Annie E. Casey Foundation

10/23/2026

Young people are growing up in the age of AI, and they have plenty to say about how it's shaping their education and futures.

NPR spoke with seven teenagers about their experiences with AI. Some use it to get feedback on essays and understand difficult subjects, while others worry about its effects on critical thinking and future jobs.

What's it like to grow up and learn in the age of AI? NPR put that question to seven teenagers across the country.

10/22/2026

For young parents, access to affordable, reliable child care can make all the difference in pursuing education and career goals. In a Lemonada Media podcast episode, Casey's Quanic Fullard joins 21-year-old student and mom Bella Agee to discuss how child care helps young parents build financial stability and create opportunities for their families.

Podcast Episode · Good Things from Lemonada · May 5 · 32m

10/21/2026

Public conversations about youth and gun violence often focus on crimes committed by young people, but the data tell a different story.

Young people experience gun violence more often as victims than as perpetrators. From 2017 to early 2026, only 5% of recorded incidents involved a child or youth as a suspected perpetrator, excluding fi***rm possession alone.

Explore a new data dashboard on youth and gun violence.

10/20/2026

A child's success in school is connected to what's happening in other parts of their life.

New research found that students who had contact with Child Protective Services (CPS) by age 15 were more likely to miss school and feel less connected to their schools than students who had no CPS contact.

Researchers say school connectedness and targeted support can keep vulnerable students in class.

10/19/2026

Through Casey's new Corps to Careers initiative, 11 service and conservation corps programs are helping young adults build skills, gain work experience and pursue well-paying careers while strengthening their communities.

With support from The Corps Network, Jobs for the Future and PowerCorpsPHL, these programs are building stronger connections with employers to help young people move into long-term careers.

https://www.aecf.org/blog/corps-to-careers-building-the-bridge-between-service-and-todays-careers

10/16/2026

Census Bureau data help communities make decisions about schools, housing and services that support children and families.

It also helps track whether children are doing better over time and where additional resources may be needed.

But proposed changes to the 2030 census could eliminate questions about race and ethnicity, while delays in releasing American Community Survey data could make it harder to understand the needs of different communities.

Casey’s Lisa Lawson and W.K. Kellogg Foundation President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron explain why protecting reliable public data matters for children and families.

Serving communities with good governance requires knowing what is actually happening on the ground.

10/16/2026

Access to free pre-K may do more than prepare children for school. It could also help keep families out of the child welfare system.

A new study of New York City's universal pre-K program found that investigations for child neglect declined by up to 23% following the program's expansion. Researchers suggest that reducing child care costs may ease financial stress on families and help parents better meet their children's needs.

Jessica Pac urged policymakers to consider the impacts of early childhood education and whether it can help keep kids out of the system.

10/15/2026

Young people shouldn't have to choose between earning a paycheck and building skills for their future. In Atlanta, CareerReady ATL is making both possible. Since 2022, more than 750 young people have enrolled in paid apprenticeships, earning an average of $18 per hour while gaining valuable work experience and career credentials.

On CaseyCast, Michele Jacobs of United Way of Greater Atlanta joins Casey President and CEO Lisa Lawson to discuss how apprenticeships are opening doors for young people. Listen to the conversation:

Michele Jacobs joins Lisa Lawson to discuss CareerReady ATL, a youth apprenticeship program that helps young people in Atlanta launch careers.

10/14/2026

“When you come from the experiences I have, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong in spaces, but H.O.P.E. gave me a sense of community and reminded me that I deserve to be here.”

That's how Livingstone College student Kevin Jamil Seabrook describes the H.O.P.E. Emancipation Project, which supports students who have experienced foster care. The program provides year-round housing, tuition assistance, meals, mentoring and other resources to help young people succeed in college.

Livingstone College’s H.O.P.E. program supports students who’ve experienced foster care with resources to boost college completion. Learn more.

10/13/2026

Child poverty rates increased in nearly every state between 2020–2022 and 2023–2025, according to the latest KIDS COUNT® data.

Louisiana (21%), Washington, D.C. (20%) and Mississippi (19%) had the highest rates, with about 1 in 5 children living in poverty. Idaho and Wyoming had the lowest rates (6%).

Child poverty affects communities across the country, but rates vary widely by state and region. Explore the latest data to see how your state compares: https://www.aecf.org/blog/new-child-poverty-data-illustrates-the-powerful-impact-of-americas-safety-net-programs