The consequences of poverty are enormous, and they begin with the birth of children to unprepared mothers. High risk leads to more high risk, and the cycle of poverty continues. Trying to change the attitudes or behaviors of adolescents is difficult. Successful interventions must begin before the birth of the child, concentrating on teenage girls…

For much of its history, America has been waging war against many of its poor people. Chapters 1 through 4 of this book discuss the labeling of the poor as morally inferior, which has increased in the last 15 years, blames them falsely for the ills of the American society and economy, reinforces their mistreatment, increases their misery, and…

This analysis of causes of poverty in the Watts section of Los Angeles (California) and other inner-city communities and of the effects of poverty on children considers exogenous factors that affect lives and behaviors, focusing on the situations of high school students. The first five chapters are arranged around issues cited by those who blame…

The National Center for Children in Poverty has recently conducted research on case management in service integration projects, with the core information coming from 16 projects for children around the country. This brief describes the training and experience that case managers bring to their jobs and receive on the job, how prepared they feel to…

This report focuses on some of the changes that have taken place in the American family over the last several decades. In order to produce reform efforts that will achieve the six National Education Goals, communities need to understand how family life has changed in recent years and why the schools need to be redesigned to fit the way today's…

This report offers an evaluation of services for families in New York State, finds that system is in chaos, and proposes a 5-year commitment to integrate programs and funding in six agencies. The report finds that billions of federal, state, local, and private dollars are committed annually to support separate service systems with no imperative…

This paper reports on the sharp disparities in the supply of preschools across the 100 counties and 36 states included in this study. Three sets of factors help explain these inequities in child-care supply: (1) local patterns of wealth, poverty, and maternal employment; (2) the structure of families; and (3) government subsidy levels. Among the…

As a result of federal legislation aimed at welfare reform, states have been transforming welfare in new ways. Critical questions remain, however, and policymakers must continue to develop new ideas and implement programs from other states. This book contributes to the learning process among states by sharing program innovations and analyses to…

Drawing from national and city-based sources, Volume 1 reports the empirical evidence concerning the relationship between children and community. The chapters are: (1) "Neighborhoods and Communities as Contexts for Development" (Martha A. Gephart); (2) "Development in Context: Implications for Studying Neighborhood Effects" (J. Lawrence Aber,…

In contrast to research models that allude to the deficiencies of children whose parents are characterized as at-risk, this literature review focuses on the potential achievements of these children. The review attempts to heighten awareness of the efforts of researchers to provide a theoretical basis for advancing programs that foster a positive…

This report, prepared by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC), presents the context within which welfare reform will affect the housing conditions of rural Americans. HAC is a nonprofit corporation that supports the development of rural low-income housing nationwide. Although the federal welfare reform legislation effective in 1997 makes few…

With the passage of federal welfare reform in 1996, accountability for the well-being of low-income families has shifted substantially from the federal government to the states, making it increasingly important to assess the economic well-being of children at the state level. This research brief examines the differences in poverty rates for…

In 1997, the Institute for Children and Poverty of Homes for the Homeless joined with more than 58 organizations from 10 cities across the country to develop a national snapshot of family homelessness in the United States. Nearly 800 families were surveyed. This report presents the results of this research. The typical homeless family in the…

Despite stereotypes to the contrary, homelessness is as prevalent in rural as urban areas. This digest examines the implications of homelessness for rural children and youth and discusses possible actions by rural educators. An estimated half of the rural homeless are families with children. Compared to urban counterparts, rural homeless families…

The report and resource directory contained in this document represent the efforts of the Rural Families in Transition Work Group, one of six such groups recently created to respond to key issues arising from the farm financial crisis. The directory is intended for use by extension agents in identifying educational resources across the region that…