The history of child protection in the United States is marked by an unresolved tension between rescuing young children from abusive homes and strengthening the care their families can provide. The structure of the typical child protective effort is described against this backdrop. Deciding when intervention is necessary and mobilizing community…

Contributes to scholarship on democracy, community, and journalism by examining the interplay between communication, democracy, and community at an inner-city neighborhood newspaper. Concludes that, through its focus on neighborhood culture, acknowledgment of conflict, and attempts to provide a forum for the neighborhood's self-definition, the…

The Rural Elderly Enhancement Project, in which a nursing school development a model of community participation and involvement, was evaluated through interviews with 73 community members. Many projects designed to foster community competence in elder care and youth/school-based health have been sustained. (SK)

Discusses the importance of including the community in school planning and the use of public hearings to gain community support and advice. Checklists are provided for the logistics of handling public hearing and advisory committees. (GR)

Suggests many ways in which to connect with the elderly community. Notes that such connections are based on mutual needs. Describes several instances where elderly people were able to connect and contribute to the education of the younger community. (SG)

Examines a multi-city study of school reform and civic capacity. Related to urban education, results found cities ranged from having low levels of civic capacity, in which diffuse concerns never became synergistic, to having high levels of civic capacity, with key actors collaborating for action on issues with the potential for controversy.…

Presents a model of treatment in which a family therapist is partnered with a community member whom is called a community resource specialist (CRS). Reports on an evaluation of the model in the treatment of adolescents with behavioral problems. (Contains 11 references.) (Author/GCP)

Claims that rigorous standards in schools will help children in navigating in the changing economy. Explains that Goals 2000 legislation, passed in 1994, can energize and expand local efforts to strengthen schools and reach high standards. Claims that teachers are the heart of educational improvement, while parents and business partners can…

Community engagement should be at the heart of public school reform. In Texas, the Industrial Areas Foundation Alliance Schools demonstrate how parents and community leaders are serious partners in shaping school environments and educational programs. (SK)

Nine high-risk youth ages 12-17 in an Appalachian town met weekly to learn about local culture and history. They developed a theater piece performed in historic costumes and presented puppet plays illustrating family support, self-worth, and other concepts. The program developed self-esteem, responsibility, teamwork, and community participation…

Partnerships work best when they are local, community based, understand adult learning, and are not dominated by external agendas. They require political understanding to translate national initiatives into local opportunities. (SK)

Since self-evaluative efforts produce little change, school boards could benefit from evaluation by outside assessors. Such a process could describe the board's involvement in eight important actions identified by the National School Boards Association: vision, standards, assessment, accountability, alignment, learning environment, collaborative…

Introduces a collection of articles by adolescent treatment experts and leading thinkers in the juvenile, restorative, and community justice movements. Articles offer broad overviews of the state of the art within these areas; commentary on challenges, opportunities, and changes such programming would entail; and case examples showing real-world…

Describes current approaches to adolescent substance abuse treatment, including the 12-step treatment approach, behavioral treatment approach, family-based treatment approach, and therapeutic community approach. Summarizes research that assesses the effectiveness of these models, offering findings from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment's…

Describes prominent new developments in juvenile justice, focusing on the origins of juvenile justice; the get-tough movement, which emphasizes punishment (transfer to criminal court); and promising ideas in rehabilitation, prevention, and early intervention. Suggests that a new generation of innovative programs might revive the spirit of U.S.…