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Beyond Rhetoric: a New American Agenda for Children and Families

NCJ Number
132443
Date Published
1991
Length
557 pages
Annotation
The bipartisan commission that studied the needs of children in the United States for more than 2 years unanimously recommends actions to ensure income security, improve health, increase educational achievement, prepare adolescents for adulthood, strengthen support for families, and protect children at risk and their families.
Abstract
The commission's 34 members were appointed by the President, the President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, and the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. They recommend the creation of a $1,000 refundable child tax credit to replace the personal exemption for dependent children, community employment training, universal health insurance coverage for pregnant women and children through age 18, and fundamental reforms in the educational system. Further steps should include actions to promote healthy youth development and prevent high-risk behaviors; provide prevention and early intervention related to child abuse and neglect, drug abuse, and other problems; and change the organization, administration, implementation, and budgets of programs to encourage more collaborative and comprehensive service delivery. Photographs, tables, footnotes, chapter notes, and appended background information and comments from individuals and groups