First-hand, human stories of hope, resilience, determination, and family: a call to see the world's children as our own, by the President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF

In "I Believe in ZERO," President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl M. Stern draws on her travels around the world, offering memorable stories that present powerful and sometimes counter-intuitive lessons about life. "I Believe in ZERO" reflects her--and UNICEF's--mission to reduce the number of preventable deaths of children under the age of five from 19,000 each day to zero.
Each of the stories in "I Believe in ZERO "focuses on a particular locale--Bangladesh, Mozambique, earthquake-ravaged Haiti, the Brazilian Amazon--and weaves together fascinating material on the country and its history, an account of the humanitarian crises at issue, and depictions of the people she meets on the ground. Stern tells of mothers coming together to affect change, of local communities with valuable perspectives of their own, and of children who continue to sustain their dreams and hopes even in the most dire of situations. Throughout, Stern traces her emerging global consciousness--and describes how these stories can positively impact our own children.
In this incredibly moving book, Stern hopes to open hearts and minds and leave readers with the belief that no child anywhere should lack basic human support--and that every child and mother can be an inspiration.

Despite being commonplace in American households a generation ago, corporal punishment of children has been subjected to criticism and shifting attitudes in recent years. Many school districts have banned it, and many child advocates recommend that parents no longer spank or strike their children. In this book, social theorist Michael Donnelly and family violence expert Murray A. Straus tap the expertise of social science scholars and researchers who address issues of corporal punishment, a subject that is now characterized as a key issue in child welfare. The contributors discuss corporal punishment, its use, causes, and consequences, drawing on a wide array of comparative, psychological, and sociological theories. Together, they clarify the analytical issues and lay a strong foundation for future research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

After-school programs, scout groups, community service activities, religious youth groups, and other community-based activities have long been thought to play a key role in the lives of adolescents. But what do we know about the role of such programs for today's adolescents? How can we ensure that programs are designed to successfully meet young people's developmental needs and help them become healthy, happy, and productive adults? Community Programs to Promote Youth Development explores these questions, focusing on essential elements of adolescent well-being and healthy development. It offers recommendations for policy, practice, and research to ensure that programs are well designed to meet young people's developmental needs. The book also discusses the features of programs that can contribute to a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. It examines what we know about the current landscape of youth development programs for America's youth, as well as how these programs are meeting their diverse needs. Recognizing the importance of adolescence as a period of transition to adulthood, Community Programs to Promote Youth Development offers authoritative guidance to policy makers, practitioners, researchers, and other key stakeholders on the role of youth development programs to promote the healthy development and well-being of the nation's youth. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Setting the Stage 2 Adolescent Development 3 Personal and Social Assets that Promote Well-Being 4 Features of Positive Developmental Settings 5 The Landscape of Community Programs for Youth 6 Lessons from Experimental Evaluations 7 Generating New Information 8 Data and Technical Assistance Resources 9 Funding and Support for Programs 10 Conclusions and Recommendations Appendix A Fundamental Principles of Human Development Appendix B Theoretical Frameworks for Conceptualizing Positive Developmental Processes Appendix C Biographical Sketches Appendix D Related Reports from the National Academies References Index

Useful for newcomers to the children's library staff as well as longtime children's librarians, the second edition of this popular handbook provides easy-to-follow instructions to make innovations in children's library materials work for you. Addressing everything from the basics of reference to the complex and highly specialized duties of program development, this handbook is perfect for both librarians and support staff who are assigned to the children's department of a library. This second addition of Crash Course in Children's Services covers many of the new issues facing children's library staff, including eBooks, using apps in programming, other online reading options, book trailers, nonfiction and the Common Core curriculum. It also describes expanded programming options such as makerspaces, gaming, dog reading programs, and play at storytime. Ideal for new children's librarians as well as experienced library staff who have not worked with children recently and long-time children's librarians looking to add new skills to their tool kits, the book familiarizes readers with all the new developments of the past few years, from online reading options to the wealth of new programming aimed at youth. You'll learn about subjects such as pop-up and passive programming, offering online homework help, and outreach and services to special needs children, and then quickly implement new practices into use at your library. Covers new technologies and Common Core standards in addition to traditional areas of children's services Allows any library staff to comfortably assist children searching for reference and homework help, offer effective readers' advisory assistance, and perform basic promotion of books to children Supplies information that is useful for newcomers to the children's library staff and those who substitute at the children's desk as well as longtime children's librarians or experienced staff taking on new responsibilities

"Christian Heroes: Then & Now have set a new standard of quality in Christian biography. These thrilling true adventures are the best-written biographies for ages 10 and up! Sustained by God's provision. George Muller's vision of caring for orphans grew to five large homes that ultimately over ten thousand children would call home (1805-1898).

The Cost of Inaction for Young Children Globally is the summary of a workshop hosted by the Institute of Medicine Forum on Investing in Young Children Globally in April 2014 to focus on investments in young children and the cost of inaction. Participants explored existing, new, and innovative science and research from around the world to translate this evidence into sound and strategic investments in policies and practices that will make a difference in the lives of children and their caregivers. This report discusses intersections across health, education, nutrition, living conditions, and social protection and how investments of economic, natural, social, and other resources can sustain or promote early childhood development and well-being. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Overview 2 Linking Children's Developmental Potential to a Nation's Developmental Potential 3 The Science of Developmental Potential 4 The State of the World's Young Children 5 Inequality Among Children in Reaching Their Developmental Potential 6 The Context of Families and Caregivers 7 Indicators and Metrics 8 Investing in Young Children and Their Caregivers 9 BenefitCost Analysis of Inaction References Appendix A: Acronyms Appendix B: Workshop Agenda Appendix C: Participant Biographies

Despite being commonplace in American households a generation ago, corporal punishment of children has been subjected to criticism and shifting attitudes in recent years. Many school districts have banned it, and many child advocates recommend that parents no longer spank or strike their children. In this book, social theorist Michael Donnelly and family violence expert Murray A. Straus tap the expertise of social science scholars and researchers who address issues of corporal punishment, a subject that is now characterized as a key issue in child welfare.The contributors discuss corporal punishment, its use, causes, and consequences, drawing on a wide array of comparative, psychological, and sociological theories. Together, they clarify the analytical issues and lay a strong foundation for future research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Research findings showed that secondary school students in Hong Kong face many challenges. In particular, morbid emphasis on academic excellence has created much competition and stress in high school students. It was estimated that around one-fifth of secondary school students in Hong Kong had different forms of mental disorders. In a three-year longitudinal study, it was found that the prevalence rates of Internet addiction in Secondary 1, Secondary 2 and Secondary 3 students were 26.4%, 26.6% and 22.5%, respectively. In the same study, suicidal ideation in junior secondary school students was found in more than one-tenth of the students. At the same time, there were more than two-tenths of students showing signs of self-harm and suicidal behaviour in junior secondary years. The number of adolescents experiencing economic disadvantage has increased while family solidarity has dropped in recent years. In spite of these adolescent developmental issues, the lack of life education and life skills training in secondary school students has made the situation worse. Although moral and civic education is one of the pillars in the new 6-year secondary school curriculum, there are several problems involved. First, the coverage on social and emotional learning in the curriculum guide is very thin. Second, although there are curricula materials on life skills training in the field, validated curricula are almost non-existent. In fact, in a review of adolescent prevention and positive youth development programs in Asia, Shek and Yu pointed out that there were very few validated evidence-based programs in Hong Kong. Third, training in social-emotional learning and adolescent prevention programs is grossly inadequate in Hong Kong. Finally, while nobody would dispute the importance of life skills and psychosocial competence, such topics are seldom taught in depth in the school contexts.

In Necessary Spaces: Exploring the Richness of African American Childhood in the South, Saundra Murray Nettles takes the reader on a journey into neighbourhood networks of learning at different times and places. Using autobiographical accounts, Nettles discusses the informal instructional practices of community "coaches" from the perspective of African American adults who look back on their childhood learning experiences in homes, libraries, city blocks, schools, churches, places of business, and nature. These eyewitness accounts reveal ""necessary spaces," the metaphor Nettles uses to describe seven recurring experiences that converge with contemporary notions of optimal black child development: connection, exploration, design, empowerment, resistance, renewal, and practice. Nettles weaves the personal stories with social scientific theory and research and practical accounts of community-based initiatives to illuminate how local communities contributed human, built, and natural resources to support children's achievement in schools. The inquiry offers a timely and accessible perspective on how community involvement for children can be developed utilising the grassroots efforts of parents, children, and other neighbourhood residents; expertise from personnel in schools, informal institutions (such as libraries and museums); and other sectors interested in disparities in education, health, and the quality of physical settings. Grounded in the environmental memories of African American childhood, Necessary Spaces offers a culturally relevant view of civic participation and sustainable community development at the local level. Educational researchers and policy makers, pre-service and in-service teachers, and people who plan for and work with children and youth in neighbourhoods will find this book an engaging look at possibilities for the social organisation of educational resources. Qualitative researchers will find a model for writing personal scholarly essays that use the personal to inform larger issues of policy and practice. In Necessary Spaces, local citizens in neighbourhoods across the United States will find stories that resonate with their own experiences, stimulate their recollections, and inform and inspire their continuing efforts to create brighter futures for children and communities.

Recent debates surrounding children in State care, parental rights, and abuse in Ireland's industrial schools, concern issues that are rooted in the historical record. By examining the social problems addressed by philanthropists and child protection workers from the nineteenth century, we can begin to understand more about the treatment of children and the family today. In Ireland, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) was the principle organisation involved in investigating families and protecting children. The 'cruelty men', as NSPCC inspectors were known, acted as child protection workers and 'children's police'. This book looks at their history as well as the history of Ireland's industrial schools, poverty in Irish families, changing ideas around childhood and parenthood and the lives of children in Ireland from 1838 to 1970. It is a history filled with stories of real families, families often at the mercy of the State, the Catholic Church and voluntary organisations. It is a must-read for all with an interest in the Irish family and Irish childhood past and present. -- .

How do practitioners step up to the professional challenge of keeping children safe? Leading author Harry Ferguson draws on his own research, personal experience and real-life case studies to challenge the way we think about child protection. This highly original and engaging book captures the daily reality of practice within life's most personal spaces, and offers a rare insight into the lived experience of working with vulnerable children, their parents and other carers. An inspiring declaration of the need for a new, intimate approach to child protection, this ground-breaking book lays the foundations of skilful, authoritative practice. It is a must for Social Work student and practitioners within this challenging field.

Child welfare services are intended to prevent the abuse or neglect of children; ensure that children have safe, permanent homes; and promote the well-being of children and their families. The largest amount of federal child welfare funding is provided to states for assistance to children who have been removed from their homes (due primarily to abuse or neglect). In the past decade, the share of this support provided for children who remain in foster care has been on the decline, while the share provided for those who leave foster care for permanent homes (e.g., via adoption) has increased. This book examines recent and proposed federal funding issues for child welfare with a focus on services authorised under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, and The Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (P.L.112-34).

Internationally recognized as the gold standard in providing services to children with special needs and their family members, family-centred practice has developed substantially over the past two decades. However, there has not been until now a basic practice text for guiding professional education and skill building across diverse areas. Filling this significant gap, Partnering with Parents is a primer on family-centred practice for professionals working in children's health and developmental services. The material in this textbook spans interdisciplinary training across key child service sectors (particularly child development, child mental health, and children's health). The authors identify and discuss the key principles of the model as it is practiced in Canada, with a focus on working alliances, empowerment methods, and the development of social support resources. Providing examples of the application of family-centred practice in a wide range of service settings, Partnering with Parents will be useful for the social workers, nurses, psychologists, and allied health professionals who work together in complex service situations.

This book introduces the current situations of child victimisation in the Chinese populations to readers, discusses the relevant political and legal systems as well as health and social services, and puts forward some recommendations for effective child protection with an emphasis on the unique cultural values and situations in the Chinese populations. Grounded in the recent and contemporary research and scholarly inquiry, this is a vital book for understanding trends and current situations in China, as well as an essential read for those who work, research, teach or study in the area. This book is the only one available to date to present a comprehensive and critical review of child maltreatment and victimisation in China whilst promoting a multi-disciplinary collaboration to child protection.

The diverse challenges that clinicians and children's workers tasked with safeguarding babies and young children face are complex, and this unique book looks at effective, practice-based and evidence-informed approaches to working across a wide range of issues. It outlines relevant theory and good practice, gathering case examples from around the world to illustrate what interventions look like in direct practice. Leading contributors address a wide range of challenges, including babies and very young children who have a serious illness, have complex diagnoses, or have been exposed to violence or adversity in early childhood. This is an essential guide for those who work to support and safeguard the welfare of babies and very young children, including professionals in health care, social work, mental health and child protection settings, as well as paediatricians, child psychologists and child psychiatrists.

In 1999, the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, undertook the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) to learn about children and families coming in contact with the child welfare system (CWS). The sample, which represents the population of children and families that entered the CWS within a 15 month period, comprises 5,501 children (aged 0 to 14 years) from 92 child welfare agencies nation-wide. The NSCAW gathers information about children's safety, living-situation permanency, well-being, and services after a maltreatment investigation by child protective services. This book provides information about 962 children who were infants when they first became involved in investigations for child abuse or neglect and whose caregivers participated at the 5- to 6-year follow-up.

This book presents findings from studies evaluating Sure Start programmes in North-East England. Section I examines the policy background, evaluation framework and key concepts underpinning the programme. Section II draws upon findings from the evaluation of five Sure Start programmes. Section III presents evaluation findings from a linked national programme, Sure Start Plus, designed to provide inter-agency, inter-professional support to pregnant teenagers and young parents. Section IV examines two propositions: Firstly, that local programmes should deliver better outcomes for children and families if they are proficient, as measured by engaging service users, multi agency working, leadership and ethos; and secondly, that local programmes provide a foundation for delivering the five outcomes set by the Labour Government Green Paper Every Child Matters (2003): be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, and achieve economic well-being.

"Child Slaves in the Modern World" is the second of two volumes that examine the distinctive uses and experiences of children in slavery in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This collection of previously unpublished essays exposes the global victimization of child slaves from the period of abolition of legal slavery in the nineteenth century to the human rights era of the twentieth century. It contributes to the growing recognition that the stereotypical bonded male slave was in fact a rarity. Nine of the studies are historical, with five located in Africa and three covering Latin America from the British Caribbean to Chile. One study follows the children liberated in the famous Amistad incident (1843). The remaining essays cover contemporary forms of child slavery, from prostitution to labor to forced soldiering. "Child Slaves in the Modern World" adds historical depth to the current literature on contemporary slavery, emphasizing the distinctive vulnerabilities of children, or effective equivalents, that made them particularly valuable to those who could acquire and control them. The studies also make clear the complexities of attempting to legislate or decree regulations limiting practices that appear to have been--and continue to be --ubiquitous around the world.

This book examines after-school programs in light of their explosive growth in recent years. In the rush to mount programs, there is a danger of promoting weak ones of little value and failing to implement strong ones adequately. But what is quality and how can it be achieved? This book presents findings from an intensive study of three after-school centers that differed dramatically in quality. Drawing from 233 site visits, the authors examine how - and why - young people thrive in good programs and suffer in weak ones. The book features engaging, in-depth case studies of each of the three centers and of six youths, two from each center. Written in a highly accessible style for academics, youth workers, after-school program leaders and policy makers, the study breaks new ground in highlighting the importance of factors such as collective mentoring, synergies among different programs and activities, and organizational culture and practices.

An exploration of the ways in which ancient theories of empire can inform our understanding of present-day international relations, Enduring Empire engages in a serious discussion of empire as it relates to American foreign policy and global politics.

The imperial power dynamics of ancient Athens and Rome provided fertile ground for the deliberations of many classical thinkers who wrote on the nature of empire: contemplating political sovereignty, autonomy, and citizenship as well as war, peace, and civilization in a world where political boundaries were strained and contested. The contributors to this collection prompt similar questions with their essays and promote a serious contemporary consideration of empire in light of the predominance of the United States and of the doctrine of liberal democracy.

Featuring essays from some of the leading thinkers in the fields of political science, philosophy, history, and classics, Enduring Empire illustrates how lessons gleaned from the Athenian and Roman empires can help us to understand the imperial trajectory of global politics today.

A critical and evidence-based review of current and future child protection policy and practice. Provides evidence-based perspective with an up-to-date overview of policy and practice Covers several disciplinary boundaries Goes beyond mere description to enable engagement in critical analysis of various policy areas as they relate to children and families

"Filled with practical and effective approaches, this book is an asset to anyone wanting to develop their skills in working with adolescents." Samantha Best, CAMHS Manager and Clinical Nurse Specialist "This publication is a further invaluable resource to counsellors wanting to work with young people. It offers a 'one stop shop' for any practitioner who wants to understand adolescent development and the need for a counselling approach that parallels this, with helpful strategies for enhancing the counselling conversation and the relationship between counsellor and the young person." Barbara Rayment, Director of Youth Access, London "Providing an excellent introduction to counselling young people that is theoretically sound and rich in delivering practical techniques, this book is an important addition to the personal library of counselling students and counsellors" Associate Professor Sylvia Rodger, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia In this third edition of their bestselling text, Kathryn and David Geldard provide a practical introduction to the principles and practices required for successful counselling, to show that working with young people can be both challenging and effective. The book is divided into three main parts, covering: - how to understand the young client as a person - the pro-active approach of working with young people - the counselling skills and strategies needed. This Third Edition has been completely revised and updated, and includes two new chapters. The first, Maintaining a Collaborative Relationship, identifies ways to engage a young person collaboratively throughout a proactive counselling process. The other, Professional and Ethical Issues, deals with these issues as they relate to working with young people. Additional practical case studies and examples show how counsellors can work pro-actively with this age group. The book will be of particular interest as a textbook and resource to all professionals who work with emotionally disturbed young people, and will provide an excellent resource for trainees in courses on counselling, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, mental health and psychiatry, nursing, and education.

In modern Latin America, profound social inequalities have persisted despite the promise of equality. Nara B. Milanich argues that social and legal practices surrounding family and kinship have helped produce and sustain these inequalities. Tracing families both elite and plebeian in late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century Chile, she focuses on a group largely invisible in Latin American historiography: children. The concept of family constituted a crucial dimension of an individual's identity and status, but also denoted a privileged set of gendered and generational dependencies that not all people could claim." Children of Fate" explores such themes as paternity, illegitimacy, kinship, and child circulation over the course of eighty years of Chile's modern history to illuminate the ways family practices and ideologies powerfully shaped the lives of individuals as well as broader social structures.

Milanich pays particular attention to family law, arguing that liberal legal reforms wrought in the 1850s, which left the paternity of illegitimate children purposely unrecorded, reinforced not only patriarchal power but also hierarchies of class. Through vivid stories culled from judicial and notarial sources and from a cache of documents found in the closet of a Santiago orphanage, she reveals how law and bureaucracy helped create an anonymous underclass bereft of kin entitlements, dependent on the charity of others, and marginalized from public bureaucracies. Milanich also challenges the recent scholarly emphasis on state formation by highlighting the enduring importance of private, informal, and extralegal relations of power within and across households. "Children of Fate" demonstrates how the study of children can illuminate the social organization of gender and class, liberalism, law, and state power in modern Latin America.