NCJ Number
123177
Date Published
1989
Length
130 pages
Annotation
The National League of Cities surveyed 278 large U.S. cities to identify problems and issues facing families and children.
Abstract
Child care and substance abuse were the first and second ranked problems facing children in cities of every size, while education was the third ranked problem. For families, a shortage of affordable housing was the primary problem. The survey found that cities are working on family and children's problems in various ways. Recreation-related activities, including parks, playgrounds, and community centers, represented the area in which the greatest city hall involvement was reported. Cities generally contracted with public and private entities about as much as directly providing services. Direct service provision, however, was the dominant service provision mechanism in smaller cities. According to city officials, the single greatest impediment to increased involvement with family and children's issues was lack of money. Appendixes contain additional information and data on the research methodology and survey responses and on successful local programs dealing with child care, health, adolescent pregnancy, housing, family violence, juvenile justice, recreation, youth employment, alcohol and drugs, child welfare, family support, and education. 30 references, 57 tables.