This podcast from the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth features Gina, a youth advocate for runaway and homeless youth issues, who has attended many statewide and national conferences. Gina shares her thoughts on what makes a successful youth advocate and how adults can support young people in becoming advocates. Learn more.

StopBullying.gov is featuring new online bullying prevention training modules. These free resources include a PowerPoint presentation with suggested talking points for community events, a Community Action Toolkit, and a bullying prevention video. Learn more.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) created an English and Spanish fotonovela, called “Ana’s Story,” that teaches children and teens how to avoid sports injuries. Learn more.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) developed an Educational Resource Toolkit that can be used by housing authorities to help their residents increase their involvement in their children’s education. The toolkit includes resources for parents on helping children succeed in school, talking to children about bullying, and strengthening their relationships with their children, with a particular focus on resources for strengthening relationships between fathers and their children. Learn more (PDF, 10 pages).

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is featuring a study on its site that examines whether homeless youths' level of resiliency protects them from risk factors for HIV. The study found that because of their ability to more effectively cope with homelessness, resilient youth may be less inclined to seek services and interventions that can help them obtain stable housing. This study highlights the importance of connecting young people to services early on, as results show resiliency in homeless young people deteriorates over time. Learn more.

As part of Bullying Awareness Month in October, the annual National Safe Schools Day highlights efforts to build inclusive safe schools, resources, and spaces. In commemoration of Safe Schools Day, join the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights and StopBullying.gov for a Twitter Town Hall on bullying on October 5, 2012 from 3:00PM-4:00PM ET, by using the hashtag #BullyFreeDC. Visit Stopbullying.gov to learn more about bullying and what you can do to prevent it.

PEERx is a national initiative created by the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It aims to empower young people in grades 8 through 10 to avoid prescription drug abuse. NIDA offers many free resources that can help facilitate discussions with teenagers about prescription drug abuse and the PEERx Activity Guide provides suggestions for activities for NIDA’s National Drug Facts Week which will take place January 28 through February 3, 2012. Learn more.

The Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced it will award eight new grants to enhance scientific education in schools, aquariums, museums, and other institutions across America. The goal of the projects is to increase stewardship and promote environmental literacy. Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Service’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has announced a new online campaign, called “You Matter,” that aims to promote the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “You Matter” includes a website with information on Lifeline services and warning signs of emotional distress and suicide, as well as a blog with posts about  issues that many young people deal with. The goal of the campaign is to encourage young adults in crisis to contact the Lifeline for help by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by chatting online. Learn more.

On behalf of Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention, encourage the youth in your life to submit original public service announcements, 30 to 60 seconds in length, that showcase ways they are promoting a culture of kindness and respect in their communities by taking action against bullying. Submissions should be informative and entertaining videos that send a positive message to youth about the importance of being “more than a bystander” to bullying in their schools and communities. The deadline for submission is October 14, and the top prize is $2,000. Full details about the contest, including submission guidelines and rules for eligibility, are available at stopbullying.challenge.gov.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Safe Start Center released a toolkit that aims to raise awareness of the prevalence of children’s exposure to violence. The toolkit includes an infographic and links to resources on the topic. Learn more.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has updated its Statistical Briefing Book. Updated data around juvenile justice populations and victims of domestic violence have been added, as well as FBI supplementary homicide reports and information in the Frequently Asked Questions section. Learn more.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Under Secretary Martha Kanter recently met with college students and youth leaders from the United States Student Association to hear stories about how Pell Grant and TRIO programs have positively impacted their lives. Secretary Duncan also requested feedback from the youth on the new studentaid.ed.gov website. Learn more.  

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) will host a webinar, “A Developmental Approach to Trauma-Informed Practice with Crossover Youth” on October 9, 2012 from 12:00PM-1:30PM ET. Presenters will discuss how child-serving systems can improve their response to the needs of youth that cross over from child welfare to juvenile justice. Learn more and register by creating an account with NCTSN.

The Department of Health and Human Services will present a webinar on September 27, 2012 from 12:00PM-1:30PM ET that will highlight Healthy People 2020 and educate participants about bullying among adolescents, bullying prevention and systems-level policy changes, and populations at risk. Learn more and register.

The Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Violence Prevention Training Institute will conduct a free training about the growing trend of the nonmedical use of prescription drugs among college students. Experts in the field will help participants learn how to implement or strengthen a campus-based prescription drug abuse prevention program. The training will be held October 10-11, 2012 in Washington, DC. The registration deadline is September 14, 2012 and will be limited to 100 participants. Learn more.

In a blog post, Attorney General Eric Holder provides an update on the work of the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, a part of the Defending Childhood Initiative. The post includes an announcement that the Taskforce will release a “blueprint for actions to prevent children’s exposure to violence and mitigate its effects” by late fall 2012. Learn more.

A report from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, “Higher Education: Gaps in Access and Persistence Study,” utilizes 46 indicators to document the scope of gaps in access and persistence in higher education by sex and race/ethnicity. Learn more.

The Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention will present a webinar, “Strategies to Ensure a Healthy Adolescence,” on September 13, 2012 from 2:00PM-3:30PM ET. Participants will gain an understanding of healthy adolescent development, explore how to identify and implement protective factors, and learn the importance of pro-social messaging to create a positive peer culture. Learn more and register.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s  National Center for Youth in Custody will host a webinar, "Creating and Sustaining Improved Conditions for Youth in Custody: Beyond the Initial External Influence," on September 12, 2012 from 2:00PM-3:30PM ET. This webinar will explore reforms in conditions of confinement and identify ways to make confinement safer and therapeutic for youth in custody. Learn more and register.

During National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, join the Office of National Drug Control Policy on October 18, 2012 for the first National Above the Influence (ATI) Day, an opportunity for youth and youth-serving organizations to demonstrate the power of staying above the influences that can lead to substance use. Learn more about how you can celebrate ATI Day in your community by joining a webinar on September 6 or September 12, 2012 at 1:00PM ET. Learn more.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced more than $75 million in YouthBuild grants to help youth earn a high school or General Educational Development diploma while learning critical job skills. The grants will fund 74 YouthBuild programs and will help nearly 5,000 young people gain the skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Learn more.

The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability, which is supported by the Department of Labor, has released a new publication, “Developing a Professional Development System for Youth Service Professionals,” which describes the current state of, and opportunities for, a comprehensive professional development system for youth-serving professionals, and highlights next steps for systems, professionals, and policy makers. Learn more.

A new page has been created on the Department of Education’s website that aims to provide information to parents and families about a wide variety of education-related topics, such as special education, fatherhood, bullying, and paying for college. Learn more.

Beginning September 12, 2012, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and senior leaders from the Department of Education will participate in the third annual back-to-school bus tour, which aims to drive home the message that, “Education Drives America.” Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is highlighting on its website the work of a crisis center in Michigan that is using one-on-one live chat to help youth in crisis. Learn more about why live chatting can make young people feel more comfortable accessing crisis services as well as tips for choosing software, staffing live chatting, and responding to the large demand for this type of service. Learn more.

Cast members from the hit TV show “Glee” will be starring in a series of PSAs about the dangers of texting and driving, as part of the national "Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks." Campaign, a partnership between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Ad Council, Fox Home Entertainment, state Attorneys General, and state consumer protection agencies. Learn more.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded four tribes in South Dakota a combined total of up to $4.6 million to promote suicide prevention efforts in their communities. Learn more.

The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse invites applications for cooperative agreement participants to develop and test strategies to improve substance abuse prevention and treatment services for youth under juvenile justice supervision. Applications are due November 28, 2012. Learn more.

The Department of Justice’s Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center will hold a webinar on September 13, 2012 from 3:00PM-4:15PM ET that will highlight the approach Oklahoma has used to make sure all state-driven underage drinking prevention projects are truly youth-driven and provide multiple strategies that can be used to encourage youth-led programming. Learn more and register.

September is Recovery Month, which promotes the idea that recovery in all forms is possible, and celebrates people in recovery and the work of treatment providers. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Recovery Month website to plan your local event or find an even to participate in. Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $68 million to 114 community-based organizations, university hospitals, and health departments to provide comprehensive medical care and services to women, infants, children, and youth living with HIV/AIDS who have been newly diagnosed, previously diagnosed but have never been in care, or are returning to care after more than a year absence. Learn more.

The NASBHC has announced the launch of a National Youth Advisory Council (YAC) as part of its ongoing effort to support and advance the engagement of youth. Youth ages 15 to 21, who have used school-based health care (SBHC) services or worked to address health care issues that affect young people, are eligible to apply for a two-year position on the council. SBHC staff are encouraged to support students in submitting applications by September 14, 2012. For more information, review the NASBHC YAC Overview (PDF, 1 page) and contact Kellye McKenzie, Adolescent Health Policy Program Manager at NASBHC.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created a new PSA, featuring Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner, titled, “Heads Up” that aims to educate parents, kids, and teens about concussion and serious brain injury. Learn more.

The Department of Education’s College Navigator is an online tool that can help high school students find, organize, and keep track of the schools that will work best for them. Learn more.

On July 25, 2012, the co-chairs of Attorney General Eric Holder’s Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence reported on their progress to Congress, discussing the lessons learned from the four public hearings the task force held in cities across the country. Learn more.

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration’s Division of Youth Services will hold a live chat on August 16, 2012 from 1:00PM-2:00PM ET to discuss the newly released TEGL 5-12 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program Guidance for Program Year 2012. The live chat will include a discussion of TEGL 5-12 as well as provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions specific to the WIA Youth program. Click here to join on August 16. (Note: you must be a member of Workforce3 One to join.)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed a tip sheet that parents can use when discussing the recent Aurora, Colorado shooting with their children and teens. Learn more (PDF, 2 pages).

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the formation of its first Youth Preparedness Council, which includes 13 young leaders who will contribute their perspectives on emergency preparedness and share preparedness information with their communities. Learn more (PDF, 3 pages).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control convened a panel of experts in the fields of youth development, violence prevention, and analytic methods to discuss protective influences against youth violence and how these can shape prevention efforts. Work from this panel is featured in a special supplement of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine titled, “Protective Factors for Youth Violence Perpetration Issues, Evidence, and Public Health Implications.” Learn more.

The Office of Adolescent Health (OAH), within the Department of Health and Human Services, recently released a number of new resources related to adolescent reproductive health. Stop by the OAH website and see what’s new!

The Office of Adolescent Health’s Adolescent Health Facts reproductive health data sheets have been updated! The updated state and national factsheets contain: 2010 birth numbers and rates (2010 preliminary National Center for Health Statistics data); Data on high school students’ sexual behaviors, HIV/AIDS education, birth control use, and relationship violence (Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2011); Teen birth (2010 preliminary and 2009 final National Center for Health Statistics data) and pregnancy (Guttmacher 2005 data) rankings by state, and more.  Learn about the reproductive health of teens in your state, and how your state compares to national figures, here.

In a Q&A on the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth’s website, the executive director of a sexual and domestic violence non-profit who works with youth explains why it is important for youth workers to keep up with youth popular culture and trends. The Q&A points out that understanding youth culture creates the opportunity for conversations that can lead to teachable moments about topics that affect young people, like dating and healthy relationships. Learn more.

When teens become pregnant and have children during adolescence, it negatively affects the teens, the children they bear, and society at large.  Despite recent declines in the U.S. teen birth rate, the 2010 rate of at 34.3 per 1,000 adolescents ages 15-19 is still higher than that of many other developed countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom. The Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) just published a comprehensive synthesis of data and Federal resources on teen pregnancy and childbearing, which includes the latest trends; strategies for parents, healthcare providers, and communities; and a full list of resources. You can also learn about OAH’s grant programs to help prevent teen pregnancy and improve outcomes for pregnant and parenting teens.

The Department of Education has unveiled a new model financial aid award letter, known as the “Shopping Sheet,” which aims to promote transparency in student financial aid disclosures by outlining information—such as estimated annual costs, grant money students will receive, the amount of loan money they can expect to take out, and more—up front, before students have enrolled. Learn more.  

A recent entry in the Department of Education’s “Homeroom” blog presented Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s advice for students when picking a college, laid out in five steps. Learn more.

The Department of Education has released a request for information on strategies for improving outcomes for disconnected youth, including recommended approaches for increasing the rate at which these young people meet educational, employment, and other development goals. Responses must be received by July 31, 2012. Learn more.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center will host a webinar on July 26, 2012 from 3:00PM-4:30PM ET titled “Sources of Strength: Preventing Suicide Among High School Students Through Peer Leadership and Adult Mentoring.” The webinar will focus on critical aspects of Sources of Strength, a program that trains high school students to be peer leaders who conduct activities around coping practices, self-harm, drug use, and other topics. Learn more and register.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) plans to launch its third National Underage Drinking Campaign, this fall, called "Talk. They Hear You.” The campaign will aim to give parents information and tools to help them convince their children not to drink underage. Learn more.

The Department of Education has launched the mobile-optimized version of StudentAid.gov, which is fully accessible on tablets and smartphones. This website offers information and tools to help students through the financial aid process. Learn more.

Multiple organizations within the National Institutes of Health will fund projects that aim to identify how young people are influenced to develop healthy habits and/or promote positive sustainable health behaviors in children and youth. Applications are due October 5, 2012. Learn more.

The Department of Education has created the new Financial Awareness Counseling Tool, which provides students with five interactive tutorials covering a wide range of topics that will help them better understand financial aid. Learn more.

Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reflects that youth living in therapeutic foster care, meaning they are living with foster parents who have special training in emotional, behavioral, or health-related disorders, have an elevated risk for substance use. Learn more (PDF, 1 page).

The Department of Labor’s Job Corps has launched its Facebook page, which will be used to share videos, pictures, and links to information. The page will also feature student testimonials and career technical training. Learn more.

First Lady Michelle Obama announced the winners of the Let’s Move! Communities on the Move Video Challenge, which encouraged community leaders to share stories about their efforts to promote health and combat childhood obesity. See the winning videos.

The June 2012 U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) meeting, which was streamed live, focused on ending youth homelessness and featured an overview of the USICH framework to end youth homelessness by 2020. Watch recordings of the meeting. 

On September 20 from 3:00PM-4:15PM EST, the Department of Justice’s Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center will hold a webinar that will address how controlling the location of alcohol outlets can discourage sales to minors and improve youth safety. Learn more and register.

FindYouthInfo.gov has developed a new youth topic on LGBT youth that focuses on the unique assets of and challenges facing this population specifically related to school, homelessness, juvenile justice, families, mental health, and transitioning to adulthood. Learn more.

The latest data from the National Indian Education Study, sponsored by the Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education, shows the average math scores for fourth grade American Indian and Alaska Native students have improved since 2009, though the overall academic progress of these students has stalled since 2005. Learn more.

Jimmy, a recent high school graduate, talks about the opportunities he has had as a result of his participation in the Summer Jobs+ program. Learn more.

The United States Department of Agriculture has released “Expenditures on Children by Families, 2011,” a report that analyzes the costs of raising a child born in 2011. According to the report, middle income parents of a child born in 2011 can expect to spend about $234,900 to raise a child over the next 17 years. Learn more (PDF, 39 pages). 

The Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs announced a competitive solicitation for a cooperative agreement to pilot test the Department of Agriculture's guidelines to reduce child labor and forced labor in imported agricultural products. Applications are due August 20, 2012. Learn more.

Under the Affordable Care Act, young people under the age of 26 can now be insured as dependents on their parents’ health insurance. View this fact sheet about young adults and the Affordable Care Act to learn more. 

Funded by the National Institute of Corrections, a new series of graphic novels titled, “END SILENCE: Youth Speaking Up about Sexual Abuse in Custody,” help youth in juvenile justice settings identify, address, and respond to  sexual abuse perpetrated by staff or other youth. Learn more.

A new post on the OnGuardOnline.gov blog discusses the different kinds of parental controls that are built into most video game systems. Learn more.

Launched on June 25, 2012, the National Resource Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Adolescents arms service providers who work with young people with web-based resources, evidence-based program information, and links to training and technical assistance to help prevent HIV/AIDS among adolescents. Learn more.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is accepting applications for State Adolescent Treatment Enhancement and Dissemination grants. The program will provide funding to states, territories, and tribes to improve treatment services for adolescents through the development of “learning laboratories” with collaborating local community-based treatment providers. Applications are due July 11, 2012. Learn more.

The National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will hold part two of their social media webinar series on July 11, 2012 from 2:00PM-3:00PM EDT. This webinar, “Developing a Social Media Strategy for Children’s Mental Health,” will focus on developing a social media strategy for organizations, communities, and systems of care. Learn more.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released, “Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools,” which represents the best available evidence on preventing suicide among high school students. The toolkit contains recommended steps and accompanying tools to help schools create and implement strategies and programs that promote behavioral health and prevent suicide. Learn more.

The White House produced a new PSA titled “1 is 2 Many,” featuring President Obama, Vice President Biden, and multiple professional athletes discussing the need to eliminate dating violence. Watch the PSA and see the FindYouthInfo.gov youth topic on teen dating violence to learn more.

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families will be accepting applications from public and private entities for the implementation of the Competitive Abstinence Education Program. Grantees will develop a targeted and medically accurate approach to reducing teen pregnancies through abstinence education. Applications are due August 6, 2012. Learn more.

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families will accept applications from states and territories for the development and implementation of State Abstinence Programs. These programs will support decisions to abstain from sexual activity and will focus on those groups that are most likely to bear children out of wedlock,  such as youth in or aging out of foster care. Applications are due July 16, 2012. Learn more.

The National Science Foundation invites proposals for ideas, research, models, programs, and/or other opportunities for innovative, informal, out-of-school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, and for emerging STEM learning environments. Optional Preliminary Proposals Deadline: August 14, 2012. Full Proposal Deadline: January 14, 2013. Learn more.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released “Mobilizing Communities to Prevent and Reduce Underage Alcohol Use,” a report detailing the 2010 Town Hall Meetings which aimed to provide communities with the opportunity to learn about underage alcohol use and how to implement programs to prevent it. Learn more (PDF, 46 pages).

The White House Rural Council has announced the creation of the Department of Education’s new online community of practice group for rural schools, which will allow rural educators to share ideas and practices with their peers across the nation. Learn more.

The Office of Justice Programs has released "Drug Courts," a fact sheet that examines adult and juvenile drug court program models. Learn more (PDF, 2 pages).  

The Institute for Education Sciences’ latest newsletter features an interview about bullying and school climate with developmental psychologist and youth violence prevention researcher, Catherine Bradshaw. Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is featuring information on its website for individuals who work in youth shelters who want to help other staff get used to a “low-barrier” approach, meaning young people are not turned away because they have been drinking or using drugs. Learn more.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for FY 2012 Implementation Cooperative Agreements for Expansion of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families Program, also known as System of Care Expansion Implementation Cooperative Agreements. The program aims to improve the behavioral health outcomes of children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families. Applications are due June 19, 2012. Learn more.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications related to funding for the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, which aims to improve services for children and youth who have experienced traumatic events. SAMHSA is accepting applications for Category I, National Center for Child Traumatic Stress grants, due June 20, 2012, and Category II, Treatment and Service Adaptation Center grants, due June 26, 2012.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration will present a webinar, “Kids in Disasters: Facing Our Challenges,” on June 20, 2012 from 12:30PM-2:00PMEST, which will highlight innovations in pediatric disaster preparedness. Learn more.

The Department of Education released a new report, “Impact in Place: A Progress Report on the Department of Education’s Place-Based Strategy,” which illustrates the Department’s recent adoption of a “place-based” approach, an approach that helps the government better support communities’ responses to challenges by developing solutions that tackle multiple problems. The report, which lays out six key elements for the development of a place-based strategy and examples of implementation, shows that this place-based approach better targets the specific needs of individuals and populations and also improves the impact of investments. Learn more.

The Department of Justice’s Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center offers free, web-based, foundational distance learning opportunities that present best practices and strategies for reducing underage drinking. Participants can receive a certificate upon completion. Learn more.

Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website to learn more about PTSD and view this fact sheet to learn more about how a parent’s PTSD affects their children.

On June 12, 2012 from 2:00PM-3:30PM EST, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), which is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, will present a webinar, “Screening and Assessment in the Juvenile Justice System - The Need for Trauma-Informed Screening and Assessment in Juvenile Justice Settings: Strengths and Limitations of Commonly-Used Instruments.” Register with NCTSN to attend.

The June 12, 2012 meeting of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), which will focus on advancing the goal of ending youth homelessness by 2010, will be streamed live from 1:30PM-2:45PM EST. Click here to tune in.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has released Spanish translations of a resource (PDF, 70 pages) for children with siblings who have been abducted, and a publication (PDF, 74 pages) for youth who were abducted as children and are working towards recovery.

A new report from the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, “The Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in School Accountability Systems,” provides information on school-level accountability for those schools accountable for the performance of the students with disabilities subgroup under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Learn more.

Georgetown University, with the support of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will hold a Leadership Academy on August 20-23, 2012 in Santa Fe, New Mexico for champions for children, youth, and families and leaders in child and youth-serving fields who want to develop their leadership skills. Learn more. 

Finalists in the national healthy lunch competition, “Cooking Up Change,” sponsored by the Healthy Schools Campaign, gathered at the Department of Education on May 21, 2012. Learn more.

The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth has funds available to support community-based programs that address the needs of runaway and homeless youth, including housing and life skills. Maternity Group Homes provide these services as well as parenting skills education. Applications are due July 10, 2012. Learn more.

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families has announced the availability of funds to establish a national AdoptUSKids program, designed to assist states and tribes in the recruitment and support of foster and adoptive families for children in foster care. Applications are due June 25, 2012. Learn more.

The Indian Health Service (HIS) will hold the 2012 IHS National Behavioral Health Conference in Bloomington Minnesota from June 25-28. The theme of the conference will be mobilizing partnerships to promote wellness. Learn more and register. The Indian Health Service funds the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board suicide prevention and bullying campaign.

In conjunction with the Surgeon General’s report, “Preventing Tobacco Use among Youth and Young Adults,” released earlier this year, youth aged 13-17 and young adults aged 18-25 were invited to develop original videos. View the winning entries and learn more.

A new resource from the Federal Trade Commission, “Safeguarding Your Child’s Future,” offers steps to help parents avoid, recognize, and repair the damage caused by child identity theft. Learn more (PDF, 12 pages).

Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius have sent letters to college and university presidents, as well as student associations, encouraging them to remind graduating students of their health insurance options under the Affordable Care Act. Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Family and Youth Services Bureau is accepting applications for the National Communications System (NCS) for Runaway and Homeless Youth. NCS is a one-stop resource for youth who have run away—or are considering running away—and their families, offering a toll-free hotline and linkages to shelters, counseling and medical assistance, and other services. Applications are due July 13, 2012. Learn more.

Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under 15. Learn more (PDF, 2 pages) from this resource from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

During the month of May 2012, HBO and the National Institutes of Health are partnering to present a four-part documentary film series, “The Weight of the Nation,” that illustrates the issue of obesity in America and offers solutions to the problem. Part three of the series, “Children in Crisis,” specifically focuses on how obesity uniquely affects young people and what schools, parents, and kids can do about it. Learn more.

Data published in the April installment of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health Report, published by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, shows trends in adolescent and young adult cigarette use over the past few years. Learn more.

The Department of Education has issued a publication, “Restraint and Seclusion: Resource Document,” that outlines principles to help educators, parents, and school districts avoid the use of restraint and seclusion when developing policies to support positive behavioral interventions. Learn more.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has announced that it is seeking applications for the Fiscal Year 2012 National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Training and Technical Assistance Project. Applications are due June 25, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 22 pages).

The Department of Education’s Safe and Supportive Schools Technical Assistance Center will present a webinar titled, “Implementing New Programs—The Impact of Current Practice,” which will focus on helping schools insert new programs into existing organizational realities. This webinar will be offered on May 23, 2012, 4:00PM-5:30PM ET and again on May 24, 2012, 11:00AM-12:30PM ET. Learn more.

Visit the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth’s website for resources and read the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month spotlight article on FindYouthInfo.gov for more information.

In observation of Mental Health Month, read the statement from Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about Mental Health Month and the successful efforts to raise awareness about mental health. Visit the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s website to find resources on mental health promotion. See FindYouthInfo.gov’s Mental Health youth topic to learn more about the prevalence of mental health disorders among youth, as well as risk/protective factors and treatment options for youth.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is featuring a Q&A on its website focused on providing resources to youth workers grieving the loss of a young person involved in their programs. Learn more.

As profiled on the website of the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth, a new study examined what kind of classroom environment helps students learn more about sexual health and then actually use that information. Learn more.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has announced available funding for the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Field-Initiated Research and Evaluation Program. Funds will support research to study the factors that influence the prevention of underage drinking and the enforcement of underage drinking laws, as well as attitudes about underage drinking. Applications are due June 4, 2012. Learn more.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center will present a webinar, “Successful Family Skills to Prevent Underage Drinking,” on June 21, 2012 from 3:00PM-4:15PM ET. This webinar will focus on seven specific skills that parents can use to prevent underage drinking and other substance abuse in their families. Learn more and register.

On May 10, 2012 from 2:00PM-4:00PM ET, the National Institute of Mental Health will present a videocast titled, “The Developing Brain: What It Means for Treating Adolescents.” This videocast will feature a panel of children's mental health researchers discussing neuroscience research findings related to teen brain development, cognition and emotional and behavioral growth, as well as treatment for teens. Learn more.

“2012 National Pathways to Adulthood: A Convening on Youth in Transition” will be held June 27-29, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this convening will bring together independent and transitional living professionals. Learn more and register.

On May 2, 2012, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the 2012 class of Presidential Scholars. These 141 high school seniors, recognized for their accomplishments in academics or the arts, make up the 48th class of Presidential Scholars since the program’s inception in 1964. Learn more.

Profiled on Disability.gov’s blog, Leah Katz-Hernandez advocates for youth with disabilities through her blog, “The Deaf Perspective,” and her work as the 2011 HSC Foundation Youth Transitions Fellow. Learn more about Leah.

First Lady Michelle Obama asked faith-based and neighborhood communities to create videos showcasing how they promote healthy eating and physical activity. Now you can vote for your favorite! Between now and May 11, 2012, you can cast your vote here.

May 9 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Celebrate with a national event in DC or watch the event via live webcast. Awareness Day will celebrate “Heroes of Hope,”  sharing the message that, with the help of caring adults and informed child-serving systems, youth can demonstrate resilience despite having experienced a traumatic event. 

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement is accepting applications for its Refugee School Impact Program to support school systems that are impacted by significant numbers of refugee children or are otherwise faced with challenges in providing education to refugee students. Applications are due June 18, 2012. Learn more.

A new report from the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Child and Youth Victimization Known to Police, School, and Medical Authorities,” outlines what types of violence children report and what professionals are aware of the reported violence. The report shows that 46 percent of victimized children were known to school, police, or medical authorities. Read the report (PDF, 8 pages) and read Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West’s blog entry about the new data.

The Department of Education has released the list of the first-ever Green Ribbon Schools. The list includes 78 schools that were recognized for their comprehensive approach to creating "green" environments through reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring high-quality environmental and outdoor education. Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Children, Youth and Families released an information memorandum that aims to help child welfare agencies promote social and emotional well-being for children and youth receiving child welfare services who have experienced maltreatment, trauma, and/or exposure to violence. Learn more (PDF, 21 pages).

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has released a new fact sheet with information about the consequences of abusive college drinking, as well as factors affecting student drinking and how to address it. View the fact sheet (PDF, 4 pages).

The Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services, has released a summary of interim findings based on national evaluation data submitted by DFC grantees on youth alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. Learn more.

May is Global Youth Traffic Safety Month and you are invited to participate in events sponsored by the National Organizations for Youth Safety in Washington, DC on May 6-8. Learn more

The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has opened its FY 2012 Solicitation for Community Policing Development Grants. The deadline for this solicitation is May 21, 2012. Learn more.

The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is featuring information on its Parent Central website to help parents keep kids safe while they are on the road. Learn more. Also, visit FindYouthInfo’s youth topic on teen driver safety for more information on keeping youth safe behind the wheel.

Sponsored by the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, the Virtual Career Network allows individuals interested in the health care field to explore occupations, training programs, current job listings, financial aid, free online courses, and ways previous experience can be applied to their future careers. Learn more.

The Department of Education has released its “Action Plan for Improving Measures of Postsecondary Student Success,” which takes steps to change the current measures of student success in postsecondary education. This document was developed in response to the Department’s finding that current federal data on graduation rates is incomplete and does not convey the full picture of student outcomes at two-year institutions. Learn more (PDF, 2 pages).

People affected by the Midwest tornados, or any disaster or tragedy, can call the Disaster Distress Helpline, sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to receive immediate counseling. Calling 1-800-985-5990 will connect you to a trained professional from the closest crisis counseling center within the network. Learn more.

In the latest installment of the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth’s podcast series, “Youth Speak Out,” three formerly homeless youth discuss how they have found ways to stay happy and healthy and achieve a sense of well-being, which is one of the Family and Youth Services Bureau's crucial outcomes for runaway and homeless youth. Listen to the podcast.

A new report by the Federal Trade Commission, “Mobile Apps for Kids: Current Privacy Disclosures Are Disappointing,” reveals that mobile app developers and distributors are not providing information around what data is being collected when children use apps, and how this data is shared. Read the report (PDF, 34 pages) and learn more about it on OnGuardOnline.gov.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is featuring a podcast on its website in which Forrest Vest, a formerly homeless youth, discusses how he is working with a family friend to start a new foundation and how youth can be powerful advocates for change. Listen to the podcast.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is soliciting applications for its Rural Youth Development Grants Program which supports the expansion of effective, high quality youth development programs for youth in rural areas and small towns. Applications are due May 21, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 45 pages).

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is requesting applications for its Local Mentoring Coordinator Program, which will provide funds for a coordinator position to support a local continuum of mentoring services for targeted youth. Applications are due May 14, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 21 pages).

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is seeking applications for its Juvenile Drug Courts/Reclaiming Futures solicitation, which will provide funds for building the capacity of states, state and local courts, units of local government, and tribal governments to develop and establish juvenile drug courts for substance-abusing juvenile offenders. Applications are due May 16, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 24 pages).

In observance of Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month in April, the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is featuring a list of recommended resources on sexually transmitted diseases on its website, including information geared specifically to teens and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Learn more.

In the first of a new video series from the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NFCY) that asks youth workers to discuss the impact they have had on the lives of youth, Linda Mascarenas of Family and Youth Services in Stockton, CA, talks about a teen mother who became a paid employee of her youth program. Learn more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces the creation of new suicide prevention products and tools, developed from federal and local partnerships. These resources include the Life Is Sacred Actionable Knowledge Product Suite, which has talking points that can serve as conversation starters between parents and their children and slides that can be used in presentations to community groups and schools, and the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program Early Identification and Referral Data Toolkit, which provides guidance and tools for collecting data on students at risk for suicidal behavior in schools.

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has announced the availability of approximately $20 million in grant funds, authorized by the Workforce Investment Act, for four grants to improve the long-term labor market prospects of juvenile offenders in high-poverty, high-crime communities. Applications are due May 1, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 30 pages).

On April 4, 2012, the Department of Defense hosted Operation Homefront’s 2012 Military Child of the Year awards gala, honoring five young people from military families in recognition of their service and sacrifice. Learn more.

Applications are available for thousands of temporary seasonal jobs with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and its conservation partners for this summer. The Forest Service aims to provide career development opportunities for all young people, but has a specific goal of giving low income youth opportunities to gain work experience, serve their country, and contribute to much needed work on public lands. Learn more.

The Department of Education announced new steps to help close the achievement gap for students with disabilities. This will involve moving away from a one-size-fits-all, compliance-focused approach. Instead, the Department will work closely with stakeholders to develop a new review system that has a more balanced, results-driven approach to assessing how states are educating students with disabilities. Learn more.

In response to comments from the general public and key stakeholders, the Department of Education has revised its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2011-14. Learn more.

As profiled by the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, which is supported by the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Clemson University successfully improved its alcohol policies, increased availability of alcohol-free events, and worked with community partners to reduce the frequency of underage student alcohol use. Learn more (PDF, 1 page).

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education announced the relaunch of an enhanced version of the StopBullying.gov website, which provides information about preventing and responding to bullying. View the new site.

The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance is seeking applications to operate a National Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Resource Center. This funding comes from the  Second Chance Act, which aims to help communities implement strategies that address the challenges of offender reentry. Applications are due April 19, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 20 pages).

The Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice is seeking proposals that address resilience, polyvictimization, electronic aggression, or justice system responses to children exposed to violence. Applications are due May 22, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 21 pages).

On April 11, 2012, from 1:00PM-2:30PM EST, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Children's Bureau will present a webinar, “The Story of the Children's Bureau, The Early Years: 1912–1937.” This webinar, which is the first in a series of monthly webinars commemorating the Children's Bureau's centennial, will focus on the creation of the Children's Bureau and its early work. Learn more and register.

On March 26, 2012, 200 4-H members from across the country came to Washington, DC to participate in the 2012 National 4-H Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Learn more.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius marked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health Awareness Week 2012 by releasing a statement highlighting the health disparities faced by LGBT people and the work the administration is doing to meet the unique health needs of this population. Read the Secretary’s statement. Also, see the new resource, “Top Health Issues for LGBT Populations Information and Resource Kit,” released by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which equips providers and educators with information on current health issues facing LGBT populations.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is accepting applications for its FY 2012 Community-Based Violence Prevention Demonstration Program, which provides funding for the replication of proven community-based strategies to reduce violence. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 22 pages).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security is seeking nominations for youth to serve on FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council. Members of the Youth Preparedness Council will participate in a community preparedness roundtable event and have the opportunity to share their opinions about youth disaster preparedness. Nominations must be received by April 6, 2012. Learn more.

The Department of Education’s Higher Education Center’s publication, “Bullying and Cyberbullying at Colleges and Universities,” highlights the prevalence of bullying within college-age youth and the policies and programs universities are putting in place to combat it. Learn more (PDF, 2 pages). 

On March 19, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan attended the second annual Building a Grad Nation Summit in Washington, DC and provided opening remarks and moderated a panel on the progress of the School Improvement Grant program. Read the Secretary’s remarks.

“Trauma-focused Treatment for Teens and Young Adults,” an article published in the latest e-newsletter from the National Resource Center for Youth Development, which is a service of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau, features resources for youth who have experienced trauma to help them build resiliency and advocacy skills. Learn more. 

The Safe and Supportive Schools Technical Assistance Center, which is supported by the Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students, announced its next webinar, “Enhancing Peer to Peer Relationships to Strengthen School Climate.” This webinar, which will focus specifically on student-to-student relationships, will be offered twice, first on March 28, 2012 from 4:00PM−5:30PM ET and again on March 29, 2012 from 11:00AM−12:30PM ET. Learn more and register.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has announced the release of the FY2012 Drug Free Communities Mentoring Request for Applications. Learn more.

The United States Department of Agriculture will be adjusting procurement specifications for the next school year so schools can have additional options in their choice of the ground beef products they serve to students, allowing them to order products either with or without Lean Finely Textured Beef. Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation are collaborating on a $1 million effort aimed at diverting youth with behavioral health needs from the juvenile justice system to community-based services. Learn more.

The latest issue of IMPACT, the quarterly newsletter of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, which is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, is focused entirely on the relationship between culture and trauma. Topics covered include youth suicide in a tribal community and disclosure of abuse in LGBT youth. Learn more (PDF, 8 pages).

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration and the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention will host the National Symposium for Family Drug Court professionals in Anaheim, California on September 5-7, 2012. Learn more.

The Surgeon General released a report on “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults,” which summarizes the latest findings on tobacco use among youth and young adults, including the causes and the solutions. Read the full report and, for more information about tobacco use among youth, visit the Office of Adolescent Health page on substance abuse and tobacco.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will fund up to six mentoring best practice research studies that contribute to the knowledge about the effectiveness of mentoring as a prevention strategy for youth who are at risk of involvement, or are already involved, in the juvenile justice system. Learn more.

The Department of Education released Part 2 of the 2009-10 Civil Rights Data Collection, which identifies inequalities in schools and suggests solutions to close the educational achievement gap in America. Learn more. 

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is featuring resources on its website for youth-serving agencies planning to apply for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program grants this spring. Learn more.

The Administration for Children and Families’ Child Welfare Information Gateway has updated the “Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect” section of its website in order to provide related resources in preparation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Learn more.

On April 2, 2012 from 1:00PM-2:30PM ET, the National Institute for Health Care Management Research and Educational Foundation, which is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services, will host a webinar, “Creating Safer Schools & Healthier Children: A Model Bullying Prevention Program.” This webinar will focus on how the Highmark Foundation launched the Bullying Prevention Institute and enabled the largest statewide implementation of a bullying prevention initiative in the country. Participants must register by noon on March 30, 2012. Learn more and register.

A new report by the Federal Trade Commission, “Mobile Apps for Kids: Current Privacy Disclosures Are Disappointing,” reveals that mobile app developers and distributors are not providing information around what data is being collected when children use apps, and how this data is shared. Read the report (PDF, 34 pages) and learn more about it on OnGuardOnline.gov.

Join experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the U.S. Department of Education:

Tuesday, March 20, 2012
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Learn from experts about the importance of bullying prevention, the value of programs, policies, and practices based upon the best available evidence, and resources available to assist parents and schools in their prevention and intervention efforts.

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• Anti-Defamation League
• StopBullying.gov
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The Department of Education is accepting applications for its “Investing in Innovation Fund” program, which is designed to provide competitive grants to applicants with a record of improving student achievement. Applicants must submit a notice of intent to apply by March 15, 2012 and must submit pre-applications by April 9, 2012. Learn more. (PDF, 15 pages)

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will host a webinar, “The Road to Juvenile Justice: The Intersection of Restorative Justice and Disproportionate Minority Contact,” on March 14, 2012 at 2:00PM ET. This webinar will examine strategies used in various communities, such as Circles and Conferences, and how careful implementation of these strategies can help in local DMC-reduction efforts. Learn more and register. 

A new report from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 17% of children and adolescents, and one-third of adults, were obese in 2009–2010. Learn more.

The Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE), a collaboration of leading disability and business organizations funded by the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, has launched the second “What can YOU do?” video contest, which encourages filmmakers of all ages to produce creative and fun videos that reflect the diverse skills of people with disabilities, challenge misconceptions, and/or highlight employers’ inclusive practices. The deadline to submit videos is March 30, 2012. Learn more.

The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, which is sponsored by the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, has created underage drinking costs sheets for each state that estimate the costs that are incurred as a direct result of underage alcohol consumption. Learn more. 

In a study conducted in conjunction with Children of Alcoholics Week (February 12-18, 2012), the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 7.5 million children under age 18 live with a parent who has experienced an alcohol use disorder in the past year. Read the report (PDF, 1 page).

Sponsored by Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau’s Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, the 18th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect will be held on April 16-20, 2012 in Washington, DC. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from child welfare leaders and network with other professionals. Learn more and register.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for Child and Adolescent Injury and Violence Prevention Grants. The purpose of this funding is to increase focus on the protection of infants, children, and adolescents from injuries and violence, improve the health and safety of these populations, and increase the capacity of HRSA-funded services. Applications are due March 14, 2012. Learn more.

The National Resource Center for Youth Development, a service of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau, will host a webinar, “Tips and Tools: Locating and Engaging Youth in the Follow-Up National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Survey,” on March 28, 2:00PM-3:30PM EST. This webinar will focus on effective strategies for locating and engaging former foster youth to participate in survey research. Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth is featuring a Q&A on its website with the executive director of a youth-serving group in which he discusses steps organizations can take to develop good relationships in the community. Learn more.

One of the 12 Leading Health Indicator topics covered by Healthy People 2020, an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services that establishes national objectives for improving health, is “Injury and Violence.” The HealthyPeople.gov site provides an overview of injury and violence, explains how injury and violence change across life stages, and explores the latest data in this area. Learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service, in partnership with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, have created THRIVE: Tribal Health Reaching out InVolves Everyone, a suicide prevention and anti-bullying prevention campaign for American Indian/Alaska Native youth. Learn more.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is accepting applications to fund Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (STOP Act) grants, aimed at preventing alcohol use among underage youth. Applications are due March 29, 2012. Learn more and apply.

A webinar, “Teen Dating Violence and Reproductive Coercion: Innovative Opportunities for Programs and Partnerships,” will be held on February 27 from 2:00PM–3:30PM EST. Presenters will discuss research on violence and health and will highlight promising programs for promoting healthy teen relationships. This webinar is sponsored by the Family Violence Prevention & Services Act Program, Adolescent Pregnancy Program, Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Adolescent Health, and Futures Without Violence. Learn more and register and view FindYouthInfo.gov’s Youth Topic on Teen Dating Violence.

The Department of Education’s Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Violence Prevention will present a webinar, “Using New Student Orientation to Prevent Violence Against Women on College Campuses,” on March 8, 2012 from 1:00PM–2:30PM EST. Learn more and register.

Released by the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) and the PACER Center, and featured on Disability.gov, the report, “Preparing for Employment: On the Home Front,” illustrates how parents can help prepare their children for employment. Learn more.

The Department of Education is inviting students to develop solutions to help their peers become ready for college and careers. Students can submit a business plan and a video clip promotion for a for-profit or non-profit startup that includes an innovative strategy, product, or service designed to address one of four areas of education: middle school transition to high school and graduation, skills for postsecondary education, choosing a college or career, or college degree completion. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2012. Learn more.

On January 31, 2012, Attorney General Eric Holder’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence held a public hearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The focus of the hearing was the unique challenges rural and tribal communities face in preventing children’s exposure to violence. Additional hearings will be held this year in Miami and Detroit. Learn more.

The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance will fund demonstration projects aimed at preventing rape and meeting the requirements of Prison Rape Elimination Act standards in juvenile correction and detention facilities, adult jails, and tribal facilities. Applications are due March 15, 2012. Learn more and apply (PDF, 23 pages).

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center will host a webinar, “Looking at Underage Drinking Costs Data: What Do the Numbers Tell Us?” on March 15, 2012 from 3:00PM-4:15PM EST. Presenters will discuss the latest cost data related to underage drinking and how data can be used to plan and allocate for programs. Learn more and register.

The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy has released a collection of career development exercises titled, “Soft Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success.” The activities in these exercises aim to improve the "soft skills" of young workers, including those with disabilities. Learn more.

President Obama has announced that ten states will receive flexibility from the mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act, in exchange for raising academic standards, improving accountability, and increasing teacher effectiveness. Learn more.

As part of Digital Learning Day, held on February 1,Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan participated in a roundtable discussion on transitioning schools to digital learning. Also, a National Town Hall was held that featured schools and teachers from across the country who effectively use technology to deliver instruction. Learn more.

The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NCFY) is featuring a Q&A titled, “Ask NCFY: How Can Transitional Living Programs Keep Landlords Happy?” This Q&A offers advice to those who run transitional living programs on what they can do to make sure their youth are good tenants. Learn more.

The deal-a-day website Groupon recently launched a program called “G-Team” that allows nonprofits to creatively raise more money while reaching a broader audience. The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth published an article featuring advice for youth-serving organizations that want to apply to be a part of G-Team. Read the article.

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration report, “Beyond a Summer Work Experience: The Recovery Act 2009 Post-Summer Youth Employment Initiative,” examines organizations that used Recovery Act funds to support post-summer youth employment initiatives. Learn more.

The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Programs released a competitive grant announcement for "PREA Demonstration Projects to Establish 'Zero Tolerance' Cultures For Sexual Assault in Local Adult and Juvenile Correctional Facilities." This grant provides resources to implement approaches that address the detection, prevention, and response to sexual abuse within adult and juvenile correctional environments. Applications are due March 15, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 23 pages).

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network will hold a webinar, "Methods Development in Dissemination & Implementation: Implications for Implementing and Sustaining Interventions in Child Welfare and Child Mental Health Service Systems," on February 22, 2012 at 12:00PM EST. Presenters will discuss methods development within child welfare and mental health organizations. Learn more and register (scroll down to view).

A new research brief, "What are Districts' Written Policies Regarding Student Substance-Related Incidents?" presents the findings from a study commissioned by the Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences. The study examined substance-related policies for the 100 largest school districts in the country. View the research brief.

The Department of Justice and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation will partner to provide $2 million to support reforms in services for youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Learn more (PDF, 2 pages).

A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "The Economic Burden of Child Maltreatment in the United States and Implications for Prevention," found the total lifetime estimated financial costs associated with just one year of confirmed cases of child maltreatment is approximately $124 billion. Learn more.

The tenth in a series of reports from the Department of Health and Human Services, "Child Welfare Outcomes 2006–2009: Report to Congress" is designed to inform Congress and child welfare professionals about national and state performance on several measures of outcomes for children served by child welfare systems across the United States. Read the report.

February is African American History Month. Federal Resources for Education Excellence is currently featuring 69 free teaching and learning resources that educators can use when conducting lessons on African American History Month. Learn more.

The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth recently profiled two search tools for finding federal funds. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) Funding and Programs List outlines which federal departments have programs that help prevent and end homelessness and includes programs specifically designed to assist homeless youth. View the USICH list. The custom Grants.gov search tool on www.FindYouthInfo.gov allows users to search for federal funding opportunities by youth-related topic or federal agency. View the custom search tool.

Martha Kanter, the under secretary of education, will solicit and answer students’ Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) questions live on Twitter, using the #askFAFSA hashtag, during the “FAFSA Office Hours” event on January 26 at 4:30PM EST. This event is the first in a monthly series of Q&A sessions that Federal Student Aid will host on Twitter. Learn more. For more information for students about federal aid programs available to help pay for college, please refer to the Department of Education’s new publication, “Funding Your Education: The 2012-13 Guide to Federal Student Aid.” The guide also contains information specifically for students with disabilities. Read the guide (PDF, 28 pages).

Healthy People 2020, an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services, established 10-year goals and objectives for health promotion and disease prevention. Healthy People 2020 includes 11 objectives specifically related to improving the health of our nation's adolescents. Learn more.

The Department of Education, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services and many father-serving organizations, recently sponsored an event to start a dialogue around the role of men in the lives of our nation’s children. Fathers, uncles, male mentors, grandfathers, brothers, and community leaders gathered at the Café at Chicago Vocational Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois to share what fathers can do to increase their involvement and support in the lives of their children, especially their education. Learn more.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is holding an open competition for its Empowering Women and Girls Through Sports Program. The program will fund approximately 12 short-term U.S.-based and overseas programs focused on fostering women’s empowerment through sports. The deadline to apply is February 6, 2012. Learn more.

A new publication from the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Corrections, “You’re an Adult Now: Youth in Adult Criminal Justice Systems,” discusses the lack of information available about how to manage juvenile offenders who are placed in adult prison settings. Learn more (PDF, 40 pages).

In an interview with the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth, Kim Klein, an Oakland, CA fundraising consultant, shares five resolutions youth-serving nonprofits should make in 2012 to help them increase the amount of money they raise from donors. Read the interview.

A new guide released by The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “Birth Parents and Trauma Histories in the Child Welfare System: A Guide for Resource Parents,” aims to help resource, or foster, parents to better understand the birth parents with whom they work. View the guide (4 pages, PDF).

The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance announced that it is accepting applications for funding under the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Training and Technical Assistance Program. The purpose of this funding is to facilitate the collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, and mental health and substance abuse treatment systems to increase access to services. Applications are due February 2, 2012. Learn more and apply (PDF, 18 pages).

In a new video series from the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth, four youth talk about the adults who helped change their lives. The first video in the series features Marcus, a former foster youth, describing how his adoptive mom has helped and supported him. Watch the video.  

In light of Secretary Arne Duncan’s announcement about the Green Ribbon Schools initiative in September, this blog post from the Department of Education highlights resources schools can utilize to become more environmentally friendly, while also saving money. Read the post.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the winners of the MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge, which encouraged contestants to create videos demonstrating innovative ways to "make half your plate fruits and vegetables" with skits, songs, and dance. Schools, community groups, and families submitted videos that share practical tips for including fruits and vegetables in every meal. Learn more.

The Department of Education launched the College Net Price Calculator Student Video Challenge to broaden public awareness of tools on the Department’s website that help parents and students calculate the cost of attending college. High school and college students are encouraged to produce and submit short videos highlighting why the calculators are a valuable resource. The top three contestants will each win a $1,500 cash prize. Video submissions are due by January 31, 2012. Learn more.

The Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students released a new state grants program report entitled, “Prevalence and Implementation Fidelity of Research-Based Prevention Programs in Public Schools.” The report discusses findings on key program implementation measures for the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA): State Grants Program, which provided support to states for a variety of drug-abuse and violence-prevention activities that support student academic achievement. Read the report.

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with other federal agencies, is seeking applications for the 2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. After-school and out-of-school arts and humanities programs sponsored by educational institutions, libraries, museums, performing arts organizations, community organizations, businesses, and certain government entities are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2012. Learn more.

The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NCFY) has released a short list of hotline numbers that every youth should have, especially youth dealing with homelessness. View the list.

The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NCFY) recently interviewed Alicia Wilson-Ahlstrom, who authored a Forum for Youth Investment report that reviewed eight outcome-measurement tools that can be used to evaluate afterschool programs and other settings. The interview focuses on learning how youth-serving programs can measure the effectiveness of what they do. Read the interview.

The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NCFY) is featuring a Q&A around providing respectful support to youth living with HIV. The Q&A focuses on how youth workers can specifically support youth with an HIV diagnosis living in shelters. Learn more.

Disability.gov Guest Blogger Alex Posny, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, asks the question: what does it look like when someone is truly making a difference in the lives of students with disabilities? Read the blog entry.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has partnered with GreatSchools, a national nonprofit educational resource for parents, to provide an online database that can assist parents in choosing a school for their child. The database contains more than 200,000 public, charter, magnet, and private schools, serving grades K-12 across the country. Access the database.

The Second Chance Act Technology Careers Training Demonstration Projects for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles grant will provide funds to increase the ability of offenders to be employed in technology-based jobs and career fields.
Applications are due March 2, 2012. Learn more (PDF, 19 pages).

The National Mentoring Partnership, Global Youth Justice, and the National Partnership for Juvenile Services are conducting a survey to improve the design and delivery of mentoring services for youth at risk for delinquency, alcohol and drug abuse, truancy, and other problem behaviors. Mentoring and juvenile justice professionals working in detention, corrections, probation, dependency courts, delinquency courts, and teen court/youth court diversion programs are encouraged to take part by completing the survey, which is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Results will be used in a research report and in training and technical assistance materials. The report and materials will be free and available online. Take the survey.

The National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data illustrating that the Affordable Care Act has significantly increased the number of young people who are covered by health insurance, bringing this number to 2.5 million. Learn more.

Registration is now open for the National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, to be held on April 16-20, 2012 in Washington, DC. The goal of the conference is to share information on research and practice in the field and learn new and innovative techniques. Learn more and register.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) will hold a webinar on January 12, 2012 from 3:30PM-4:30PM EST to discuss the harm reduction model for youth facing homelessness. The panel will include representatives from Lighthouse Youth Services in Cincinnati, OH and Preble Street in Portland, ME. Learn more and register.

The Department of Education’s Policy and Program Studies Service (PPSS) has released a report analyzing school-level spending and teacher salary data. The report shows that schools serving low-income students receive an unequal distribution of their state and local funding. This marks the first endeavor to collect national data on school-level expenditures. Read the report (PDF, 78 pages).

The Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has released a report, “Distance Education Courses for Public Elementary and Secondary School Students: 2009–10,” that provides national data about enrollment in distance education courses, as well as the delivery and monitoring of these courses. Read the report.

The Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) has released a report on the effectiveness of Coping Power, a program that involves group sessions for children and parents. The program was found to have positive effects for children classified with an emotional disturbance. Read the report.  

The White House and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) are joining forces to recognize outstanding volunteers nationwide with the MLK Drum Majors for Service program. The Drum Majors program gives organizations an opportunity to acknowledge volunteers who perform extraordinary acts of service, but seldom receive recognition. Drum Major awardees receive an award from CNCS designating that person as a “Drum Major for Service” with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Drum Major Award recipients will be honored at events in their communities. Submit a volunteer to be recognized and send an email sharing the story of the person you plan to honor.

The White House and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) are joining forces to recognize outstanding volunteers nationwide with the MLK Drum Majors for Service program. The Drum Majors program gives organizations an opportunity to acknowledge volunteers who perform extraordinary acts of service, but seldom receive recognition. Drum Major awardees receive an award from CNCS designating that person as a “Drum Major for Service” with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Drum Major Award recipients will be honored at events in their communities. Submit a volunteer to be recognized and send an email sharing the story of the person you plan to honor.

The Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students’ Safe and Supportive Schools Technical Assistance Center will hold a webinar on “Using Data to Identify Programmatic Interventions.” This webinar will take place on December 14, 2011, 4:00PM−5:30PM EST and again on December 15, 2011 11:00AM-12:30PM, EST. It will cover using school climate data to identify needs, selecting evidence based programs to address these needs, and implementing these programs effectively within a school or district. Learn more and register.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has developed SmokefreeTXT, a free text message cessation service that provides encouragement, advice, and tips to teens trying to quit smoking. The service, developed by smoking cessation experts, will send text messages timed according to a selected quit date and will then continue sending them for up to six weeks after that date. Learn more.

The U.S. Department of Education has announced new regulations that will strengthen the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These regulations, which will take effect on January 3, 2012, will safeguard student privacy while giving states the flexibility to share school data that can be helpful in judging the effectiveness of government investments in education. Learn more (PDF, 3 pages).

The Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students’ Safe and Supportive Schools Technical Assistance Center will hold a webinar on “Using Data to Identify Programmatic Interventions.” This webinar will take place on December 14, 2011, 4:00PM−5:30PM EST and again on December 15, 2011 11:00AM-12:30PM, EST. It will cover using school climate data to identify needs, selecting evidence based programs to address these needs, and implementing these programs effectively within a school or district. Learn more and register.

On December 2, 2011, the Departments of Justice and Education released two new guidance documents (one for school districts and one for colleges and universities) detailing the flexibility that the Supreme Court has provided to educational institutions to promote diversity and reduce racial isolation among students. Learn more.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will cosponsor the Joint Meeting on Adolescent Treatment Effectiveness (JMATE) in Washington, DC on April 10-12, 2012. Conference sessions will include information on juvenile justice, school-based services, recovery services, treatment and recovery systems, collaboration and integration, youth and families, evidence-based practices, and other pertinent topics. Learn more and register.

On November 29, Attorney General Eric Holder’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, part of the Defending Childhood Initiative, convened its first hearing in Baltimore, Maryland. This hearing is the first of four that will aim to gather expert and community testimony on the epidemic of children’s exposure to violence. Coming out of these hearings, the Task Force will identify promising practices, programming, and community strategies used to prevent and respond to children’s exposure to violence and will issue a comprehensive report presenting its findings. Learn more.

The Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released the report, “Federal Education Tax Benefits: Who Receives Them and to What Extent Do They Shape the Price of College Attendance?” The study details how many undergraduate students receive tax benefits, how these benefits affect the cost of college, and how family income plays a role. Read the report.

Video of the November 14, 2011 Department of Education’s #AskArne Twitter Town Hall is available. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan discussed a range of issues including respecting teachers, charter schools and choice, and student loan debt. Watch the video or read a comprehensive list of questions and answers on the Department of Education’s Twitter page.