To improve youth mental health, these programs start by educating parents

Sacramento County's Cultural Broker Program places trained community advocates between Child Protective Services and Black families to prevent children from entering foster care. They work directly with families from the moment CPS gets involved until the case closes. They attend meetings with social workers, translate complex bureaucratic processes and advocate for parents. Of 552 families referred to cultural brokers between 2018-2023, 90% had successful outcomes, meaning children were reunited with parents, adopted, or placed in permanent living arrangements.

The Wolf Connection Youth Empowerment Program connects troubled youth who have dealt with abuse and trauma, with wolves. "These wolves and wolf-dogs come from abuse, neglect and mistreatment. And the youth we serve come from abuse, neglect, mistreatment and abandonment." Two studies showed that the bond between animals and humans is positive, and “the teens grew in self-reflection and insight as well as in the ability to open up and trust others.” Similarly, teachers noticed more positive behavior in the classroom.

Lumen High School enrolls pregnant and parenting teens, providing a “learn-as-you-go” approach to learning that makes it possible for them to parent and stay in school. The school provides full-day child care, free baby supplies, mental health counseling and other supports to help get students to graduation day. All the Lumen High School students who graduate have been accepted into college, with 95% enrolling or choosing to start working within the six months after graduation.

Youth Villages, a nonprofit started in Tennessee over 30 years ago has helped improve the lives of children who face difficulties in their homes while saving money on the child welfare system. Instead of immediately removing children from their problematic homes, Youth Villages works on building relationships with the parents and providing in-home support services to both the parents and the children to ensure that they have a successful future. Additionally, the organization supports foster kids who age out of the system, and has managed to place many children back with their families securely.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), have long-term effects on children as they grow up, and children with high ACEs scores often experience serious mental health problems. In Stark County, Ohio, the Stark County Family Council's Trauma and Resiliency Committee works with schools, educators, and children with ACEs to help lower suicide and crime rates among these adolescents.

When it occurs, the reunification of families who have undergone a child protective services mandated process is cause for celebration. At least, that's what organizers of "reunification day" argue in Michigan, a state where the courts have played a significant role in encouraging education and reunification when possible. Through a bipartisan effort, Michigan now offers comprehensive services that help families remain together and improve quality of life.

Communities in Arizona, Washington, and Colorado are creating programs that center collaborations to provide guidance and a listening ear to foster healthy relationships between children and parents. These programs, which include education for parents with addiction and trauma-informed approaches to school discipline, help families live better lives.

Across the country, hospitals are embracing intensive intervention programs to help victims of violence — including those who have criminal histories — after they have been brought in for treatment of injuries. Such programs can help prevent retaliation, reduce the chance a patient will be violently injured again, and put people on track for success.

"Healthy Mama, Healthy Pikin" is a youth-led nutrition program in Ebonyi State, Nigeria that layers nutrition education into routine immunization days at primary health care facilities. The program teaches parents how to enrich diets with local, affordable ingredients, distributes vegetable seeds for backyard gardens, and trains health workers to provide ongoing nutrition counseling, all in an effort to prevent child malnutrition. Since launching in November 2024, the program has reached over 300 parents and established backyard gardens in more than 100 households.

Hennepin County implemented a comprehensive overhaul of its child protection system, implementing a multi-pronged approach including increasing the staff and budget, splitting caseloads more evenly among workers, and instituting a two-month training program for new hires with ongoing education throughout their careers. The overhaul ensures families receive more comprehensive support, including therapy and addiction treatment services, reducing repeat cases and improving family outcomes.