This affordable paperback course textbook has been adapted from the landmark four-volume Handbook of Applied Developmental Science (SAGE 2003), a work that offers a detailed roadmap for action and research in ensuring positive child, youth, and family development. In 20 chapters, Applied Developmental Science: An Advanced Textbook brings together the latest in theory and application from applied developmental science and the positive psychology movement. This advanced text summarizes and synthesizes the best scientific knowledge from ADS to help readers understand the efforts being made around the world to ensure that all children and adolescents develop into healthy adults who contribute positively to society. Key Features: Prominent researchers and practitioners offer state-of-the-art overviews of key areas within the relatively new field of applied developmental science. In consultation with instructors of applied developmental science and psychology courses, chapters from the 4-volume Handbook Of Applied Developmental Science (SAGE 2003) have been selected that best match syllabi for such courses. Chapters end with conclusions offering students summaries and future directions, along with references for further in-depth reading. This new single-volume work will benefit students planning on careers working with children, youth, and families, generally within an educational or community setting. The text is also recommended for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students of Psychology, Human Development & Family Studies, Social Work & Human Services, Education, and related disciplines.

This book presents the results of the longitudinal 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. The volume discusses how self-regulation and contextual resources (e.g., strong relationships with parents, peers, and the community) can be fostered in young people to contribute to the enhancement of functioning throughout life. Each chapter examines a particular aspect of youth thriving, and offers findings on either the bases or the role of positive development in a variety of outcomes, from reduced risk of emotional problems and harmful behaviors to increased participation in the community. Contributors introduce a contemporary model of positive development for diverse youth, provide examples of effective youth development programs, and suggest applications for informing the next generation of policies and practices. Among the featured topics: The regulation of emotion in adolescence. School engagement, academic achievement, and positive youth development. Peer relationships and positive youth development. Identity development in adolescence and the implications for youth policy and practice. Promoting adolescent sexual health in youth programming. A positive youth development approach to bullying. Researchers in developmental psychology as well as practitioners in educational or youth development programs or policies will gain from Promoting Positive Youth Development a new appreciation of the central role of young people's strengths, and initiatives to build effective youth programs. “This volume is destined to become the handbook for anyone interested in the bourgeoning field of positive youth development. Based on ground breaking, longitudinal research from top researchers in the field, Promoting Healthy Development for America’s Youth presents a rich, theoretically grounded understanding of the landscape today’s youth and programs. The contributors provide clear, data-driven guidance regarding the types of programs and settings that are most beneficial to young people.” Jean E. Rhodes, Ph.D. Frank L. Boyden Professor Department of Psychology University of Massachusetts, Boston

Heartwarming, surprising, and inspirational: this collection of thirty-one stories from families and individuals whose lives have been touched by 4-H covers more than a century of history in Texas. It traces the organization from its agricultural origins at the turn of the twentieth century to its present-day status as a training ground for leaders and professionals in fields ranging from the NFL to the US Senate. Told in the conversational voices of real-life participants, these essays relate an engaging story of the perseverance, dedicated work ethic, humility, and compassion that 4-H instills in its members. Including more than thirty historic photographs, the impact of “Head, Heart, Hands, and Health” weaves together these tales of familial support, triumphs, and disappointments, and the educational force that is Texas 4-H.

Completely revised and expanded, the ultimate guide to starting—and keeping—an active and effective volunteer program Drawing on the experience and expertise of recognized authorities on nonprofit organizations, The Volunteer Management Handbook, Second Edition is the only guide you need for establishing and maintaining an active and effective volunteer program. Written by nonprofit leader Tracy Connors, this handy reference offers practical guidance on such essential issues as motivating people to volunteer their time and services, recruitment, and more. Up-to-date and practical, this is the essential guide to managing your nonprofit's most important resource: its volunteers. Now covers volunteer demographics, volunteer program leaders and managers, policy making and implementation, planning and staff analysis, recruiting, interviewing and screening volunteers, orienting and training volunteers, and much more Up-to-date, practical guidance for the major areas of volunteer leadership and management Explores volunteers and the law: liabilities, immunities, and responsibilities Designed to help nonprofit organizations survive and thrive, The Volunteer Management Handbook, Second Edition is an indispensable reference that is unsurpassed in both the breadth and depth of its coverage.

"In a little over a century, 4-H has evolved from a program primarily designed for training rural youth in new agricultural technologies to the world's largest youth development program. The 4-H experience creates amazing tales best told by those who lived them. 4-H stories from the heart offers a wide variety of stories by current and former 4-H'ers, volunteers, and professionals; some as young as six years old and others eighty plus! The stories are sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, and often inspiring, but they all come from the heart."--Publisher's description.

Adolescenceâ€"beginning with the onset of puberty and ending in the mid-20sâ€"is a critical period of development during which key areas of the brain mature and develop. These changes in brain structure, function, and connectivity mark adolescence as a period of opportunity to discover new vistas, to form relationships with peers and adults, and to explore one's developing identity. It is also a period of resilience that can ameliorate childhood setbacks and set the stage for a thriving trajectory over the life course. Because adolescents comprise nearly one-fourth of the entire U.S. population, the nation needs policies and practices that will better leverage these developmental opportunities to harness the promise of adolescenceâ€"rather than focusing myopically on containing its risks. This report examines the neurobiological and socio-behavioral science of adolescent development and outlines how this knowledge can be applied, both to promote adolescent well-being, resilience, and development, and to rectify structural barriers and inequalities in opportunity, enabling all adolescents to flourish.

This publication¿the latest report from AAC&U¿s Liberal Education and America¿s Promise (LEAP) initiative¿defines a set of educational practices that research has demonstrated have a significant impact on student success. Author George Kuh presents data from the National Survey of Student Engagement about these practices and explains why they benefit all students, but also seem to benefit underserved students even more than their more advantaged peers. The report also presents data that show definitively that underserved students are the least likely students, on average, to have access to these practices.