American children in chronic poverty : complex risks, benefit-cost analyses, and untangling the knot / Cynthia E. Lamy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lamy, Cynthia E. (Cynthia Esposito), 1960-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Poor children--United States.

Poor children.

Poverty--United States.

Poverty.

Poor children--Services for.

United States.

Poor children--Services for--United States.

Children--United States--Social conditions.

Children.

Social conditions.

Physical Description:

x, 197 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Lexington Books, [2013]

Summary:

Why is it so difficult for some people to escape poverty? Cynthia E. Lamy answers that question American Children in Chronic Poverty: Complex Risks, Benefit-Cost Analyses, and Untangling the Knot by describing the complex and interacting "knot" of problems that children face as they grow up in poverty. Through a vast story of research on topics related to children, families and poverty, and methods to estimate "social return on investment," Lamy determines which programs and policies produce benefits that exceed costs, providing evidence for an efficient fight against poverty.

Specific expert policy recommendations for keeping poverty from ruining children's potential are described within three broad themes: bringing equity to our educational system, supporting families as they transition through difficulties, and making work pay. Lamy concludes with foundational concepts for building an overarching model of poverty-fighting to bring separate, narrowly defined programs and policies together. Benefit-cost analysis confirms what the great religions have been trying to tell us for millennia: when we respect and care for the most vulnerable members of our society, we create a strong, successful society in which everyone prospers. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Premises of the Discussion 1

1 Risk

2 How Risk Works 23

3 Risk and Families 33

4 Schools and Risk 63

2 Interventions: What Works?

5 While They Are Still Young: The Power of Early Childhood Programs 79

6 When They Are Older: Keeping Them in School and out of Trouble 107

7 Supports for Families: Housing, Medicine, Food 133

3 Policies and Recommendations for Ending Poverty as We Know It

8 Policies and Recommendations 147

9 Ending Chronic Poverty 177.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780739176696

0739176692

9780739176702

0739176706

OCLC:

807029534