This important text analyzes the relationship between child development research and the design and implementation of social policy concerning children and families. The editors have compiled contributions from leading experts in the fields of developmental psychology, psychiatry, public health, business, political science, and education. By so doing, they present a multidisciplinary account of the controversies and challenges that have emerged in the field of child development and social policy, and an analysis of recent changes in our national ethos toward children and families.

Introduction; 1. The changing nature of child and family policy: an overview Nancy W. Hall, S. L. Kagan and Edward Zigler; 2. Monitoring the nation's social performance: the index of social health Marc L. Miringoff, Marque-Luisa Miringoff and Sandra Opdycke; 3. Child and family policies: an International overview Sheila B. Kamerman; Part I. From Problem to Policy: 4. Welfare reform and children Lawrence M. Mead; 5. The uncertain progress of education reform: 1983-1994 P. Michael Timpane; 6. Not just any care: shaping a coherent child care policy Edward Zigler and Elizabeth Gilman; 7. Family leave: a developmental perspective Meryl Frank and Edward Zigler; 8. Head start and early childhood intervention: the changing course of social science and social policy Edward Zigler and Sally Styfco; 9. America's family support movement: a moment of change Sharon L. Kagan; 10 Policy development and implementation for children with disabilities James J. Gallagher; 11. Child health: what public policies can improve it? Lorraine V. Klerman; 12. Children's mental health: changing paradigms and policies Jane Knitzer; 13. Child abuse and social policy Joan Kaufman and Edward Zigler; 14. Changing images of adolescents: rethinking our policies Ruby Takanishi; 15. Adolescent pregnancy and parenting Victoria Seitz; 16 Drug policy in context: using what we know to effect change for children Nancy W. Hall; 17. Preventing juvenile delinquency: an ecological developmental approach Elizabeth F. Emens, Nancy W. Hall, Catherine Ross and Edward Zigler; 18. Taking television seriously: children and television policy Brian L. Wilcox and Dale Kunkel; Part II. Policy Issues and Influences: 19. Multiculturalism and social policy LaRue Allen and Susan Grobman; 20. Linking services for children and families: past legacy, future possibilities Sharon L. Kagan and Eliza Pritchard; 21. The role of the media in child and family policy Susan Muenchow; 22. The relationships of developmental psychology to social policy Sheldon H. White.