This article by Bruce Perry, a leading researcher in children's mental health and neuroscience, offers a neuro-developmental perspective on the impacts of violence on children. Website

This issue of the National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center's bi-annual newsletter focuses on transitions for infants and toddlers in foster care. Document

This document from the National Foster Care Coalition answers questions about Fostering Connections - improvements that will impact youth and young adults in foster care and assist in the implementation process. The questions are designed to be used by those charged with implementing Fostering Connections: improvements, those advocating for implementation, to the youth, young adults, parents, relative caregivers, and others who will be most affected by implementation of this new law. Website

This National CASA article presents a fresh look at the issues surrounding reunification, discusses reasonable efforts, offers tips for advocates, and provides useful resources for CASAs. Website

This report was published in 2000 by the Youth Law Center and includes guidelines for attorneys, judges and child welfare agencies as well as a list of resource organizations and internet resources. Website

This article provides a brief history of the Indian Child Welfare Act and helpful advice for CASAs who are advocating for Native American children. Website

This annual report, created by the Forum on Child and Family Statistics, provides updates on the well-being of children and families in the United States across a range of domains. Website

This article from the Fieldstone Alliance discusses the importance of shared meaning in communicating with others and provides the reader with steps to create shared meaning in personal and professional situations. Website

This quarterly newsletter from the Foster Family-based Treatment Association (FFTA) presents several articles which explore ways to build cultural competence. Website

Although it is aimed at caseworkers, this article is instructive for CASA/GAL volunteers as they seek to employ a culturally competent, strengths-based approach to working with African American families. Website

This cross-cultural workbook was designed for Peace Corps volunteers, but provides an excellent resource for cross-cultural awareness in America as well as for learning how to interact with people of other cultures in a respectful and successful manner. Website

The authors of this monograph intend it to help those involved in improving communities to work in more equitable and thoughtful partnerships with community residents and other stakeholders, with special attention to issues of privilege, oppression, racism and power as they play out in this work. Website

This article discusses current realities for Native American children in the foster care system and offers tips and resources to advocate more effectively. Document

This National CASA Association article summarizes both the linear and relational worldviews and shows how Indian family functioning can be understood from the relational view. Website

The Spring 2009 issue of National CASA Associations "The Connection " magazine contains several articles and resource references dealing with foster youth and chronic illnesses and severe disabilities. Website

This article addresses Washington State's efforts to bring together judges, law enforcement officials, child welfare professionals, and domestic violence advocates to improve the response to child welfare cases involving domestic violence. Central to this effort is finding ways to hold domestic violence perpetrators accountable for their actions in order to improve the safety of children. Website

This resource from Casey Family Programs shows how to integrate the predictors of academic success into an educational plan and encourages letting youth in out-of-home care be the primary voice in their own decision-making. Website

This fact sheet offers a framework for both direct case advocacy and system reform efforts to improve educational outcomes for children in foster care. It presents 8 goals for youth, benchmarks that indicate progress toward educational success as well as national, state and local examples of policies, practices, programs and resources. Website

This paper gives an overview of the educational obstacles facing children in foster care and the role adults can play to have a positive impact on their educational experience. Website

This paper gives an overview of the education needs of children in foster care, explains the federal laws regarding confidentiality of education records, and debunks myths about confidentiality. Website

This informative policy article looks at challenges and services involved in educating children in foster care. Website

This issue brief provides an overview of the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act which is educational legislation that includes foster children. Website

This issue brief from the Fostering Futures Project discusses the findings of a study which evaluated the school transition plans of students who are in both foster care and special education. It explains some of the contributing factors to the problem and presents seven recommendations for improvement. Website

This manual from the Children's Action Alliance (CAA) provides comprehensive information on medical, behavioral and dental services and providers, as well as information on AHCCCS and KidsCare. Website

This booklet from The Office on Women's Health addresses the stigma associated with mental health, with information on the signs and symptoms of mental illness. It also provides suggestions for support and solutions for preventing and coping with mental illness. Website