In the United States, two approaches have developed to exercise collective influence on how parents raise their children. One is mandatory public intervention in families who have placed their children at risk, exemplified by the child welfare system. The other is voluntary offers of assistance, for example, child abuse prevention services that…

This article discusses why and how the "State of Babies Yearbook: 2019" was developed; identifies the indicators used to examine the well-being of the nation's infants and toddlers; and explains how the indicators align with the ZERO TO THREE policy framework areas of Good Health, Strong Families, and Positive Early Learning Experiences.…

Children's exposure to violence is a national crisis. The high prevalence of exposure to violence in infancy and early childhood has implications for lifelong health and development because early experiences are most influential in shaping the structure and functioning of the brain, the quality of attachments and other relationships, and the…

Medicaid and CHIP are crucial parts of the social safety net, providing health insurance coverage to more than half of all children ages 0-21 in D.C. and a third of children nationally. Without these two programs, more than 97,000 children in the District would have been uninsured in 2010. New research indicates that compared with the uninsured,…

Ever since the Soviet era there has been an entire system of social welfare benefits in connection with the birth and upbringing of children. Nowadays, in the independent states that came into being in the post-Soviet space, extensive use is also made of various social welfare benefits that are linked to prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal…

This paper examines the inexorable rise of "health" as regulative discourse, highlighting its class and cultural dimensions. With reference to the policy content of recent obesity reports, analysis suggests that contemporary concerns around obesity are but a modern variant of earlier eighteenth and nineteenth century child saving crusades whose…

"Kids' Share 2008," a second annual report, looks comprehensively at trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children. This report updates the previous year's report, "Kids' Share 2007," adding in actual (rather than projected) budget numbers for 2007 and projections of spending within the children's budget against other federal…

Outlines Canada's policy commitments to promote social well-being by supporting Canadians' social rights and economic security; improving public health services, especially for children; and addressing child poverty and family needs. Discusses deficiencies in policy implementation. Presents a framework for well-being that encompasses…

Public opinion polls consistently show a strong, bi-partisan consensus on the need to invest in the nation's kids. Yet even as Americans demand a greater focus on children, public investments are shifting away from them. In California, this is leading to children who are increasingly unhealthy yet lack health insurance, failing in school or unable…

Reviews the history of Federal health policies affecting children. Focuses particularly on Title V of the Social Security Act and identifies the forces leading to its enactment, grouped into four closely related themes: responsibility of government, resource development, economic security, and special measures for protection. Briefly discusses…

This talk which describes the child welfare situation in Canada in terms of children, parental and state responsibilities focuses on state responsibilities. Basic policy issues of child welfare are discussed, particularly the current state of federal-provincial cooperation in the national health insurance program, and recent changes in the system…

Examines the history of data on child health and suggests ways that data could be more useful in informing policy decisions. Summarizes findings of an assessment of the effectiveness of medical care for a variety of childhood conditions. Lists recommendations of a task force on dealing with decreases in publicly funded service programs for the…

One of every five children under age 18 living in the United States is an immigrant or has immigrant parents. The majority of these children are of Hispanic or Asian origin and, as such, are contributing to the growing racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. child and youth population. Because of the long-term importance of children in immigrant…

The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) released this report in response to recent calls for a return to institutionalized care for children. The response is based on NACAC's long-held position that: (1) every child deserves a family; (2) institutionalization is not an acceptable substitute for a family; and (3) many important,…