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Report

July 2023 Co-Monitors’ Supplemental Report Regarding the South Carolina Placement Crisis

October 2023

This report was submitted to the Court and the public by the Co-Monitors in response to the escalating DSS placement crisis. It includes a summary and analysis of recent information collected, along with short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations for ways to address the underlying causes of the instability being experienced by children and families engaged with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

Read the full report.

(30 pp)

Cover Small Supplemental Report Re South Carolina's Placement Crisis
Report

Charlie and Nadine H Report on Progress (April 25 – October 25, 2023)

October 2023

This report measures the progress of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families under the Sustainability and Exit Plan and includes performance data for the period of April 25 – October 25, 2023. This release is the final report by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), the court-appointed Monitor in the federal class action lawsuit Charlie and Nadine H. v. Murphy, and marks the successful conclusion of almost two decades of work to improve New Jersey’s child welfare system. 

(53 pp)

Cover Final Charlie And Nadine H Addendum Report For The Transition Period
Policy Paper

Designed to Keep You Down: TANF Creates Obstacles for Families Even as it Provides Critical Support

October 2023

This report shares findings from research conducted by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) and parents participating in Project SPARC (Student Parents Are Reimagining CalWORKs), a project of the CalWORKs Association.

(26 pp)

Designed To Keep You Down Calworks Cover Small2023
Policy Paper

Supporting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care through SNAP

October 2023

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA) includes new provisions which should eliminate some of the barriers former foster youth have  experienced in accessing SNAP. This brief explains the new rules and the steps that state agencies can take to ensure that former foster youth are able to access the critical nutrition assistance they are now owed.

This brief updates a version originally published in 2016.

(11 pp)

Small Cover Supporting Youth Aging Out Of Foster Care With Snap 2023
Policy Paper

Housing is a Barrier for Parenting Students

September 2023

In 2022, the Center for the Study of Social Policy and Project SPARC conducted research to better understand the barriers experienced by parenting students participating in CalWORKs, California’s cash assistance program for families with children. This brief highlights findings from the research on parenting students’ experiences with housing.

(8 pp)

Housing Is A Barrier For Parenting Students
Policy Paper

Parenting Students Need More Support Transferring to a Four-Year Institution

September 2023

In 2022, the Center for the Study of Social Policy and Project SPARC conducted research to better understand the barriers experienced by parenting students in CalWORKs, California’s cash assistance program for families with children. This brief highlights findings from the research on parenting students’ experiences transferring to four-year institutions.

(5 pp)

Parenting Students Need More Support Transferring To A Four Year Institution
Policy Paper

Public Systems Create & Compound Mental Health Challenges for Parenting Students

September 2023

In 2022, the Center for the Study of Social Policy and Project SPARC conducted research to better understand the barriers experienced by parenting students participating in CalWORKs, California’s cash assistance program for families with children. This brief highlights findings from the research on how public systems too often cause and exacerbate stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges for parenting students and their families. While parenting students persevere in order to support their children and pursue their goals, these systemic problems slow their progress and undermine their health and well-being over the long term.

(5 pp)

Public Systems Create & Compound Mental Health Challenges For Parenting Students
Publication

McIntyre v. Howrd, Progress of Kansas Department of Children and Families, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment for Period 2 (January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022)

August 2023

This report assesses the State of Kansas’ progress toward achieving the Performance Goals, Practice Improvements, and Outcomes of the McIntyre v. Howard Settlement Agreement (referred to herein as the Settlement Agreement or Agreement) for calendar year 2022 (CY 2022), as well as State data, as validated by Judith Meltzer and the Center for the Study of Social Policy, the Neutral. It includes a summary of efforts made by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) to meet the Settlement Agreement commitments.

Kansas Report
Report

CARES: Understanding How Transition Age Youth Experience their Communities

July 2023

This report shares findings taken from a Community Analysis and identifies 1) structural challenges that communities face as they work to support transition age youth (TAY); 2) narratives about TAY that contribute to these challenges and policies and practices that create burdens for TAY in meeting their needs; and 3) creative solutions that build the capacity of communities to affirm, include, and support youth transitioning out of foster care. 

(29 pp)

Small Cover Cares Understanding How Transition Age Youth Experience Their Communities
Policy Paper

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): A Vital Resource for Children, Youth, and Families

June 2023

This brief highlights the experiences of children, youth, and families with SNAP, and offers recommendations for improving SNAP so it can more effectively meet families’ needs moving forward. SNAP has the power to advance racial and economic justice.

(3 pp)

SUpplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP