Youth & Family Issues
Below are some of the best guides and resources to help you address youth and family issues through dialogue and deliberation.
Guides to Dialogue and Deliberation
Building Strong Neighborhoods: A Study Circle Guide for Public Dialogue and Community Problem Solving
Youth participating in Jewish-Palestinian dialogue at the San Francisco Bay area's "Season of Light" gathering on December 7, 2003.
1998. Study Circles Resource Center (SCRC).
A four-session discussion guide on many important neighborhood issues including: race and other kinds of differences; young people and families; safety and community-police relations; homes, housing and beautification; jobs and neighborhood economy; and schools. $5.00. Download for free at www.studycircles.org/pages/pub.html or complete the order form at www.studycircles.org/pdf/orderform.pdf.
Building Strong Neighborhoods for Families with Children: A Guide for Public Dialogue and Problem Solving
2000. Study Circles Resource Center (SCRC).
A four-session discussion guide to help people make their neighborhoods better places for families with children by identifying challenges and opportunities, and working toward solutions. $5.00. Download for free at www.studycircles.org/pages/pub.html or complete the order form at www.studycircles.org/pdf/orderform.pdf.
A Community for All Generations - Teens and Adults Working Together
2002. Study Circles Resource Center (SCRC).
A discussion guide to help teens and adults find ways to make their community a place where all teens can grow up successfully. Download for free at www.studycircles.org/pages/pub.html or complete the order form at www.studycircles.org/pdf/orderform.pdf.
The Day Care Dilemma: Who Should Be Responsible For The Children?
1989. National Issues Forums.
Many mothers of young children have jobs outside their homes. These families must find good care for their children. How should the government help with this? This nonpartisan guide is used for citizen deliberations in National Issues Forums. $3.90 (or download free at www.nifi.org). Order from Kendall Hunt Publishing at 800-228-0810 or use the order form at www.kendallhunt.com/order/index.html.
Growing Up At Risk
1989. National Issues Forums.
In communities all over the country young people are encountering serious problems - problems that disrupt their lives and the lives of those around them. The problems of youth cry out for action. We need to help those young people who are in trouble and to prevent others from getting into trouble in the first place. This nonpartisan guide is used for citizen deliberations in National Issues Forums. $3.90 (or download free at www.nifi.org). Order from Kendall Hunt Publishing at 800-228-0810 or use the order form at www.kendallhunt.com/order/index.html.
Our Nation's Kids: Is Something Wrong?
1997. National Issues Forums.
Most American children are in good shape. But 1 in 4 adolescents abuses drugs, lags in school, or gets in trouble with the law. And an enormous number of kids experiment with drugs and alcohol, cheat at school, and are rude to adults. What does it all mean, if anything? What should we do? This nonpartisan guide is used for citizen deliberations in National Issues Forums. $3.90 (or download free at www.nifi.org). Order from Kendall Hunt Publishing at 800-228-0810 or use the order form at www.kendallhunt.com/order/index.html.
Please Talk With Me: A Guide to Teen-Adult Dialogue
Gaetano, Ronald J., Jim Grout, and Mary Klassen-Landis. 1990. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
A hands-on Project Adventure guide to running 'Dialogue Nights' - sessions that encourage teens and adults to listen and learn from each other. $14.95. More info at: www.pa.org/publications.asp.
Reaching Across Boundaries: Talk to Create Change (2nd Edition)
2003. The Study Circles Resource Center and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
This free guidebook was developed for teens who are interested in discussing the cliques and social boundaries in their schools. It's part of the Mix It Up program, a partnership between the Study Circles Resource Center and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Helps young people identify, question, and cross social boundaries in their schools and communities with a Mix It Up Dialogue. To order a free Mix It Up Handbook, go to www.studycircles.org/pages/issues/guides.html or www.tolerance.org/teens/dialogue.jsp.
Telling Stories of Self-Trust and Hope: A Tool for Engaging Youth in Community Change
2003. Prepared by The Harwood Institute for the C.S. Mott Foundation.
Change happens in communities when people change the story they tell about themselves and others. Stories of self-trust and hope help us to see the community and ourselves differently. This kit will help get youth telling their stories- to each other, to the community, to themselves. This is important not only for youth, but for the entire community as it seeks to move forward. Order at www.theharwoodinstitute.org.
Together for Tomorrow: Building Community Through Intergenerational Dialogue
Gambone, James. 2001. Crystal Bay, MN.
A book and guide on conducting intergenerational dialogues. $29.95 ($4.00 S&H). To order, call 1-800-586-9054 or send check to Elder Eye Press, PO Box 142, Crystal Bay, MN 55323 USA.
The Troubled American Family: Which Way Out Of The Storm?
1995. National Issues Forums.
Most Americans say their family is life's most precious gift, but one that's wrapped in life's greatest worries. Two of every three Americans say they fret the most about family matters. This nonpartisan guide is used for citizen deliberations in National Issues Forums. $3.90 (or download free at www.nifi.org). Order from Kendall Hunt Publishing at 800-228-0810 or use the order form at www.kendallhunt.com/order/index.html.
Violent Kids: Can We Change The Trend?
2000. National Issues Forums.
Every day it seems there is more shocking news about young people killing, committing suicide, or doing both. If violence is a cry for help, what is it that children and teenagers need? How can individuals help reduce the violence? This nonpartisan guide is used for citizen deliberations in National Issues Forums. $3.90 (or download free at www.nifi.org). Order from Kendall Hunt Publishing at 800-228-0810 or use the order form at www.kendallhunt.com/order/index.html.
Youth Issues, Youth Voices: A Guide for Engaging Youth and Adults in Public Dialogue and Problem Solving
1996. Study Circles Resource Center (SCRC).
A multiple-session discussion guide to help young people and adults address the community issues which involve and impact them. $5.00. Download for free at www.studycircles.org/pages/pub.html or complete the order form at www.studycircles.org/pdf/orderform.pdf.
Additional Resources
A Lot Easier Said Than Done: Parents Talk About Raising Children in Today's America
2002. Public Agenda.
According to this study, across the board, from teaching kids self-discipline to basic manners, parents give themselves very low grades. The unexpected findings provide a snapshot of where parents think they are falling short. $10. Order at www.publicagenda.org/research/research_reports.cfm.
City Voices, Children's Needs
Describes widespread concerns about the quality of schools, violence by and among young people, and inadequate opportunities for youth to become engaged in constructive activities during non-school hours. $7.00 for non-members. Order at the National League of Cities? online catalog at www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/inside_nlc/catalog/default.cfm or call in your order to 202-626-3150.
Community Collaboration for Children and Youth
Highlights 15 community collaborations that were selected as winners and honorable mentions in the 1996-97 Awards for Excellence program. $15.00 for nonmembers. Order at the National League of Cities? online catalog at www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/inside_nlc/catalog/default.cfm or call in your order to 202-626-3150.
Critical Needs, Critical Choices: A Survey on Children and Families
Highlights results of a 780-city survey concerning needs of children and families in cities, with child care and attention to risky behavior by youth among the most prominent. $15.00 for nonmembers. Order at the National League of Cities? online catalog at www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/inside_nlc/catalog/default.cfm or call in your order to 202-626-3150.
Families & Communities
Futures Report argues that families and communities depend on each other. Focuses on how cities can mobilize to strengthen families by championing families, building on family strengths, and collaborating to serve as effective advocates. $10.00 for nonmembers. Order at the National League of Cities? online catalog at www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/inside_nlc/catalog/default.cfm or call in your order to 202-626-3150.
Keep Kids Alcohol Free: Strategies for Action.
This easy-to-use, 17-page booklet introduces three basic strategies to prevent alcohol use by children aged 9 to 15 and explains how these strategies can be put into practice in the home, school and community. It also lists first steps to help people get local campaigns started and provides direct links to online sources of information about developing more comprehensive community-wide programs. To order, email .
Making Collaborations Work
Highlights programs designed to improve learning, reduce juvenile violence, and encourage positive youth development. $10.00 for nonmembers. Order at the National League of Cities? online catalog at www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/inside_nlc/catalog/default.cfm or call in your order to 202-626-3150.
Making Government Work For Your City's Kids
Describes how to deal with the intergovernmental maze of programs, services, plans, and policies of the county, state, and federal governments; clarifies the roles of various levels of governments and more. $30.00 for nonmembers. Order at the National League of Cities? online catalog at www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/inside_nlc/catalog/default.cfm or call in your order to 202-626-3150.
Making the Rules: A Public Achievement Guidebook for Young People Who Intend to Make a Difference
Bass, Melissa, in collaboration with Harry Boyte, et al. 1995.
A 93-page practical guidebook for youth teams that wish to make changes in their communities. It has been developed by Public Achievement, the youth and politics initiative of Project Public Life, part of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, at the University of Minnesota. Available on the Civic Practices Network website at www.cpn.org/tools/manuals/Youth/rules1.html.
Our Nation's Kids: Is Something Wrong?
2000. National Issues Forums.
A report on the outcome of forums held across the nation on this issue. Making use of participants' answers to Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires, reports from moderators, and in-depth studies of selected forums, these reports describe in some detail what happened as people deliberated about the issue at hand. These reports range from 20 to 48 pages and cost $3.00 (or download at www.nifi.org for free). To order, email Ruffolo at or call 800-600-4060.
Police and Urban Youth Relations: An Antidote to Racial Violence
1995. The Community Relations Service of the U.S. Department of Justice.
CRS assists communities with crisis management and violence reduction, provides this and many other freely downloadable publications at www.usdoj.gov/crs/publist.html.
Preventing Youth Hate Crime
1998. The Community Relations Service of the U.S. Department of Justice.
CRS assists communities with crisis management and violence reduction, provides this and many other freely downloadable publications at www.usdoj.gov/crs/publist.html.
A Public Voice '96: The Troubled American Family
National Issues Forums.
Each year, many public TV stations around the nation air an hour-long program that features American citizens deliberating in National Issues Forums around the nation, and a distinguished panel of nationally-known political leaders, commentators and journalists meeting at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to reflect on what this "public voice" may mean in setting direction for America. Tapes of these programs (produced by Milton B. Hoffman Productions) are available for $6.50 each. To order, email Ruffolo at .
A Public Voice '95: Juvenile Violence
National Issues Forums.
Each year, many public TV stations around the nation air an hour-long program that features American citizens deliberating in National Issues Forums around the nation, and a distinguished panel of nationally-known political leaders, commentators and journalists meeting at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to reflect on what this "public voice" may mean in setting direction for America. Tapes of these programs (produced by Milton B. Hoffman Productions) are available for $6.50 each. To order, email Ruffolo at .
School Disruptions: Tips for Educators and Police
1998. The Community Relations Service of the U.S. Department of Justice.
CRS assists communities with crisis management and violence reduction, provides this and many other freely downloadable publications at www.usdoj.gov/crs/publist.html.
The Troubled American Family: Which Way Out of the Storm?
1996. National Issues Forums.
A report on the outcome of forums held across the nation on this issue. Making use of participants' answers to Pre- and Post-Forum Questionnaires, reports from moderators, and in-depth studies of selected forums, these reports describe in some detail what happened as people deliberated about the issue at hand. These reports range from 20 to 48 pages and cost $3.00 (or download at www.nifi.org for free). To order, email Ruffolo at or call 800-600-4060.
What Parents Are Saying About TV Today
Jean Johnson. 2003. Public Agenda.
This analysis outlines parents' concerns about sex, violence, and profanity on TV and profiles some of the important differences among various groups of parents those with young children vs. those with teens, for example. Order at www.publicagenda.org/research/research_reports.cfm.
Your City's Families
Describes links between strong families and safe communities. Reflects the energy, insights, and promising directions that teams of local officials and community leaders developed during the 1995 Your City's Families Conference. $10.00 for nonmembers. Order at the National League of Cities? online catalog at www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/inside_nlc/catalog/default.cfm or call in your order to 202-626-3150.
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