Topics include the use of light sensitive pens and codes to teach reading to slow readers, blind and learning-disabled children, and children with mental retardation; new booklets and audiovisual programs designed to help professionals, families, and communities cope with problems of today's youth; and a book that examines self-care for children…

The goal of this research was to find out if libraries across the country have applied for and received Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grants to fund latchkey programs. Through the use of a questionnaire sent to all of the state library agencies in the United States, data was collected by structured and open-ended questions. The…

This book for persons interested in setting up high quality school-age child care (SACC) programs: (1) provides background information and a rationale; (2) describes a collaborative model of program development; (3) discusses program funding and resources; (4) considers approaches to recognizing high quality school-age child care; and (5) offers…

A survey on the need for school-age child care in Boston was conducted as part of a Parents United for Child Care (PUCC) campaign to increase the supply of child care and after-school programs for children between the ages of 5 and 14. The survey was distributed in May, 1989 to 4,913 families with elementary school children at 10 Boston Public…

Current national concern about increasing numbers of latchkey children has been addressed by policy initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels. Educators in many communities are examining what schools can do for children when classes are not in session and parents and other caregivers are unavailable. This manual confronts the legal…

Because North Carolina has the nation's highest percentage of mothers working outside of the home, each of the state's 141 public school systems was surveyed with a 33-item questionnaire to identify existing after school care programs. Responses were received from 138 systems. A total of 48 programs serving 51 systems were identified, and…

The purpose of this practicum was to develop an on-site training program for latchkey family day care home providers. Practicum objectives were to (1) develop a pilot project involving three family day care homes in Pinellas County, Florida; (2) assist caregivers in meeting the annual training requirements; (3) design and implement, on-site, a…

This collection of papers addresses seven critical problem areas that can place today's young students at risk. "Children in Self-Care" (Merlyn Pitney) discusses the key problems of the rapidly increasing number of "latch key" students who must fend for themselves before and/or after school. "Stress Management for Children" (Kristine Kunkle) shows…

After-school programs provide wide-ranging benefits to children, their families, and the whole community. This report focuses on the benefits children receive: increased safety, reduced risk-taking, and improved learning. Quality afterschool programs keep kids out of trouble, prevent crime, juvenile delinquency, school vandalism, and violent…

Rural, urban, and suburban parents of 447 children were surveyed to determine patterns of children's self-care. Sixteen children received simulated telephone calls and package deliveries while they were in self-care. Results indicate these children were at risk: vulnerable to individuals from the outside. Questions to be addressed by subsequent…

Describes a survey of public libraries that addressed the presence of latchkey children in libraries, library policies regarding this population, and services that are or should be offered. In-depth interviews with 10 librarians explored ideal responses to latchkey children, advice on library services, and community services for children. (14…

To help families of latchkey children, school personnel must understand the problems they face; identify families in need of assistance through parent and student surveys and interviews; and provide services to assist them, such as parent education programs, networking, discussion groups, survival skills training, and student assessment and…

Suggests that concern for "latchkey" children during World War II was hyperbolic. Examines the variety of successful solutions parents devised for child day care: (1) day care arrangements made by families themselves; (2) Lanham Act child day care centers; (3) centers operated by private industry; and (4) the very successful Extended…

This document presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Growin' to Win Project, an after-school and summer program targeted at elementary and middle school aged youth at high risk of substance abuse and gang involvement. Growin' to Win is an expansion of a model latchkey program piloted at two Tacoma (Washington) schools in 1990. The…

Evidence suggests that self-care among school-age children has significant costs to the children, in the form of increased fearfulness and loneliness, heightened vulnerability to peer pressure, and greater likelihood of substance abuse. In response to the need for quality school-age care, this book serves as a guide for anyone wanting to implement…