Cities, Counties, Kids, and Families: The Essential Role of Local Government

by Sidney L. Gardner

Cities, Counties, Kids, and Families outlines a model for developing strategic policy for responding to children and family issues in local governments. It also discusses fifteen strategic roles that local government can play-most of which do not require direct funding, but depends upon the scarce resource of leadership. The book describes policy and analytical tools used by cities and counties, and makes a case for using these tools more strategically. It calls for strategic policy to respond to the four critical forces affecting children and family policy: families; race and culture; communities and neighborhoods; and regionalism. Finally, the book reviews policy in four critical areas affecting local governments: education and school readiness; substance abuse; youth development; and family support programs. It concludes with predictions of issues that will affect cities and counties in the future.

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2005

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skimmed for class. Found the content dry and unengaging. There were a handful of solid points but on the whole left me without much new knowledge or action steps.