Noting that the population of foster children who "age out" of the foster care system may be even more at risk than other foster children, this research brief summarizes a longer report examining trends in foster care in the United States, the number and needs of those aging out of the system, and public policy implications. The brief indicates…

This publication of the New York Counseling Association is dedicated to providing in-depth articles about research on topics relevant to the profession. It is designed for use by professionals working in schools, colleges, and agency settings. The 1999 volume comprises two issues. Issue 1 is devoted to the topic of play therapy. Articles include:…

The "new homeless" of the eighties and nineties are not only more numerous; they are younger, more likely to use drugs, and they exhibit symptoms of mental illness. Homeless mentally ill individuals typically have estranged family relationships and fewer supportive relationships compared with other homeless persons. They typically have…

To address the needs of troubled youth, schools tend to over rely on narrowly focused and time intensive interventions. Given sparse resources, this means serving a small proportion of the many students who require assistance and doing so in a limited way. The deficiencies of prevailing approaches lead to calls for comprehensiveness--both to…

Alienation in our society takes several forms--withdrawal, hostility, or efforts to reform. The author traces the roots of alienation to our neglect of many of the needs of children, particularly their need for interaction with adults. Among his many recommendations are: modified work schedules to permit more time with children and systems for…

A recent approach to dealing with adolescent problems is social skills training, which emphasizes specific prosocial alternative responses for problematic situational interactions. Research has shown that social skills training has positive outcomes. However, it is not known whether an emphasis on the cognitive might enhance maintenance and…

Three papers presented at American School Health Association Conference (1981) addressed: adolescent problem behavior and developmental transitions (Richard Jessor); social adaptation in the first grade and its predictive value for teenage drug use (Sheppard G. Kellam, C. Hendricks Brown, and John P. Fleming); and designing health promotion…

Describes running away from home as a family affair. Suggests the "status offender" legal jurisdiction over runaways should be changed and new alternatives for dealing with runaways and their families developed. Proposes these alternatives should be informed with the perspectives of a family therapeutic approach sensitive to intergenerational…

Every year, most school districts spend anywhere from one to thirteen dollars per student repairing damage caused by vandals. Yerba Buena High School, in San Jose, California, spends less than one thousand dollars per year total, and attributes this success to a project called "Crisis Counseling". (RW)

Notes that this curriculum, for use by human services professionals in a small group format, is a solid contribution to the field of prevention within a positive youth development context. Suggests it has significant potential for enhancing cognitive and emotional development of youth, and facilitates the acquisition of skills that allow them to…

Argues that cohesion is a measure of supportive interactions and that enmeshment is a measure of psychological control. In a study of children and adolescents, cohesion was associated negatively with both internalizing and externalizing adolescent problem behaviors. Enmeshment was related positively with youth problems, and more strongly with…

Reviews the literature on mentoring qualities and functions necessary during the mentor/mentee relationship with teen mothers and provides considerations for ongoing development of mentoring programs for this at-risk group. Attempts to establish the importance of understanding how mentors can facilitate a positive mother-child bond that leads to…

Discusses adolescent boys who are troubled and considers whether libraries and media centers can make a difference in their lives. Provides a checklist of questions to help libraries determine whether boys are welcome in their libraries and suggests authors and titles that are especially geared toward boys. (LRW)

Because of a lack of program coordination and community accountability, services to children and youth are failing to address the problems of young people at risk. Collaboration among agencies can help social services to bypass program mentality. Communitywide interagency cooperation will include local scorecards, program linkages, and strategic…

Reviews studies of adolescent pregnancy since 1982 and relates them to a study of teen pregnancy in Duval County (Florida). Discusses incidence, causes and health, social and economic consequences. (FMW)