Children and Youth are Supported by Healthy Relationships with Adults

  • Adult Support when Depressed

    Adult Support when Depressed

    In the agency's efforts to improve and support the resilience of children, youth, and families in Washington, DCYF has set a goal that children and youth are supported by healthy relationships with adults. One way to measure this is by tracking the percentage of youth who report having support from adults when they are feeling sad or depressed.

    In 2021, 51 percent of 10th graders who live with their parents/guardians felt they had access to adult support if they were feeling depressed. In comparison, 37.6 percent of 10th graders who do not live with their parents/guardians reported having access to an adult for support when depressed.

    10th Graders with Adult Support when Depressed, by Living Situation, 2021
      depressed adults
    Child Outcome Goal
    Youth

  • Youth-Family Engagement

    Youth-Family Engagement

    Another indicator of healthy youth-adult relationships is engagement between children and youth and their families. Among the 4,240 10th graders who responded to this question on the 2021 Healthy Youth Survey, 61 percent reported a high level of engagement with their families, including opportunities to discuss problems with parents, chances to have fun with their families, and opportunities to be involved in family decisions. Among 10th graders who live with their parents/guardians, 61.8 percent reported high engagement with their families, compared to 46 percent among youth not living with their parents/guardians.

    10th Graders with High Opportunity for Family Engagement, by Living Situation, 2021
      family engagement
    Child Outcome Goal
    Youth