The interface of family, school, and community factors for the positive development of children and youth.

In this issue, we examine the application of the ecological elements of family, school, and community on the developmental outcomes of children and youth. Five empirical articles then provide insight into the interaction of individual development, intelligence, and risk with contextual factors such as involvement, expectations, relationships, peers, and community. We conclude that individual child and youth outcomes are powerfully influenced by family involvement at a young age, but as age increases, this involvement becomes less salient.

Building a professional development system: a case study of North Carolina's parenting education experiences.

Designing a professional development system for parent educators requires weaving together multiple pieces from within the network of organizations providing parenting education. North Carolina examined how to build a system using the influence of evidence-based programs as well as professional credentialing for parenting educators. A system built with professionals who understand sound parenting practices and networked together to use best practices with parents is critical to support families and prevent child abuse.