Practice-Based Evidence
Funding bodies of education and treatment increasingly demand the use of evidence-based practice (EBP). Not surprisingly, advocates of every method are contriving studies to "prove" theirs is a blue-ribbon practice. However, researchers are shifting from studying methods to discovering what is actually effective in real-world settings, namely Practice-Based Evidence (PBE). Simply, how do we deliver what works? This issue highlights these essentials for success with challenging children and youth.
Global Circles of Courage
Across all nations and cultures, children thrive when they meet universal growth needs for Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity. This issue circles the globe from Detroit to New Deli to explore the challenges and potentials of raising children of courage.
Character Strengths
This special issue is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Peterson (1950-2012), the world's most prolific researcher in the new field of positive psychology. Articles explore innovative programs for building strengths and prosocial behavior and values with challenging children and youth.
Racial Healing
Acts of superiority or dehumanization generate conflicts that disrupt our relationships and divide our communities. While race is a biological fiction, racism affects us all, even the most well-intentioned. This issue examines promising initiatives to heal the pain and trauma of racism and celebrate the oneness of humankind.
The Vital Balance
Fifty years ago, psychiatrist Karl Menninger challenged the disease model of emotional and behavioral problems. His classic book, The Vital Balance, described most "symptoms" as attempts to cope and restore well-being. The latest DSM-5 edition stirs new controversy about deficit mindsets. This issue explores strength based alternatives to help young people cope with challenge, heal from trauma, build resilience, and, in Dr. Menninger's words, become “weller than well.”
Victories Over Violence
Children struggling to cope with trauma and violence in home, school, and community can show a host of emotional and behavioral problems. This issue explores positive strategies for prevention, intervention, and growth.
Delivering What Works
The professional literature is flooded with methods that claim to be "evidence-based practices." A larger concern for those who work with children and youth is"practice-based evidence" which is defined as delivering what works. In this issue, noted leaders from the Reclaiming Youth movement describe the most successful strategies for creating environments in which all young people thrive.
My Brother's Keeper
The President of the United States launched "My Brother's Keeper" as an initiative to achieve positive life outcomes with boys and young men of color. Helping these youth achieve their rich potential will involve addressing long-standing disparities in education, juvenile justice, employment, and family stability. Prominent leaders in this work have been invited to present fresh ideas for addressing these challenges. The journal Reclaiming Children and Youth is published by Starr Commonwealth which for over a century has been a leader in creating environments where all young people thrive.
Building Family Strengths
The family is the fundamental force of human experience. Neuroscience and trauma research document the toll taken when family bonds are broken but also the ability to bounce back from adversity. Articles describe journeys of forging strength and resilience within families and young people. Diverse perspectives are presented and stories of courage, hope, and promise are illustrated.
Celebrating Youth Development
The science of positive youth development provides an evidence-based foundation for building resilience in children, families, and communities. One of the world’s leading youth organizations, 4-H, is designing its programs of “transformational education” around the developmental needs of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. Leading researchers and practitioners describe these innovative approaches with diverse populations of young people.
