The History of Defining Youth: Current Implications for Identifying and Treating Delinquent Youth

This article presents a historical overview of how legally and socially constructed definitions of childhood and youth have, and continue to, shape the identification, treatment and research surrounding delinquent youth. Even though we age biologically along a continuum, formal social systems, most notably the courts and our system of rights, are based on specific chronological age parameters which impose a rigid element to something that is otherwise fluid. This often results in subjective decision making regarding sanctions and treatment options among family and criminal court systems as well as other professionals who work closely with delinquent youth. This article highlights the importance of considering more than the specific delinquent act in determining the fate of youth. Consideration of individual characteristics and environmental factors will bring us closer to a more comprehensive strategy including intervention efforts to the family and community/ neighborhood level to stimulate long term change

Underserved Adoptive Families: Disparities in Postadoption Access to Information, Resources, and Services

Parents who adopt children from the U.S. foster care system typically do so with assurances from the state that postadoption services will be accessible by the family, if needed, after the adoption is finalized. From the state’s perspective, the foremost purpose of these services is to ensure that the family remains intact, thereby avoiding adoption dissolution—a traumatic and costly outcome whereby the child is returned to state custody. This study looks specifically at underserved adoptive families—those who report needing specific services after adoption finalization, yet who are then unable to access these needed services through the state because of various barriers. Data for the study came from the 2012 U.S. National Adoptive Families Study, an online survey of adoptive parents (N=437) who have adopted at least 1 child from the U.S. foster care system. The data show that specific demographic groups are disproportionately represented among underserved adoptive families, and that certain critically needed postadoption services are rarely rendered by the state. The results also suggest that particular state practices and policies systematically lead to higher rates of underserved adoptive families. Key Take Away Points Nearly 60% of adoptive families in the sample are considered underserved. Non-White adoptive families were more likely to be underserved. Adoptive families adopting older children were more likely to be underserved. Kinship adoptive families were more likely to be underserved. Respite care is a high unmet need for adoptive families. When adoptive families experienced postadoption services as not helpful the first time, they are less likely to return for needed services

Helping Homeless Veterans Find Employment and Pay Child Support: A Program Evaluation of a Pilot Collaboration

Objective: This research evaluates the effectiveness of a pilot collaboration in Georgia (USA) designed to help homeless veterans, with open child support cases,locate employment, find permanent housing, resolve legal issues, and begin making child support payments. Method: The study employed a single group pretest posttest research design (n= 45). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from all 45 participants enrolled in the study. Results: Between baseline and posttest,mean monthly child support payments increased 47% ($55 to$81). While child support payments improved, they remained well below the $396 mean monthly amount owed. Sixty-nine percent of the sample remained unemployed at posttest and presented with major barriers to employment. Half of focus group respondents reported improved housing conditions over the course of the study. While a few veterans reported progress on resolving legal issues, the majority had extant legal issues at the end of the study. Conclusions: While a majority of focus group participants felt their lives had improved, stronger interventions tailored to help participants overcome multiple, complex barriers to employment will be necessary to help homeless veterans secure living wage employment and make substantial child support payments

Underserved Adoptive Families: Disparities in Postadoption Access to Information, Resources, and Services

Parents who adopt children from the U.S. foster care system typically do so with assurances from the state that postadoption services will be accessible by the family, if needed, after the adoption is finalized. From the state’s perspective, the foremost purpose of these services is to ensure that the family remains intact, thereby avoiding adoption dissolution—a traumatic and costly outcome whereby the child is returned to state custody. This study looks specifically at underserved adoptive families—those who report needing specific services after adoption finalization, yet who are then unable to access these needed services through the state because of various barriers. Data for the study came from the 2012 U.S. National Adoptive Families Study, an online survey of adoptive parents (N=437) who have adopted at least 1 child from the U.S. foster care system. The data show that specific demographic groups are disproportionately represented among underserved adoptive families, and that certain critically needed postadoption services are rarely rendered by the state. The results also suggest that particular state practices and policies systematically lead to higher rates of underserved adoptive families