Issue Briefs

Issue Briefs

Vol # Date Title Policy Link
10 4 Apr-13 Unique Risk Factors Signal Dual Involvement for Female Youth in
Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems
More Research Needed to Better Serve Population
Child Welfare Link
10 3 Apr-13 Juvenile Homicide in Maryland
Analysis of Juvenile Homicide Data Shows Troubling Trends
Juvenile Justice Link
10 2 Feb-13 The High Cost of Detaining Youth
A Juvenile Services Challenge & Opportunity
Juvenile Justice Link
10 1 Aug-12 Statewide Wellness Incentives
A First Step to Improving Child Health Through Schools
Education Link
9 9 Apr-12 Maryland Implementing Alternative Response
New Practice will Improve Outcomes for Families in the Child Welfare System
Child Welfare Link
9 8 Mar-12 The True Cost of Detention
Disadvantages and Harms of Detention for Pre-Adolescent Children
Juvenile Justice Link
9 7 Feb-12 Five Years Later: Dental Access For Children
Significant Progress Made but Challenges Remain To Increase Oral Health Access
Health Link
9 6 Jan-12 State Ranks 38th in Food Stamp Utilization
Easier Applications and Continued Outreach Can Increase Future Rankings
Economic Security Link
9 5 Dec-11 Two Key Challenges for Maryland’s Next School Superintendent
Achievement Gaps & Facilities Repair
Education Link
9 4 Nov-11 Title IV-E Demonstration Projects Present Maryland with Opportunities to Implement Innovative Projects
Without Requiring Additional State Expenditures
Child Welfare Link
9 3 July-11 School Suspension and Juvenile Justice Involvement
Groundbreaking Study Substantiates Calls for Reform
Juvenile Justice Link
9 2 July-11 Beyond Teaching the Test
Improving Teaching and Learning in Baltimore
Education Link
9  1 July-11 Will Evaluation Lead to Better Teaching?
An Update on Maryland's Teacher Evaluation Process
Education Link
8 30 Apr-11 Community Water Fluoridation
Educating Maryland Citizens on Policy Changes in Community Water Fluoridation
Health Link
8 29 Mar-11 Update on Dental Action Committee Recommendations Health Link
8 28 Mar-11 The Affordable Care Act: Maryland Moves Forward with Implementation Health Link
8 27 Mar-11 Reflecting Best Practices in Budget Priorities
Juvenile Services Analysis Shows Shortcomings in Evidence-Based Practices, Aftercare Services
Juvenile Justice Link
8 26 Mar-11 Boom or Bust: Funding for Front-End Health Solutions gets Pinched
Budget Choices & Neonatal ICU Costs Squeeze Money to Improve Maryland's Poor Birth Outcomes
Health Link
8 25 Feb-11 What Kinds of School Boards are Right for Maryland's Districts?
A Closer Look at Elected, Appointed and Hybrid Models
Education Link
8 24 Feb-11 Slow Progress Increasing Dental Access for Children:
School-Based Screenings, Outreach to Parents Needed to Increase Oral Health Awareness
Health Link
8 23 Feb-11 Baltimore City's Most Challenged Schools:
Strategies for Improvement
Education Link
8 22 Feb-11 Budget Cuts Threaten Maryland's #1 Rating Education Link
8 21 Feb-11 State Ranks 42nd in Food Stamp Utilization
Easier Application, More Outreach Can Boost National Ranking
Economic Security Link
8 20 Feb-11 Improving Food Stamp Use in Maryland
How Can Maryland Become a National Model
Economic Security Link
8 19 Feb-11 Governor's Budget: What's in it For Kids?
Sustain Investments in Maryland's Future to Compete in the New Economy
General Link
8 18 Feb-11 The Recession's Impact on Maryland Families
Data Shows Noticeable Growth in Families Facing Economic Distress
Economic Security Link
8 17 Jan-11 Budget Choices and Challenges
Reasonable Revenue Options Eliminate Need for Harmful Cuts
General Link
8 16 Nov-10 Reducing Childhood Obesity Through School Lunch Programs
Proposed Federal Law Can Help Maryland Efforts
Health Link
8 15 Nov-10 Yes We Can
Maryland as a National Model in Juvenile Justice
Juvenile Justice Link
8 14 Nov-10 How the O'Malley Mandate Can Improve Child Well-Being
Research-Based Investments Provide Opportunity Despite Budget Crunch
General Link
8 13 Nov-10 Regionalizing Residential Services for Girls
Missouri Offers Roadmap
Juvenile Justice Link
8 12 Nov-10 Hunger Grows In Maryland
Improving Access to Food Stamps Key to Ending Childhood Hunger
Economic Security Link
8 11 Nov-10 Preventing Children from Languishing in Foster Care
The Importance of “Reasonable Efforts” To Preserve Families and Find Permanent Homes
Child Welfare Link
8 10 Oct-10 Limited English Students Behind on High School Tests
Middle Grade Interventions Key To Narrowing Gap
Education & Racial Equity Link
8 9 Oct-10 Racial Disparities Remain High in Juvenile Arrests
Drop In Overall Arrests Shows More Direct Approach Needed
Juvenile Justice & Racial Equity Link
8 8 Oct-10 Billion Dollar Babies
Pre-Pregnancy Services Can Reduce Escalating Cost of Sick Babies
Health Link
8 7 Sep-10 By Overwhelming Majorities, Maryland Voters Support Cost-Effective Reforms for Children
General Link
8 6 July-10 Protecting Public Safety Without Juvenile Arrests
Early Interventions Prove Effective Rehabilitating
Youth
Juvenile Justice Link
8 5 July-10 Protecting Public Safety Without Arrests in Montgomery County
Successful Program Prevents Delinquency and Saves Money
Juvenile Justice Link
8 4 July-10 Latest State Test Results Show Persistent Achievement Gaps
Race to the Top Strategies Plus More Needed
Education & Racial Equity Link
8 3 July-10 Maryland’s Infant Mortality National Ranking Drops to 42nd
Latest Data Provides Ray of Hope
Health & Racial Equity Link
8 2 July-10 Gap Widens Between State’s Wealth and Child Well-Being
Only Alaska Has Larger Performance Gap
Health Link
8 1 July-10 Childhood Obesity: A Growing Problem in Maryland
Better Food and More Exercise in Schools Key Strategies
Health Link
7 37 June-10 Maryland Needs to Use Best Practices To Recruit Foster Parents for Teenagers
Understanding, Using Current Foster Families Critical to Success
Child Welfare Link
7 36 June-10 Services for Youth After Leaving Programs Key to the Acclaimed Missouri Model
Missouri Offers Important Lessons for Improving
Public Safety in Maryland
Juvenile Justice Link
7 35 June-10 Few Baltimore City Students Proficient on National Reading Test
Sobering Results Show Need for Improvements in Instruction and Interventions
Education Link
7 34 May-10 Schools Can Provide Better Interventions to Struggling Readers
More Intense Interventions, Better Training Needed;
Some Districts Lag Behind
Education Link
7 33 May-10 Failing Our Failing Schools
Latest Strategy Lacks Quality Implementation, Essential Components
Education Link
7 32 Apr-10 Improved Child Welfare Services and Case Practice Needed in Prince George’s
Child Advocates Identify Need for Significant Reforms
Child Welfare Link
7 31 Apr-10 Race to Top Draft Application Lacks Substance, Boldness
Specifics Needed to Address Achievement Gaps, Improve Chances of Winning Grant
Education Link
7 30 Apr-10 Literacy Readiness Gaps in Kindergarten Grow
Minority, Low-Income School Readiness Declines in Some Areas, Reversing Years of Improvements
Racial Equity Link
7 29 Apr-10 Leadership Needed To Transform Services In Distressed Neighborhoods
Promise Neighborhood Grant Provides Jump Start Opportunity
Economic Security Link
7 28 Mar-10 Maryland Income Disparity Widens on National Reading Test
Bold Action Needed to Narrow Gap, Get Federal Funding
Education Link
7 27 Apr-10 Roadmap to Better Aftercare, Reduced Recidivism
Nationally Recognized Standard Provides Guide to Improve Juvenile Reentry, Public Safety
Juvenile Justice Link
7 26 Mar-10 What Will It Take To Win?
Lessons Learned From Other States As Maryland Prepares Race to the Top Application
Education Link
7 25 Mar-10 Broken Teacher Evaluation System
0.02 Percent of Maryland Teachers Fired For Incompetency
Education Link
7 24 Mar-10 Teachers in Challenging Schools Do Not Plan To Stay
Incentives, Support and Good Principals Needed to
Ensure Equitable Distribution of Teaching Talent
Education Link
7 23 Mar-10 State Losing Federal Bonuses Due To Barriers Enrolling Children In Insurance Health Link
7 22 Apr-10 Aftercare for Juveniles Improves Public Safety and Pays for Itself
State Can Enhance Reentry Services and Still Save Money
Juvenile Justice Link
7 21 Mar-10 Protecting Safety, Saving Money—Prince George’s County
Multi-Systemic Therapy Can Benefit More Than Half of Youth Sent to Residential Programs
Juvenile Justice Link
7 20 Feb-10 Racial Inequity Remains Large for Maryland’s Families
Tracking Disparities Is a Critical First Step
Racial Equity Link
7 19 Feb-10 Police Can Reduce Student Misbehavior Without Arrest
Three-Prong Strategy Has Reduced Racial Disparities
Juvenile Justice Link
7 18 Feb-10 $101 Million Opportunity To Close Achievement Gaps
10 Reforms That Do Not Require New Money or Laws
Education Link
7 17 Jan-10 Big Jump in Children Receiving Free and Reduced Price School Meals
Recession, Improved Outreach Driving Large Increases
Economic Security Link
7 16 Jan-10 Prince George’s Families Need Additional Services To Reunify
Family Teams Can Overcome Parental Resistance to Required Services
Child Welfare Link
7 15 Dec-09 School Suspensions Drop Sharply
Three Districts Lead the Way; Baltimore County Remains High
Education Link
7 14 Dec-09 Few Baltimore City Students Proficient on National Math Test
But Some Results are Positive and Participation Reflects Positively on District
Education Link
7 13 Dec-09 Staggering Failure Rate at State’s Flagship Juvenile Facility, Victor Cullen Center
Major Changes Needed Before Replication
Juvenile Justice Link
7 12 Dec-09 State Ranks 41st in Food Stamp Utilization
Easier Applications, More Outreach Can Boost
National Ranking
Economic Security Link
7 11 Nov-09 Young Minority, Low-Income, Limited English Proficient Students Lag in Literacy
Prekindergarten, Targeted Interventions Can Help Close Gaps
Education Link
7 10 Nov-09 Slow Progress on Dental Reforms
Too Many Children Still Without Access; Some Reforms Stalled by Fiscal Constraints
Health Link
7 9 Oct-09 Findings from Baltimore City Principals Survey Conducted by PSASA and ACY
Supports Lacking in Past, Many Principals Optimistic That New Network Teams Will Be Better
Education Link
7 8 Oct-09 One-Stop Shops Can Help Struggling Maryland Families Access Benefits
Maryland Can Build on Successful Models to Quickly Implement Needed Changes
Health & Economic Security Link
7 7 Oct-09 National Tests Show Maryland Needs To Help More Students Earlier
Despite Progress, Too Few Students Are Proficient
Education Link
7 5 Sep-09 Racial Equity Data and Cost-Effective Solutions Racial Equity Link
7 4 Sep-09 Maryland’s Infants Continue To Fare Poorly
More Low-Birthweight Babies, Large Racial Disparities
Health Link
7 3 July-09 Home Visiting Programs
Key Strategy to Improve Birth Outcomes
Health Link
7 2 July-09 Maryland Students Continue to Improve on State
Tests, Concerns Remain
Wide Racial Disparities Persist, Changes to Test
Raise Questions About Success
Education Link
7 1 July-09 Federal Health Care Reform Offers Risks, Opportunities for Children
Women May Get More Services, but Children May Get Less
Health Link
6 29 June-09 Racial Disparities Widen in Youth Arrests in Maryland
Local Coordinators Explain How Maryland Can Provide Equal Opportunity
Juvenile Justice Link
6 28 May-09 Improving Food Stamp Use In Maryland
How Maryland Can Become a National Model
Family Self-Sufficiency Link
6 27 Apr-09 Seedco’s EarnBenefits Online Helps Low-Income Families Access Work Supports
Program Helps Families Navigate Difficult System, But More State Cooperation Is Needed
Family Self-Sufficiency Link
6 26 Apr-09 Maryland’s Missed Opportunities to Help Struggling Readers
Early, Targeted Interventions and Monitoring Needed
Education Link
6 25 Apr-09 Protecting Safety, Saving Money
Multi-Systemic Therapy Can Benefit Nearly Half of Youth Sent to Residential Programs
Juvenile Justice Link
6 24 Mar- 09 Maryland Continues to Lag Behind on Food Stamp Use
More Outreach, Easier Process Needed To Enroll Eligible Families
Family Self-Sufficiency Link
6 23 Mar-09 Bringing Education Reform To Maryland
How Maryland Can Compete for Federal Incentives
Education  Link
6 22 Mar-09 Juvenile Gaps
Agency Miscounts Need for Community & Residential Services
Juvenile Justice Link
6 21 Mar-09 Lost Savings
Status of potential savings from reduced use of group homes and foster care
Child Welfare Link
6 20 Feb-09 Critical Elements for Family Team Decision Making Child Welfare Link
6 19 Feb-09 Poor Outcomes Continue in Maryland's Juvenile System
Despite Large Investment, Low Success Rates, Even At Model New Facility
Juvenile Justice Link
6 18 Feb-09 Low Birthweight Births Cost Maryland Millions
Nine Percent of Births Account for Over Half of Spending
Health  Link
6 17 Jan-09 Expanding Multi-Systemic Therapy Rapidly, Effectively and Affordably
Lessons from Other States
Juvenile Justice Link
6 16 Jan-09 School Suspensions Fall
But Racial Disparities Remain Large
Education  Link
6 16 Dec-08 Pay For Itself
Proposed Reforms of Children’s Services Will Save Money in FY 2010
General Link
6 15 Nov-08 Baltimore City Unable to Attract Proven Principals
Incentives May Draw Turnaround Experts,
But Intensive Support Needed for Others
Education  Link
6 14 Nov-08 Replicating the Harlem Children's Zone in Maryland Family Self-Sufficiency Link
6 13 Nov-08 Preserving Families, Protecting Children
Analysis of Maryland's Efforts to Keep Maltreated Children out of Foster Care
Child Welfare Link
6 12 Nov-08 The High Cost of Bad Outcomes in Ten Neighborhoods
State Can Reduce Costs Through Programs Like Harlem Children's Zone
Family Self-Sufficiency Link
6 11 Oct-08 Principal Turnover in Anne Arundel Count Public Schools Education  Link
6 10 Oct-08 Principal Turnover in Montgomery Count Public Schools Education  Link
6 9 Oct-08 Limited English Proficient Students Spread Across Maryland
High-Need Students not Receiving the Supports They Need
Education  Link
6 8 Oct-08 New Group Home Restrictions Go Into Effect
But Process Is In Limbo
Juvenile Justice Link
6 7 Oct-08 Dental Access for Maryland's Children Remains Poor:
Latest Data Confirms Need to Fully Implement Comprehensive Solutions
Health  Link
6 6 Sep-08 Charles County Bucks Statewide Increase in School Suspensions
Key Factor is Use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Education  Link
6 5 Sep-08 Maryland's History of Low Food Stamp Participation
New Study Highlights Opportunity To Reduce Child Hunger
Family Self-Sufficiency Link
6 4 Aug-08 Eroded Progress
Recent Spike in Youth Confinement Erases Past Year's Decline
Juvenile Justice Link
6 3 Aug-08 Huge Racial Disparities Found in Maryland Child Welfare
Foster Care Gap Exceeds National Average by More than 50 Percent 
Racial Equity Link
6 2 Aug-08 Cautious Optimism
Test Score Increases Provide Hope, But Raise Significant Questions
Education  Link
6 1 Aug-08 Continued Decline in Health of Maryland's Infants
Less Prenatal Care, More Infant Deaths and
Bigger Racial Disparities
Racial Equity Link
5 19 May-08 Maryland Deviates from Best Practices in Juvenile Justice Reform
Public Safety, Millions of Dollars At Risk 
Juvenile Justice Link
5 16 Mar-08 Additional Harms of Group Care
New Study Further Justifies Need for Community Alternatives
Child Welfare Link
5 16 Mar-08 The Growing Toll
Non-Family Residential Care for Youth Linked to Delinquency; Costing 50 Percent More 
Child Welfare Link
5 15 Feb-08 Empowering Families to Reduce Child Welfare Disparities
The Power of Family Team Decision Making 
Racial Equity Link
5 14 Feb-08 Decline in Health of Maryland's Infants
Racial Gap Narrows but Remains Large
Racial Equity Link
5 13 Feb-08 Bringing Numbers to Life
An Analysis of Maryland's StateStat Initiative
Child Welfare Link
5 12 Feb-08 The Real Need
Full Use of Evidence-Based Community Services for Delinquent Youth 
Juvenile Justice Link
5 11 Feb-08 Schools Suspensions Spike To Record Levels
Multiple Suspensions and Racial Disparities Also
Surge
Racial Equity Link
5 10 Feb-08 Ending Maryland's Cycle of Delinquency
Court Record Review Finds Unnecessary Juvenile Detention 
Juvenile Justice Link
5 9 Jan-08 Moving the Child Welfare Reform Train Faster
Improving Maryland's Plan to Address the Foster Home Shortage
Child Welfare Link
5 8 Jan-08 Family Team Decision Making  Child Welfare Link
5 7 Jan-08 A Continued Lost Opportunity
2008 Thornton Update
Education  Link