Description
Book SynopsisCities, Counties, Kids, and Families outlines a model for developing strategic policy for responding to children and family issues in local governments. It also discusses fifteen strategic roles that local government can play-most of which do not require direct funding, but depends upon the scarce resource of leadership. The book describes policy and analytical tools used by cities and counties, and makes a case for using these tools more strategically. It calls for strategic policy to respond to the four critical forces affecting children and family policy: families; race and culture; communities and neighborhoods; and regionalism. Finally, the book reviews policy in four critical areas affecting local governments: education and school readiness; substance abuse; youth development; and family support programs. It concludes with predictions of issues that will affect cities and counties in the future.
Trade ReviewGardner, president of Children and Family Futures, a nonprofit organization that provides planning, evaluation, and consulting services to government agencies, community organizations, and schools, is a veteran who has spent decades in the trenches. He offers extensive, relevant information and savvy advice. As a reult, this volume is an excellent handbook that ranges comfortably between specific examples and general lessons.Summing Up: RECOMMENDED. General readers, upper-division undergraduates and professionals/practitioners. -- E.T. Jones, University of Missouri?St. Louis * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 List of Figures Chapter 2 Frequently Used Abbreviations and Acronyms Chapter 3 List of Tables Chapter 4 A Personal Preface Chapter 5 Acknowledgments Chapter 6 Introduction Chapter 7 Strategy and Realities Chapter 8 Introduction to Section Two Chapter 9 Missing from Theory and Practice: The Role of Local Government Chapter 10 Still Fragmented, After All These Years Chapter 11 Strategic Policy: Moving the Bar Up Chapter 12 Making Better Policy through Two Sets of Tools: Using Information and Shaping Values Chapter 13 Reframing Ethical Issues in Services to Children, Youth, and Families Chapter 14 The Budget is the Policy Chapter 15 The Intergovernmental Stew: Cities and Counties; States and the Feds Chapter 16 Introduction to Section Three: The Four Forces Chapter 17 Families and Generations: The Connections Across Policies Chapter 18 Race, Culture, and Religion as Children and Family Issues Chapter 19 Community and Neighborhood Roles in Children and Family Policy Chapter 20 Regionalism and a Family Agenda Chapter 21 Introduction to Section Four Chapter 22 Education and Learning-The Inescapable Priorities Chapter 23 Abuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs as a Children and Family Issue Chapter 24 Family Support Programs and Family Income Support: The Future of FRCs as a Policy Choice for Local Government Chapter 25 Youth Development as a Function of Local Governments Chapter 26 The Role of Local Government in the Future Chapter 27 Putting It All Together: The Challenge of Leadership in Local Government Chapter 28 Author Biographical Sketch
