Breadcrumb
- Federal Resources
Federal Resources
"Safe Harbor" Laws: A Systemic Approach to Addressing Child Sex Trafficking
This module was created by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center to help service providers understand the intent of “Safe Harbor” legislation and learn about states that have enacted it.
'Margins of the Margins': FYSB Grantee Coordinates Response to Trafficking in New York
Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families, a New York City-based program, is one of three programs chosen to participate in a two-year demonstration project aimed at helping victims of severe trafficking. In this article, a representative from the organization discusses the project’s goals and wider efforts to combat trafficking in New York.
15+ Take Time to Listen, Make Time to Talk. About Bullying
The 15+ Make Time to Listen...Take Time to Talk campaign is based on the premise that parents who talk with their children about what is happening in their lives are better able to guide their children toward more positive, skill-enhancing activities and friendships. The campaign provides practical guidance for parents and caregivers on how to strengthen their relationship with their children by spending at least 15 minutes of daily, undivided time with them and focusing on them.
2013 Annual Synar Reports: Tobacco Sales to Youth
SAMHSA is charged with implementing the Synar Amendment, which requires states to enact and enforce laws prohibiting the sale or distribution of tobacco to minors (PDF, 8 pages). Major findings from the Synar data compiled from states in 2013 include an upward trend in retailer violation rates, a decline in youth smokers who obtain their tobacco products in retail settings, and the achievement of the overall Synar goal by 50 states and the District of Columbia.
2012 Town Hall Meetings to Prevent Underage Drinking: Moving Communities Beyond Awareness to Action
This report presents the outcomes from a series of town hall meetings to educate communities about underage drinking and engage them in prevention efforts. Brief case studies that illustrate different approaches are included, as well as lessons learned in hosting successful events.
2012 School Health Profiles
The 2012 School Health Profiles include information gathered through surveys conducted in 45 states, 16 large urban school districts, four territories, and two tribal governments on multiple measures related to school health. The report includes background information on the Profiles, a fact sheet on key 2012 results, and a fact sheet on each state, school district, territory, and tribal government on obesity, sexual risk behaviors, and tobacco use.
2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health published 2011 national, state, and local Youth Risk Behavior Survey results. These results show significant improvements in many health behaviors during the past two decades, as well as new possible risks resulting from an increased use of technology.
2013 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance
“Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2013” presents statistics and trends for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States through 2013. The report shows that STDs particularly affect young people, as well as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). The data reflect that cases and rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection are highest in Americans between the ages of 15 and 24. The report also shows that MSM now account for 75% of all syphilis infections, and that 52% of MSM who have primary and secondary syphilis are infected with HIV.
2012 National Health Interview Survey
This report presents data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey for children under 18 years of age on selected measures of health, including asthma, dental care, learning disabilities, days of school missed due to illness, and contact with health care professionals.
2013 Monitoring the Future Survey
The Monitoring the Future survey, conducted annually, measures the current drug use, and attitudes toward drugs, of students in grades 8, 10, and 12 across the country. Results included observed declines in the abuse of prescription opioids, alcohol, and cigarettes by teens, the use of synthetic marijuana, Vicodin, and salvia among twelfth graders, and the use of inhalants by eighth graders, but an increase in teens’ use of Adderall. The results also reveal that less than 40% of high school seniors believed that regular marijuana users risk harming themselves, meaning that the perception by seniors that regular marijuana may be dangerous is the lowest it has been since 1978.
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.
4 Ways to Help Homeless Students Overcome Barriers to Scholarship Funding
Having a GED instead of a high school diploma, difficulty getting parental permission, lack of a GPA, and incomplete transcripts can all be obstacles that homeless students can face when seeking scholarship funding. In this blog post, Cyekeia Lee, director of higher education initiatives at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, shares strategies for youth-serving professionals who are helping students navigate the scholarship application process.
58 Million Americans Exposed to Secondhand Smoke: CDC
Despite an overall decline in smoking, 58 million nonsmokers are still being exposed to secondhand smoke, says data from the CDC. 40 percent of children aged 3 to 11 are breathing in secondhand smoke, with 70 percent of black children experiencing exposure.
Adolescent Hispanic U.S. Street Gangs
This factsheet, available in English and Spanish, presents information about Hispanic and Latino gangs and provides recommendations for working with Hispanic and Latino gang members
Accelerating HPV Vaccine Uptake: Urgency for Action to Prevent Cancer
This report, released by the President’s Cancer Panel, outlines the case for HPV vaccination and the urgency for action. The report presents three goals: to reduce missed opportunities to recommend/administer HPV vaccines; to increase acceptance of the vaccines among parents, caregivers, and youth; and to maximize access to HPV vaccination services
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.
A Shot of Truth: Myth Busting Excessive Alcohol Use
Excessive alcohol use is a serious problem and one that is also often misunderstood. This blog post busts some of the common myths about excessive alcohol use and provides information on responsible alcohol use.
After the Hurricane: Helping Young Children Heal
Young children, toddlers, and preschoolers—even babies—know when bad things happen, and they remember what they have been through. Here are some ways you can help them. This tip sheet was prepared by the Child Trauma Research Project of the University of California San Francisco, part of the Early Trauma Treatment Network.
Adolescent Health
CDC's overview topic page on adolescent health, including alcohol, tobacco, and substance use; adolescent injuries; and youth violence.
Adventures in Parenting
Based on decades of NICHD research on parenting, this booklet gives parents the tools they need to make their own decisions about successful parenting. The booklet provides real-world examples and stories about how some families include responding, preventing, monitoring, modeling, and mentoring in their own daily parenting activities.
Adolescents Living with a Parent Who Drives Under the Influence Are at Increased Risk for Driving Under the Influence Themselves
A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that 16 and 17 year olds, living with parents who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are far more likely to drive under the influence than adolescents whose parents do not drive under the influence.
Affordable Care Act Offers Behavioral Health Services to AI/AN Communities
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) improves access to health coverage, including coverage for mental health or substance abuse treatment, for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This article outlines the benefits of the ACA for AI/AN communities, how to get more information, and how to enroll.
ACF Recovering from Disasters and Other Disruptions
After disasters and other breaks in continuity of services, child welfare agencies' tasks are continuing to manage, capturing lessons learned, and rebuilding better systems. In this section you will find federal and state resources for longer term recovery and rebuilding from natural disasters or other major unexpected events, including resources on mental health services and research.
Administration for Native Americans
The mission of ANA is to promote the goal of self-sufficiency and cultural preservation for Native Americans by providing social and economic development opportunities through financial assistance, training, and technical assistance to eligible Tribes and Native American communities, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native Pacific Islanders organizations. ANA provides funding for community-based projects that are designed to improve the lives of Native children and families and reduce long-term dependency on public assistance.