Innovations in Child and Family Policy Multidisciplinary Research and Perspectives on Strengthening Children and Their Families

Innovations in Child and Family Policy tackles many of the common problems and challenges that are considered to be at the heart of child and family policy: family creation, economic support, childrearing, and family caregiving. This collection begins by defining child and family policy and discussing the history of this growing specialization within the social sciences. The main chapters of Innovations in Child and Family Policy address policy and programmatic solutions to problems that face families by topic area: (1) early childhood and education; (2) government interventions with family violence, children's welfare, and the justice system; and (3) supports for children and families. Specifically, the chapters in this book address the availability of child care, family medical leave, special needs children, parents' involvement in their children's education, preventing and addressing child abuse and neglect, children who witness partner violence, child support orders, children of incarcerated fathers, and young adults in the justice system. What makes this book unique is that it contains applied research from many program evaluations or assessments of existing state-level legislation. Social scientists from multiple disciplines examine the efficacy of such programs and policies to make recommendations for expanded or new child and family policies.

Emily M. Douglas is assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at Bridgewater State College.