Describes a program called the Life Skills group which was started to help latchkey children who attended a rural elementary school. Besides teaching the students practical skills, such as answering the door, organizers developed a newsletter and created a specific curriculum for parents to better meet the needs of their children. (RJM)

This article discusses the phenomenon of "latchkey kids" with disabilities and the shortage of after-school care options for children with special needs. General factors for consideration in the complexity of child care needs are discussed by way of an introduction to the following four articles. (PB)

To determine the status of latchkey programs in the United States, a questionnaire requesting information on actual or pending latchkey programs and legislation was sent to each state superintendent of schools and the secretary of the education committee of the state legislatures in the 50 states. A content analysis of the questionnaire responses…

This document discusses latchkey children. It states the problem to be the academic, social, and emotional effects experienced by "latchkey children." Eleven papers or articles on these academic, social, and emotional effects are annotated. Fifteen papers or articles on types of programs available for latchkey children are also annotated. Nine…

Considers well-being of children who are home alone during part of the day. Addresses questions parents, researchers, and family life educators may have about self-care. Reviews five related research studies defining the self-care arrangement, the number of children in self-care arrangement, the number of children in self-care, impact of self-care…

This report summarizes key findings from a 2000 nationwide poll regarding support and demand for after-school programs. Participating in the poll were 800 adults over age 18 who are registered to vote. The findings included the following: (1) 92 percent of respondents agreed that there should be an organized activity/place for children and teens…

This study examined child care patterns during the summer months among 6- to 12-year-old children with employed parents or primary caretakers. Using interview data from the 1999 National Survey of Americas Families, the study analyzed two key aspects of summer child care: the types of arrangements for school-age children and the amount families…

In an emergency response to the recent spree of school shootings, a group of experts came together to draft a national action plan on school violence and children. Participants included: almost 60 members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Leadership; several mayors from communities which had recently experienced school shootings; police chiefs;…

Working parents of latchkey children should emphasize that the parents remain in charge, teach basic safety rules in a nonthreatening way, and use the latchkey experience to teach responsibility and self-discipline. Above all, parent-child communication is necessary to minimize danger and make the child feel secure. (IAH)

Describes policies and services developed by public libraries to deal with the needs of both latchkey children and unattended adolescents. Issues addressed include students' rights to recreational activities, community involvement in library programs, patron conduct and supervision, and balancing the needs of all library patrons. (CLB)

Created national estimates from 1984 Current Population Survey of number of school-age children in self-care at some time of day. Results suggest self-care most likely used by middle- to upper-income White mothers in suburban or rural areas, with no other adult in household, for older children, and for only for short time each day. (Author/NB)

Examines literature on latchkey children and public libraries, and reviews solutions to this issue. Presents four recommendations to help public libraries clarify their role in serving latchkey children: educate personnel regarding appropriate services, develop a written policy, reevaluate programs and services, become involved in a community task…

Describes successful programs for latchkey youth in public libraries. Information was gathered from 17 libraries described in the book "Latchkey Children in the Library Community." Four years later, four libraries expanded their programs, seven modified them, and six no longer offered programs. (JKP)

This guide outlines a step-by-step procedure for requesting school board approval for school-based child care programs. Individuals or groups contemplating the creation of such programs need to: (1) gain community support through public meetings; (2) approach school board members and district officials to gauge their level of support; (3) document…

Hawaii's executive branch initiated on February 1, 1990, a large-scale plan to relieve the problem of "latch key children" with an afterschool supervised program. Since the legislature had not appropriated funds to establish the program, the governor chose to finance it from monies paid by the United States as compensation for federally…