Community Spotlight

Kids Matter Inc. was recently honored by Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in recognition of service to child crime victims in the community.

Pictured: District Attorney John Chisholm, Kids Matter staff members, Marlow Fowlkes-Ware, Heather Tousignant, Susan Conwell, Anita Cruise and County Executive Scott Walker

Foster Care Resources from Connectforkids.org

From Youth Communication: New Comprehensive Site for Youth in Foster Care
Teens leaving or aging out of foster care in New York have a new one-stop hub for information, inspiration and real resources to help them transition to adulthood. The site -- developed by New York City Administration for Children's Services; New Yorkers For Children; and Youth Communication -- houses teen-written stories, legal and educational information and links to programs and services. Other states and cities can use it as a model for making resources available to teens, foster parents and staff.

Keith Hefner, executive director of Youth Communication, tells Connect for Kids, "We don't think teens will go to the site simply because it exists. In many cases they'll go because an adult points them in the right direction."

New: CWLA Radio
Another new resource! On the Line with CWLA is an interactive, live Internet radio program devoted to discussions about the welfare of America's vulnerable children. It features numerous points of view and voices of experience within the child welfare universe. You can listen online.

OFA Scholarships for Former Foster Youth
The Orphan Foundation of America, which administers the Casey Family Scholars program, is now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year. Eligible former foster youth who are pursuing postsecondary education can receive up to $10,000 per year.

Audio Recording: Racial Disparity in the Child Welfare System
During a recent Chapin Hall policy forum, Research Fellow Fred Wulczyn discussed a study that found African-American infants are nearly three times more likely than white infants to be placed in foster care. Child welfare administrators on the panel discussed initiatives in New York City and Washington, D.C. to reverse the tide of racial disparity.

Child Well-Being

Reducing Maternal Depression and Its Impact on Young Children
Maternal depression is a significant risk factor affecting the well-being and school readiness of young children. Low-income mothers of young children experience particularly high levels of depression, often in combination with other risk factors. This National Center for Children in Poverty policy brief examines why addressing maternal depression should be a key element of school readiness efforts.

For Fatherhood Programs: Mental Health Services
An estimated six million men struggle with significant mental health challenges every year, according to the National Institute of Health. Assisting fathers in programs to access mental health services can be effective -- the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse has resources and tools to help.