Chapin Hall

When youth transition out of foster care, the challenges are significant—but so are the opportunities. Supervised Independent Living Programs (SILPs) can improve youth outcomes in higher education, stable employment, safe , and self-sufficiency.

These programs are most effective when they’re inclusive and tailored to the unique needs of Black, Brown, and + youth who are disproportionately impacted by foster care. By prioritizing funding, collaboration, and cultural competence, we can help more young people successfully transition to adulthood. Explore insights in our new policy report:
https://www.chapinhall.org/project/supervised-independent-living-programs-should-integrate-cultural-competence-and-rigorous-monitoring/

Chapin Hall’s Sarah Berger Gonzalez and Madeline Youngren write for The Imprint on how 's recent ruling that allows localities to impose criminal penalties for camping and public sleeping shortchanges the futures of youth experiencing : https://imprintnews.org/opinion/supreme-court-decision-youth-homelessness/251340

Youth experiencing homelessness need help. And this ruling just made it harder for them.

Supreme Court Decision Makes Criminals of Homeless Youth| The Imprint A Supreme Court decision will have profound impacts on how state and local governments address homelessness, without adequate focus on youth.

Tune into a powerful conversation with Clare Anderson, Senior Policy Fellow at Chapin Hall. She describes how 40 years of data tells us that investing in economic stability keeps families together and improves well-being. Hear how multiple states are using this evidence to change policy and funding to support families before they reach a crisis point.

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-evidence-says-investing-in-families-improves-well/id1740987908?i=1000667037907

Spotify -
https://open.spotify.com/episode/04Bq5miTHuRDCc8xihBHv5?si=f8d5d9d3b97040ba


Jones, Hinkle, Matt Anderson

How do we prevent and in the US?

Explore insights in chapter 8 of the latest Research Handbook on Homelessness, titled "Preventing and ending youth homelessness in the US." This work was co-authored by Chapin Hall expert Amy Dworsky with colleagues Matt Morton and Shannon Kugley: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/research-handbook-on-homelessness-9781800883406.html

Edward Elgar Publishing

Previously, this went out without Dana's photo, so here's the full version to properly celebrate!

Senior Policy Fellow Dana Weiner is one of the best illustrations of someone who fully integrates research and policy expertise – generating and applying evidence toward maximum impact for children and families. She is an accomplished researcher, methodologist, translator and advisor, and she helped build up Chapin Hall's policy unit and the data analytic team within it.

Over the past ten years, Dana has been key to numerous projects at Chapin Hall, some of which include leading our Family First Implementation Collaborative and being the lead author of our first brief on economic and concrete supports, which launched an important family strengthening portfolio. Currently, Dana is Chief Officer for the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation in the office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and is helping re-shape systems to better meet the needs of young people and their families.

Dana is not only an exceptional leader, but a strong role model, mentor, and friend to many in our organization. She is the first to step up, and she lifts others up with her. It’s with great appreciation that we celebrate her anniversary. Happy anniversary, Dana, and thank you for everything you have contributed to Chapin Hall! Learn more about Dana: https://www.chapinhall.org/person/dana-weiner/

Building and Sustaining the Child Care and Early Education Workforce: Secondary Data Analysis Series This series reports findings from analyses of existing data, including administrative data, to address questions about how teachers acquire credentials, enter, stay in, and exit the CCEE field.

Researchers routinely use publicly available datasets to answer questions. But its unclear how often researchers consider whether the dataset could be racially or ethnically biased. Such a bias could have implications for analysis and data interpretations.​

Try using our Racial Bias in Data Assessment Tool to assess a survey datasets for racial and ethic : https://www.chapinhall.org/project/new-tool-to-assess-survey-data-for-racial-bias/

People who used the tool told us:​
☑️ references in the tool provided helpful information and guidance ​
☑️ it was a useful teaching tool

Policy Analyst Sean Hyland is a deep thinker and conscientious team member. He has a passion for acquiring new skills and is always eager to share what he learns with others. He's an accomplished writer and has contributed to several key publications, including a guide to help case workers match families with the right services, a report elevating culturally specific evidence-based programs, and an implementation science curriculum for agencies.

We especially admire his commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ( ). He has served as a member of Chapin Hall's Race Equity Principals Workgroup and Culture and Climate Committee, and he goes above and beyond to apply DEI principles to policy findings and his work with clients.

Happy Anniversary, Sean! Learn more about Sean: https://www.chapinhall.org/person/sean-hyland/

How prevalent is ? Who does it impact? And what kind of actions can we take to prevent and end it for good?

Explore several dozen graphics visualizing data from our seminal Voices of Youth Count Study for insights:
https://www.chapinhall.org/voices-of-youth-count-graphics/
You can use these to educate yourself on this issue and communicate it to others!

The Safe & Connected™ practice model helps practitioners work closely with families and their support systems to reduce unnecessary child welfare involvement. It's grounded in values of curiosity and conversation, social justice, , knowledge building, and participation.

Learn about the evidence-base we are building for this model: https://www.chapinhall.org/project/keeping-families-safe-and-connected/

Using datasets that contain racial or ethnic can have broad implications for research analysis and downstream effects on the children and families you're trying to support. ​

If you're using a public survey dataset in your research, you should consider assessing it for potential racial and ethnic bias using our Racial Bias Tool. ​

What did people who used the tool think of it? They said: ​
☑️ it provided specific steps on reducing risk of racial/ethnic bias ​
☑️ topics in the tool taught them different ways datasets can contain this bias​

Explore: https://www.chapinhall.org/project/new-tool-to-assess-survey-data-for-racial-bias/

Thinking about Economic and Concrete Supports for children and families? You're not alone. Seems everyone in is.

Watch our webinar on results of a national survey conducted by Chapin Hall and APHSA, which focused on how child welfare leaders perceive and use economic and concrete supports to prevent family child welfare involvement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLodGm9vGis&t=114s

You'll learn about key findings and challenges in aligning human service agencies to better support families.

National Survey Results and Progress with Economic and Concrete Supports This webinar explores the results of a national survey conducted by Chapin Hall and APHSA, focusing on how child welfare leaders perceive and use economic an...

Senior Policy Fellow Dana Weiner is one of the best illustrations of someone who fully integrates research and policy expertise – generating and applying evidence toward maximum impact for children and families. She is an accomplished researcher, methodologist, translator and advisor, and she helped build up Chapin Hall's policy unit and the data analytic team within it.

Over the past ten years, Dana has been key to numerous projects at Chapin Hall, some of which include leading our Family First Implementation Collaborative and being the lead author of our first brief on economic and concrete supports, which launched an important family strengthening portfolio. Currently, Dana is Chief Officer for the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation in the office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and is helping re-shape systems to better meet the needs of young people and their families.

Dana is not only an exceptional leader, but a strong role model, mentor, and friend to many in our organization. She is the first to step up, and she lifts others up with her. It’s with great appreciation that we celebrate her anniversary. Happy anniversary, Dana, and thank you for everything you have contributed to Chapin Hall! Learn more about Dana:

Dana Weiner – Chapin Hall Policy research that benefits children, families, and their communities

Summer is coming to an end already and students are getting back to school. How can we help students who were or are in achieve their educational goals?

Research from the University of Illinois's Judy Havlicek and Chapin Hall's Amy Dworsky and Elissa Gitlow shows students who are or were in foster care in Illinois are not well aware of supports available to them and that community colleges in the state have a hard time identifying these students. See the study and their recommendations for better supporting these students:
https://www.chapinhall.org/research/foster-youth-not-receiving-needed-supports-from-community-colleges/

Join us for the 2024 PA Child Abuse Prevention Symposium!

Learn, engage, and network with expert speakers presenting innovative topics that intersect with family support and child abuse prevention practices.

Sessions include:

> Creating Concrete Supports for Families and the Confusion Between Poverty and Neglect | Presented by Kimberly Eckel, CEO, Footbridge for Families & Clare Anderson, Senior Policy Fellow, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago

> Introducing the Huntingdon Endangered/At-Risk Youth Response Team (H.E.A.R.T.) Program | Presented by Charles T. Streightiff, Chief of Police, Huntingdon Borough Police Department

> Prevention Made Possible: Collaborative Strategies for Child Abuse Prevention | Presented by Michelle McDyre, Director of Prevention Education and Outreach, Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center

> Race, Social Class, and Child Abuse: Content, Strength, and Impact of Stereotypes on Medical Decision-Making | Presented by Dr. Cynthia Najdowski, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology at University at Albany, SUNY

> Shifting from Digital Diligence to Digital Wellness | Presented by Justin Donofrio, Prevention Services Manager, PA Family Support Alliance

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The PA Child Abuse Prevention Symposium will be held virtually, and all participants will have an opportunity to attend each session during the event.

Learn more about our scheduled speakers and presentation sessions by visiting our website here: pafsa.org/symposium-details

Register today!

Join the Chapin Hall team!
We're looking for dedicated team members to help us find solutions to improve child, youth, and family well-being. We prioritize diversity, , and a supportive work environment where you can thrive professionally and personally.

Why work with us?

🏠 Work From Anywhere Policy: Enjoy and annual in-person events to foster connection and creativity. Watch this video for more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHK2BG19uuU&t=13s

👶 12-Week Paid : Support for all parents to bond with their new addition.

🌴 Comprehensive Benefits: Generous time off, retirement match, and health insurance for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Chapin Hall Embracing Remote Work: Stories of Connection, Flexibility, and Impact Discover how Chapin Hall's remote work transcends boundaries, empowers individuals to thrive in diverse environments, and unlocks opportunities for connectio...

Chapin Hall experts and Dr. Suzanne Lohrbach from KVC Health Systems have been teaming up to build a solid evidence base for the Safe & Connected™ Practice Model.

This model provides practice guidance on how to meaningfully, respectfully, and authentically engage and interact with others to make decisions more inclusive and well informed. It can be used across human service sectors to improve families' health and well-being outcomes: https://www.chapinhall.org/project/keeping-families-safe-and-connected/
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A Chapin Hall research team created a clear, systematic method for researchers to determine whether survey data they plan to analyze were collected with a racial lens or not. ​

What did people who used the tool have to say about it?​
They said the tool helped them:​
☑️ determine the level of risk of racial and ethnic bias in a dataset they were interested in​
☑️ design a survey ​

Leverage this tool in your work: https://www.chapinhall.org/project/new-tool-to-assess-survey-data-for-racial-bias/

These past ten years, Senior Policy Analyst Kiljoong Kim has led numerous projects that have expanded the field's understanding of the implementation and effectiveness of Social and Emotional Learning curriculum. He has mentored countless staff and creatively leveraged public administrative data to unpack complex relationships between community factors and outcomes.

He has worked on projects in several states including Michigan and California, and recently his calm, reasoned guidance has won respect from collaborators in Illinois where he was awarded a contract via statue (which might be a first for us)! In this past spring session, the Illinois State Board of Education advocated for and passed legislation requiring that the new adversity index conceived of by the Whole Child Task Force is a measure of contextual strain that should be accounted for when examining school outcomes. Kiljoong will be leading the Chapin Hall team developing and implementing this index.

He can always be counted on for wise data interpretation, thoughtful instrumentation and survey design, and a willingness to step into projects no matter how challenging. Happy anniversary, Kiljoong, and thank you for all you have contributed to Chapin Hall. Learn more about Kiljoong: https://www.chapinhall.org/person/kiljoong-kim/

Our research on the Qualified Individual role across seven jurisdictions reveals emerging best practices that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Qualified Residential Treatment Programs for children. From Colorado's rapid assessments to Utah's manageable caseloads, these insights highlight the importance of continuous training, tracking, and strong legal frameworks.​

Join us in fostering better collaboration and improved outcomes for children in care. Learn more about the innovative approaches making a difference:
https://www.chapinhall.org/research/lessons-on-implementing-the-qualified-individual-role-in-residential-programs/

Chapin Hall and KVC Health Systems partnered to establish an evidence-base for the Safe & Connected™ Practice Model so it can be reviewed and considered for inclusion within the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. Learn about this model and our process: https://www.chapinhall.org/project/keeping-families-safe-and-connected/
First Act

Our new report, "Feeling Plugged In: Promoting Connection After Care," is a result of the National Think Tank convened by the Selfless Love Foundation: https://www.chapinhall.org/research/convening-uncovers-strategies-to-help-meet-needs-of-older-transition-age-youth/

One of the key goals of the convening was to elevate the voices of young people who've aged out of and to co-design solutions with them. Insights shared by these young people are invaluable in shaping strategies to improve their access to supportive networks and ensure successful transitions to adulthood. Read the report to learn more about the innovative approaches and youth-driven solutions that emerged from this collaborative effort.
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Each month, Chapin Hall releases ChapInsights, a concise newsletter filled with the latest evidence and tools for practitioners, policymakers, and scholars. It's packed with insights and under 500 words.

“We are all about elevating evidence,” says Marrianne McMullen, Chapin Hall's Director of Communication and Dissemination. “Our goal is to reach out to busy people in the field with information that they can access in just a few minutes.”

Subscribe and discover our latest studies on the system transformation, , and more, along with tools to apply evidence in daily practice: https://www.chapinhall.org/project/monthly-chapinsights-alerts-child-and-family-well-being-field-to-new-evidence/

Policy Analyst Charlotte Goodell is an expert in policy implementation and continuous quality improvement. She has exceptional project management skills and has made substantive contributions to projects in Maryland, Connecticut, Ohio, Vermont, and Kansas. Recently, she authored a memo which analyzed federal policy to illustrate the strengths and limitations of a state versus federally-led Child and Family Services Review (CSFR). As a result, the child welfare leaders in that state decided to follow Charlotte’s recommendations. Through that work, she was elevated to participate in state-wide efforts with the Children’s Bureau for planning Maryland’s round four CSFR.

She is highly regarded by peers and colleagues say she is a natural leader. We admire Charlotte’s well-roundedness and dedication to improving services for children and families. Happy anniversary, Charlotte, and thank you! Learn more about her: https://www.chapinhall.org/person/charlotte-goodell/

A Chapin Hall team looked at how seven early adopters of Qualified Residential Treatment Programs have designed and implemented the Qualified Individual role, which is tasked with making evidence-informed decisions about the appropriate level of care for children in congregate care under Family First:
https://www.chapinhall.org/research/lessons-on-implementing-the-qualified-individual-role-in-residential-programs/

Key insights include the importance of trauma-informed training, robust community partnerships, and efficient legal processes. These efforts help make sure QRTP placements are timely and appropriate – leading to better outcomes for children and their families.​

Looking for a fulfilling career? Chapin Hall has open positions!
https://www.chapinhall.org/why-work-at-chapin-hall/

Here’s why you should come work with us:

🔹 Impactful Work & Equity Focus: Collaborate with experts in child well-being, public policy, data management, and administration. We prioritize a diverse workforce to enhance our research and policy design.

🔹 Supportive Environment: With our Work from Anywhere Policy and 12-week paid parental leave, you'll have the flexibility for good work-life balance.

🔹 Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy a generous retirement match, time off, and comprehensive health insurance. Your well-being matters to us.

Ready to make a difference? Explore our open positions and join the Chapin Hall team!

In June, Chapin Hallers enjoyed spending time together for the last summer picnic at the physical Chapin Hall building. Though we'll miss 1313 E. 60th Street, we're excited to find new ways to gather in person each year.

There was tasty food, old photos to flip through, an incredible musical performance ​by the Chapin Hall Performing Hearts, and bouncy castles for staff members' kids (indoors!). A big thank you to all the Habitat Committee Members who made this event such a blast. We appreciate you!

Farewell 1313 E. 60th St.
On to the next great chapter.

Tribal communities and communities of color are disproportionately represented in systems, so we need a broader array of culturally specific evidence-based practices to meet their needs.

Strong African American Families is a program recently rated as Well-Supported by the Clearinghouse and was developed and implemented by members of the African American community. It uses culturally specific engagement and intervention strategies for dealing with racism and other approaches to address risky behaviors, like substance use and risky sexual behavior. Check it and other programs out in our brief: https://www.chapinhall.org/research/elevating-culturally-specific-ebps/

You don't want to miss this! Join the White House Convening on Transformation virtually on Tuesday, July 30th.

This gathering will highlight Biden-Harris policy priorities that help families stay together safely with supports, and reshape to best serve children.

Chapin Hall's Executive Director Bryan Samuels will be giving a talk on supporting families and Senior Policy Fellow Clare Anderson will moderate a panel on economic and concrete supports.

Use this link to join the call:
https://pitc.webex.com/webappng/sites/pitc/meeting/info/2f28c86b9f6940f09118faac08db8f63?MTID=mb70674a06ea2a5260c28b853c00b2292&siteurl=pitc&utm_medium=email&utm_source=whitehouseconvening072224