Announcements

This consumer guide (PDF, 24 pages) offers people with past or current problematic substance use a straightforward exploration of the roles, values, and work environments of professional peer specialists. This guide is a comprehensive resource that will help readers understand who professional peer specialists are, what they do in various work settings, and how to access and pay for their services. Learn more. 

These checklists are designed to help families with children prepare for an emergency. Parents and other caregivers can learn which items to consider including in an emergency kit and how to turn this task into a fun game for the family. Checklists are available for families with children or pets and for families with children with special healthcare needs. Learn more. 

The Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) is seeking school-based health center (SBHC) providers to help validate a checklist of LGBTQ+ supportive practices. This work is part of an HHS-funded study on enhancing services and supports for LGBTQ+ high school students who access SBHCs. Learn more. 

In this webinar series (PDF, 2 pages), presenters will share strengths and experiences around uplifting and supporting Native youth. The series is designed for Tribal health educators, teachers, parents, prevention specialists, and other adults who share a passion for improving the lives of Native youth. Webinar topics include: 

• Sexual Health 101: February 14, 2024, 1:00 pm ET 

• Swab Squad to the Rescue: March 13, 2024, 1:00 pm ET 

• Substance Misuse 101: April 10, 2024, 1:00 pm ET 

• Being a Good Relative 101: May 8, 2024, 1:00 pm ET 

• Celebrating Culture and Community 101: June 12, 2024, 1:00 pm ET 

Sessions include new resources and opportunities to engage with topical experts. Learn more and register. 

This four-part webinar series seeks to deepen practitioners’ ability to provide healing care to transitional-aged young people who access mental health and community-based services. Through generative conversation, expert panel discussions, active learning experiences, and the exploration of tangible action steps, participants will expand their existing orientation to their work with transitional aged youth to encompass a more culturally sustaining and affirming approach. Session topics include:  

• Session 1 - Trauma-Informed Care Meets Healing-Centered Care: February 28, 2024, 6:00–7:30 pm ET 

• Session 2 - Challenging Oppression in Healing Work: March 27, 2024, 6:00–7:30 pm ET 

• Session 3 - Uplifting Culturally Sustaining Practices in Substance Use Prevention: April 24, 2024, 6:00–7:30 pm ET 

• Session 4 - Honoring and Supporting Peer Support in Healing-Centered Approaches: May 22, 2024, April 24, 2024, 6:00–7:30 pm ET 

Community-based organizations, institutions, and mental health professionals, including peer support specialists, therapists, psychologists, counselors, and others who support the mental health and wellness of transition-aged youth are invited to attend. Learn more and register. 

This report (PDF, 26 pages) provides a summary of demographic data collected by the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program for the 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22 school years. Information on the number of students experiencing homelessness, their primary nighttime residence, subgroups of students, and race/ethnicity of students experiencing homelessness is included. Learn more. 

ACF invites young people to get involved with We Think Twice™ by becoming a We Think Twice Insider. We Think Twice™ is a movement designed with teens, for teens, to help young people make healthy decisions, set goals, manage money, improve leadership skills, look out for their mental health, and resist peer pressure. We Think Twice Insiders will provide feedback on new ideas, designs, and products for the We Think Twice™ campaign. Young people must be between 13-19 years old to join. Learn more.

This brief (PDF, 11 pages) provides policy considerations that help young people and their families foster economic self-sufficiency through financial literacy and independence. These strategies can reduce financial pressures for young people as they transition to employment and adulthood. Learn more (PDF, 11 pages).

Date: February 29, 2024, 3:00 - 4:30pm ET

During this webinar, experts will discuss AmeriCorps' approach for growing evidence-building innovations, present findings, and share best practices for responding to localized community health capacity needs. Learn more and register.

This publication (PDF, 5 pages) provides policy considerations to help states improve mental health service delivery for youth with marginalized racial identities through cultural responsiveness, health care access, and workforce supports. These considerations were drawn from a virtual roundtable on improving mental health service delivery for youth and young adults with marginalized racial identities. Learn more (PDF, 5 pages).

OJJDP celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The JJDPA authorizes OJJDP to provide funds to states that follow a series of federal protections for youth in the justice system. This webpage describes the "core protections" outlined in the Act and shares an overview of the JJDPA timeline. Learn more.

May is National Adolescent Health Month (NAHM). NAHM emphasizes the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging meaningful youth engagement in adolescent health activities, and highlighting key topics in adolescent health. Weekly themes for the 2024 NAHM will be announced early Spring. Learn more.

This webpage provides an overview of a college and university’s obligation to provide auxiliary aid to qualified students who have disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Examples of auxiliary aids and a discussion of their cost and effectiveness are provided. Answers to frequently asked questions are included. Learn more. 

This infographic (PDF, 3 pages) describes what human trafficking is, how to prevent it in school communities, and what to do to support students affected by the crime. Additional resources are provided. Learn more (PDF, 3 pages). 

This document (PDF, 24 pages) is designed shares information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) assistive technology (AT) requirements, dispels common misconceptions regarding AT, provides examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities, and highlights the different requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA. The document is designed for parents, early intervention service providers, special educators, general educators, related services personnel, school and district administrators, technology specialists and directors, and employees at state lead agencies and educational agencies. Learn more (PDF, 24 pages). 

This webpage contains a step-by-step guide for making a pinhole camera to watch a solar eclipse safely and easily. Learn more. 

This guide (PDF, 7 pages) introduces programs that are using intergenerational engagement to address social isolation and loneliness. The guide shares tips to help organizations build their own intergenerational programing. Learn more (PDF, 7 pages). 

This fact sheet (PDF, 3 pages) offers culturally appropriate and trauma-informed strategies that promote positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and increase the emotional resilience of children, youth, and families. Learn more. 

This 30 second audio file is intended to promote 988 and its services for radio or podcast use. Learn more. 

This report (PDF, 26 pages) describes policies and practices that selected colleges have implemented to help survivors continue their education. The report also explores repayment options that can help eligible survivors manage their federal student loans. Learn more (PDF, 26 pages).