Students, a large percentage with disabilities, are at high risk for poor post-secondary outcomes in state agency education programs. This mixed-methods study describes the understandings of student transitions in state agency education programs from the perspectives of youth and administrators. Results indicated that: transition is more narrowly…

Much controversy exists regarding the effectiveness of residential treatment. Recently, emerging research has demonstrated that community-based residential treatment has more positive long-term outcomes for youth. This article describes a community-based program that was implemented at a residential treatment agency serving youth. Targeted…

The lack of culturally appropriate health and mental health care has contributed to the large number of African American youth and families involved in the child welfare system. This article reviews the consequences of the insufficient access to culturally sensitive, evidence-supported interventions for African American foster youth. The authors…

Social support is needed by everyone, but particularly by vulnerable populations at times of transition. This study utilizes data collected from 96 former foster youth regarding supports they received during the transition from care. The report addresses three questions: (1) What types of supportive relationships did the sample report? (2) What…

This article presents a psychotropic medication management approach that is used within a residential care program. The approach is used to assess medications at youths' times of entry and to facilitate decision making during care. Data from a typical case study have indicated that by making medication management decisions slowly, systematically,…

Describes a community-based program to divert youths from the juvenile justice system. The program's special features are (1) data collection that permits evaluation and accountability and (2) liaison with justice personnel, service agencies, and the community. (RH)

Describes a public school big brother, big sister program for lonely children in elementary or junior high school. Volunteers from high school or campus serve as big brothers or sisters. (MS)

Notes that the family support and positive youth development movements represent considerable change in both philosophical and programmatic approaches to the delivery of services. Examines the key elements and the relative success of family support and youth development practice, compares the two streams of literature and programming, and suggests…

Compares rationales and outcome research for five areas of programming for maltreated and other at-risk adolescents: adolescent competence and skills development programs, family- and parent-focused programs, social integration programs, multiple component programs, and neighborhood transformation programs. Finds that several program models have…

Studies the Urban Youth Network, a network of agency centers located in eight of Chicago's most deprived neighborhoods. Provides information about inner-city children and the difficulties of reaching them and holding their attention. Discusses the degrees of funding and staffing that are needed to enable centers to realize their potential. (BB)

Describes experiences of an alliance of child and youth treatment agencies whose members converted to computer-based networking modalities. A developmental analysis of individual users and telecommunications networks is offered. Side effects, barriers, and unexpected advantages are delineated. (BB)

Examines the current child welfare policy and practice in Canada with regard to homeless youths, especially those age 16 and older, and profiles a long-term residential program for homeless youths. Implications and recommendations for child welfare are discussed. (MDM)

Describes a partnership to develop youth leaders and interventions to reverse violence and bigotry among youth growing up in a war zone. Details how the Croatian Project REACH (Recreational and Educational Activities for Children's Health) and U.S Children's Village exposed youth from both countries to experiences that helped them examine their…

Suggests that the most effective way to help gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths in out-of-home care is to provide the same types of supports and services that all adolescents need. Explores a model, organized around five core premises that define the principles and practices of a positive youth development approach, for supporting development of…

Notes that community youth development is a challenging approach to youth work that focuses on the incorporation of new values at the practice, management, and community levels. Explores the implementation of a community youth development approach within the context of learning organization theory, and describes experiences of three youth-focused…