Archives

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State Laws on Substance Use Treatment for Incarcerated Pregnant and Postpartum People

A State Policy Brief from the National University-Based Collaborative on Justice-Involved Women & Children (JIWC) December 2023 Executive Summary: In the U.S., over 60% of incarcerated pregnant people are in custody for non-violent drug offenses. Only 7 states had statutes related to treatment of substance use disorders in pregnant incarcerated populations despite the evidence that […]


Resource: The State of Babies Yearbook 2021

Telling the story of America’s babies is more important than ever.  The  State of Babies Yearbook: 2021 shows us that, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the littlest among us did not have the supports they needed to thrive.  As a result, the pandemic has wreaked havoc on the conditions that contribute to babies’ development and families’ stability.  Black and Brown babies and babies […]


Resource: The Brain Architects: Connecting Health & Learning (Part II)

Check out this The Brain Architects podcast episode titled: Connecting Health & Learning (Part II). The podcast guests discuss policies relevant to prenatal to three and how these policies can improve social determinants like poverty, community violence, and racism.


Resource: Guide to Child and Teen Checkups/Preventive Health Care for Justice Involved Youth

This guide, published by MDH, shares the challenges that justice involved youth face in receiving preventative care. The opportunities and resources to fill this gap in care are documented in this guide, including specific recommendations.


Resource: Addressing Inequities in Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Education Policy and Schools Can Support Historically and Currently Marginalized Children and Youth

This resource, published by the Society for Research in Child Development, shares how education systems and schools can support marginalized children and youth. It breaks down content by marginalized group including: American Indian and Alaska Native children, Asian American children, Black children, Latinx children, and LGBTQ+ children.


Resource: Toxic Stress

The Center of the Developing Child (Harvard University) produced this video to describe toxic stress, how it can impact children and adults, and steps to mitigate toxic stress for an individual or a community. This video is focused on parents and children, but also includes information for policy makers and practitioners. They also produced the […]


Federally Qualified Health Centers

Federally Qualified Health Centers are community-based health care providers that receive funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas. These centers provide care on a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay and operating under a governing board that includes patients. Learn more about what a health […]


Resource: Policy and Advocacy Training

It is important for MCH leaders to possess policy and advocacy skills, particularly in changing and competitive economic and political environments. MCH leaders understand the resources necessary to improve health and well-being for children, youth, families, and communities, and the need to be able to articulate and advocate for those needs in the context of […]


Resource: Gender Policy Report on Breastfeeding

Shortly after giving birth, many employed women return to the workplace while still in the process of breastfeeding.  The Surgeon General and National Institutes of Health have called for a more supportive work environment that arranges accommodations for mothers returning after leave.  The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, provides a section that […]


Resource: Mental Health of Transgender Youth: The Role of Family, School, and Community in Promoting Resilience

The Children, Youth & Family Consortium (CYFC) is an extension of the University of Minnesota that aims to translate what researchers have discovered into practice and policy to improve the health and well-being of communities.  In response to new research and high interest on transgender youth, Extension CYFC released its latest Children’s Mental Health eReview […]


Resource: Strategies to Limit Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Young Children

Between birth and the age of 5 years old, many stages occur in a child’s development, including the initiation of eating and drinking habits.  As research increases, the impact of sugar on brain development has become more relevant.  In the summer of 2017, theNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board gathered in […]


MCH Students Meet Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton

Lauren Gilchrist, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Mark Dayton and the instructor for PubH 6634: Children and Families: Public Health Policy and Advocacy, took MCH students to meet with Governor Dayton this semester. In her role, Lauren works with commissioners, legislators, local government, and stakeholders to advance health and human services policy issues for the state of Minnesota. Her course (PubH 6634) focuses on how public policies at […]


Resource: Research-Practice Partnerships– Building Two-Way Streets of Engagement

Social Policy Report: Research-Practice Partnerships– Building Two-Way Streets of Engagement Three principles set research-practice partnerships apart: mutualism, commitment to long-term collaboration, and trusting relationships. Learn more about research-practice partnerships and building two-way streets of engagement in the newest policy brief from the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). This brief is authored by staff […]


Student Spotlight: How Did Stephanie Boylan Use Her Coursework to Recommend Food Policies to Staff at Brooklyn Park City Hall?

By Stephanie Boylan For my field experience, I worked with the Resilient Communities Project (RCP). The mission of RCP is to connect communities in Minnesota with University of Minnesota faculty and students to advance local sustainability and resilience through collaborative, course-based projects.  RCP partnered with Brooklyn Park on 24 projects during the 2016-2017 school-year.  These […]