Annie E. Casey Foundation

10/16/2026

Census Bureau data help communities make decisions about schools, housing and services that support children and families.

It also helps track whether children are doing better over time and where additional resources may be needed.

But proposed changes to the 2030 census could eliminate questions about race and ethnicity, while delays in releasing American Community Survey data could make it harder to understand the needs of different communities.

Casey’s Lisa Lawson and W.K. Kellogg Foundation President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron explain why protecting reliable public data matters for children and families.

Serving communities with good governance requires knowing what is actually happening on the ground.

10/16/2026

Access to free pre-K may do more than prepare children for school. It could also help keep families out of the child welfare system.

A new study of New York City's universal pre-K program found that investigations for child neglect declined by up to 23% following the program's expansion. Researchers suggest that reducing child care costs may ease financial stress on families and help parents better meet their children's needs.

Jessica Pac urged policymakers to consider the impacts of early childhood education and whether it can help keep kids out of the system.

10/15/2026

Young people shouldn't have to choose between earning a paycheck and building skills for their future. In Atlanta, CareerReady ATL is making both possible. Since 2022, more than 750 young people have enrolled in paid apprenticeships, earning an average of $18 per hour while gaining valuable work experience and career credentials.

On CaseyCast, Michele Jacobs of United Way of Greater Atlanta joins Casey President and CEO Lisa Lawson to discuss how apprenticeships are opening doors for young people. Listen to the conversation:

Michele Jacobs joins Lisa Lawson to discuss CareerReady ATL, a youth apprenticeship program that helps young people in Atlanta launch careers.

10/14/2026

“When you come from the experiences I have, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong in spaces, but H.O.P.E. gave me a sense of community and reminded me that I deserve to be here.”

That's how Livingstone College student Kevin Jamil Seabrook describes the H.O.P.E. Emancipation Project, which supports students who have experienced foster care. The program provides year-round housing, tuition assistance, meals, mentoring and other resources to help young people succeed in college.

Livingstone College’s H.O.P.E. program supports students who’ve experienced foster care with resources to boost college completion. Learn more.

10/13/2026

Child poverty rates increased in nearly every state between 2020–2022 and 2023–2025, according to the latest KIDS COUNT® data.

Louisiana (21%), Washington, D.C. (20%) and Mississippi (19%) had the highest rates, with about 1 in 5 children living in poverty. Idaho and Wyoming had the lowest rates (6%).

Child poverty affects communities across the country, but rates vary widely by state and region. Explore the latest data to see how your state compares: https://www.aecf.org/blog/new-child-poverty-data-illustrates-the-powerful-impact-of-americas-safety-net-programs

10/12/2026

October is , a time to recognize that young people deserve opportunities to learn, grow and thrive, even when they make mistakes.

Young people are still developing, learning and figuring out who they are. A youth justice system should recognize that capacity for growth while holding young people accountable.
That means investing in proven early interventions like afterschool and mentoring programs, reducing reliance on incarceration and keeping teenagers in juvenile courts rather than systems designed for adults.

Learn more about Youth Justice Action Month:

YJAM 2026: Building a Future Where Youth ThriveYouth Justice Action Month (YJAM) serves as an important reminder of the value and power of young people. Held every October, this month-long observance seeks to raise awareness about the unique challenges young people face within the justice system and...

10/08/2026

Up to 2.3 million young adults ages 19 to 24 could lose Medicaid coverage by 2028, according to new research from Urban Institute.

Changes to federal Medicaid rules, including new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks, could make it harder for young adults to maintain coverage as they navigate school, work and other transitions into adulthood.

Learn more about the findings and what states can do to help young adults stay covered: https://www.aecf.org/blog/federal-policy-changes-could-mean-a-loss-of-health-insurance-for-as-many-as-3-4-million-young-adults

10/07/2026

For 25 years, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative® has worked to make sure young people leaving foster care have the relationships, resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

Since 2001, the Initiative and its network have helped improve hundreds of policies and practices, expand investment in older youth and support thousands of young people in building financial skills and advocating for themselves and their peers.

Learn more about 25 years of progress and the work ahead:

For 25 years, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative® has helped transform how our country supports young people with foster care experience as they…

10/06/2026

Young people need safe, welcoming places to gather, connect and grow. On a new episode of CaseyCast, Baltimore's Promise CEO Julia Baez and youth leader Assi Sy join Casey’s Lisa Lawson to discuss what young people need to thrive and why their perspectives should shape the programs and systems that serve them.

Listen to the conversation: https://www.aecf.org/blog/julia-baez-and-assi-sy-on-creating-spaces-for-baltimore-youth-to-connect-and-lead

10/05/2026

When young people make mistakes, they're more likely to get back on track when they have caring adults in their corner and opportunities to learn and grow. Research shows these approaches are more effective than detention and harsh punishment. Communities across the country are using this research to change how they respond when young people get in trouble, from rewarding progress on probation to offering job training and mental health support.

The research is clear: When youth get guidance and opportunity instead of punishment, they grow — and communities become safer.