Breadcrumb
- Federal Resources
Federal Resources
Administration for Children and Families
This site provides information about resources for children, youth, and families, including child care, Head Start, child support enforcement, domestic violence services, runaway and homeless youth programs, child welfare services, and more.
Guide to Community Preventive Services
The Guide to Community Preventive Services is a free resource listing programs and policies that improve health and prevent disease. The Program Planning Resources section of the site outlines the types of steps that are generally used in program planning, along with selected resources that may be useful at each step.
National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NCFY)
NCFY is a free information service for Community, organizations, and individuals interested in developing new and effective strategies for supporting young people and their families. Their website includes youth development resources, funding announcements for FYSB's programs, free publications, and a calendar of conferences and trainings.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
Reports: Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network
These reports estimate the number of children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities living in different areas of the United States. New data indicate that 1 in 68 school-aged children are on the autism spectrum, highlighting the importance of services and supports for these children now and as they grow into adolescence and adulthood.
Resource: Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
This program connects federal and private sector employers with college students and recent graduates with disabilities seeking summer or permanent employment. WRP recruiters from federal agencies conduct personal interviews with interested candidates, who are then included in a searchable database that is available to hiring officials in federal agencies. Colleges and universities can apply to host interviews with WRP recruiters, and students and employers can apply to gain access to the database.
Resource: Benefits for Children with Disabilities
This resource (PDF, 20 pages) can help parents, caregivers, or representatives of children younger than age 18 who have disabilities understand Supplemental Security Income payments and Social Security Disability Insurance, including the rules and processes.
Directory of Community-Based Organizations Serving People with Disabilities
With support from CDC’s NCBDDD, the National Association of County and City Health Officials has developed the Directory of Community-Based Organizations Serving People with Disabilities. This resource provides an overview of organizations that serve people with disabilities in communities across the country.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children
This resource offers information about the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for children, which provides critical financial assistance to children with qualifying disabilities and limited resources. The infographic defines “disability”, describes program eligibility, and shares how to apply for SSI.
Youth Advisory Councils
Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) provide ongoing advice and support to school districts on policies and practices that affect students. This webpage provides a detailed overview of Youth Advisory Councils (YACs). It describes the role YACs play in improving the schools and communities they serve, discusses how they can use data to make decisions and create action plans, and outlines the structure of a YAC.
John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (the Chafee program) provides funding to support youth/ young adults in or formerly in foster care in their transition to adulthood. The program is funded through formula grants awarded to child welfare agencies in States (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and participating Tribes. Chafee funds are used to assist youth/ young adults in a wide variety of areas designed to support a successful transition to adulthood. Activities and programs include, but are not limited to, help with education, employment, financial management, housing, emotional support and assured connections to caring adults. Specific services and supports are determined by the child welfare agency, vary by State, locality and agency, and are often based on the individual needs of the young person. Many State or local agencies contract with private organizations to deliver services to young people.
3 Bold Steps for School Community Change
Based on the lessons learned from the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, the toolkit cultivates an approach that has left a legacy of success in schools and communities. This toolkit will show you how partnerships with representatives from sectors including education, law enforcement, mental health, juvenile justice, children’s services, families, and faith-based associations can take Three Bold Steps to create positive lasting change among our nation’s students.
ADHD Treatments for Children: Be Sure They Get What’s Best
This blog post provides guidance to parents with children who have been recently diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including information on medication and therapy. The blog also provides a list of recommended resources.
Adolescents Play a Key Role in Their Own ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
The increased frequency of diagnosis in the past 10 years of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children prompted a review of diagnostic and treatment guidelines for ADHD that resulted in new recommended best practices for evaluating and treating adolescents with ADHD. These guidelines point to a need for adolescents with ADHD to take an active role in their own diagnosis and treatment.
Adolescent Health
CDC's overview topic page on adolescent health, including alcohol, tobacco, and substance use; adolescent injuries; and youth violence.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the world’s largest, ongoing telephone health survey system, tracking health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States yearly since 1984. Currently, data are collected monthly in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Behavioral Health, United States, 2012
This publication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration draws on 40 different data sources to provide national estimates of numerous aspects of behavioral health in children, youth, and adults, including the prevalence of substance abuse and mental health disorders, rates of behavioral health service utilization, and the numbers of providers and facilities providing treatment.
Caring for Every Child's Mental Health
SAMHSA's "Caring for Every Child's Mental Health" public awareness effort was created in 1994 with the mission to increase awareness around children's mental health.
Bringing Communities Together for Mental Health — Leaders Guide
This guide provides information to faith and community leaders (PDF, 4 pages) about mental health and the significant role they can play in helping individuals and families who are facing mental health challenges.
Bullying and Suicide: A Public Health Approach
A special online supplement from the Journal of Adolescent Health reports on the findings of an expert panel convened by the CDC to better understand the link between bullying and suicide-related behaviors.
CDC Data on Rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder
This report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 1 in 88 children in the United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder and more children are being diagnosed by age 3.
Centers for the Application of Prevention Technologies
This is the national website of the CAPTs. The CAPTs are regional technical assistance providers for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), an agency of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The CAPTs assist states and jurisdictions and community based organizations in the application of evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs, practices, and policies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event
The effects of a disaster, terrorist attack, or other public health emergency can be long-lasting, and the resulting trauma can reverberate even with those not directly affected by the disaster. This page provides general strategies for promoting mental health and resilience that were developed by various organizations based on experiences in prior disasters.
Children's Health Insurance Program
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides free or low-cost health coverage for more than 7 million children up to age 19. CHIP covers U.S. citizens and eligible immigrants.
Changing the Story about Mental Health in America
First Lady Michelle Obama announced the launch of The Campaign to Change Direction, a new initiative to raise awareness about mental health. Spearheaded by Give an Hour and co-sponsored by SAMHSA, this campaign aims to change the conversation about mental health in America and to encourage people to be aware of the signs of distress in others and themselves.