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Faculty and staff gather to discuss children, youth and families topics
Photos by Dave Shelly— University Photo/Graphics Dr. Karen Bierman (left), Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Penn State, welcomes participants to the fall conference of the Children, Youth and Families Consortium. Dr. Eva Pell, vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School at Penn State, talks about the importance of interdisciplinary research, teaching and service in areas affecting children, youth and families during the Children, Youth and Families Consortium conference. More than 90 Penn State faculty and staff members attended a conference focusing on issues related to children, youth and families.	More than 90 Penn State faculty and staff members University-wide met at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in November for the second conference hosted by the Children, Youth and Families Consortium. President Spanier established the Children, Youth and Families Consortium in 1998 to promote interdisciplinary teaching, research and service devoted to outreach and community collaboration. Dr. Karen Bierman, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Penn State, is director of the consortium, and Dr. Mark Greenberg, Bennett Chair of Prevention Research in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State, is associate director. This year’s conference focused on the theme of “Promoting Cognitive, Social, Civic and Academic Development.” Four Penn State faculty members address the topic “Promoting Civic Development: Definition and Scope of the Field” during a panel discussion at the Children, Youth and Families Consortium conference. They are, clockwise from top left: Dr. William L. Boyd, Distinguished Professor of Education; Dr. Jeffrey G. Parker, associate professor of psychology; Dr. Patreese D. Ingram, assistant professor of agricultural and extension education; and Dr. Constance A. Flanagan, associate professor of agricultural and extension education. Conference goals included providing a forum for networking among faculty members from Penn State campuses, colleges and departments on topics related to children, youth and families; promoting interdisciplinary collaboration leading to the development of innovative research, training and outreach initiatives for the promotion of civic development and the enhancement of school performance and readiness; and providing information about University centers and other resources helpful in pursuing research, training and outreach initiatives in the areas of children, youth and families. The conference featured panels on Promoting Civic Development and Enhancing School Performance/Readiness and also gave participants opportunities for small-group discussions on the topics of Understanding and Addressing Current Social Influences Affecting Youth Civic Development; Workforce Preparation, Youth Identity and Civic Development; Youth Alienation: Inclusion vs. Disenfranchisement; School Organization and Civic Development; Understanding and Promoting Civility, Democratic Principles and Social Democracy; Civil Intolerance: From Bullying to Hate Crimes; Understanding and Promoting Youth Activism; Character Education—Strengthening Values and Fostering Moral Development; Community Service, Service Learning and Volunteerism; The Roots of Empathy; Family Influences on Civic Development; and Evaluating Interventions Designed to Promote Civic Development.