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When a Child Dies

How to cover the worst day in a family's life. Tap into JCCF's free online training module. (Photo by April Saul)

Read more ››
What Makes Screen Sense?
The Homestretch
LIFELINES: Stories from the Human Safety Net

A JCCF original reporting project on social work.

(Photo by Jeffrey Thompson, MPR)

Read more ››
The End of Juvenile Prison
Radio Rookies Rock
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Mission and Vision

The Bully Movie
Photo by: 
Photo Courtesy of The Weinstein Co.

The Journalism Center on Children & Families (JCCF) inspires and recognizes exemplary reporting on children and families, especially the disadvantaged. Since 1993, over 14,000 print, broadcast and online journalists have attended our intensive training programs and relied on us for balanced information and resources. The Center is a nonprofit program of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Why It Matters

The news industry is currently undergoing unprecedented change: budget cuts, buyouts, medium shifts and shifting demographics. Journalists—particularly those covering social issue beats, communities and American families—are struggling with fewer training opportunities and heavier workloads.

JCCF offers the guidance and information journalists need to tackle challenging and overlooked topics, including vetted sources, resources and story ideas.

What It Means

When a newsroom closes or advertising dollars are down, it's not just a business issue. The shift in newsrooms has a ripple effect on at-risk and disadvantaged communities, as well as critical social issues across the nation. As those newsrooms get smaller, the coverage of our world gets smaller as well. 

The Journalism Center is committed to making sure stories on the social issues that face our nation's children and families get told and get noticed. 

About

About

The Journalism Center on Children & Families (JCCF) (1993-2014) was devoted to deepening media coverage on issues that affect children, youth and families, particularly the disadvantaged. JCCF provided an array of informational services and connected professional journalists, students and advocates to an extensive network of journalists and content experts. JCCF was based at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland.

What We Did

JCCF curated daily news content and cutting-edge research about children and families from a wide variety of media, government, academic and public policy sources. The Center provided guidance to journalists seeking sources, tips, experts, data or assistance with ethical dilemmas.

History

JCCF was launched in 1993 with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation to create a professional community of practice for reporters whose primary beat was covering children and families. Over 21 years, JCCF offered conferences and fellowship programs to enhance skills and knowledge on a variety of issues, from juvenile justice to preschool education, welfare reform to health care. With support from the Ms. Foundation for Women, the Center created “Beyond The Headlines,” an in-depth resource for reporting on child sexual abuse. The Center produced “When a Child Dies,” an interactive online training module to assist reporters covering child deaths. And, the Center created "LIFELINES: Stories from the Human Safety Net," which included original reporting and resources for reporting on social work.

Find an Expert

Looking for the right person to talk to or interview for your story? Connect with thousands of vetted experts who are informed and media-ready. See our experts now.

Best Practices

The best way to learn is by doing. The next best way is by listening, watching, and observing. Journalists who cover the complex issues affecting children, youth and families have a wealth of experiences and insights. JCCF tapped into this expertise and shared their lessons learned in an series or stories called “Best Practices.”

Training Modules

JCCF offered training for established and emerging journalists. Our in-depth modules include facts, tips, guidelines and resources to help you do journalism better.

Children's Beat Magazine

JCCF once published a print magazine featuring commentary, resources and best practices from journalists in the field. That magazine ceased publication years ago, but you can access the archive and find excellent coverage of the challenges facing reporters on the “Children’s Beat.”

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In association with the Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Knight Hall, Room 1100, College Park, Maryland 20742

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