PolicyWise for Children & Families
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We generate knowledge by conducting research and evaluation, and by managing, linking, and analyzing data. We measure the impact of how we influence positive changes for children and families.
PolicyWise is a charitable, not-for-profit corporation. We are managed by a President and CEO and governed by a dedicated Board of Directors. Our employees are experts in applied research and evaluation, data science, knowledge mobilization, marketing & communications, and administration.
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Browsing PolicyWise for Children & Families by Subject "children"
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Item Open Access A case for collaborative practice: a longitudinal look at provincial support services for children (3 to 12 years) with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Alberta over six years(PolicyWise for Children & Families, 2019-07-19) Piatt, Carley; Bhatt, Hitesh; Cui, XinjieChildren with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience lifelong neurocognitive, behavioural, and physical challenges from prenatal alcohol exposure. This report profiled 1,055 Albertan children (3 to 12 years old) in 2005/06 that were diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders between 2005/06 and 2010/11. Analyses examined these individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and public service use patterns from 2005/06 to 2010/11. This report found that (1) 49% of profiled children required child intervention (to protect against abuse, neglect, or another risk) and also at least one other support service during the report period, (2) the overall pattern of support service delivery was similar for children with FASD throughout Alberta, and (3) a greater percentage of children diagnosed with FASD accessed mental health services and failed to meet or exceed educational expectations than those without FASD. These findings provide policy-relevant evidence that collaborative programming, resourcing, and planning may enhance service delivery and improve outcomes for children with FASD in Alberta.Item Open Access A profile of children and youth whose families received Family Support for Children with Disabilities services(PolicyWise for Children & Families, 2019-01-18) Jia, Ruiting; Cankaya, Ozlem; Twilley, Leslie; Cui, Xinjie; Cui, XinjieFamilies caring for children with disabilities may require a wide range of supports to assist them. This report used administrative data to profile young Albertans (0 to 17 years old) who received a range of services from the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program between 2005/06 and 2010/11. Analyses examined these individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and public service use patterns based on their primary reason for support. This report found that (1) more than half of FSCD clients with mental health disorders met or exceeded educational expectations during the report period, (2) a higher proportion of FSCD clients who had mental health conditions and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder received child intervention support (to protect against abuse, neglect, or another risk) than the non-FSCD population, and (3) a higher proportion of FSCD clients with developmental delay and mental health or health conditions were in single-parent/blended families receiving child support payments than the non-FSCD population. These findings provide policy-relevant evidence that public authorities may consider as they seek to better support children with disabilities.Item Open Access A profile of children in Alberta receiving Child Care Subsidy(PolicyWise for Children & Families, 2019-05-17) Izakian, Hesam; Twilley, Leslie; Cui, XinjieAccess to child care subsidies can improve children’s academic, psychosocial, and behavioural functioning. This report profiled Albertan children (0 to 8 years old) who were Child Care Subsidy (CCS) recipients from 2005/06 to 2010/11. Analyses examined these individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and public service use patterns. This report found that (1) Edmonton and South Alberta region had higher proportions of CCS recipients than other regions, (2) recipients of CCS had higher use of social supports, rates of residential mobility, and low socioeconomic status neighbourhood occupancy than non-recipients, and (3) child care use patterns changed between 2005/06 to 2010/11. These findings provide policy-relevant evidence that public authorities may consider as they seek to better support CCS dependents.Item Open Access A profile of young Albertans(PolicyWise for Children & Families, 2019-05-17) Werk, Christine; Twilley, Leslie; Cui, XinjieUnderstanding the sociodemographic characteristics and service use patterns of young Albertans is essential to support them. This report profiled Albertan youth (0 to 25 years old) who used government services in Alberta or were registered in the health care system between 2005/06 and 2010/11. Analyses crossed gender and age groups with sociodemographic and public service use administrative data. This report found that (1) neighbourhood income status increased slightly over the report period, (2) females moved slightly more often than males, (3) a higher percentage of females than males performed at or above educational expectations, (4) school-aged youth moved less often than younger children or older youth, and (5) a higher percentage of older students were below educational expectations than younger students. These findings provide policy-relevant evidence that public authorities may consider as they seek to improve outcomes for young Albertans.Item Open Access Early childhood services and outcomes for Albertan children with disabilities(PolicyWise for Children & Families, 2019-07-19) Russell, Matthew; Zhang, Yunqi; Lamba, Navjot; Zwicker, Jennifer; Tough, Suzanne; Cui, XinjieEarly support for children with disabilities is thought to be more impactful than later support. This report examined how preschool and kindergarten children (3 to 5 years old) with disabilities’ early service use related to their educational achievement and mental health service use outcomes. Analyses tested for differences in outcomes between children based on their special education disability type and severity and public service use patterns. This report found that (1) children with severe disability were more likely to be below educational expectations and to use mental health services as well as that these outcomes differed based on type of disability, and (2) non-educational and educational service use patterns predicted educational achievement and mental health service use. In addition, this report found that families in poorer neighbourhoods were less likely to use family disability supports when their child with a severe disability was not meeting educational expectations than families in richer neighbourhoods. These findings provide policy-relevant evidence that service providers can use to plan early services to support children with disabilities.