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Families, Communities, and Social Systems

We youth and family well-being by strengthening systems so children, youth, and families—especially those in tough circumstances—can thrive. We work within and foster collaboration across systems–mental health/substance abuse, juvenile justice, child welfare, health and education, strengthening their capacity to use evidence–based strategies. Using research and data, we plan, transform and evaluate policies and practices and design new studies to measure impact and generate new knowledge. We engage stakeholders and consumers, enabling their voices to shape the policies and services that affect them.

Child Welfare
Disability and Rehabilitation
Housing and Homelessness
Juvenile Justice
LGBTQ Youth
Mental Health
Mentoring and Re-entry
Social and Emotional Learning
Substance Abuse Disorders
Trauma-Informed Care
Violence Prevention
Youth-Serving Systems

Latest Work

14 Jun 2017
Toolkit

Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines

Nationwide, more than 400 juvenile drug treatment courts (JDTCs) offer a way to respond to the complex needs of youth with substance use disorders, which often require specialized interventions.

Topic: 
Families, Communities, and Social Systems, Juvenile Justice, Substance Abuse Disorders
18 May 2017
Infographic

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In 2015, about 15 percent of U.S. fourth-graders and 7 percent of U.S. eighth-graders reported experiencing bullying at least once a month. These percentages were lower than the international averages of 16 and 8 percent

Indicators of School Crime and Safety 2016 Compares Bullying Internationally

According to data from the 2016 Indicators of School Crime and Safety report, in 2015, about 15 percent of U.S. fourth-graders and 7 percent of U.S. eighth-graders reported experiencing bullying at least once a month. These percentages were lower than the international averages of 16 and 8 percent; this infographic breaks down the differences by country.
Topic: 
P-12 Education and Social Development, School Crime and Safety, School Climate and Safety, School Discipline, Families, Communities, and Social Systems
16 May 2017
Spotlight

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Counselor and young girl

Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health Awareness focuses on increasing understanding of mental health issues and the wide swath they cut through our society, encouraging those affected to reach out, and exploring what can help. Learn more about mental health issues and strategies in these selected resources.
Topic: 
Social and Emotional Learning, Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan, Mental Health, Families, Communities, and Social Systems, Juvenile Justice, Trauma-Informed Care
May 2017
Project

Expanding Medication-Assisted Treatment in Rural Primary Care

Oklahoma is among the states hardest hit by a combination of national trends in nonmedical uses of opioid prescription drugs, past-year heroin use, and opioid-related mortality. In response AIR is developing, implementing, and testing an intervention to support primary care providers in four regions of rural Oklahoma to adopt medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as an evidence-based strategy for treating persons with opioid use disorder.
May 2017
Project

Indicators of School Crime and Safety

The purpose of this project is to plan, research, design, and execute the annual Indicators of School Crime and Safety, a flagship report co-sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

28 Mar 2017
Report

The Years Before School: Children’s Nonparental Care Arrangements From 2001 to 2012

Previous research has shown that about 60 percent of the nearly 24 million children age 5 and under living in the United States have some type of nonparental care arrangement before entering kindergarten. This report presents findings on nonparental care over time, specifically on the arrangements children participate in, the time they spend in these arrangements, and the out-of-pocket expense for these arrangements.
Topic: 
Families, Communities, and Social Systems
1 Feb 2017
Brief

Mentoring for At-Risk High School Students: Findings From a Study of Check & Connect

To improve graduation rates, districts and schools need clear, evidence-based information about the impact of dropout prevention strategies. Check & Connect is a mentoring program designed to promote positive outcomes (including student engagement, progress and persistence, and school completion) through the provision of continuous, individualized student support. This research brief describes a longitudinal study of Check & Connect in a large, urban district in California.
Topic: 
P-12 Education and Social Development, Families, Communities, and Social Systems, Mentoring
Feb 2017
Project

Transitional Housing for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence: A 2014-15 Snapshot

The Snapshot explores challenges facing transitional housing programs serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and examines underlying issues, contributing factors, and diverse approaches taken to address those challenges.
31 Jan 2017
Video

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Gaby Fain on early childhood education

Lessons From Abroad: Ensuring High-Quality Early Care and Education in the U.S.

High-quality early care and education (ECE) provides an important foundation for young children’s success in school and in life. Yet fewer than two of three U.S. children are enrolled in center-based ECE programs. Gabriele Fain examines ECE internationally and the factors that may contribute to the high rate of participation in many European countries.
Topic: 
Families, Communities, and Social Systems, Early Childhood, Early Childhood and Child Development
13 Jan 2017
Video

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Boy and man holding hands

Family Engagement: Strengthening Family Involvement to Improve Outcomes for Children

Family engagement seeks better outcomes for children and families by actively involving them in the different systems that serve them. Lacy Wood and Rebecca Ornelas discuss how family engagement may improve both academic outcomes and mental health for children.
Topic: 
P-12 Education and Social Development, Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan, Families, Communities, and Social Systems, Youth-Serving Systems
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FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS

Child Welfare

Disability and Rehabilitation

Housing and Homelessness

Juvenile Justice

LGBTQ Youth

Mental Health

Mentoring

Social and Emotional Learning

Substance Abuse Disorders

Trauma-Informed Care

Violence Prevention

Youth-Serving Systems

RESEARCH. EVALUATION. APPLICATION. IMPACT.

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