Transition-Age Youth Resource Library

Annie E. Casey Foundation
AECF works to build better futures for disadvantaged U.S. children & their families.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) Youth in Group Homes
• Services Offered To Youth: Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Parental Abuse & Neglect
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Funding Sources, Research

Casey Family Programs
CFP is a national operating foundation serving children, youth, & families in the child welfare system.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) Youth in Group Homes, Families, Foster Parents, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth: Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration, Transition, Parental Abuse & Neglect
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Funding Sources, Research

Helping Your Child Succeed In School by Nancy M. Shea, J.D. , Lois A. Weinberg, Ph.D. , Andrea Zetlin, Ed.D. May 2006
An Education Handbook for Parents and Caregivers of Children and Youth in the Foster Care System

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: California
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Advocacy, Services, Legislation, Regulations
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Higher Education Opportunities for Foster Youth by Thomas R. Wolanin for the Institute for Higher Education Policy December 2005
A Primer for Policymakers

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Advocacy, Policy
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Model Education Projects for Foster Youth by Youth Law Center January 2006
This documents provides snapshots of outstanding projects in education focused on foster youth on a state by state basis. It also provides links to other resources.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Services
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Quality Practices

Citizens Making Decisions: Local Governance Making Change by Frank Farrow and Sid Gardner March 1999
An overview of local governance partner ship decision-making process

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: System Improvement, Policy, Regulations
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Quality Practices

Fostering the Future: Safety, Permanence and Well-Being for Children in Foster Care by the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care 2004
Report with recommendations on reforming federal child welfare financing and strengthening court oversight of children in foster care.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program by members of the National Foster Care Awareness Project (NFCAP) February 2000
A FAQ sheet on the the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Services, Transition, Legislation
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Frequently Asked Questions II about the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program by members of the National Foster Care Awareness Project (NFCAP) December 2000
A second FAQ sheet on the the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Services, Transition, Legislation, Regulations
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Connected by 25: A Plan for Investing in Successful Futures for Foster Youth by Youth Transition Funders Foster Care Work Group with the Finance Project 2004
An overview of the Connectd by 25 plan for investing in successful futures for foster youth

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration, Services, Transition
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Education, Other Social Services, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications

Academy for Educational Development (AED)
AED is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to solving critical social problems in the U.S. and throughout the world. Major areas of focus include health, education, youth development and the environment. The AED website provides information about multiple approaches to addressing educational issues. Features include sponsored links to community youth resources mapping and recent publications and studies.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth: Education, Other Social Services, Health
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Advocacy, System Improvement, Policy, Disconnection from School & Work, Poverty
• Systems Addressed: Education, Other Social Services
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Quality Practices, Evidence-based Practices, Research

AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (AFL-CIO WAI)
The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute promotes education, training and economic development to advance the interests of working families and their communities. Working in partnership with employers, government and community groups, the WAI fosters "high-road" approaches to worker training, technology development and job creation. This website provides information and service strategies for public workforce, partnerships and individual capacity building.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Families
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families: Other Social Services
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Other Social Services, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
AACC has been a national voice for two-year associate degree granting institutions since its inception in 1920. Located in the National Center for Higher Education in Washington, DC, AACC works with other higher education associations, the federal government, Congress and other national associations that represent the public and private sectors to promote the goals of community colleges and higher education. Among the resources available on their website are reports on community colleges, including trends and facts, national news and events, legislative updates and alerts, publications, and products.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Youth
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Education
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
ASTD's mission is to provide leadership to individuals, organizations and society to achieve work-related competence, performance and fulfillment. Founded in 1944, ASTD represents more than 70,000 members in the field of workplace learning and performance. Features of their weebsite include information and resources on training fundamentals, evaluation, leadership, performance and consulting.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Consultation, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF)
AYPF is a nonpartisan professional development organization that provides learning opportunities for policymakers working on issues related to youth at the local, state and national levels. The AYPF website offers several comprehensive reports and publications on topics related to education, youth development, research and evaluations.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Other Youth, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth: Career Prep
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: System Improvement, Services
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
BLS is a fact-finding agency for the federal government in the field of labor economics and statistics. They collect data relevant to the needs of the social and economic conditions of the United States’ workers, workplaces and workers' families. Resources on the website include links to information about: inflation and consumer spending; wages, earnings and benefits; productivity; safety and health; occupations; publications and research papers; industries; employment and unemployment; and a kid’s information section.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Families
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Business Coalition for Education Reform (BCER)
BCER is made up of 13 national business-led organizations and 400 state and local business-education coalitions that coordinate their efforts to increase the academic achievement of all students by promoting business involvement in education at the national, state and local levels. To do so, the partners leverage resources and expertise; build partnerships to help states and communities learn from each other's experiences; and provide technical assistance to a growing network of state and local coalitions. Website includes resources for national partners, state and local coalitions and those interested in learning more about their specific areas of focus. BCER is a California state-provided School-to-Career resource.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered:

California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)
Cal-SOAP is a statewide program designed to increase the number of students attending college. The program serves elementary, middle, high school and community college students who: 1) are from limited income families; 2) will be the first in their family to attend college; 3) are from areas or schools with low eligibility or college participation rates. Cal-SOAP projects operate in seventeen locations throughout the state by consortia of secondary and postsecondary schools and community agencies. This website links and provides background information for all seventeen Cal-SOAP locations across California. Information about service area for each site includes: school district, associated schools, colleges and universities, location and contact information.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Youth, Families
• Service Area: California
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) Disconnected Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth: Education, Other Social Services
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families: Other Social Services
• Subjects: Advocacy, System Improvement, Services, Disconnection from School & Work
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Web links

California Institute on Human Services (CIHS)
CIHS is housed within the School of Social Sciences at Sonoma State University. CIHS is dedicated to improving the quality of people's lives by acting as a change agent for excellence in education and human services by: managing innovative research, demonstration and training projects; and acting as a bridge between "best practice" research in human services and the real world needs of people with special needs. Included on their website is information on products and services, including technical assistance and features of specific projects they are working on.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy, Violence
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Research

Casey Family Programs
Established by United Parcel Service founder Jim Casey, the Casey Family Programs are a national operating foundation that has served children, youth, and families in the child welfare system. They provide direct services, and promote advances in child-welfare practice and policy. Drawing on four decades of front-line work with families and alumni of foster care, they develop tools, practices, and policies to nurture all youth in care and to help parents strengthen families at risk of needing foster care. They also offer publications, online tools, videos, and training events for child welfare professionals.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) Youth in Group Homes, Families, Foster Parents, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth: Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance, Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Advocacy, System Improvement, Cultural Competence, Transition, Legislation, Policy, Regulations
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Child Welfare, Education, Public Housing, Other Social Services, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
CLASP is a national, nonprofit organization that conducts research, policy analysis, technical assistance and advocacy on issues related to economic security for low-income families with children. Among the services and resources CLASP provides are:
Comprehensive reports and policy briefs
CLASP Update, a monthly newsletter on the latest development in family and social policy issuesAudio teleconferences on topical policy issues, which reach hundreds of policymakers, program administrators, and advocates around the country
Tracking of federal and state family and social policy affecting low-income families
Use the website to search for publications and to sign up for email updates, which provide information on legislative issues and new publications

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Center for Youth Development and Education (CYDE)(Commonwealth Corporation)
The Center for Youth Development and Education (CYDE) expands learning and career development opportunities for youth. CYDE's goal is to enable young people to make successful transitions to adulthood and become vital contributors to their communities. While working on behalf of all youth, CYDE is especially interested in serving those who are at risk of not completing high school, entering post-secondary education or training, or acquiring the skills necessary for success in the demanding, high-skills economy of the twenty-first century.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Disconnected Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support, Advocacy, System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration, Transition, Disconnection from School & Work
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Funding Sources, Quality Practices, Research

Center for Youth Development and Policy Research (CYDPR)
CYDPR was established in 1990 at the Academy for Educational Development in response to growing concern about youth. Like many organizations, the Center is dedicated to contributing to better futures for all youth in the United States. CYDPR shares with many the conviction that too many children and youth are at the risk of poor outcomes because opportunities are too few, too fragmented, too problem-focused, and too distant from family and neighborhood. The website features resources and publications related to youth development

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) Disconnected Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) with Physical Disabilities, (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities, (Youth) with Learning Disabilities, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support, Advocacy, System Improvement, Services, Transition, Disconnection from School & Work
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Quality Practices, Research

Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network (CYFERnet)
CYFERnet is designed to be used by anyone who needs comprehensive children, youth, or family information including: educators, researchers, parents, youth agency staff, community members, human services and health care providers, students, policy makers, youth and media. CYFERnet can: provide tools and information for working with youth, parents, families and communities; share practical research-based tools, curricula and activities with a national audience; help locate experts in the areas of children, youth, and family across the country; involve youth with online activities such as Cyber Camps and virtual 4-H clubs; provide access to the latest research, statistical, and demographic information; locate funding opportunities and grant writing information; provide resources and instruments for program evaluation; and provide information on 3000 community-based State Strengthening programs targeting at-risk audiences. This website brings together the children, youth and family resources of all the public land-grant universities in the county. Materials are carefully reviewed by college and university faculty.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) with Mental Health Issues, (Youth) Disconnected Youth, Families, Foster Parents, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support, Sexuality & Gender, Policy, Suicide, Trauma, Delinquency, Disconnection from School & Work, Parental Abuse & Neglect, Teen Pregnancy & Parenting, Poverty, Violence
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Judicial, Juvenile Justice, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Children's Defense Fund (CDF)
The mission of CDF is to Leave No Child Behind® and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. The executive director, Marion Wright Edelman, is the author of the "Act to Leave No Child Behind" adopted by the U.S. government. CDF provides a voice for all children in the nation through policy reform and implementation strategies and efforts. This website provides links for services and legislative policy related to CDF’s mission. Information includes access to research on policies affecting children and youth

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Disconnected Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) with Physical Disabilities, (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities, (Youth) with Learning Disabilities, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support, Policy, Poverty
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Child Welfare
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Web links, Research

Coalition of Essential Schools (CES)
CES is a national network of over 1,000 schools and 24 regional support centers. It is a decentralized network of regional centers that provide technical assistance and personalized support to schools. CES National supports the work of regional centers that coach schools through systematic changes at the school site. This organizational structure allows CES to maintain both a national vision and a strong commitment to local implementation. The CES website defines the philosophy behind CES schools and provides information on how to become a CES National Affiliate.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement, Cultural Competence
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Quality Practices, Research

Committee for Economic Development (CED)
CED is an independent, nonpartisan policy research group of business leaders and educators committed to a stronger and more productive economy, a freer global trading system and greater opportunity for all Americans. The Trustees of CED - chair, presidents and senior executives of major American corporations and university presidents - dedicate their time and expertise to the research of national economic and social public policy issues and the implementation of their policy recommendations. The CED website includes information about their organization, projects and several free publications to download online.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

Commonwealth Corporation
Commonwealth Corporation is a quasi-public organization providing a range of services to workers, businesses, youth, educators and the workforce development system. Commonwealth Corporation administers and delivers a wide range of public and privately funded initiatives. These initiatives are designed to meet the labor needs of businesses; improve current and emerging workers’ skills; foster career success through lifelong learning; and retain, sustain, improve and create job-generating businesses. Their website includes detailed information about their projects, programs and services. Each project includes resources and tools specific to the content area of each project.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Disconnected Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Non-Native or Limited English, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support, Cross-system collaboration, Services, Transition, Legislation, Policy, Regulations, Disconnection from School & Work
• Systems Addressed: Juvenile Justice, Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

Community Network for Youth Development (CNYD)
CNYD is a nonprofit intermediary organization which works to strengthen the field of youth development in the San Francisco Bay Area. CNYD works at the community level, providing youth-serving agencies with technical assistance, training and resources to strengthen programming and practice; and at the systems level, works with funders and policymakers to align resources to more effectively support community-based youth development efforts.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Youth
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Cultural Competence
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Developing Educational Standards (DES)
Standards have received a new emphasis over the last decade at the national, state, and local levels. This site indexes sources of information about standards and serves as a repository for information about educational standards and curriculum frameworks from all sources (national, state and local). This website lists California (and other states') educational standards and includes an extensive listing of California organizations and governmental agencies. Among the features are 18 abstracts and links for associated organizations.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Editorial Projects in Education Inc.
Editorial Projects in Education Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, publishes both Education Week and Education Week on the Web. Their mission is to help raise the level of awareness and understanding among professionals and the public of important issues in American education. The website provides information and resources in topics related to education reform, schools and the policies that guide them. They also feature online news and research articles, and daily or weekly updates on topics related to K-12 education.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC)
ERIC is a national information system designed to provide users with ready access to an extensive body of education-related literature. Their resources and information and resource services are organized under three portals: database search; website clearinghouse; and resources. The website features access to all three portals of information related to education including journal articles, research reports, curriculum and teacher guides, books, virtual libraries, directories, subject links, resources for parents, conference calendar, and an online question-answering service.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support, Advocacy, System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration, Cultural Competence, Sexuality & Gender, Transition, Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Suicide, Trauma, Delinquency, Disconnection from School & Work, Homelessness, Parental Abuse & Neglect, Teen Pregnancy & Parenting, Poverty, Violence
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

Federal Commons
The Federal Commons is an internet grants management portal serving the grantee organization community. This portal offers all grantees (state and local governments, universities, small businesses, etc.) full service grants processing across all functions in the grant life cycle. The Federal Commons provides both public information, such as grant programs and funding opportunities, as well as the secure processing of e-grant transactions. Search the website by topic to see listed government departments that focus on particular content areas. The website also links directly with departments for specific grant information and guidelines for their department/organization.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Funding Sources,

Forum for Youth Investment (FYI)
FYI is a national initiative dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of youth investment and youth involvement in the U.S. by promoting a "big picture" approach to planning and policy development. Designed to add value to existing efforts to improve youth outcomes by finding or creating tools, vehicles and opportunities for reaching across fields and systems to bring researchers, policy makers, practitioners, media and philanthropists together to identify common messages and agendas. FYI has a comprehensive website with resources for educators and youth practitioners including position papers, public policy information, best practice examples, tools for strategy development and a newsletter.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Youth Leadership, System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration, Transition, Policy, Disconnection from School & Work
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Research

The Foundation Center
The Foundation Center collects, organizes, and communicates information on U.S. philanthropy; conducts research on trends in the field; provides education and training on the grantseeking process; ensures public access to information and services through the web; provides print and electronic publications; and hosts five library/learning centers and a national network of cooperating collections. Their five library/learning centers are throughout the U.S., including San Francisco and Washington D.C. Their website features a comprehensive search engine for easy access to specific information. They also post a list of trainings, conferences and events for people involved in philanthropy and nonprofits.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support, Advocacy, Services, Sexuality & Gender, Transition, Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Suicide, Trauma, Delinquency, Homelessness, Teen Pregnancy & Parenting, Poverty, Violence
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Education, Public Housing, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Web links, Funding Sources

Give Kids Good Schools
GiveKidsGoodSchools.com believes that every child has a right to a world-class education. Given the vital role teachers play in the lives of young people, they believe the best way to start is to put a good teacher in every classroom. Public education is a cornerstone of a successful democracy, and the key to the future strength of our communities. Providing every child with access to the best possible education means making sure each child gets a good teacher. GiveKidsGoodSchools.com is a project of Public Education Network (see listing), which seeks to build public demand and mobilize resources to provide quality public education for all children. GiveKidsGoodSchools.com features monthly news/policy briefs, including information about important issues related to educational policy and how to take action if you wish to do so.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement, Advocacy
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Research

Groundhog Job Shadow Day
Groundhog Job Shadow Day organizes a national initiative to support job shadowing. This organization connects youth to businesses and organizations offering job shadows as well as providing resources to support teachers and workplace partners in developing job shadow day activities. This website features all the resources needed to sign up and implement a job shadow program in businesses or organizations. They also include success stories and best practices.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Career Preparation
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Quality Practices

Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL)
IEL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Washington, DC that has worked to achieve better results for children and youth. IEL's mission is to build the capacity of individuals and organizations in education and related fields to work together - across policies, programs and sectors. IEL is building and supporting a cadre of diverse leaders, strengthening the capacity of education and related systems and informing the development and implementation of policies. Their efforts are focused through three "Programs of Work": Developing Leaders, Strengthening School-Family-Community Connections and Connecting and Improving Systems that Serve Children and Youth. IEL's projects are focused on youth both inside and outside of education and includes focus on technical assistance for the juvenile justice system. Their website features information on all of their programs and includes access to publications and additional information about their initiatives.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) with Physical Disabilities, (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities, (Youth) with Learning Disabilities, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) Youth in Group Homes
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership, System Improvement
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Through partnerships with states and communities, national and local foundations and other organizations, JFF accelerates opportunities for people to advance in education and careers through: research, analysis and policy development; practical, on-the-ground projects; and advocacy, communications, and peer learning. This website provides background information regarding youth development and employment systems and includes a variety of resources, papers and publications related to youth.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) Disconnected Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Research

The Job Journey
The Job Journey Program is designed to launch young people into career success. The program features developing job preparedness and self-marketing skills. It consists of 5 1/2 hours of interactive in-class programming on a set of 4 DVDs, and a 150-page hands-on workbook directed toward understanding the business world; building self-confidence; knowing employees’ accountability; setting goals; and developing the “how-to's" of sourcing for, interviewing for, and obtaining employment. The web site provides information for students and for educators on the program as well as ordering options.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Career Prep
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Career Preparation
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications

Just For The Kids (JFTK)
Just For The Kids aims to raise academic standards and increase student achievement. Their primary functions are to: analyze state test data to identify how well individual schools are performing; study the highest-performing schools to find out what works; and develop tools and instruction to help others replicate educational best practice. Their comprehensive website offers detailed information and tools to assist educators and evaluators in identifying best practice and provides tools for evaluation based on research.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

Leonard Resource Group (LRG)
LRG is focused on community and business development, strategic planning, public policy analysis, program development and implementation, marketing and communications, and training and technical assistance. LRG works with both public and private sector clients. LRG offers services and skill sets in the following resources areas: government relations, communications and marketing, business partnerships and association management. Their website features information on all their areas of content as well as youth council resources. They also produce a monthly newsletter called Youth Works!

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

Manpower Demonstration and Research Corporation (MDRC)
MDRC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan social policy research organization. It is dedicated to learning what works to improve the well-being of low-income people. Through its research and the active communication of findings, MDRC seeks to enhance the effectiveness of public policies and programs. The MDRC website offers several publications based on comprehensive research of issues related to workforce development.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)
NASWA is a national organization of state administrators of unemployment insurance, employment and training services and labor market information programs. The mission of NASWA is to strengthen the National Workforce Development Network through information exchange, liaison and advocacy. The Center for Employment Security Education and Research is the education and research arm of NASWA devoted to improving government services to America's workers and employers. This website offers information about the WIA system, national legislative news, calendar of events, and a subject resource browser with several workforce development topics.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Advocacy, Legislation
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB)
NAWB represents business-led Workforce Boards that plan and oversee state and local workforce development and job training programs. Workforce Boards consist of public and private sector members who are leading the way in workforce development so that America can remain competitive in the global marketplace. NAWB supports and promotes the work of its members through a comprehensive program of advocacy, technical assistance, and communications activities. This website offers information on membership and services, workforce advocacy and briefs, publications, announcements and grants.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Advocacy, Legislation
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Funding Sources

National Association of Workforce Development Professionals
NAWDP is a national voice for workforce development professionals and works to meet the individual professional development needs of the membership. Their website features information about conferences and workshops, membership newsletter and membership applications and services.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

National Center for Research in Vocational Education (NCRVE)
NCRVE's mission is to strengthen education to prepare all individuals for lasting and rewarding employment and lifelong learning. They created a national center for research, development, dissemination and outreach in work-related education. This organization closed in 1999. The website maintains an archive of research and reports between 1988 and 1999.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Research

National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE)
NCEE, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, believes that almost everyone can learn far more and develop far higher skills than most of us have thought possible. NCEE’s work is focused primarily on standards-based reform. NCEE believes that education and training systems work best when clear standards - standards that match the highest in the world - are set for student achievement; accurate measures of progress against those standards are devised; and the people closest to the students are given the authority for figuring out how to get the students to the standards and are then held accountable for student progress. NCEE concentrates on helping states and localities build the capacity to design and implement their own education and training systems, suited to their history, culture and unique needs. Their website includes information about their areas of focus, including research, policy forums and training opportunities. Specific content areas featured online include school design, school leadership and workforce development. Their online bookstore offers textbooks and curriculum related to their areas of focus.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, System Improvement, Disconnection from School & Work
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Evidence-based Practices, Research

National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development (NRCWRCYD)
The University of Oklahoma National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development (NCWRCYD) increases the capacity and resources of States and Tribes to effectively help youth in care establish permanent connections and achieve successful transitions to adulthood. The Center can help States incorporate youth into all areas of programs and services, implement services that address legislative requirements, prepare for Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR) and Program Improvement Plan (PIP) development, and implementation. The Center bases its technical assistance and training around the four core principles of youth development, collaboration, cultural competence, and permanent connections.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth: Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Cross-system collaboration, Cultural Competence
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

National Clearinghouse for Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship (YDPA)
The National Clearinghouse was established by the U.S. Department of Labor to facilitate the development and implementation of YDPA Programs across the nation. The Clearinghouse is dedicated to improving the quality and increasing the quantity of registered YDPA Programs through a variety of means, including information dissemination and marketing, technical assistance and acting as the repository for related instruction curriculum. The website links to resources and program information.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Web links

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)
The NCWD/Youth website is a source for information about employment and youth with disabilities. NCWD/Youth partners with experts in disability, education, employment, and workforce development to provide high quality, relevant information. NCWD/Youth is funded by a grant administered by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of Labor.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Physical Disabilities, (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities, (Youth) with Learning Disabilities
• Services Offered To Youth: Education
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Career Preparation, Transition, Legislation
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

National Governor's Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices
The NGA Center for Best Practices helps governors and their key policy staff develop and implement innovative solutions to challenges facing their states. Among the areas of best practices they share are the fields of education and employment. The website offers access to a multitude of research papers, reports and other publications on issues related to education and youth.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Academic Achievement, Youth Leadership, Legislation, Policy
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Web links, Quality Practices, Research

National League of Cities (NLC) The Institute of Youth, Education and Families
NLC’s Institute of Youth, Education and Families focuses on five core program areas: education, youth development, early childhood development, safety of children and youth and family economic security. The website offers many comprehensive resources including research papers and publications, tools and additional information about their programs and services.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance, Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Legislation, Policy
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Education, Public Housing, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Research

National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR)
MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership is an advocate for the expansion of mentoring and a resource for mentors and mentoring. The MENTOR website provides information on how to become a mentor, including national sites in need of mentors, contact information and supportive materials for successful mentorships.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Research

New Ways to Work (New Ways)
New Ways to Work builds community connections that prepare youth for success as adults. New Ways pioneered the All Youth-One SystemSM approach to help communities build comprehensive youth-serving systems for all youth, including our most vulnerable young people. New Ways helps create powerful partnerships among schools, community organizations, social service agencies, the private sector, government, and community partners to ensure better access to quality educational and career opportunities for youth. For the past 20 years, New Ways has worked across the nation to ensure that public resources targeted to prepare youth for their future are used effectively. New Ways' website includes information about their projects and includes free tools for building the capacity of programs and initiatives as well as a library of publications related to youth development, supporting vulnerable populations, supporting intermediaries, and developing comprehensive youth-serving systems. Their projects include the Youth Transition Action Teams Initiative, the Youth Council Institute, the Intermediary Network, Diploma Plus - California expansion, Engaging Workplace Partners, Quality Work-Based Learning, and the Sonoma County California Work Ready Certification Program. New Ways also offers customized training and technical assistance.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Career Preparation, System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration, Policy
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links

Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
O*NET OnLine is an application that was created for the general public to provide broad access to a database of occupational information. The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledges, work activities and interests associated with occupations. Information in O*NET is available for over 950 occupations. Each occupational title and code is based on the most current version (2000) of the Standard Occupational Classification system. This website allows the user to search by occupation key words, job families or by complete list. They have a survey that matches skills to careers that best suit skill sets.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Families, Foster Parents, Professionals
• Services Offered To Youth: Career Prep
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Career Preparation
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
OOH is a source of career information, designed to provide assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. Revised every two years, the handbook describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations. This website provides information about the handbook as well as links to related information and resources.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth: Career Prep
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Career Preparation
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA adopts and enforces workplace safety and health standards to protect workers from work-related injuries and illnesses. The Compliance Office conducts inspections in response to employee complaints or as part of a targeted inspection program initiated by OSHA to ensure that workers and the public are protected from safety hazards. OSHA also has compliance assistance specialists who can provide general information about OSHA standards and compliance assistance resources. The OSHA website features information and tools to assist workplaces in meeting compliance, understanding law and regulations, and creating safe and healthy environments for workers. They also have a special link to support for teen workers.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth: Education
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Regulations
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Office of Youth Services (OYS)
OYS is primarily responsible for coordinating all youth-related workforce activities, providing leadership, policy direction, program administration, technical assistance and guidance and support activities for the following major youth programs authorized under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998: state formula-funded grants, Youth Opportunity grants, Job Corps and other discretionary programs. The OYS website features information and resources to support workforce experiences and activities, as well as support for federally funded programs. They also publish a bimonthly newsletter, Youth Resource Connection, which provides updates on papers and publications, legislation, funding opportunities and calendar of events on topics related to youth.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Youth Leadership, Legislation, Policy
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Funding Sources

Promising and Effective Practices Network (PEPNet)
PEPNet is a system and information source based on practice and research for identifying and promoting what works in youth employment and development. The PEPNet criteria is used to measure the effectiveness of agency programs in the field. Organizations/initiatives can complete an extensive self-assessment and application for recognition as promising practices. A group of professional peers review the applications and award organizations for fulfilling all PEPNet criteria. Each of the awardee organizations are posted on their website and publicly recognized. PEPNet is a project of NYEC (see listing). The PEPNet section of the website has a comprehensive search engine and data base filled with all the practices of the PEPNet awardees. The database allows you to search by organization or particular criterion.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Disconnected Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Transition,
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Quality Practices

Promising Practices
Promising Practices is a research and reference resource for innovative and continuous improvement practices in workforce development. They offer effective workforce development practices, documents, videos and events through their online database. Promising Practices features a comprehensive search engine, which can be browsed by topic, population, state, and many other fields. Their list of programs and organizations modeling promising practices may be linked and investigated through their extensive list of links. Users may also register their promising practices.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Web links, Quality Practices, Research

Promising Practices in Afterschool
This website provides youth workers with a valuable resource that covers all aspects of creating or improving after-school programs. The site is managed by the Center for Youth Development and Policy Research (see listing) at the Academy for Educational Development.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Web links, Quality Practices, Research

Public Education Network (PEN)
The mission of PEN is to create systems of public education that result in high achievement for every child. PEN is a national association of local education funds (LEFs) advancing school reform in low-income communities across the country. The network advocates for significant changes in how school systems are funded, overhauling curriculum and assessment practices, ensuring authority and decision making at the school level, providing ongoing professional development for teachers and engaging the public in building relationships between citizens, schools and the communities they serve. PEN's website provides opportunities to learn about the work of Local Education Funds (LEFs), and reports proven strategies for improving student achievement in America's public schools.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement, Advocacy, System Improvement, Poverty
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Rubistar
Rubistar is a tool to help the teacher who wants to use rubrics but does not have the time to develop them from scratch. This website is a resource for creating rubrics for project-based learning activities. Areas covered and pre-created include: Oral Projects (interview, storytelling, puppet show, class debate, oral presentation, video-talk show, historical role playing); Research and Writing (story writing, letter writing, group planning – research project, research report, 6+1 writing model); Work Skills (collaborative work skills); Multimedia (web site design, multimedia project, HyperStudio design, storyboards, digital storytelling); Products (timeline, map, game, poster, brochure, newspaper, public awareness campaign, collection or display); Science (lab report, science fair, building a bridge); Math (graphing, problem solving); Reading (analyzing information, elementary independent reading); Music (instrumental music performance – individual, classical concert etiquette); and Art (analysis of a work of art, stage design).

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

School Wise Press
School Wise Press provides “consumer reports” on schools and school districts. Designed and operated by parents, their resources are aimed at educating and advocating for active involvement of parents, although their resources are valuable for anyone. This website is full of easy to access information and comparative data of schools in California. Offers comparative data on meeting California University requirements, student enrollment, ethnicity, income, teacher experience levels, key resource levels and much more! Specific detailed profiles of individual schools are available for $6 each.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area:
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

Search Institute
The Search Institute generates, synthesizes and communicates new knowledge, convenes organizational and community leaders, and works with state and national organizations. At the heart of the Institute’s work is the framework of 40 developmental assets, which are positive experiences, relationships, opportunities and personal qualities that young people need to grow up healthy, caring and responsible. Services include research, communication, networking, community supports and training. This website provides information about the Search Institute including their 40 developmental assets framework and compatible tools.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement, Career Preparation, Youth Leadership
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Quality Practices

Struggling Teens
This resource for troubled adolescents and their parents is designed to help them find programs, schools and support for handling behavioral problems. The site includes a listing of specialized education options.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National, California
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth: Mental Health, Education
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance, Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: System Improvement
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Web links

Strumpf Associates and the Center for Strategic Change
The Center for Strategic Change helps human resource organizations improve the quality of their delivery systems and services by ensuring the connection to workplace skills. They provide technical assistance, leadership training, partnership facilitation, creative problem solving and practical research – all designed to improve customer satisfaction. Their website provides information about the Center for Strategic Change and access to their surveys with membership.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Youth Leadership, Community Services and Support, System Improvement
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Research

U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education’s mission is to: Strengthen the Federal commitment to assuring access to equal educational opportunity for every individual; Supplement and complement the efforts of states, the local school systems and other instrumentalities of the states, the private sector, public and private nonprofit educational research institutions, community-based organizations, parents, and students to improve the quality of education; Encourage the increased involvement of the public, parents, and students in Federal education programs; Promote improvements in the quality and usefulness of education through Federally supported research, evaluation, and sharing of information; Improve the coordination of Federal education programs; Improve the management of Federal education activities; and Increase the accountability of Federal education programs to the President, the Congress, and the public. The Department of Education’s website provides information on topics such as funding opportunities, research and statistics, news and events, programs and services, publications, products and on-line educational resources. The website also links important information about the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, including research, implementation and background. Pages designed to help you find grants and contact, or keep up with your existing grant or contract can be found at www.ed.gov/topics/topics.jsp?&top=Grants+%26+Contracts.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Academic Achievement, Legislation, Policy, Regulations
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Funding Sources, Research

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ¨ Family and Youth Services Bureau
FYSB supports local communities in providing services and opportunities to young people, particularly runaway and homeless youth. FYSB does so by awarding funding that enables communities to offer services to young people and their families and to test new approaches to helping youth. The FYSB website provides resources for developing a positive youth development approach within organizations, policy reform and communities.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Homeless/Runaway
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Legislation, Policy
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Other Social Services
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Funding Sources

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
The Department of Labor (DOL) fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers’ rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other income support. The Department's website provides information on government and service agencies, laws and regulations, statistics and data, news, programs and services and related sites. Easy navigation by topic or audience to identify specific information related to youth health and safety and federal child labor laws.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy, Regulations
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Web links

What Kids Can Do (WKCD)
WKCD is a national nonprofit organization that documents the value of young people working with teachers and other adults on projects that combine powerful learning with public purpose for an audience of educators and policy makers, journalists, community members and students. Their website offers several great papers and feature stories related to youth organizing, leadership, activism and civic participation.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Youth Leadership
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Young Workers' Health and Safety Website
The Young Workers’ Health and Safety website is a project of California's statewide Resource Network for Young Workers' Health and Safety. The Resource Network is funded by the California Department of Industrial Relations, and coordinated by UC Berkeley's Labor Occupational Health Program. The California Resource Network website includes information on workplace rights and responsibilities, work hours and job restrictions, hazards on the job and ways to prevent injuries on the job. There are also educational resources, fact sheets and ideas for how to work with others in your community to keep young workers healthy and safe on the job.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National, California
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Regulations
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links

Youth Development and Research Fund (YDRF)
YDRF was formed in response to the need to reclaim the lost economic fortunes of at-risk young adults, a multicultural group of young professionals with expertise in youth programming, research and policy. YDRF’s mission is to improve programs, policies and opportunities for youth through research, training and culture. YDRF takes their programs and strategies to juvenile justice systems, schools, community-based organizations, foundations, corporations and government agencies to help maximize successful outcomes for youth and youth service providers. The YDRF website offers several tools and reports, many of which are aimed at guiding youth practitioners in increasing Youth Cultural Competence in their organizational structure and framework. Information about YDRF training, professional development, curriculum resources and guidance through workshops and events.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National, California
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, System Improvement, Cultural Competence, Policy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Research,

Youth Policy Action Center
More than 30 of the country’s leading national advocacy organizations have joined forces for improving policies and programs for children and youth. The new Youth Policy Action Center, generously supported by the award-winning technology of Capitol Advantage, will help youth and concerned adults contact elected officials about important programs and initiatives. The Youth Policy Action Center gives young people a platform on which to stand and be counted in national debate and dialogue. It gives national advocates a way to come together and act as one. And it gives all citizens — concerned parents, proud grandparents, dedicated teachers — political power which used to be the exclusive providence of entrenched special interest lobbyists.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Leadership, Advocacy, System Improvement, Policy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Web links

Youth Today
Youth Today is an independent, national newspaper geared to people who work with young people. It includes an extensive calendar of workshops and conferences related to professional development and youth issues, reviews of books and videos for use with staff and kids, grants awarded in the youth field and analysis of legislative issues concerning youth. Youth Today is connected to The Forum for Youth Investment (see listing). This website allows you to access their issues online as well as subscription information. They also feature highlighted abstracts of current issues.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Leadership, Advocacy, Policy, Teen Pregnancy & Parenting
• Systems Addressed: Juvenile Justice, Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Web links, Funding Sources, Quality Practices, Research

YouthBuild USA
YouthBuild USA is the national nonprofit support center and intermediary for the YouthBuild movement. It is also the home of the YouthBuild Coalition and the YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network. The goal of the YouthBuild movement is to create and sustain a broad-based national movement in support of policies and programs that enable young people to assume leadership in order to rebuild their communities and lead responsible lives. Their website features a wide range of materials and services, including training curricula, manuals, newsletters and national trainings for staff and participants in youth employment programs, especially in the housing construction field.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Homeless/Runaway, (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Career Prep, Education
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Advocacy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Funding Sources

National Work Readiness Credential
In September 2006 the National Work Readiness Council (NWRC) will begin a targeted launch of the National Work Readiness Credential (WRC) in approximately 50 sites around the country. During this 'soft' launch, which will extend through December 2006,

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

State Independent Living Coordinators
Each state has specified at least one Independent Living Coordinator to supervise the implementation of IL services for their agency. Independent Living Coordinators are an excellent resource for distributing information for programs in their state.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National, California
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) Foster Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Mental Health, Career Prep, Education, Child Welfare, Other Social Services, Housing
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families: Other Social Services
• Subjects: Services, Transition, Disconnection from School & Work
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Other Social Services, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered:

Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Regional Offices
Regional offices oversee the administration of programs, which include: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Tribal TANF, Head Start, Child Support Enforcement, Foster Care, Child Welfare, Adoption Assistance, Child Care, Runaway and Homeless Youth and Developmental Disabilities. The regions guide the programmatic and financial management of ACF programs in their jurisdictions and provide assistance, resources, and information to the various entities responsible for administering these programs. The link is a listing of the location of regional offices and contact persons for the regions. The ACF is administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Homeless/Runaway, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) Youth in Group Homes, Families
• Services Offered To Youth: Child Welfare, Other Social Services
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation
• Services Offered To Families: Other Social Services
• Subjects: Services, Transition, Legislation, Policy, Regulations, Poverty
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Public Housing, Other Social Services
• Resource Types Offered: Funding Sources,

Children's Bureau National Resource Centers
The overarching goal of the NRC's is to help States, Tribes, and public child welfare agencies implement Federal legislation intended to ensure the safety, well-being, and permanent placement of children who enter the child welfare system. These Centers conduct needs assessments, provide on-site technical assistance, identify and disseminate best practices, and coordinate and collaborate with other national resource centers and agencies. Approval for assistance from these centers is through regional contacts.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Community Services and Support, Advocacy, System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration, Services, Legislation, Policy
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Other Social Services
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Quality Practices, Evidence-based Practices, Research

National Foster Youth Advisory Council
Mission: A diverse national group comprised of current and former foster youth, providing a voice and making a difference in the lives of youth that are currently in care.
Goals: • To inform the field about the strengths, needs, and concerns of youth involved with and transitioning from the foster care system.
• To engage young people and promote youth leadership on a national level.

• To formalize collaborative relationships and develop additional strategic alliances at the national, state, and local levels to strengthen the overall system of supports and services available to youth involved with and transitioning from foster care.

• To build the capacity of and provide national leadership to the field in the areas of positive youth development, independent living, transition supports, and youth involvement.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Youth Leadership, Services, Transition
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

Improving Transition Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities (ITOP)
A large group of stakeholders, federal, state and community agencies and organizations, parents and youth with disabilities help create a cross-agency, multi-year state plan to help youth transition from school to work. The project includes a statewide map of resources for delivering effective youth services and local pilot projects determining effective ways in which youth with disabilities can access transition services through community partnerships and intermediary organizations. The ITOP website offers many resourses and searchable databases on a project/county basis.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: California
• Population Served: (Youth) with Physical Disabilities, (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities, (Youth) with Learning Disabilities
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Transition
• Systems Addressed: Education, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Web links

Innovation Center
The Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development connects people and ideas to create change. We connect thinkers and leaders of all ages to develop fresh ideas, forge new partnerships, and design strategies that engage young people and their communities. We turn theoretical knowledge into practical know-how that advances the field of youth development and promotes social change. The website offers ecellent tools and resources.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Networking, Peer Networks
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Youth Leadership
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Research

At the Table
At The Table is a project of the At The Table Initiative. Hosted by the Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development, At the Table was formed to facilitate acoordinated, sustainable national youth participation movement. At The Table aims to connect individuals, organizations and communities to resources they need to successfully invole youth in decision-making. Introduce likeminded youth and adults to each other so they can share stories and best practices. The At The Table website provides extensive tools and resources for youth involvement in decision-making processes.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Youth Leadership, Policy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links

UC Berkeley Labor Center
The Center for Labor Research and Education (Labor Center) is a public service and outreach program of the UC Berkeley Institute of Industrial Relations. Founded in 1964, the Labor Center conducts research and education on issues related to labor and employment. The Labor Center's curricula and leadership trainings serve to educate a diverse new generation of labor leaders. The Labor Center conducts research projects on topics such as job quality and workforce development issues, and we work with unions, government, and employers to develop innovative policy perspectives and programs. We also provide an important source of research and information on unions and the changing workforce for students, scholars, policymakers and the public.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth
• Service Area: National, California
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• Subjects:
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• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Research,

CWLA Best Practice Guidelines: Serving LGBT Youth in Out-of-Home Care - Authors: Shannan Wilber, Legal Services for Children, Caitlin Ryan, Cesar Chavez Institute, & Jody Marksamer, National Center for Lesbian Rights
This easy-to-use resource contains the first-ever set of comprehensive professional guidelines for how child welfare and juvenile justice professionals can best serve LGBT youth in state care. The Best Practice Guidelines for Serving LGBT Youth in Out of Home Care developed out of recommendations from the Model Standards Project, a collaboration between Legal Services for Children and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
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The Model Standards Project: Creating Inclusive Systems for LGBT Youth in Out-of-Home Care
This article describes the history, development, and goals of the Model Standards Project (MSP), a collaboration between Legal Services for Children and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The MSP developed a set of professional standards governing the care of LGBT youth in out-of-home care, which eventually became the CWLA Best Practice Guidelines for Serving LGBT Youth in Out-of-Home Care. The article concludes with recommendations for implementation of the standards in local jurisdictions. A version of this article appears in Volume 85, Issue 2, of Child Welfare, a journal published by the Child Welfare League of America.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
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The Equity Project: Ensuring Fairness & Respect for LGBT Youth in the Justice System (2006) (2 pages)
NCLR has partnered with Legal Services for Children and the National Juvenile Defender Center on this three-year initiative to ensure that LGBT youth in the juvenile delinquency court system are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
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Defending LGBTQ Youth: A guide for attorneys representing youth in delinquency proceedings (2004) (5 pages)
Attorneys can use this guide to learn how their clients' sexual orientation or gender identity may come up during the course of representation and how they can be effective advocates for LGBT youth, before and after adjudication.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
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LGBTQ Youth in the Foster Care System Fact Sheet (2006) (5 pages)
Using statistics and quotes from LGBTQ youth, this fact sheet provides an overview of many LGBTQ youths' pathways into care and their experiences in child welfare placements.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals:
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The Legal Rights of LGBT Youth in the Child Welfare System Fact Sheet (2006) (7 pages)
LGBT young people in the child welfare system have clearly-established civil rights under the U. S. Constitution as well as state and federal statutes. This user-friendly fact sheet provides an overview of these rights.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals:
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LGBTQ Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Fact Sheet (2006) (5 pages)
Using statistics and quotes from LGBTQ youth, this fact sheet provides an overview of the pathways that lead many LGBTQ youth into the juvenile justice system and their experiences once in detention or correctional facilities.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals:
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The Legal Rights of LGBT Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Fact Sheet (2006) (8 pages)
LGBT young people in the juvenile justice system have clearly-established civil rights under the U. S. Constitution as well as state and federal statutes. This user-friendly fact sheet provides an overview of these rights.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals:
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Model Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy for Child Welfare or Juvenile Justice Agencies(2006) (8 pages)
This publication provides child welfare and juvenile justice professionals and youth advocates with a sample anti-harassment and non-discrimination policy for child welfare and juvenile justice agencies. The sample policy describes agencies' legal responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment for all youth, including those who are LGBT. The sample policy includes concrete examples of prohibited harassment, reporting procedures, and required administrative responses to reports of harassment and discrimination.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals:
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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Young People in State Custody: Making the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems Safe for All Youth through Litigation, Advocacy and Education (2006) (19 pages)
Over the last few years, a coordinated national effort to improve the treatment of LGBT youth in child welfare and juvenile justice systems situation has emerged through the hard work of hundreds of advocates from around the country. This article describes the some of their successes in using the legal rights of LGBT youth to create effective nondiscrimination policies, best practices guidelines, and other resources to support LGBT youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. A version of this article will appear in Temple Law Review (Volume 79, Issue 2, Summer 2006).

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice
• Resource Types Offered:

The Legal Rights of Young People in State Custody: What Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Professionals Need to Know When Working with LGBT Youth (2006) (17 pages)
Youth in state custody, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have federal and state constitutional and statutory rights. These rights guarantee a young person safety in their placement as well as freedom from the deprivation of other liberty interests. Knowledge of a youth's legal rights can help providers avoid legal liability and create a safer and healthier environment for LGBT youth. A version of this article appears in Child Welfare (Volume 85, Issue 2), a journal published by the Child Welfare League of America.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Legal, Child Welfare
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Young People in State Custody: Making the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems Safe for All Youth through Litigation, Advocacy and Education (2006) (19 pages)
Over the last few years, a coordinated national effort to improve the treatment of LGBT youth in child welfare and juvenile justice systems situation has emerged through the hard work of hundreds of advocates from around the country. This article describes the some of their successes in using the legal rights of LGBT youth to create effective nondiscrimination policies, best practices guidelines, and other resources to support LGBT youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. A version of this article will appear in Temple Law Review (Volume 79, Issue 2, Summer 2006).

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy, Violence
• Systems Addressed: Juvenile Justice
• Resource Types Offered: Quality Practices

AB 458 Fact Sheet: The California Foster Care Non-Discrimination Act (2006) (3 pages)
AB 458, the Foster Care Non-Discrimination Act, went into effect on January 1, 2004. This law is the first of its kind in the United States to explicitly include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and adults involved with the foster care system.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: California
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
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• Subjects: Legislation
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Learning from the Youth Opportunity Experience: Building Delivery Capacity in Distressed Communities
by Linda Harris. In 2000, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded significant Youth Opportunity (YO) Grants to 36 high-poverty urban, rural, and Native American communities. The grants were designed to serve all young people in these areas, regardless of income or connection to school or work. Communities were required to assess and integrate existing youth-serving systems and agencies to support education, work exposure, youth development, and other services for young people. Despite evidence of considerable community accomplishments, the YO grants were ended in 2005. This report, based on a survey of 22 of the 36 sites, examines the approaches’ strengths, challenges, and lessons learned, and offers recommendations for policy and practice. The 4-page Executive Summary is also available separately. 50 pages. 2/16/2006

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Disconnected Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, Youth Development, System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration, Cultural Competence, Disconnection from School & Work
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare, Other Social Services, Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

Comments to the Children’s Bureau, ACF on the Proposed Rule to Implement the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)
by Tiffany Conway and Rutledge Hutson. These are CLASP’s official comments to ACF on the proposed rule to implement the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD), published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2006. This is the rule proposed for implementing the data collection requirements of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999. 4 pages. 9/12/2006

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) Foster Youth
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Comprehensive Approch, System Improvement, Cross-system collaboration
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

Cracks in the Education Pipeline: A Business Leader’s Guide to Higher Education Reform
This guide provides a current snapshot, as well as a historical perspective, on the status of higher education in each of the fifty states. It summarizes and provides business leaders, as well as other stakeholders, with a map for engaging in higher education reforms at both the state and national level.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
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Measuring What Matters
Often called the "higher education report card", the report evaluates education using a variety of measures organized into six performance categories: preparation, participation, completion, affordability, benefits, and learning. Offers a snapshot of each state's performance in relation to other states in each of these categories.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
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The Employer’s Role in Linking School and Work
This guide was created for employers and intermediary groups that wish to foster school-to-career programs in their firms and communities. It provides practical information on different ways that different types of employers can participate in these programs, both individually and through intermediary organizations. In addition, this report offers educators and parents a clear rationale for contextual and work-related learning as a means of improving academic achievement and opening up previously unknown career opportunities for young people.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
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Vera Institute of Justice
Youth Who Chronically AWOL From Foster Care: Why They Run, Where They go, What Can Be Done.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Homeless/Runaway
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Delinquency, Homelessness
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

The University of Chicago Press
Public Shelter Admission among Young Adults with Child Welfare Histories by Type of Service and Type of Exit : This study examines the prevalence and associated factors of New York City public shelter use among young adults with histories of out-of-home care or nonplacement preventive services as teenagers. The study finds that 19 percent of former child welfare service users entered public shelters within 10 years of exit from child welfare. Persons with out-of-home placement histories are twice as likely to enter public shelters (22 percent) as those who received nonplacement preventive services only (11 percent). Persons exiting child welfare through absconding from child welfare have the highest rate of shelter use, followed by those discharged to independent living.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) Disconnected Youth, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) Homeless/Runaway
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Disconnection from School & Work, Homelessness, Poverty
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

State Policies That Work: Engaging in Positive Productive Roles
State Policies That Work: Engaging Youth in Positive Productive Roles. This is research and policy information related to all transition age kids.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
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• Subjects: Transition, Policy
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• Resource Types Offered: Research

Center for Adolescent and Family Studies
Mental Health Risk Factors for Adolescence: This collection of electronic resources is intended for parents, educators, researchers, health practitioners, and teens.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
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• Subjects: Alcohol & Drug Abuse
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health
• Resource Types Offered: Web links

LD Online
World's leading website on Learning Disabilities and ADHD. Offers resources for parents, educators, and kids/ transition age youth including articles on transitioning from school to work with learning disabilities.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Learning Disabilities
• Services Offered To Youth:
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• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Transition
• Systems Addressed: Education
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

SAMHSA Model Programs
The SAMHSA Model Programs featured on this site have been tested in communities, schools, social service organizations, and workplaces across America, and have provided solid proof that they have prevented or reduced substance abuse and other related high-risk behaviors. Programs included have been reviewed by SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). This Web site serves as a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in learning about and/or implementing these programs.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Alcohol & Drug Abuse
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Web links, Funding Sources, Quality Practices, Research

American Acedamy of Child and Adolescent Psychology
Resources and publiactions for families and professionals .

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• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Web links, Research

American Association of suicide prevention
Resources and publications for families and professionals .

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• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Web links, Research

http://www.teenanswer.org/
The ANSWER (Adolescents Never Suicide When Everyone Responds) Network began as a grassroots movement in Johnson County, Kansas in response to the impact suicide was making in the community. The ANSWER Network formed a coalition, which includes law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, educators, the faith community, parents and youth to address this serious problem. At the same time, the Mental Health Association of the Heartland was providing Teen Suicide Prevention programming to schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area. During the spring of 2000, ANSWER Network partnered with the Mental Health Association of the Heartland, to work jointly on this issue. The goal is to educate everyone about the risks of teenage suicide and to provide resources for help in an effort to reach our mission of eliminating teen suicide.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Community Services and Support, Suicide
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications

The Bright Side
The Bright Side was created as a means of support - whether you are dealing with depression, grief, suicide, mental illness, emotional crisis, or are just feeling overwhelmed with life, you are not alone! We all go through difficult periods in our lives, when everyday life feels like it's just too much to bear. A little support can go a long way towards helping us cope - and that is what The Bright Side is all about. On The Bright Side you will find educational materials, articles by top experts, personal stories, and other resources to help you cope with depression, grief, suicide, or whatever mental or emotional difficulty you or your loved one may be experiencing.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National, California
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Community Services and Support, Suicide
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• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications

The Jason Foundation
The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is a nationally recognized provider of educational curriculums and training programs for students, educators/youth workers and parents. JFI’s programs build an awareness of the national health problem of youth suicide, educates participates in recognition of “warning signs/signs of concern”, provides information on identifying at-risk behavior/elevated risk groups, and directs participates to local resources to deal with possible suicidal ideation. JFI’s student curriculums are presented in the “Third-Person” perspective – How to help a friend.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
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• Services Offered To Professionals: Professional Development
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Suicide
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• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Web links

National Alliance on Mental Health
NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation’s voice on mental illness, a national organization including NAMI organizations in every state and in over 1100 local communities across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission through advocacy, research, support, and education.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues
• Services Offered To Youth: Education, Legal
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families: Legal
• Subjects: Services, Legislation, Policy,
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• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Research,

About Our Kids
The New York University Child Study Center is dedicated to advancing the field of child mental health through evidence-based practice, science and education.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
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• Subjects: First Break Episodes
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

APA: Healthy Minds
Information and resources on mental health topics.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues, (Youth) LGBTQQI Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Education
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Sexuality & Gender, Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Suicide, Trauma
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

Lesbian and Gay Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Association
The Lesbian and Gay Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Association (LAGCAPA) is an organization dedicated to the mental health needs of youth related to sexual minority issues. LAGCAPA is an affiliate of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), with which it works closely on a number of scientific, educational, and advocacy activities.

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• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
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• Subjects: Advocacy
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health
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International Foundation for Gender Education
Site provides resources and links related to transgender issues.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth
• Service Area: National
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American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry
The American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry has served the psychiatric profession since 1967. Focusing on teen, adolescence, and young adult issues, ASAP acts both as a professional network for its members and a specialized community dedicated to education development and advocacy of adolescents and the adolescent psychiatric field.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
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• Service Area: National
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
Through a family and youth driven approach, children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges and their families obtain needed supports and services so that children grow up healthy and able to maximize their potential.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
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• Systems Addressed: Mental Health
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS) is a nonpartisan policy and program resource center located at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. CHHCS builds on a 20-year history of testing strategies to strengthen health care delivery systems for children and adolescents. For the past decade, with support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Center staff anonsultants have worked with institutional leaders, state officials and clinical providers to maximize outcomes for children through more effective health programming in schools.

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Center for Adolescent and Family Studies
CAFS as a research institution at Indiana University is committed to the education of its research team members. Researchers have opportunities to participate on diverse project teams, present findings at team meetings and conferences, attend seminars, earn university course credit, and attend clinical trainings in Functional Family Therapy - an empirically-grounded family-based intervention and treatment program.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Research

Child Welfare Information Gateway
Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
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• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Transition,
• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

Center for Fathers, Families, and Workforce Development Headquarters
Provide assistance and support to program participants in the following areas: Parenting, life-skills training, employment/job readiness, educational attainment (GED), child support, substance abuse, criminal justice issues (domestic violence), health and mental health issues, youth services and referral services as needed.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area:
• Population Served: (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
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• Systems Addressed: Workforce Development
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Best practices for working with older youth in foster care : critical worker competencies as reported by youth in foster care and independent living : focus group results.
A study used focus group methods to elicit feedback from foster youth about helpful and non-helpful child welfare worker qualities and traits. The 24 focus groups, containing 125 foster youth, were conducted in Michigan, Ohio, and Oregon. To maximize diversity, the focus groups included 81 youth still in care and 22 emancipated youth. The median age of the youth was 17 years and the median stay in foster care was 3 years. The themes emerging from the youth focus groups formed four general thematic clusters: worker-youth relationship qualities that distinguish good and bad workers, potential threats to youth esteem and ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Missouri Juvenile Court Improvement Project for child abuse and neglect cases : ninth annual report.
This annual report for the Missouri Juvenile Court Improvement Project highlights activities from July 2003 through June 2004 that were intended to improve court management of child maltreatment, foster care, and adoption cases. The project focused on several areas of the state strategic plan, including an evaluation of court procedures for foster care and adoption, participation in the Child and Family Service Review process, federal eligibility requirements for Title IV-E foster care funds, and technical assistance to pilot courts. The court improvement program also responded to state initiatives regarding the timing of mandatory proceedings and sponsored several multi-disciplinary training programs. ...

• Entry Type: Resource
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• Service Area: National
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Partnering for success : instructional guide to help foster youth transition out of the system.
This instructional guide derives from a federally funded project designed to improve services to youth aging out foster care. The project used a positive youth development approach to train child welfare professionals, foster parents, and school personnel. A training curriculum was developed through a collaboration of foster youth, foster parents, professional child welfare workers, state child welfare workers, State child welfare policy decision makers, State training staff, staff from the national resource centers, University of Kansas technology staff, and University of Kansas faculty and training staff. The components of the training curriculum addressed: outcomes of youth who transition from care, ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Transition,
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications

STAR, successful transitions for adult readiness : interdisciplinary training. Participant version.
This participant's manual contains outlines and handouts from a curriculum for child welfare professionals about independent living services for foster youth. Developed by the Academy of Professional Excellence of the San Diego State University School of Social Work as part of the STAR (Successful Transitions for Adult Readiness) Project, the training program is intended to improve outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care. The three day program addresses organizational systems, interdisciplinary teamwork, and direct practice. Policy change, youth rights, adolescent development, and assessment are specifically discussed. The program emphasizes a youth development approach to independent living preparation. The target ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, System Improvement, Transition, Policy
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications

STAR, successful transitions for adult readiness : interdisciplinary training. Trainer version.
This trainer's manual contains activity instructions and course outlines from a curriculum for child welfare professionals about independent living services for foster youth. Developed by the Academy of Professional Excellence of the San Diego State University School of Social Work as part of the STAR (Successful Transitions for Adult Readiness) Project, the training program is intended to improve outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care. The three day program addresses organizational systems, interdisciplinary teamwork, and direct practice. Policy change, youth rights, adolescent development, and assessment are specifically discussed. The program emphasizes a youth development approach to independent living preparation. ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, System Improvement, Transition, Policy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

STAR, successful transitions for adult readiness : training for managers and supervisors. Trainer version.
This trainer's manual contains activity instructions and course outlines for a curriculum for child welfare supervisors and managers about independent living services for foster youth. Developed by the Academy of Professional Excellence of the San Diego State University School of Social Work as part of the STAR (Successful Transitions for Adult Readiness) Project, the training program is intended to improve outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care. The six hour manager/supervisor session addresses youth protection and care, youth development strategies, foster care experiences, interagency collaboration, and community planning. Policy and practice in the state of California are highlighted. The ...

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Successful transitions for adult readiness (STAR) project : final report.
The STAR: Successful Transitions for Adult Readiness program was developed by the Academy of Professional Excellence of the San Diego State University School of Social Work to improve outcomes for foster youth making the transition to independent living. The empirically-based training focused on competencies necessary for interdisciplinary collaboration. This final report highlights the achievements of the program, which utilized a grant from the Administration for Children, Youth and Families. A total of 507 child welfare workers, foster parents, group home workers, school personnel, case managers, and supervisors attended the 15 sessions held during the three years of the project. Surveys ...

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Training of child welfare practitioners to work effectively with youth transitioning out of foster care through the federal Independent Living Program (ILP) : final program progress report (including, Pre-service independent living module ; One-day curriculum on adolescent sexuality ; and Working in partnership with youth : participant resources).
The Fordham University Children FIRST project received a grant to develop a professional training program for new and experienced caseworkers involved in independent living services in Connecticut. The program was designed with extensive input from foster youth about their needs. Four curricula were pilot-tested and implemented over the three-year period: an introductory course for new workers; Adolescent Sexuality; Working in Partnership with Youth; and Youth Assessment and Planning. Approximately 400 new caseworkers attended the one-day pre-service session about youth development and the involvement of youth in case planning. A total of 116 caseworkers and supervisors completed the half-day Adolescent Sexuality ...

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• Service Area: National
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Y.O.U.T.H. Training Project : final report.
The California Youth Connection association of foster youth and the Bay Area Academy of San Francisco State University initiated the Youth Offering Unique Tangible Help (Y.O.U.T.H.) training project to inform social workers about the needs and perspectives of adolescents preparing for independent living. Funded with a 3-year grant from the Children's Bureau, the project used a youth development approach to empower adolescents in foster care to develop and present the professional training program. Phase One focused on surveying transition-age foster youth and social workers about their working relationships and services. Based on this information, a curriculum was created to train ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Youth transitioning from foster care : a partnership for success / University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare.
This binder includes training material from a federally funded project designed to improve services to youth aging out foster care. The project used a positive youth development approach to train child welfare professionals, foster parents, and school personnel. A training curriculum was developed through a collaboration of foster youth, foster parents, professional child welfare workers, state child welfare workers, State child welfare policy decision makers, State training staff, staff from the national resource centers, University of Kansas technology staff, and University of Kansas faculty and training staff. The components of the training curriculum addressed: outcomes of youth who transition from ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Transition,
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

An Evaluation of Independent Living Services in Ohio: Digest of Findings and Conclusions.
Current and former foster youth in Ohio and their caseworkers were surveyed to examine the effectiveness of independent living services provided in the state. Eighty-one counties responding to a survey about independent living services reported that the services are provided by public agencies or a combination of public and private agencies. Some of the large counties appointed a staff person to be responsible for the coordination of independent living services and 13 counties had specialized staff. Common services included life skills assessment, instruction and training, education and career planning, social and recreational services, and foster parent training. Few counties offered ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Transition,
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Frequently Asked Questions About the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.
This document provides answers to commonly asked questions about the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program authorized by the act. The law permits states to provide Medicaid coverage to foster youth between the ages of 18 and 21, expands eligibility for Title IV-E funded foster care, and improves funding for independent living programs. The Foster Care Independence Act also requires states to prepare and support foster parents in their parental role and increases funding for adoption incentive payments. The questions address the overall purpose of the Foster Care Independence Act, eligibility, ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Transition,
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Mentors as Resources in Preparing Foster Adolescents for Independent Living.
Mentors and mentees from 29 independent living programs for foster adolescents were interviewed for this study of the effectiveness of various matching procedures. Hypotheses predicted that age difference, race and gender, and program support would influence the success of pairs of adult mentors and adolescent mentees. A total of 280 mentors and 272 mentees were interviewed at the beginning of the study and a sample of 100 mentors were surveyed again after 12 months. Almost 80 percent of the matches consisted of female pairs and 25 percent were matched with a person of a different race. Programs utilized a variety ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
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• Subjects: Transition
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications

A Review of the Management of the Federally Funded Independent Living Program.
This report evaluates the implementation of the federally funded Independent Living Program at the State level. This program assists foster youth who are making the transition to independent adulthood. Interviews were conducted with independent living coordinators in 11 States, 10 Federal regional office contacts for independent living, and experts. Findings are presented concerning the foster care youth population and their specific needs, the service delivery elements of a good program, the number of service delivery elements possessed by the 11 State programs reviewed, and the factors associated with good State programs. Results indicate that four of the States had weak ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
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• Subjects: Transition
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications

A national evaluation of Title IV-E foster care independent living programs for youth. Phase 2 final report.
This report presents the findings of Phase Two of a national evaluation of the impact of the Title IV-E foster care independent living programs on state policies and services as well as on outcomes for foster youth. Phase One of the study collected case record data for 1,644 youth discharged from care in 1987 and 1988. Conducted in 1990 and 1991, Phase Two located and interviewed 810 of the original sample group about their experiences 2.5 to 4 years after leaving the foster care system. Regression analyses were used to assess eight indicators of self-sufficiency, including job stability, graduation from ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
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• Subjects: Transition
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

A national evaluation of Title IV-E foster care independent living programs for youth. Phase 1 final report.
This report presents the findings of Phase One of a national evaluation of the impact of the Title IV-E foster care independent living programs on state policies and services as well as on outcomes for foster youth. The first phase of the study collected case record data for a sample of 1,644 youth discharged from foster care during 1987 and 1988 to determine characteristics and service needs of adolescents aged 16 and older. Data were also collected from state independent living plans and program reports, telephone interviews with state officials about their independent living services, and a process evaluation of ...

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Transition
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• Resource Types Offered: Publications

A State-by-State Analysis of Barriers & Promising Approaches
This report was commissioned by The National Adoption Day Coalition. The National Adoption Day Coalition, comprised of seven partners—The Alliance for Children's Rights, Casey Family Services, Children's Action Network, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®, Freddie Mac Foundation and Target Corporation—commissioned the authors to coduct this state-by-state analysis to identify the common barriers and promising approaches that exit in the process of adoption children from the foster care system across the country.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Transition
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Urban Institute
To promote sound social policy and public debate on national priorities, the Urban Institute gathers and analyzes data, conducts policy research, evaluates programs and services, and educates Americans on critical issues and trends.

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California Child and Family Review System
The California Child and Family Review System is a State version of the Federal child and family services reviews used to monitor State performance. It requires the development and implementation of an outcomes-based county compliance review process to improve outcomes for children in the child welfare system while holding county and State agencies accountable for the outcomes achieved. All 58 counties receive quarterly data reports on their outcomes in the areas of safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families who come into contact with the child welfare system. Each county conducts a self-assessment using community-based groups to facilitate public input. A component of the self-assessment is the Peer Quality Case Review, which involves State, county, and regional training and peer review staff performing qualitative case reviews of specific areas of county practice. Following the self-assessments, counties collaborate with other local partners to develop a county System Improvement Plan (SIP), which is approved by the county Board of Supervisors. The purpose of the SIP is to establish program priorities, define specific action steps to achieve improvement, and establish goals for improvement. The California Child and Family Services Review was designed so that county self-assessments and SIPs would be the basis for the Statewide Assessment and the Program Improvement Plan for future Federal reviews.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: California
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Foster and Kinship Care Education
The Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE) Program provides training classes to foster and kinship caregivers, as well as non-relative extended family members at 65 community colleges throughout California. Title IV-E funds are used to match the California Community Colleges Proposition 98 funds for the purpose of reimbursing the California Community Colleges, Chancellor's Office for the Federal share of costs in providing foster parent and kinship care provider training. These classes are open to relative caregivers who wish to attend as well as prospective and current foster parents who must attend to become licensed or to maintain their license as a foster parent. Through an agreement with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's office, the FKCE Program and the Department of Social Services offer these classes at various California Community Colleges to allow for a large network of providers to attend. Classes cover a numbers of learning objectives and are free of charge.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: California
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The mission of the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is to provide national leadership on youth and family issues. The Bureau promotes positive outcomes for children, youth, and families by supporting a wide range of comprehensive services and collaborations at the local, Tribal, State, and national levels.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
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Childcare.gov
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is a federal agency funding state, territory, local, and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare, and other programs relating to children and families.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: Families, Foster Parents
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families: Other Social Services
• Subjects:
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• Resource Types Offered: Web links

Child Abuse and Neglect Disability Outreach Project
CAN/Do is the Child Abuse and Neglect Disabilities Outreach Project. Under funding from the California Governor's Office on Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP), CAN/Do is seeking to establish Statewide collaboration through meetings of a multi-agency Think Tank, to compile and disseminate "best practices" so that agencies and organizations can succeed in the mission of preventing the abuse of children with disabilities, and to improve data-gathering so that those who work with children with disabilities, and are concerned about child abuse, will know the size and scope of the problem.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
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Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway (formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse) connects professionals and the general public to information and resources targeted to the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
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• Resource Types Offered:

Institute of Applied Research (IAR)
The Institute of Applied Research (IAR) is an independent research and consulting organization that specializes in providing research and technical assistance services to State governments and agencies and other public service and community organizations.

Areas of special expertise include child welfare and child protection, childcare, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, welfare and welfare reform, poverty, employment and training, and issues affecting women and minorities.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth, (Youth) with Mental Health Issues, (Youth) Economically Disadvantaged, (Youth) Juvenile Justice Involved, (Youth) with Physical Disabilities, (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Parental Abuse & Neglect, Poverty
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Other Social Services
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Web links, Research

National Adoption Center (NAC)
The National Adoption Center expands adoption opportunities for children throughout the United States, particularly children with special needs and from minority cultures.

Training Specific: Through the Learning Center, adoptive parents and prospective adopters can take an online parenting course, The Adoption Roadmap, to expand and enrich their understanding of adoption. The course focuses on parenting skills, especially those needed to raise children with special needs, advocacy strategies to help a family identify and secure services for its child, and an appreciation of adoption as a distinct form of family building. The Learning Center is funded by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. For additional information, please see http://www.adopt.org/whatwedo/index.html#The%20Learning%20Center.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

Wednesday's Child
Wednesday's Child, sponsored by the Freddie Mac Foundation, is a weekly television feature about adoption that helps find permanent, loving, adoptive families for children in foster care.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

National Fathers' Network (NFN)
The Fathers Network provides current information and resources to assist all families and care providers involved in the lives of children with special needs.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

Kindering Center
The Fathers Network provides current information and resources to assist all families and care providers involved in the lives of children with special needs.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Developmental Disabilities
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a national, nonprofit membership organization of pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists that produces professional training materials and public education materials on child maltreatment. Its mission is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Mental Health
• Services Offered To Professionals: Networking
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links

American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC)
The AACRC brings professionals together to advance knowledge about therapeutic living environments for children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders. AACRC's core purposes are advancing professional knowledge through conferences and training that create opportunities for information exchange; improving clinical practice by sharing information on effective service delivery and national trends in program development and management; and advocating for the clinical needs of children, adolescents, and families by increasing public awareness of mental health and behavioral problems in children and adolescents and by educating policy makers regarding the needs of this population.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Juvenile Justice
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Quality Practices, Research

National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice (NCMHJJ)
The National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice (NCMHJJ) promotes awareness of the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system and assists the field in developing improved policies and programs based on research and practice.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Policy
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Juvenile Justice
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Evidence-based Practices

National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health
The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health (TA Center) is an integral part of the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development. The TA Center works in partnership with families and other leaders nationwide to reform services for children and adolescents who have, or are at risk for, mental health problems and their families. In addition, the TA Center assists States and communities in building systems of care and providing technical assistance through research, training programs, peer-to-peer consultation, and publications. The TA Center is funded and supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Center for Mental Health Services, the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, and the Special Programs Development Branch. Other funding sources include the Federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Cultural Competence, Policy
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

State Adoption Specialists/Managers
State by state list of professionals and their contact information.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

State Adoption Information Websites
State by state list of professionals and their agencies related to all issues of adoption.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

American Foster Care Resources, Inc. (AFCR)
AFCR is a publisher of resource materials for foster care providers, the children in care and their families, and the placing agency's staff and administration. AFCR's publications cover such topics as ADHD, discipline, sexual abuse, independent living, recruitment, and support groups.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

Center for Family Connections (CFFC)
The goal of the Center for Family Connections (CFC) is to serve individuals and families touched by adoption, foster care, kinship, and guardianship, as well as other complex blended families, and to serve the people with whom they are connected by offering training, education, consultation, advocacy, and clinical treatment.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

Childhelp USA
Childhelp USA is dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children by focusing its efforts and resources in the areas of treatment, prevention, and research. Its programs and services include the operation of the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline, residential treatment facilities for severely abused children, child advocacy centers that reduce the trauma of child abuse victims during the interview and examination process, group homes, foster family selection, training and certification, Head Start programs for at-risk children, child abuse prevention programs, and community outreach.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Teen Pregnancy & Parenting
• Systems Addressed: Child Welfare
• Resource Types Offered: Research

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)
The Family and Youth Services Bureau is part of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for Children and Families of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. FYSB is dedicated to supporting young people and strengthening families by providing runaway and homeless youth service grants to local communities. The Bureau has also created a support network that includes a national hotline and referral system for runaway and homeless youth, training, onsite consultations, and the dissemination of information.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Homeless/Runaway
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance, Consultation
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Transition, Homelessness, Violence
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Web links, Funding Sources

Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative is a national foundation whose mission is to help youth in foster care make successful transitions to adulthood.Formed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Casey Family Programs, the Initiative brings together the people and resources needed to help youth make the connections they need to education, employment, health care, housing, and supportive personal and community relationships.As a grant-making foundation, the Initiative supports successful community-based efforts that create opportunities and build assets for youth leaving foster care through grants, technical assistance, and coalition building with multiple stakeholders. Grants are made to qualified nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies by invitation only.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Transition, Policy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Funding Sources,

National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development (NCWRCYD)
General Scope: The National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development (NCWRCYD) increases the capacity and resources of States and Tribes to help youth in care meet the goals of safety, permanence, and well-being. The Center can help States incorporate youth into all areas of programs and services, implement services that address legislative requirements, and prepare for Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) and Program Improvement Plan (PIP) development and implementation.The National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development is a service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.Training Specific: The NCWRCYD focuses on increasing the capacity and resources of State, Tribal, and other publicly supported child welfare agencies to effectively meet the needs of youth who will be emancipated from the child welfare system. This will be accomplished by helping adolescents achieve the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 goals of safety, permanency, and well-being through the effective implementation of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and other related programs.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Youth Development, Cultural Competence, Transition, Legislation
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications, Web links, Funding Sources

National Foster Parent Association (NFPA)
The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) is a nonprofit volunteer organization. The NFPA's purpose is to bring together foster parents, agency representatives, and people in the community to improve the foster care system.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) Foster Youth,
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Funding Sources

Transition to Independence Process System- University of South Florida
The mission of the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) system is to assist young people with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties (EBD) in making a successful transition to adulthood with all young persons achieving, within their potential, their goals in the transition domains of education, employment, living situation, and community life.

• Entry Type: Program/Initiative, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Transition
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Evidence-based Practices, Research

Moving On
The Bazelon Center has identified 57 programs, run by 20 or more different agencies in nine departments of the federal government. Moving On is a collection of fact sheets on these programs. Each offers information about the program’s purpose, services and funded activities, the administering federal agency, grantee and beneficiary eligibility, and a brief assessment of the program’s impact.

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects:
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications

Community Connections
Community Connections, a private, not-for-profit mental health agency in Washington, D.C. Since 1984, Community Connections has worked with people who have been marginalized to assist them toward stable, integrated community living. Clinical programs, residential and supportive services, and research projects play mutually supportive roles in achieving this goal.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Youth, Families
• Service Area:
• Population Served: (Youth) All Transition Age Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Mental Health
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Trauma, Homelessness
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Research

National Mental Health Association of Greater Los Angeles
With cornerstones of service, information, advocacy and training, the National Mental Health Association of Greater Los Angeles (MHA) works to ensure that people with mental illness reach their rightful place as participating, productive members of our community. MHA unites the public and professionals, people with mental illness and their parents to advance acceptance and achievement for people with mental illness. We serve adults, including those who have been homeless, and young adults, concentrating on those who are leaving foster care.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Youth, Families
• Service Area: Region of CA
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues, (Youth) Foster Youth
• Services Offered To Youth: Mental Health, Career Prep, Education
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Transition, Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Homelessness
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health
The Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (TA Partnership) operates under contract with the federal Center for Mental Health Services to provide technical assistance to system of care communities funded by the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served: (Youth) with Mental Health Issues
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals: Technical Assistance
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Cultural Competence, Transition, Alcohol & Drug Abuse
• Systems Addressed: Mental Health, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Education
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Web links, Funding Sources

Disabled American Veterans
With more than 1.2 million members, Disabled American Veterans is an organization of disabled veterans who are focused on building better lives for disabled veterans and their families.
The organization accomplishes this goal by providing free assistance to veterans in obtaining benefits and services earned through their military service. It is fully funded through its membership dues and public contributions. It is not a government agency and receives no government funds.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency
• Audience For Entry: Youth
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Trauma
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered:

National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
The National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD) aims to advance the clinical care and social welfare of U.S. Veterans through research, education and training on PTSD and stress-related disorders. This site is an educational resource on PTSD and traumatic stress, for veterans and also for mental health care providers, researchers and the general public.

• Entry Type: Organization/Agency, Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals, Youth, Families
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Trauma
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Tools, Publications, Web links, Research

Special Education Rights and Responsibilities (SERR) Manual
This 12 chapter manual covers special education and early intervention law and advocacy guidance, for youth ages 0-22. It also includes information on discipline rights for youth with disabilities (ch.8) and inter-agency responsibility for related services (ch. 9).

• Entry Type: Resource
• Audience For Entry: Professionals
• Service Area: National
• Population Served:
• Services Offered To Youth:
• Services Offered To Professionals:
• Services Offered To Families:
• Subjects: Advocacy
• Systems Addressed:
• Resource Types Offered: Publications