Describes family scientists as faced with the challenge of translating empirical work and theory development into useful information for social policy makers, and as playing an increasingly active role in the shaping of social policy. Presents an overview of the linkage between family science and social policy. Addresses issues relating to family…

Placement of children in state custody with their relatives has grown dramatically. Interviews with caseworkers serving children in kinship foster care were studied and revealed the complex nature of this practice and identified potential obstacles to permanency for these children. Results suggest practice principles that may facilitate permanency…

Describes the experience of the Philadelphia Kinship Care Task Force's collaborative process between political, public, and private communities to respond to the emergence of kinship care. Describes the achievements including a national summit, initiation of dialog on policy and program aspects, and formation of legislative and administrative…

Describes a culturally sensitive program developed by the University of Washington School of Social Work, the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, and 26 Indian tribes in Washington State that trained 34 child welfare personnel to better implement the intent of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. Contains program evaluation…

Addresses factors that contribute to the adjustment difficulties of children and adolescents when their parents divorce. Gender issues, custody, age, parenting style, visitation patterns, socioeconomic considerations, the support system, family size, and the reconstituted family are all discussed. Describes a model for an effective support group…

Reviews the past decade's literature on woman battering so as to summarize selected works that may offer the greatest assistance to activists, practitioners, and researchers. Covers theoretical viewpoints, battered women and the medical field, law enforcement, the legal system, homicide, marital rape, child custody, popular myths, and stereotypes.…

There are measures that parents can take to help their children through the often distressing process of parental divorce. Describes the empirical literature regarding issues and factors relevant to children's adjustment to divorce. Provides practical guidelines and suggestions likely to help parents enhance their children's adjustment.…

Examines one aspect of the same-sex parent-child hypothesis within the context of mother's versus father's custody. Stresses that the gender of the custodial parent matters very little for the social functioning of the children. Finds the social adjustment of adolescents of divorced parents is somewhat poorer than adolescents from intact families.…

Permanency planning to help families affected by AIDS includes case management and mental health, medical care, child welfare, and legal services. This article presents the efforts of one community in a midsize city to develop and implement a multidisciplinary coordinated plan for providing services to children affected by the illness or death of…

Intended for parent educators, this facilitator's guide outlines a workshop for single parents to help them meet the challenges of raising children alone. The guide first presents frameworks for a 1- or 2-hour workshop and for an 8-session workshop. The remainder of the guide corresponds to a 28-minute companion video, presenting questions for…

A study tested a theoretical model using data from court-ordered sessions about the utility of divorce mediation. Subjects, 974 couples who had filed for divorce with potential child-custody disputes, were informed about the process of mediation as a means to settle their custody disputes rather than relying on the court system to resolve their…

In recent years, existing family legislation in Sweden has undergone a review process resulting in extensive revisions. The decisive factor behind these revisions has been change in Swedish society during the 20th century, including urbanization, frequent changes in residence, fewer children per family, the labor force participation of most women…

Noting that the term "family values" has achieved prominence in the rhetoric of political debate, this book compiles essays by philosophers, political scientists, and legal scholars exploring specific issues within the legal, ethical, and political dimensions of familial relationships. Collectively, the essays point out that many…

Suggests that stress is by necessity associated with child welfare interventions. Offers help to practitioners in reducing the kinds of stress involved in child welfare interventions by helping families build consumer-practitioner relationships, assessing family processes, generating ideas on coping with intervention-related stressors, and…

Contrasts a group of informal kinship care providers in Philadelphia (KIDS'n'KIN Program) with two "formal" kinship care groups in Baltimore and California, examining similarities and differences in child and caregiver demographies and service needs. Presents the program's response to the needs of informal kinship care providers.…