In general, youth whose parents are involved in their schooling experience better academic outcomes. Yet some parents, especially those with few resources in low-income urban communities, face barriers to becoming engaged in school and community. This report from the field describes the "Neighboring Project Parent Empowerment and Volunteer…

Using specific examples, describes key features of current comprehensive community initiatives to improve the lives of children and considers the limitations of efforts to evaluate them and factors contributing to their success or failure. Comprehensive community initiatives use multifaceted approaches to strengthen communities and improve the…

The number of family programs in low-income communities that promote computer and Internet literacy is steadily growing. This digest describes urban after school and community programs found to be effective among low-income youth and their families. Some are projects of national initiatives that welcome new local affiliates, and others are…

This report documents the development and progress of Marin City Families First (MCFF), a project undertaken in Marin City (California) in 1993 by the Far West Laboratory's (FWL) Center for Child and Family Studies. Its goal was to develop a model comprehensive child and family support system for low-income communities. In pursuing its objective…

When a program with demonstrated effectiveness is expanded, knowing how it works and why it works the way it does is an indispensable first step in preserving its quality. This report draws on P/PV's experience with different programs to show how to define a model's essential elements to increase the chances of successful replication. It contains…

The National 4-H Urban Program Development Committee's Plan for Action outlines some of the primary concerns of the urban 4-H program. It discusses the need for 4-H in urban areas and the particular relevance of sound program design and delivery in helping urban youth, especially those from low-income families, to find ways to improve their…

A key challenge facing cancer educators is the extent to which effective programmes can be widely disseminated and implemented. Differences between target populations with respect to social, psychological, and educational characteristics, as well as the social and economic context make it difficult to replicate "cookbook" approaches. Tailoring of…

This guide deals with the implementation for an Urban Career Education Center Program (UCEC), an alternative approach to the traditional educational system which emphasizes career development. The guide offers initial suggested procedures for local administrators to follow in developing an UCEC in their neighborhood. It can be used in concert with…

This guide deals with the implementation of the Career Intern Program (CIP), a major component of the Urban Career Education Center (UCEC) of Philadelphia, an alternative approach to the traditional educational system which emphasizes career development. The guide offers initial suggested procedures for local administrators to follow in developing…

WOMEN'S TALENT CORPS, FUNDED BY THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, WILL MEET TWO SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN NEW YORK CITY--JOB SHORTAGES IN COMMUNITY SERVICES AND UNEMPLOYMENT AND LACK OF TRAINING AMONG THE POOR. WOMEN WILL BE RECRUITED FROM LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS AND TRAINED AS PRE-PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANTS IN SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND SOCIAL AGENCIES…

Project QUEST (Quality Employment through Skills Training) was begun in 1992 to provide unemployed and working poor residents of San Antonio, Texas, with employment training and job placement services. The program provides tuition subsidies and ancillary support services to low-income San Antonio residents enrolled in two-year associate's degree…