ProGov21 Policy Library

Jails have become warehouses for people with mental illness. Nationwide, nearly half a million inmates with mental illness are in local jails, and an estimated 10-25% have a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia. In Los Angeles County alone, at least 3,200 inmates with a diagnosed...

A child’s first three years of life is the most rapid and sensitive period of development, and it sets the foundation for long-term health and wellbeing. All children deserve the opportunity to be born healthy and raised in nurturing, stimulating, stable, and secure care environments...

There is growing public recognition that the number of people diagnosed with serious mental illness in the U.S. criminal justice system has reached unprecedented levels. In 2007, there were more than 2 million jail bookings of people with serious mental illness. Although prevalence...

Millions of Americans have one or more forms of mental illness. These conditions have wide-ranging health, economic, and social consequences. For example, mental illness is a major factor in homelessness and incarceration. And serious mental illness - defined as a mental, behavioral,...

Although childhood trauma can directly impact a child’s ability to learn, most schools overlook this issue. This brief defines trauma and outlines its potential effects on children and learning. It also outlines staff, organizational, and legislative strategies to shape school culture,...

The first three years of life are the most sensitive for a child’s developing brain and body. Exposure to chronic stressors during these years can lead to physical, cognitive, and emotional health problems in the future that can be costly for families and society to navigate. This...

Law enforcement responses to people with mental illnesses are among the most complex and time-consuming calls for officers, threaten the safety of officers and residents alike, and have the potential for tragic outcomes. And when people with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance...

Father involvement describes a supportive relationship with high-quality interactions between a father and child. This brief highlights the importance of helping fathers maintain a healthy relationship with their children by describing the links between father involvement and positive...

Lead exposure negatively affects childrens’ learning and behavior, and increases government expenditures related to education, health care, and incarceration. The report makes recommendations geared towards preventing elevated lead levels in growing children and inhibiting the development...

A fact sheet on mental illness based on demographics....

A fact sheet on mental illness in America....