Book Reviews:
Antonia Bifulco, Psychological Medicine, 2004, 34, 567-568.
This book provides a very comprehensive overview of what is described as the 'first generation' of resilience/ vulnerability research...

'... a very comprehensive overview ...'. Journal of Psychological Medicine
'Resilience and Vulnerability is resplendent with insights ... Resilience and Vulnerability is an important milestone in the development of the risk and resilience response to the problems experienced by young people. It enhances our understanding of the complexities of behaviour and circumstance while illuminating the necessary focus and quality of intervention efforts.' Peter Stanley, University of Waikato at Tauranga
'... brings together an extensive range of research material on the highly topical theme of resilience and vulnerability ... a comprehensive coverage of the strands of the discussion.' Journal of Social Policy

   

Book Description:
You'll find this revised edition to be the same classic, best-selling resource with some interesting and useful additions, including a new foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Integrating Native American Childrearing philosophies and Western Psychology, this book helps you create a "Circle of Courage" to reach troubled youth.

   

Book Description:
Thoroughly researched, this easy-to-use handbook is designed to help parents, teachers, pastors and youth workers guide today's young people through the minefields of adolescence. From simple challenges to major crises, this book will equip adults to help youth cope with situations involving emotional issues, abuse, addictions, family issues, disorders, sexual issues and much more.

   

Book Description:
"Jenson, Fraser and their impressive contributors have provided us with something all too rare in the child & family services literature: a truly integrative volume. They argue cogently for a cross-systems perspective, an orientation to developmental "risk" & "protective" factors and a strategic process for identifying most favorable targets for intervention .The summaries of different service domains and the editor's emphasis on crafting the proper policy context for the integration of "evidence-based" practices make this volume a "must read" for seasoned policy makers, as well as beginning practitioners. This book will be an important resource for all involved in the kind of creative, science-based innovation so desperately needed in the child & family services field." J-- James K. Whittaker, Charles O. Cressey Endowed Professor University of Washington

�What a book! A must read for those who provide services to at-risk children and their families. Jensen and Fraser call attention to the profession�s blatant unwillingness to systematically draw upon existing research, and translate it to policy to advance the design of programs that remediate and prevent mental and physical health problems among the nation's youth. The application of the public health framework to programs and policies adds value to the usual suspects of perspectives/frameworks drawn upon by the social work profession. This book is very consistent with the ideas expressed in related professional and social science literatures, as well as that of federal and private funding sources. The authors boldly call for the triangulation of relevant theories and models of risk and resilience, and make a major contribution to social work research by advocating for the translation of empirical evidence into practical application.�  --Paula Allen-Meares Dean and Norma Radin Collegiate Professor of Social Work University of Michigan School of Social Work      

We now know, more than ever, about why some children and adolescents develop social and health problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, drug use, and delinquency. However, this knowledge is not yet systematically applied to policy or program design, resulting in poorly integrated and often duplicative services for children and families. Social Policy for Children and Families: A Risk and Resilience Perspective uses a unique framework to help students understand effective public policy development. Authors Jeffrey M. Jenson and Mark W. Fraser argue that a public health framework rooted in ecological theory and based on principles of risk, protection, and resilience is essential for the successful design of social policy. This book applies the authors� conceptual model across the substantive areas of social policy, including child welfare, education, mental health, health, developmental disabilities, substance use, and juvenile justice.  

Book Review:
James K. Whittaker, Charles O. Cressey Endowed Professor : "Jenson, Fraser and their impressive contributors have provided us with something all too rare in the child & family services literature: a truly integrative volume. They argue cogently for a cross-systems perspective, an orientation to developmental "risk" & "protective" factors and a strategic process for identifying most favorable targets for intervention .The summaries of different service domains and the editor's emphasis on crafting the proper policy context for the integration of "evidence-based" practices make this volume a "must read" for seasoned policy makers, as well as beginning practitioners. This book will be an important resource for all involved in the kind of creative, science-based innovation so desperately needed in the child & family services field."
Paula Allen-Meares University of Michigan School of Social Work : �What a book! A must read for those who provide services to at-risk children and their families. Jensen and Fraser call attention to the profession�s blatant unwillingness to systematically draw upon existing research, and translate it to policy to advance the design of programs that remediate and prevent mental and physical health problems among the nation's youth. The application of the public health framework to programs and policies adds value to the usual suspects of perspectives/frameworks drawn upon by the social work profession. This book is very consistent with the ideas expressed in related professional and social science literatures, as well as that of federal and private funding sources. The authors boldly call for the triangulation of relevant theories and models of risk and resilience, and make a major contribution to social work research by advocating for the translation of empirical evidence into practical application.�

   

Book Description:
From Here to University examines factors leading to successful college preparation and academic mobility for historically underrepresented, low-income, inner-city youth. Alexander Jun analyzes theories of social and cultural capital, as well as the effects of incorporating family and community involvement on college preparation. The text proposes a framework of college preparation factors that requires a comprehensive and culturally responsive approach, affirming local identities and incorporating active participation of families to ensure long-term success. The book concludes with implications for educators who might administer programs in order to help identity factors that lead to programmatic success.

Book Review:
"Provides an uncommonly personal view of a group of Latino students attempting to overcome personal challenges on their path to higher education... offers a rare inside view of Latino student day-to-day life.."
�American Journal of Sociology

   

Book Description:
Mentoring gets a face lift in this handbook for fostering a healthy, successful mentoring program. Developed with input from Big Brothers Big Sisters and MENTOR/The National Mentoring Partnership, this guide provides a comprehensive approach that factors in the needs of the entire mentoring team, including program leaders, mentors, mentees, parents, and caregivers. Ideal for schools, organizations, and communities starting new mentoring programs or seeking fresh ideas for an existing one, the included activities address such topics as mentor recruitment, the mentor's role, conversation starters, low-cost activities, and practical ways for parents and caregivers to influence the mentor�mentee relationship. More than 50 reproducible materials provide program leaders with easily administered, ready-made tools and activities.

   

Book Description:
When large-scale disasters occur, they typically strike without warning�regardless of whether the cause is natural, such as a tsunami or earthquake, or human-made, such as a terrorist attack. And immediately following a hazardous event or mass violence, two of the most vulnerable groups at risk are a community�s children and their family members. Promoting Community Resilience in Disasters offers both clinicians and researchers guidance on hazard preparation efforts as well as early response and intervention practices. It emphasizes an evidence- and prevention-based approach that is geared toward readiness, response, and recovery phases of natural and human-made disasters, examining such key topics as: Establishing a community resilience framework Reviewing current theory and research Understanding the role for schools, youth, and families Building a partnership and multidisciplinary perspective Recognizing the importance of readiness and risk reduction Providing public education and response during a crisis Developing recovery programs that focus on physical and social factors Setting evidence-based guidelines for practice Establishing an interface between research and practice Promoting Community Resilience in Disasters is specifically geared toward assisting those who work in school or community settings�including school psychologists and counselors, emergency managers and planners, and all mental health professionals�not only to increase resilience after a disaster, but to respond and intervene as quickly as possible when catastrophe strikes. It will assist those charged with the responsibility for helping others respond to and rebound from major traumas, especially clinicians and other professionals who work with children and their family members.