These past five years at Chapin Hall, Policy Fellow Gailyn Thomas has used her child welfare agency experience to help states improve their policies and practices. One of her major accomplishments was evaluating the effectiveness of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol, that focused on safety decisions and best practices. She continues to support the department as it implements a new safety assessment model. Gailyn also led Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services in implementing Family First, focusing on capacity building to enhance child welfare services. She conducted a comprehensive literature reviews for Washington State on tools and assessments related to intake, safety, needs, and strengths, and she is supporting the successful Family Voice project in Illinois. Currently, Gailyn is leading a team in partnership with a community organization supporting LGBTQIA+ foster care youth who are transitioning out of care. We love Gailyn’s collaborative nature and talent for focusing in on what's important to achieve goals. Want to learn more about her? Explore her bio: https://www.chapinhall.org/person/gailyn-thomas/ (fb)

Balancing college, work, and parenting is tough—but financial assistance can make a real difference. Chapin Hall’s evaluation of the New Moms College Success Program found that stipends and transportation support helped young mothers cover basic needs, reduce stress, and stay enrolled in the program. ​ Learn how financial support can help improve student parents stay engaged: https://www.chapinhall.org/research/supporting-student-parents-evaluating-the-new-moms-college-success-program-pilot/ #Moms #HigherEd (fb)