services

by Dr. Paramjit Joshi According to the latest numbers at least 1 in 5 American youth live with a serious mental disorder—a dramatic increase from ten years ago. Of that number, only about 20 percent receive evaluation and treatment by a medical professional, with only a fraction ever having the opportunity to meet with a specialist.

Much of the demand for help by parents who adopt from foster care comes years after the point of adoption, according to the Donaldson Adoption Institute (DAI), which released two reports today making the case for an increased investment in pre- and post-adoption services.

The Chicago-based Children’s Home Society of America has hired David Bundy to lead the 131-year-old organization, which provides child welfare and family services in 19 states. Bundy led CHS’ Florida operation from 2000 until this year, and has served in some capacity at CHS since 1988.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has named Children’s Aid Society CEO Richard Buery to serve as deputy mayor of special policy initiatives. It is a position conceived by de Blasio, and Buery will oversee many of the new projects related to the mayor’s personal goals.

The Winter 2013/2014 issue of Insights – a publication funded by the California Child Welfare Co-Investment Partnership – assesses early efforts to improve mental health services for children involved in California’s child welfare system.

If you or your organization work with adoptive families or children, now is the time for their voices to be heard as part of a major research project. The New York-based Donaldson Adoption Institute is making a final push on a new survey exploring the experiences and needs of different types of adoptive families, in the hopes of informing and enhancing the training of adoption professionals.