Posts

The Power of Mentoring and Employment Assistance for Youth in Foster Care

Leathers, S., Holtschneider, C., Ludington, M., Ross, E. V., & Barnett, J. L. (2023). Mentoring, Employment Assistance, and Enhanced Staff Outreach for Older Youth in Care: Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Children and Youth Services Review, 107095. Summarized by Ellen Parry Luff About the Study This study investigated the effectiveness of the Adult Connections […]

It’s Who You Know That Matters: How capital mentoring relationships can promote economic mobility for marginalized youth

Gowdy, G., & Spencer, R. (2021). It’s Who You Know That Matters: Identifying Which Type of Informal Mentor Is Most Likely to Promote Economic Mobility for Vulnerable Youth. The Journal of Primary Prevention. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-021-00630-7 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Evidence has shown that youths who grow up in poverty (especially children of color) have […]

For at-risk teens, the benefits of a caring adult last beyond youth

By Brett Theodos, Reprinted from the Urban Institute  Youth who are disconnected from school and work may lack social networks that connect them to support and community resources and are vulnerable to negative outcomes as they transition to adulthood. Many efforts have been made to improve the education, employment, and behavioral outcomes of at-risk youth, […]

The vital importance of social networks in the lives of vulnerable youth

Nevard, I., Green, C., Bell, V., Gellatly, J., Brooks, H., & Bee, P. (2020). Conceptualising the social networks of vulnerable children and young people: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01968-9 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Vulnerable youth have a higher risk of contracting physical illnesses, mental health issues, unhealthy […]

The terrible toll of COVID-19 on youth mental health

By Dr. Stephanie McGencey, American Youth Policy Forum The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a terrible toll on the health and well-being of youth and young adults. Already alarming rates of depression, suicide, and anxiety are exacerbated by the isolation, contact restrictions, and economic challenges brought on by the pandemic. Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color (BIYOC); youth involved in the […]

How mentors can promote positive outcomes for gay young adults

Drevon, D. D., Almazan, E. P., Jacob, S., Rhymer, K. N. (2015). Impact of mentors during adolescence on outcomes among gay young adults. Journal of Homosexuality, 63(6), 821-837. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2015.1112583 Summarized by Jessica Cunningham   Introduction: LGBTQ adolescents are at a risk of a whole host of negative outcomes, including poor school achievement, risky health […]

Toxic stress in children–and what programs can do to help

From the New York Times Imagine if scientists discovered a toxic substance that increased the risks of cancer, diabetes and heart, lung and liver disease for millions of people. Something that also increased one’s risks for smoking, drug abuse, suicide, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, domestic violence and depression — and simultaneously reduced the chances […]