Annie E. Casey Foundation

AI is now part of daily life in many classrooms. But what students need to learn — and who gets to learn it — remains a complex question. While there’s growing consensus that students should learn how AI works and what its limitations are, few schools have clear frameworks in place. Access to AI tools and instruction often depends on district budgets, teacher capacity and local priorities, raising concerns about how to ensure all students are prepared for an AI-driven world.

Is it time to rethink how we do school? In 2022, over 2 million students between the ages of 16 and 24 left school without earning a high school diploma or GED. But what if we could change that by taking an innovative approach to education? In part three of our three-part series about helping young people thrive economically within safe communities, Allison Gerber (The Annie E. Casey Foundation) and Betsy Delgado (Goodwill Excel Center DC) join us for a conversation about how education doesn't have to be one-size-fits-all. Together, they’ll provide a look at the unique journeys of many students today and the tools they need to continue their education and thrive. Driving home the point that investing in student success matters for all of us, they show us the importance of alternative learning models. Listen to Good Things from Lemonada Media here:https://lnkd.in/gRiGD27u

Every young person should have enough money to cover their needs, explore opportunities and work toward their future goals — without constant financial stress. Our new newsletter, Financial Well-Being News, shares lessons on how we can help young people and families have the confidence and resources to meet their current and ongoing financial obligations, feel secure about their financial futures and make choices that allow them to enjoy life. Read the first newsletter here:

We’re proud to announce the 16 leaders selected for the 13th class of our Children and Family Fellowship®. These accomplished leaders will use the Fellowship to work within their agencies, organizations and communities toward specific, measurable improvements for large numbers of young people and families. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eYcs3JJ9

Head Start and the expansion of state-funded programs since the 1990s have greatly increased access to preschool. In 2022, more than 750,000 children nationwide attended a Head Start program, with California and Texas enrolling the highest number of kids.

Young people with foster care experience bring valuable skills to the workforce, but they also face unique challenges. A supportive work environment helps all workers thrive — including those with experience in foster care — by helping them fully engage and reach their potential. In this video, Casey’s Catherine Lester introduces a new tool kit that helps professionals better advocate for and support young workers with foster care experience. Read the Q&A and download the tool kit to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eR8kQBHc

For teens with disabilities, the path to adulthood isn’t always clear — or fair. Across the country, access to transition support varies widely by school and state, leaving many young people without the resources they need to succeed in college, work and independent living. Yet when schools invest in strong, well-supported pathways, they open doors to greater opportunities and independence.

Podcast Alert: I recently sat down with Valerie Frost who hosts the Community Insite Podcast to talk about about Casey's role in advancing the Thriving Families, Safer Children (TFSC) movement. The goal is to drive investment in community-based health promotion and family well-being that could reduce unnecessary involvement in the child welfare system. She also threw in a few questions inviting me to reflect on my journey as a leader. While she called me a lioness, I admit that most days I feel like a duck (smooth on the water but paddling furiously underneath. 😂). I did share that I view the hallmarks of my leadership style as 3 C's: Curiosity -- to always keep an open mind so you can really understand what barriers exist to human flourishing; Compassion -- to believe that kindness and respect are required when someone has challenges or needs help; and Collaboration -- to intentionally partner with others to create bigger and more sustainable change. I hope that you'll take the time to listen: https://lnkd.in/eDpNNRzC

In 2020, the Foundation highlighted key strategies to support low-income workers through uncertain times. Fast forward to 2025, and while the challenges have shifted from pandemic recovery to automation and rising costs of living, workers still need support. As we navigate a rapidly-changing economy, what strategies are most effective in supporting financial stability and economic mobility?

“I see, literally, the uniforms hanging off their shoulder, because they're adult uniforms on children." In adult jails across Maryland, young people spend up to 23 hours a day in isolation, go without schooling and, in some cases, avoid showering for the fear of being assaulted. There are federal standards to protect youth from conditions like these — but Maryland has violated the criteria more frequently than any other state.