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Contents
Fall 2003
Welcome
from MSU Interim President and Provost Lou Anna K. Simon
From
the Editor
Features
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Cover
story by Shruti J. Vaidya
In
2000, 2.2 million children in the U.S. lived with a grandparent
or other relative; in Michigan, there were about 66,000 grandparent
caregivers. Often raising children separated from their parents
due to abuse or neglect, kinship care families face a host
of legal, emotional, financial and health challenges. MSU
research is uncovering valuable information about these families’
needs, and a new kinship care resource center in Lansing is
setting directions for policy and programs.
Confronting
Childhood Obesity
By Kathleen V. McKevitt
With the release of a statewide consensus report on the role
of schools in promoting healthy weight, Michigan is one of
the first states to tackle what is being called a national
epidemic: overweight and obesity among children. Through research
and programs, experts at MSU are helping curb obesity among
children and adolescents, and are exploring the implications
for families, schools, health care providers, and policy makers.
Building
Youth Literacy Skills: Challenges and Opportunities
By
Cheryl Howell
What are the best ways to promote literacy among youth? Are
community and school-based family literacy programs the answer?
MSU faculty and Extension staff are exploring what works and
are demonstrating that an early start--from birth through
the early school years--is essential.
A
Michigan Leader
Interview
by Shruti J. Vaidya
An
interview with Connie Binsfeld, Michigan’s former Lieutenant
Governor and champion for child welfare.
Departments
Research
Now
Sudanese “Lost Boys” Refugees; School and Student
Performance; Zero Tolerance Policies and Youth; How Nonprofits
Access Best Practice Information.
In Practice
Programs That Work: Girl Scouts Fostering Success; 4-H and
the Michigan Conversations with Youth; MSU Outreach’s
Best Practice Briefs;
Public
Policy
A primer on public policy and the role higher education can
play-- with a closer look at policy efforts on campus and
child and family issues.
Community
Partners
Deborah Strong, executive director of the Michigan Children’s
Trust Fund, says partnerships with organizations like MSU
are vital for preventing child abuse and neglect in Michigan.
Who’s
Who at MSU
Mapping the landscape of children, youth and family work at
MSU.
Resources
and Reviews
Web sites, books and other resources.
The
Column
Glenn Davis, Dean of the MSU College of Human Medicine, shares
his views on communities and crises in the aftermath of the
September 11th terrorist attacks. |
Research, Practice
and Policy for Families and Communities
