This report was published by the Children And Youth In Challenging Contexts Network.

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS REPORT:

The purpose of this knowledge synthesis report is to explore strategies that have been shown to work at engaging vulnerable and at-risk children and youth nurture resilience, prevent mental health problems, and build a special place for themselves in their communities. Research on the effectiveness of programs for children and youth in challenging contexts has increased significantly, though what we know is helpful remains largely seated within different professional disciplines. This means that best practices and good programming around the world are not being shared across borders or disciplines.

In failing to address this issue, the effectiveness of sharing evidence informed practices documented by researchers, practice-based knowledge gained by service providers, and the local knowledge within communities is limited. Our purpose here is to show that vulnerable and at-risk children and youth face common threats to their mental health and safety that can be more effectively addressed when multiple formal and informal service providers and community supports become involved in interventions.