Questions regarding what is consequential for communities are critical for the study and design of learning. Answering these questions requires knowledge of how the social world functions to make certain ideas, practices, and identities visible and potentially valuable. In our longitudinal, participatory design research project, we work with a…

With more than 25 years of experience providing library-based out-of-school time (OST) programming to Philadelphia children and youth in grades preK-12, LEAP (Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program) offers insights into the distinct operations and contributions of drop-in programs. A 2019 evaluation of LEAP, conducted by Policy Studies…

One of the central principles underpinning Irish intellectual disability policy is that of decongregation. Allied to this is the belief that life in community settings offers greater opportunities and richer experiences than does life in institutional settings. This study explores the experiences of a group of adults with intellectual disabilities…

A number of recent surveys of public opinion claim that there is now widespread acceptance of the need for sustainable development, and that the general public, through its social and consumer activity is already successfully engaged. However, in all this, the focus has primarily been on individual and family behaviours such as recycling and…

The Fostering Hope Initiative is a neighborhood-based Collective Impact initiative that promotes optimum child and youth development by supporting vulnerable families, encouraging connections between neighbors, strengthening systems to ensure collective impact, and advocating for family-friendly public policy. This article describes the…

This article outlines how gay-straight alliances (GSAs) work to connect youth with community resources, and outlines the political and social context of GSAs in Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Fifteen individuals (youth, teachers, and a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer [LGBTQ] youth service provider) participated in interviews…

The Durham Family Initiative (DFI) is one of two community-based child abuse prevention efforts that comprise The Duke Endowment's Child Abuse Prevention Initiative. Beginning in 2002, the Endowment provided support to the Durham Family Initiative (DFI) in North Carolina and Strong Communities in South Carolina to develop a comprehensive approach…

The Duke Endowment launched its Child Abuse Prevention Initiative in 2002 by funding two program sites, the Durham Family Initiative in Durham, North Carolina, and Strong Communities in Greenville, South Carolina. Both sites aimed to reduce rates of child abuse, improve parenting practices and behaviors, strengthen community service systems, and…

There are over 200 identified community based indicator projects in the United States. This paper reviews the factors that contribute to the success and failure of community indicator projects and discusses the types of desired outcomes that communities are trying to achieve. Both organizational and political factors contributing to the success of…

Targeting public policy is a necessary part of a successful underage drinking prevention effort. This guide details how coalitions and organizations can effectively work to change public policies that impact underage drinking. The booklet first explains the elements of public policy including laws, regulations, and the policies and practices of…

The Center for Hispanic Policy, Research, and Development (New Jersey), formerly known as the Office of Hispanic Affairs, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. After two decades of service to the Hispanic community of New Jersey, it is appropriate to consider the historical evolution of the Center. This retrospective analysis documents and…

Discusses results of a study of five initiatives which promote intergenerational relationships for at-risk youth. Discusses factors involved in the success of the initiatives, the relation between elder mentors and youths, and implications for policy. (RJC)

Ten steps, generally following the scientific method, are identified and explained to assist the performance of a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) study. Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is compared to CEA, and implications of using CEA are discussed. (Author/LMO)

Reviews 10 studies in which psychiatric patients considered seriously ill were randomly assigned to either inpatient care or some alternative mode of outpatient care. Finds that in no case were the outcomes of hospitalization more positive than alternative treatment. (Author/GC)

This monograph presents a comprehensive, community-based framework to support individuals, agencies, and communities in efforts to improve the well-being of children and youth. The monograph, with accompanying executive summary, features five childhood needs and describes promising strategies for meeting those needs. Chapter 1 of the monograph…