Across the political spectrum, unwed fatherhood is denounced as one of the leading social problems of today. Doing the Best I Can is a strikingly rich, paradigm-shifting look at fatherhood among inner-city men often dismissed as “deadbeat dads.” Kathryn Edin and Timothy J. Nelson examine how couples in challenging straits come together and get pregnant so quickly—without planning. The authors chronicle the high hopes for forging lasting family bonds that pregnancy inspires, and pinpoint the fatal flaws that often lead to the relationship’s demise. They offer keen insight into a radical…
In light of the momentum building to improve the fortunes of young men of color, this review takes a look at what is known about this population and highlights programs that are shown by rigorous research to be making a difference. It first examines the special challenges and struggles of these young men in the labor market, including problems related to their disproportionate involvement in the criminal justice system and their experiences in the educational system. A growing number of young men of color have become disconnected from the positive systems, institutions, and pathways designed…
Over the last year, the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), which manages the Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare, has reviewed data and research literature, talked to young African American men who are in - or had been in - foster care and identified initiatives and strategies that are showing promise. This paper is a product of that work and is intended to: Summarize what we know about the situation of African American males involved with the child welfare system; Outline an approach to more effective action to improve outcomes for these boys and young men; and…
Intended to advance conversations about racial equity and providing children of color with the opportunities they need to thrive, this report presents data by race and ethnicity on indicators that suggest whether children are succeeding in each stage of life, from birth through young adulthood and are on the path to economic success. The indicators measure racial differences in the following areas: babies born at normal birth weight; children ages 3 to 5 enrolled in nursery school, preschool, or kindergarten; fourth graders who scored at or above proficient in reading; eighth graders who…
As part of its 90-day report, the Task Force has identified a set of initial recommendations to the President, and a blueprint for action by government, business, non-profit, philanthropic, faith and community partners. In developing its recommendations, the Task Force identified key milestones in the path to adulthood that are especially predictive of later success, and where interventions can have the greatest impact:- Getting a healthy start and entering school ready to learn;- Reading at grade level by third grade;- Graduating from high school ready for college and career;- Completing…
A Time for Action lays out a vision to increase opportunity for boys and young men of color and benefit the entire country. While it focuses on systems, policies and practices to improve life outcomes for young men of color, the recommended actions also help to create the conditions for children and young adults to thrive, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender. The report highlights four key areas where collective action by the public and private sector will make the most significant difference: health, education, career and justice. This includes creating school environments to help boys…
This paper provides background information on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), explains the basic requirements of ICWA, provides an overview of tribal child welfare and court systems, discusses disproportionality and its relationship to trends in ICWA compliance, highlights promising practices in State policy and practice that support ICWA, and underscores the necessity of working with tribal advocates on State child welfare policy change. Key ICWA requirements are summarized, as well as recommended practices that address State law, intergovernmental agreements, tribal-state forums,…
This report presents the recommendations of the Attorney’s General’s Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence, a task force established in 2013 to make high-level policy recommendations to Attorney General Eric Holder on ways to address issues around American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children exposed to violence. To gather information for the recommendations, hearings and Listening Sessions were conducted nationwide to learn from key practitioners, advocates, academicians, policy makers, and the public about the issue of AI/AN children exposed to…
