“Scaffolding” is a practice that is often used in executive function-informed practices, especially in education settings for students with learning disabilities. It is equally relevant, but rarely used, in employment and related human services…

In this paper, the authors highlight evidence in support of investments in both parents and children during the paired sensitive period of early life and the transition to parenting. A sensitive period is a specific and limited time when the…

Infants, toddlers, and children living in high-poverty communities experience a high rate of exposure to trauma, placing these youth on a compromised developmental path. This issue brief summarizes research about the impact of trauma on young…

This report from the Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation (OPRE) provides a comprehensive framework for understanding self-regulation in context, using a theoretical model that reflects the influence of biology,…

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) hosted a webinar entitled Integrating Executive Functioning Principles, Soft Skills Activities, and Case Management Coaching in order to Improve Economic Success for TANF Recipients. This…

This guide was created by the Children's Bureau to help caseworkers, foster parents, and other stakeholders learn about trauma experienced by youth in foster care. Additionally, the guide includes treatment options, including…

On July 9, 2014, the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) hosted a Brown Bag "Toxic Stress Among Men and Boys of Color." This Brown Bag featured Dr. David Pate, Jr. an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of…

The Brookings Institution released a policy brief that states that well-targeted interventions at various child life stages could decrease the gap between more- and less-advantaged youths by over 70 percent.

Early childhood trauma, such as physical abuse or witnessing violence, can last a lifetime and manifest in physical and mental health problems throughout one’s life. The National Collaborative on Adversity and Resilience (NCAR) is a national…

The Office of Family Assistance, through its Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) efforts, hosted a live Expert Panel webcast that explored the effects of toxic stress in childhood. This moderated discussion brought…