This course textbook has been adapted from the four-volume "Handbook of Applied Developmental Science" (SAGE 2003), a work that offers a detailed roadmap for action and research in ensuring positive child, youth, and family development. In 20 chapters, "Applied Developmental Science: An Advanced Textbook" brings together theory and application from applied developmental science and the positive psychology movement. This text summarizes and synthesizes the best scientific knowledge from ADS to help readers understand the efforts being made around the world to ensure that all children and adolescents develop into healthy adults who contribute positively to society. Key features include: (1) Prominent researchers and practitioners offer state-of-the-art overviews of key areas within the relatively new field of applied developmental science; (2) In consultation with instructors of applied developmental science and psychology courses, chapters from the 4-volume "Handbook of Applied Developmental Science" (SAGE 2003) have been selected that best match syllabi for such courses; and (3) Chapters end with conclusions offering students summaries and future directions, along with references for further in-depth reading. This book is targeted to students planning on careers working with children, youth, and families, generally within an educational or community setting, and to advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students of Psychology, Human Development & Family Studies, Social Work & Human Services, Education, and related disciplines. Part I, Foundations of Applied Developmental Science, presents: (1) Historical and Theoretical Bases of Applied Developmental Sciences (Wertlieb and Jacobs); (2) Neural Development and Lifelong Plasticity (Nelson); (3) The Role of Positive Psychology in Child, Adolescent and Family Development (Shatte, Seligman, Gillham, and Reivich); (4) Child and Youth Well-Being: The Social Indicators Field (Brown and Moore); and (5) Participant Consultation: Ethical Insights into Parental Permissions & Confidentiality Procedures for Policy-Relevant Research with Youth (Fisher). Part II, Enhancing Individual-Context Relations, contains: (6) Families and Ethnicity (McAdoo and Martin); (7) Positive Parenting and Positive Development in Children (Bornstein); (8) Promoting Child Adjustment by Fostering Positive Paternal Involvement (Lamb, Chuang, and Cabrera); (9) Ethnotheories of Parenting: At the Interface between Culture and Child Development (Mistry, Chaudhuri, and Diez); and (10) Reforming Education: Developing 21st Century Community Schools (Blanck, Shah, Johnson, Blackwell, and Ganley). Part III, Strengthening Policies and Programs, includes: (11) The Role of Federal and State Governments in Child and Family Issues: An Analysis of Three Policy Areas (Capizzano and Stagner); (12) Child Poverty in the United States: An Evidence-Based Conceptual Framework for Programs and Policies (Gershoff, Aber, and Raver); (13) The Politics of Children's Issues: Challenges and Opportunities for Advancing a Children's Agenda in the Political Arena (Allen and Martinez); (14) Juvenile Justice and Positive Youth Development (Schwartz); and (15) The Development of Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families: Implications for Policies and Programs (Hauser-Cram and Howell). Part IV, Enhancing Service Systems, concludes with: (16) Early Intervention and Family Support Programs (Eckenrode, Izzo, and Campa-Muller); (17) Back to Basics: Building an Early Care and Education System (Kagen and Neuman); (18) Child Welfare: Controversies and Possibilities (McCroskey); (19) Housing: The Foundation of Family Life (Bratt); and (20) Philanthropy, Science, and Social Change: Corporate and Operating Foundations as Engines of Applied Developmental Science (Sherrod). Author index, subject index, and editor information are included.