformational Grantmaking This assessment guide aims to help funders make smarter—and fairer—grantmaking decisions. It shares specific questions to ask and plan examples to consider in pursuit of transformative change. Prospective grantees can also use this guide to strengthen their proposals and projects before advancing them within the funding pipeline. Read More
