A supportive, nurturing environment is the solid foundation on which a successful future is built. Children and youth who have been abused or neglected have a faulty foundation and a compromised sense of safety and security. The insecurity and trauma experienced by children who have been maltreated can manifest in maladaptive behaviors and inappropriate responses to stress and adversity. Too often, this means youth with a history of abuse or neglect become involved with the juvenile justice system. This brief is intended to serve as an introduction to dual-status youth and the system reforms needed to better server this vulnerable population.
“Advocating for Every Wisconsin Family”
In October of 2013, Kids Forward (then the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families) released the Race to Equity Report documenting dramatic disparities in well-being between African Americans and whites in Dane County and across the state of Wisconsin. It was...