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Today, more kids have type 2 diabetes than ever before. This colorful, easy-to-read tip sheet encourages young people to take steps to lower their risk for type 2 diabetes. A list of warning signs and a healthy eating guide is offered, along with a list of websites to learn more. [This brochure was prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services' National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP).]

A healthy weight means you are not too fat or too thin. Your doctor may have said that you should not gain more weight or that you need to lose a few pounds. If you have diabetes and are overweight, you are not alone. The steps you take to manage your weight will help you feel better and may improve your blood sugar or glucose (GLOO-kos) levels. Staying at a healthy weight when you are young can help you manage your weight for life. It also can help prevent problems like heart disease and high blood pressure. This tip sheet offers children with diabetes concrete strategies for achieving, and maintaining a healthy weight. Some of the suggestions included that children can do for themselves are: (1) Eating smaller portions; (2) Drinking plenty of water; and (3) Choosing fruit instead of a candy bar for a snack. It also provides examples of healthy breakfast, and lunch choices, as well as many examples of healthy snack foods. Tips for making healthy food choices in fast food restaurants are also provided. (The Spanish version of this guide is provided on pages 5-8 of this document.) [This document was prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP).]

We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) is a new public education outreach program designed to help children 8-13 years old stay at a healthy weight through improving food choices, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time. The program is a collaboration of four Institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH): the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and National Cancer Institute (NCI). We Can! is unique because it focuses on parents and families in home and community settings. Research shows that parents and families have a big impact on shaping the behavior of children. They can do much to help children maintain a healthy weight and prevent overweight. We Can! is harnessing that power through: (1) Programs in local communities throughout the country; (2) Partnerships with other national organizations that care about children and their health; and (3) A comprehensive Web site for parents (http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov). This publication is intended to help parents understand why being overweight is a problem for children, and to teach them about energy balance (the key to managing weight). It provides ideas and tips to help parents and children learn to eat right and be physically active, and suggests other resources for further information and strategies.

This is the teacher's guide for the "Mind Over Matter" series. This neuroscience education series, developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health, is designed to encourage youngsters in grades 5-9 to learn about the biological effects of drug abuse on the body and the brain. The "Mind Over Matter" series includes eight colorful, glossy magazines, each of which is devoted to a specific drug or drug group; including stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, marijuana, opiates, nicotine, methamphetamine, and steroids. Each of the magazines describes the effects of specific drugs or drug types on the anatomy and physiology of the brain and the body. These educational materials further elaborate on the way in which these drug-induced changes affect both behaviors and emotions. The background information and lesson plans contained in this guide, when used in combination with the magazines in the series, will promote an understanding of the physical reality of drug use, as well as curiosity about neuroscience. The guide suggests a brain anatomy educational activity that can be used throughout the curriculum, as well as additional activities for each of the six drug topics. Teachers are encouraged to develop their own relevant lesson plans. The following are appended: (1) Resources; (2) Reading List; and (3) Reproducible Figures. (Includes 7 Figures.)

The purpose of this guide is to increase the understanding of the rationale and benefits of States and Tribes working together to provide quality child care choices and services for the children and families they serve. The guide provides a description of Tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship; an overview of the similarities and differences between State and Tribal CCDF programs; a discussion of the "Good Start, Grow Smart " Early Learning Initiative; and, examples of successful Tribal-State collaborative efforts. Lists of important Tribal, State, and Federal contacts are also included. [This booklet was developed in conjunction with the Child Care Bureau's annual National American Indian and Alaska Native Child Care Conference "Creating Positive Outcomes in Tribal Early Care and Education Settings" (11th, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 24-27, 2005).]

This curriculum supplement, from The NIH Curriculum Supplement Series, brings cutting-edge medical science and basic research discoveries from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) into classrooms. It was designed to complement existing life science curricula at both the state and local levels and to be consistent with the National Science Education Standards. Doing Science: The Process of Scientific Inquiry has four objectives. The first is to help students understand the basic aspects of scientific inquiry. The second objective is to provide students with an opportunity to practice and refine their critical-thinking skills. The third objective is to convey to students the purpose of scientific research. The final objective of this module is to encourage students to think in terms of these relationships now and as they grow older. Middle school life science classes offer an ideal setting for integrating many areas of student interest. In this module, students participate in activities that integrate inquiry science, human health, and mathematics, and interweave science, technology, and society. The real-life context of the module's classroom lessons is engaging, and the knowledge gained can be applied immediately to students' lives. The four lessons of this module are designed to be taught in sequence over six to eight days (as a supplement to the standard curriculum) or as individual lessons that support and enhance the treatment of specific concepts in middle school science.

In 2001 Congress passed the "No Child Left Behind Act," the Bush Administration's Education Reform Bill. This Act drew attention to the need for young children to be given the opportunity to learn fundamental skills that will prepare them for success in school. The "Good Start, Grow Smart" ("GSGS") Initiative was introduced by the Bush Administration in April 2002 as the next step in education reform. The goal of the Initiative is to ensure that young children are equipped with the skills they will need to start school ready to learn. The Initiative focuses on strengthening Head Start; partnering with States to improve early learning; and providing parents, teachers, and caregivers with information on early learning. The Child Care Bureau's approach to working with Tribes on "Good Start, Grow Smart" has been an intentionally slower process to ensure that tribal differences (such as size, geography, culture and language) are taken into account. Through discussion groups and conference sessions, the Child Care Bureau is encouraging input from Tribes on the best ways to adapt "Good Start, Grow Smart" in tribal communities. This document discusses this topic and offers helpful information in the following sections: (1) Early Childhood Education Reform Timeline; (2) "Good Start, Grow Smart" Summary; (3) Frequently Asked Questions; and (4) State Contact Information. [This publication was prepared by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services/Administration for Children and Families Child Care Bureau.]

This sixth annual report provides welfare dependence indicators through 2000, reflecting changes since enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act in 1996 and highlighting benefits under Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), now Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the Food Stamp program; and Supplement Security Income (SSI). Data from the Current Population Survey and administrative data provide updated measures through 2000 for several dependence indicators. In 2003, 3.0 percent of the total population was dependent (receiving more than half of total family income from TANF, food stamps, and/or SSI). This rate fell considerably from 5.2 percent in 1996. Preliminary data suggest that 2001 dependency rates will remain approximately 3.0 percent. The drop in dependence parallels the drop in AFDC/TANF and food stamp caseloads. In an average month in 2000, 59 percent of TANF recipients lived in families with at least one family member in the labor force. Comparable figures for food stamp and SSI recipients were 56 and 37 percent, respectively. Spells of AFDC/TANF receipt in the second half of the 1990s were shorter than spells of AFDC receipt in the early 1990s. As the dependency rate fell between 1996-2000, the poverty rate for all individuals fell from 13.7 to 11.3 percent. Three appendices present program data, alternative definition of dependence based on income from TANF and food stamps, and additional non-marital birth data. (SM)

Noting that everyone who interacts with a young child is a teacher, this booklet for preschool teachers and child care providers draws from scientifically based research about what they can do to help children develop their language abilities, increase their knowledge, become familiar with books and other printed materials, learn letters and sounds, recognize numbers, and learn to count. The booklet provides examples of ways to create an environment in the preschool classroom that will nurture children's natural curiosity and their zest for learning. Following an introduction, the booklet's sections cover: (1) Creating the Learning Environment for Young Children; (2) Reading Aloud to Children; (3) Developing Listening and Speaking Skills; (4) Teaching about the Sounds of Spoken Language; (5) Teaching about Print; (6) Teaching about Books; (7) Teaching about Letters; (8) Building Children's Background Knowledge and Thinking Skills; (9) Teaching about Numbers and Counting; (10) Checking Children's Progress; (11) Communicating with Parents and Caregivers; and (12) Some Helpful Terms To Know. The booklet concludes with a list of suggested readings on early childhood education. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the tenth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: guarding against poisons, nursing breaks, fears and tears, teeth cleaning, learning through play, educational toys, child safety, and guidance and discipline. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the ninth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: ways to keep baby safe, games for learning and skill-building, the nine-month checkup, early intervention and baby's developing skills, bathing the baby, bowel habit and sleeping patterns, feeding suggestions, protecting the baby's teeth, choking hazards, and nonparent infant care. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (KB)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the eleventh month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: preventing fires and burns, early intervention and baby's developing skills, handwashing after diaper changes, building skills through play, working with child-care providers, and avoiding second-hand smoke. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the fourth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers information on topics including feeding, early dental care, doctor check-ups, the importance of fathers, games to play with babies, toy safety, communicating with an infant, and baby responses to facial expressions. The pamphlet also answers questions parents frequently ask, and offers guiding principles to help babies every day. A list of information resources for families concludes the pamphlet. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the fourth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers information on topics including feeding, early dental care, doctor check-ups, the importance of fathers, games to play with babies, toy safety, communicating with an infant, and baby responses to facial expressions. The pamphlet also answers questions parents frequently ask, and offers guiding principles to help babies every day. A list of information resources for families concludes the pamphlet. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the third month of life. The pamphlet provides information on communicating with the infant through body language, preparing for the 4-month checkup, recordkeeping, infant feeding, sleep patterns, ways to facilitate the infant's development, infant safety, pacifiers, and toys. Also included is a description of typical behavior for a 3-month-old and answers to commonly asked questions. The pamphlet then describes infant emotional development and suggests games to play, things to do, and ways to help the baby learn. Mothers' needs for exercise, relaxation, and social and emotional support are also discussed. The pamphlet concludes with a list of information resources. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the eighth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: ways to keep baby safe, early intervention and baby's developing skills, reading to baby, teen parents, baby's brain, playing with an eight-month old, floor time, and questions parents ask. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the seventh month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: your baby's new independence, feeding, moving bath time to the "big tub," talking together to help spouses handle stress, fathers and babies, fun on the floor, early intervention and your baby's developing skills, and including the baby's siblings. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the twelfth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: feeding, breastfeeding, health and safety, routines and rituals, developmental stages, questions parents ask, and parenting styles. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the twelfth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: feeding, breastfeeding, health and safety, routines and rituals, developmental stages, questions parents ask, and parenting styles. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-languagepamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the eleventh month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: preventing fires and burns, early intervention and baby's developing skills, handwashing after diaper changes, building skills through play, working with child-care providers, and avoiding second-hand smoke. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Noting that parents and teachers have the responsibility of safeguarding children and teaching them the skills they need to be safe, this pamphlet, in Spanish and English versions, is designed to help parents talk to their children about how to protect themselves against abduction and exploitation. The pamphlet is organized into six sections. Section 1 provides information on the number of family and non-family abductions each year, the identity of the perpetrator in non-family abductions, and the location of non-family abductions. Section 2 offers tips for discussing child safety with children, focusing on how parents should listen to their children, teach them skills, get involved in their activities, and practice safety skills with them. Section 3 offers safety tips for home, the neighborhood, and at school. Section 4 provides safety rules for younger children and for teenagers, including general rules as well as specific tips for actions children should take if approached by strange adults and tips for teens alone at home. Section 5 contains numbers to call and information to collect in the event of a child abduction. Section 6 lists additional resources for parents and children. (KB)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the ninth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: ways to keep baby safe, games for learning and skill-building, the 9-month checkup, early intervention and baby's developing skills, bathing the baby, bowel habit and sleeping patterns, feeding suggestions, protecting the baby's teeth, choking hazards, and nonparent infant care. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (KB)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the fifth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers information on topics including infant medicines, avoiding baby bottle tooth decay, teething, playpens, sleep, brain development, and stimulating the baby with toys. The pamphlet also offers advice to parents on avoiding back strain while lifting a 5-month-old. A list of information resources for families concludes the pamphlet. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the second month of life. The pamphlet outlines typical infant behavior at two months of age, the need for regular visits to a physician, health insurance, sleeping patterns, bowel habits, infant feeding, responding to infant distress, infant and crib safety, and dental health. Information on child development and "baby games" to communicate with the 2-month-old is also provided. The pamphlet then identifies special needs of single parents and single teenage parents, and lists resources for families. (KB)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the third month of life. The pamphlet provides information on communicating with the infant through body language, preparing for the 4-month checkup, recordkeeping, infant feeding, sleep patterns, ways to facilitate the infant's development, infant safety, pacifiers, and toys. Also included is a description of typical behavior for a 3-month-old and answers to commonly asked questions. The pamphlet then describes infant emotional development and suggests games to play, things to do, and ways to help the baby learn. Mothers' needs for exercise, relaxation, and social and emotional support are also discussed. The pamphlet concludes with a list of information resources. (KB)

This pamphlet, distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, is designed to provide parents with information and advice about their infants in the first month of life. The pamphlet provides information on ways the mother can take care of herself, the one-month checkup, early brain development, infant feeding, talking to the infant, child care selection, keeping a record of the infant's growth, and characteristics of the typical one-month-old. Guidelines are provided for parents to help their infant by encouraging exploration, being a teacher, communicating, ensuring the infant's safety, doing things repeatedly to facilitate learning, protecting the infant, and celebrating with their child. The pamphlet also discusses sleeping patterns, bowel habits, the use of baby powder, the infant's "people skills" and communication, ways to pamper the mother, and resource information for teenage parents. Information resources for families conclude the pamphlet. (KB)

This booklet offers guidance to parents in caring for their newborn babies. Advice is given on the following topics: (1) newborn health screening; (2) what a healthy newborn looks like; (3) newborn reflexes; (4) baby checkups; (5) fathers' role; (6) the baby blues; (7) sleeping position; (8) breast milk; (9) breast feeding; (10) bottle feeding; (11) checkups and shots; (12) what it's like to be a newborn; (13) changing diapers; (14) keeping a memory book; (15) installing car seats; (16) newborns' brains; (17) guiding babies every day; (18) babies' people skills; (19) learning to communicate; (20) why babies cry; (21) ways to soothe babies; (22) preparing the baby's bath; (23) bathing the baby; and (24) being gentle when bathing the baby. Information resources for families conclude the booklet. (EV)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the sixth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: finding a trustworthy doctor, introducing new foods, letting the infant fall asleep on his or her own, guiding the infant's activity, brain development at six months, games and floor time as play time, and child safety. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the second month of life. The pamphlet outlines typical infant behavior at 2 months of age, the need for regular visits to a physician, health insurance, sleeping patterns, bowel habits, infant feeding, responding to infant distress, infant and crib safety, and dental health. Information on child development and "baby games" to communicate with the 2-month-old is also provided. The pamphlet then identifies special needs of single parents and single teenage parents, and lists resources for families. (HTH)

This booklet offers guidance to parents in caring for their newborn babies. Advice is given on the following topics: (1) newborn health screening; (2) what a healthy newborn looks like; (3) newborn reflexes; (4) baby checkups; (5) fathers' role; (6) the baby blues; (7) sleeping position; (8) breast milk; (9) breast feeding; (10) bottle feeding; (11) checkups and shots; (12) what it's like to be a newborn; (13) changing diapers; (14) keeping a memory book; (15) installing car seats; (16) newborns' brains; (17) guiding babies every day; (18) babies' people skills; (19) learning to communicate; (20) why babies cry; (21) ways to soothe babies; (22) preparing the baby's bath; (23) bathing the baby; and (24) being gentle when bathing the baby. Information resources for families conclude the booklet. (EV)

This pamphlet, distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, is designed to provide parents with information and advice about their infants in the first month of life. The pamphlet provides information on ways the mother can take care of herself, the one-month checkup, early brain development, infant feeding, talking to the infant, child care selection, keeping a record of the infant's growth, and characteristics of the typical one-month-old. Guidelines are provided for parents to help their infant by encouraging exploration, being a teacher, communicating, ensuring the infant's safety, doing things repeatedly to facilitate learning, protecting the infant, and celebrating with their child. The pamphlet also discusses sleeping patterns, bowel habits, the use of baby powder, the infant's "people skills" and communication, ways to pamper the mother, and resource information for teenage parents. Information resources for families conclude the pamphlet. (KB)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the eighth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: ways to keep baby safe, early intervention and baby's developing skills, reading to baby, teen parents, baby's brain, playing with an eight-month old, floor time, and questions parents ask. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the tenth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: guarding against poisons, nursing breaks, fears and tears, teeth cleaning, learning through play, educational toys, child safety, and guidance and discipline. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the seventh month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: your baby's new independence, feeding, moving bath time to the "big tub," talking together to help spouses handle stress, fathers and babies, fun on the floor, early intervention and your baby's developing skills, and including the baby's siblings. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the fifth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers information on topics including infant medicines, avoiding baby bottle tooth decay, teething, playpens, sleep, brain development, and stimulating the baby with toys. The pamphlet also offers advice to parents on avoiding back strain while lifting a 5-month-old. A list of information resources for families concludes the pamphlet. (HTH)

Distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Health and Human Services, this Spanish-language pamphlet provides parents with information and advice about their infants in the sixth month of life. Following a brief description of developmental characteristics at this age, the pamphlet offers advice on a variety of topics, including: finding a trustworthy doctor, introducing new foods, letting the infant fall asleep on his or her own, guiding the infant's activity, brain development at six months, games and floor time as play time, and child safety. The pamphlet concludes with a list of relevant information resources for families. (HTH)

This fourth annual report addresses the extent to which U.S. families depend on income from welfare programs, providing updated data on measures of welfare recipiency, dependency, and predictors of welfare dependence developed for previous reports. It highlights benefits under Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), now Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the Food Stamp Program; and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The report uses data from the Current Population Survey and administrative data to provide updated measures through 1998 for several dependency indicators. Other measures are based on the Survey of Income and Program Participation and other data sources. Results indicate: in 1998, 3.8 percent of the total population was dependent (a drop from 5.8 percent in 1993); the drop in dependency paralleled the drop in AFDC/TANF and food stamp caseloads; long-term dependency was relatively rare; and as the dependency rate fell, the poverty rate for all people also fell. Four appendixes present: data on AFDC, TANF, the Food Stamp Program, and SSI; an alternative definition of dependence based on income from AFDC/TANF and food stamps; additional non-marital birth data; and sources of data. (SM)

Health problems impede the academic performance of many children. Schools are in a unique position to help their state's Medicaid and children's health insurance programs connect with parents who lack health insurance for their children. This guide provides suggestions for identifying eligible children, informing parents of free or low-cost insurance programs, and referring parents to their state's insurance program. Designed to help school districts participate in the outreach effort, the guide offers plans for several levels of involvement, from supporting the outreach efforts of others to conducting their own campaign. Part 1 of the guide outlines how schools can make health insurance available to students through: (1) distributing information about health insurance for children and adolescents; (2) identifying children who need health insurance; and (3) partnering with other agencies to secure health insurance for students. Part 2 lists resources for finding more information on developing health insurance outreach programs, including state contacts for Medicaid and state children's health insurance programs. Part 3 of the guide contains numerous tools, such as sample letters, tips on implementation, and prototype documents to support a district's selected outreach approach. (KB)

Health problems impede the academic performance of 12 percent of students. Schools are in a unique position to help their state's Medicaid and children's health insurance programs connect with parents who lack health insurance for their children. This booklet provides suggestions to help school staff identify, inform, and help to enroll families who need health insurance. The booklet presents information on the following outreach activities for schools: (1) making sure parents have materials on children's health insurance; (2) telling parents that free or low-cost health insurance is available for their children (includes tips for talking with parents); (3) distributing information at parent functions or sending it home; (4) identifying children who may lack insurance and passing along the names, focusing on the use of emergency contact cards; and (5) hosting outreach workers or application assistants from a partner organization. The booklet also describes creative, proactive strategies taken in four school districts to insure children in their schools and delineates suggestions for keeping track of the school's outreach activities. (KB)

It is easy for parents to feel that they have lost their influence over their children once children reach adolescence. Several organizations with different focuses but with the same goal of helping parents raise their teenagers banded together to develop this publication. Their message is that parents can do many things to foster their children's talents and skills while guiding them towards healthy development. Several ideas for parents are detailed that can help make a difference in the lives of their children. Some of the ideas include: (1) spend time with the children; (2) help teens gain a sense of self-confidence; (3) work with teens to set goals; (4) let teens know that education is valued highly; (5) stay involved in their children's schools; and (6) know where the children are and what they are doing at all times. A list of resources is included. (JDM)

This report addresses questions concerning the extent to which U.S. families depend on income from welfare programs, offering updated data on measures of welfare recipiency, dependency, and predictors of welfare dependence developed for previous reports. Chapter 1, "Introduction," reviews specific summary measures of welfare dependence proposed by the Advisory Board on Welfare Indicators, discussing summary measures of poverty. Chapter 2, "Indicators of Dependence," presents a broader group of indicators of welfare recipiency and dependence, including measures of the extent of recipiency for each of three programs considered separately and information on income from all three programs together. It shows interactions of Aid to Families with Dependent Children/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, and food stamp benefits with periods of employment and with benefits from other programs. It also includes data on movements on and off welfare. Chapter 3, "Predictors of Risk and Risk Factors Associated with Welfare Receipt," examines predictors of welfare dependence possibly associated with welfare receipt. Predictors are shown in three groups: economic security, work status, and non-marital births. Two appendixes present program data on each of the main welfare programs and their recipients and additional non-marital birth data. (SM)