Annie E. Casey Foundation

Work­ers suc­ceed when they are sup­port­ed at work, feel con­nect­ed to their col­leagues and under­stand their role in the work­place. Invest­ing in sup­port­ive work envi­ron­ments helps every­one, includ­ing young peo­ple who’ve been in fos­ter care, show up and be their best selves. A new toolkit funded by Annie E. Casey Foundation helps workforce and child welfare leaders create environments where young workers can thrive and organizations can benefit from their strengths. Young people played a critical role in shaping this resource. Two youth fellows helped lead virtual site visits, synthesized key insights and collaborated with practitioners. We also engaged young leaders in a working session to identify the toolkit’s core elements. Their voices and perspectives were essential throughout the process. In this video, I share why supportive workplaces matter and how we can all help connect young people to meaningful opportunities. Find the full tool kit on our website: https://lnkd.in/gz5JcTVA

Nationwide, more than 3.6 million children — 5% of all kids — lived in unsafe communities in 2020–2021. However, this percentage varies by state, from 2% in Wyoming to 10% in New York.

“They’re just not allowed to have a bad day. ‘We have a bad day, that means we get put on medication.’ Those kinds of stories I’ve been hearing for 30 years.” Federal audits have found that children in foster care were being prescribed psychotropic medications at significantly higher rates than other youth, often beginning in early childhood. Despite these findings, at least 10 states still lack formal guidelines on how these medications should be used with children in foster care.

Young people are motivated and curious about a wide range of careers. When they have early exposure to work and opportunities to build skills, they’re more likely to find steady jobs and earn wages that can support a family later on. Experiences like internships, apprenticeships and summer jobs help young people gain confidence, credentials and connections that shape their future.

AI is now part of daily life in many classrooms. But what students need to learn — and who gets to learn it — remains a complex question. While there’s growing consensus that students should learn how AI works and what its limitations are, few schools have clear frameworks in place. Access to AI tools and instruction often depends on district budgets, teacher capacity and local priorities, raising concerns about how to ensure all students are prepared for an AI-driven world.

Is it time to rethink how we do school? In 2022, over 2 million students between the ages of 16 and 24 left school without earning a high school diploma or GED. But what if we could change that by taking an innovative approach to education? In part three of our three-part series about helping young people thrive economically within safe communities, Allison Gerber (The Annie E. Casey Foundation) and Betsy Delgado (Goodwill Excel Center DC) join us for a conversation about how education doesn't have to be one-size-fits-all. Together, they’ll provide a look at the unique journeys of many students today and the tools they need to continue their education and thrive. Driving home the point that investing in student success matters for all of us, they show us the importance of alternative learning models. Listen to Good Things from Lemonada Media here:https://lnkd.in/gRiGD27u

Every young person should have enough money to cover their needs, explore opportunities and work toward their future goals — without constant financial stress. Our new newsletter, Financial Well-Being News, shares lessons on how we can help young people and families have the confidence and resources to meet their current and ongoing financial obligations, feel secure about their financial futures and make choices that allow them to enjoy life. Read the first newsletter here:

We’re proud to announce the 16 leaders selected for the 13th class of our Children and Family Fellowship®. These accomplished leaders will use the Fellowship to work within their agencies, organizations and communities toward specific, measurable improvements for large numbers of young people and families. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eYcs3JJ9

Head Start and the expansion of state-funded programs since the 1990s have greatly increased access to preschool. In 2022, more than 750,000 children nationwide attended a Head Start program, with California and Texas enrolling the highest number of kids.

Young people with foster care experience bring valuable skills to the workforce, but they also face unique challenges. A supportive work environment helps all workers thrive — including those with experience in foster care — by helping them fully engage and reach their potential. In this video, Casey’s Catherine Lester introduces a new tool kit that helps professionals better advocate for and support young workers with foster care experience. Read the Q&A and download the tool kit to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eR8kQBHc