Reports & Briefs

Aims to promote a more coordinated approach to meeting children’s developmental needs by proposing the adoption of the SERIES paradigm of developmental screening in which each step—Screening, Early Identification, Referral, Intake, Evaluation, and  Services—is seen not as an isolated activity, but rather an integral component of a single process.  SERIES challenges all systems serving young children to broaden their focus to include practices that promote shared responsibility for ensuring that each child successfully completes the entire pathway from screening to services.

Describes how partnerships between health care providers and community organizations could have a significant impact on health and developmental outcomes by assisting with early identification, supporting parents, and coordinating needed services in a timely manner.

Links important education and foster care data and discusses three keys to improving educational outcomes:  champions, leadership, and collaboration.

Identifies specific, doable approaches to improve access, utilization and quality of care for children and adolescents enrolled in Medicaid. Examples of state successes are offered along with web-based links to resources, tools, and more in-depth.

Discusses early lessons learned from the first Social Impact Bond in the United States which aimed to equip adolescents ages 16 to 18 incarcerated in the New York City jail system with the social and emotional skills to help them make better life choices when they leave jail.

Provides a five-step model for ensuring the sustainability and quality of Pay for Success (PFS) programs, which directs private capital to social programs, with the opportunity for a return on investment if the programs achieve performance targets.  It guides stakeholders through a process that identifies drivers of populations and costs, develops evidence-based solutions, provides governments the best chance to achieve their policy objectives, and ensures that key populations receive the best possible evidence-based services.

Examines government accountability and efficiency and analyzes social impact bonds, a promising new approach to the government financing of social service programs or social “interventions.” 

Discusses the Social Impact Bond model as a promising new approach that combines performance-based payments and market discipline with the potential to improve results, overcome barriers to social innovation, and encourage investments in cost-saving preventative service.

Discusses Medicaid and mechanisms to help states support mental and behavioral health services. It includes the Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis Treatment (EPSDT) benefit, and how to create effective community-based behavioral health services for children and youth covered under Medicaid.

Contains practical advice for engaging youth in community policy and decision-making groups.