Children of incarcerated parents are often an invisible population, but analyzing and mapping local data on these families can help policymakers and advocates understand these children's experiences and needs. This Urban Institute brief has the who, what, why and how for cities and governments interested in embarking on such an initiative.

In this October 2008 blog entry, Hershel Sarbin reacts to a recent CFK article on Hope Meadows, an intergenerational community launched in 1993, and how “smartly its founders have adapted to changing conditions over the years.” Therein lies a model for all of us, he says.

This article is an excerpt is from the first chapter of Finding Hope in Despair: Clinical
Studies in Infant Mental Health, edited by Marian Birch, was published by ZERO TO THREE
in June 2008. In this excerpt, the editor describes the core concepts, techniques, and
challenges of therapeutic intervention with infants and very young children and their
families. In the other chapters in the book, clinicians provide detailed case studies of
interventions that felt like “heartbreaking failures.” Each case study is followed by a
response from another clinician who comments on the challenges and the outcome of the
intervention.

Here’s a personal glimpse at the importance of local programs for children and families, as three stressed-out parents share how they found help and education in support groups. The California-based Children’s Advocate reports.

I had a few hours to read, so I pulled out the folder into which I cram all of the things that catch my eye and might make good material for a column. Here’s what I read recently:

The Spring 2008 issue of Evaluation Exchange from the Harvard Family Research Project looks at promising practices in family involvement. In particular, it highlights the importance of partnerships within communities for better child outcomes, and how family involvement fits into a broader approach to children's success in education and in life.

To make positive change for kids, you need to know where things stand, what’s working and what needs to be improved. The annual KIDS COUNT Data Book offers both data and context for 10 indicators of child well-being—and drills down to a state and local level. This year’s essay offers a “roadmap for reform” in juvenile justice. CFK summer intern Maria Allen attended the June 2008 launch event in DC and has this overview.

Quality child care matters for kids and parents—just ask single mother Marla Campos, who spends $900 a month for child care. Although her two daughters are eligible for state-subsidized child care, they are among the more than 360,000 kids nationally who are stuck on state waiting lists because there isn’t enough funding. In California, the parent-led activist organization Parent Voices is working to change this.

Parent Involvement Matters.Org provides free resources and information to schools, parents, and trainers working to increase parent involvement in education.

If you work with teens with disabilities, you’ll want to know about the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work (TTW) program. Its Youth Transition portion offers funds for organizations that help students receiving Social Security disability benefits find employment. Is it right for you? Melody Goodspeed, Youth Transition Specialist for TTW answers some common questions about the funding.