N ATIONAL COUNCIL ON FAMILY RELATIONS IN THIS ISSUE: Round ‘em Up Family Focus on… Welfare Reform and Come to Houston! pages F1-F24 any months of exceptional plan- discounts in the future? In addition, for ning by Alan Booth, Program each booking by a conference attendee, Chair, and his enthusiastic NCFR receives credit to be used to bring In 1996, the U.S. shifted to a M committees have culminated in a terrifi- in VIP speakers at lower airline rates, thus “work first” welfare system. cally stimulating premiere conference in cutting expenses which are then passed Houston, Texas - “SPACE CITY USA!” We on to you, the consumer. invite you to round up your colleagues, For example, the work The conference theme: Families over the students, family and friends, and join us Life Course: Bridging Research and November 21-24, 2002 for a memorable exemption for parents of Practice has informational sessions for just children under 3 years of age about any professional. Here are a few examples: was repealed, and less High quality content sessions for emphasis was placed on skills researchers, practitioners, and clinicians: In addition to the plenary development and education. panels (see March 2002 Report) there are over 25 sessions covering children/ adolescent/parenting/fathering issues; In this issue, we explore 20 sessions on mate selection and marriage; 15 on aging issues; 20 on the effects of welfare reform Cindy Winter, CMP, Conference Coordinator and international, diverse families; 20 on Alan Booth, 2002 Conference Program Chair on families and children work/family/community life; 30 on professional development experience that teaching/research methodologies and and look at ways to facilitate also promises to be great fun for all! many more topics of interest to family “Rounding up” means travel and you can scholars and practitioners. the transition from help NCFR for future conferences while Pre-approved CEU Credits by APA, welfare to work. As always, getting to Houston! Here’s how. NASW (Metro Washington Chapter), Getting to Houston: Did you know that National Board of Certified Counselors, we welcome your comments. when you book your flights to Houston Employee Assistance Professional through Continental MeetingWorks Association, George Mason University Next Issue: #UF2DCY or Northwest Meeting Services and Certified Family Life Educators, Desk #NEM6V you not only get great many of which are specified on the Medical Technology discounts for yourself, but you are enabling program. This is a sure way to enhance NCFR to build a successful airline profile your professional development that helps to negotiate better conference portfolio. Come to Houston! continued on page 2 President’s Report 3 C’s of Membership in NCFR all is always a time of new begin- NCFR, which is to provide a forum for opportunity to network and meet with nings after a summer break. It is a family researchers, educators, and friends is an important reason for Ftime to renew commitments to practitioners to share in the develop- attending the conference. It’s a wonder- work, begin new professional endeavors, ment and dissemination of knowledge ful time to connect with colleagues who welcome new colleagues to our work about families, to establish professional are doing research on similar topics or environments, introduce new students standards, and to promote family well- using similar methodologies, as well as into our varied programs, and prepare being, I also share the 3 C’s of NCFR with teachers and practitioners with for the annual conference of the Na- membership: connection, competence, whom we can share strategies for tional Council on Family Relations. and commitment. effective practice. Inevitably new colleagues and students CONNECTION We who teach family studies understand ask about membership in NCFR. After I The annual conference is always a time that it’s impossible to know everything tell them about the general mission of for us to update our knowledge of the about this multifaceted field. The annual field and renew our friendships with meeting gives us a chance to talk with colleagues who have similar personal researchers and educators in all areas of Report and professional interests. In fact, a family studies; colleagues in disciplines recent membership survey showed that such as psychology, sociology, law, of The National Council on Family Relations many NCFR members feel that the President’s Report continued on page 3 Mission Statement for the Report: REPORT, the quarterly newsletter of the COME TO HOUSTON Houston’s Ethnic and Cultural National Council on Family Relations, strives Heritage is rich in the food cuisine to provide timely, useful information to help continued from page 1 (seafood from Kemah, Cajun, Mexi- members succeed in their roles as researchers, Super Sights, Sounds, and Smells can and Western barbecue); music educators, and practitioners. Articles address from Houston’s opera, and sym- family field issues, programs and trends, of Houston integrate conference including association news. learning experiences with fun when phony to Zydeco and line dance. Theatres abound for every person’s President: Carol Anderson Darling you take advantage of some great Editor: Michael L. Benjamin specials such as: taste. Museums combine the truly Managing Editor: Sasha A. Smith American melting pot and include Topics Feature Writer: Nancy Giguere Pre-conference tour of the Johnson the Buffalo Soldiers, Bayou Bend (Ima Space Center/NASA with Cosmo NCFR Report is published quarterly by the Hogg estate), Battleship Texas, and The National Council on Family Relations, Cool Concept Inc. on Wednesday, American Cowboy Museum. Science 3989 Central Ave. N.E., Suite 550, November 20, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and technology are distinguished in Minneapolis, MN 55421, Fax: 763-781- where you’ll view actual space craft, the largest medical complex in the 9348, website: www.ncfr.org. gear, artifacts, and look behind the world at Texas Medical Center, and Third class postage permit. scenes at how astronauts train. the great Petrochemical complex. En route to and from you’ll tour Report subscription rate: $20.00 per year; By registering before October 15, to come $5.00 per copy. For bulk rates, call through Houston’s historic, art, sports, 888-781-9331, ext. 14. Annual member- medical, and shopping districts. All to Houston, you can save up to $40 on ship dues include Report subscription. this for only $60/person including your registration fee. Go online at $15.00 U.S. postage per year postpaid at venue tickets, lunch and transporta- www.ncfr.org, and click on the confer- individual rate. tion. (See p. 77 of program.) ence link, or call 1-888-781-9331 ext 14. NEWS DEADLINES: January 8 for We are anxious to give you our very best March issue; April 9 for June issue; July 9 The Titanic Exhibit complete with conference, and Houston is anxious to for September issue; October 1 for artifacts, an IMAX film “6 Stories show you its best in fun and entertain- December issue. High” and a Planetarium Dome ment, so round up your resources and One copy of any portion of this simulation of the weather of that make plans now to come to Houston! publication can be made for personal use. fateful 1912 night will be available to Additional reprints of this publication NCFR Conventioneers for a dis- Alan Booth are available by contacting NCFR counted price of $17.50 through the 2002 Conference Program Chair headquarters at the address above. E-mail: [email protected] Bulk rates available. Hyatt Hotel. This is a part of the Museum of Natural Science Novem- Copyright © 2002 National Council on Cindy Winter, CMP Family Relations. All rights reserved. ber showings, just a short distance Conference Coordinator from the hotel. E-mail: [email protected] NCFR Report September 2002 2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT continued from page 2 medicine, and human development; and programs at 54 colleges and universi- tional developments. In addition, the therapists and other practitioners who ties (54 at the undergraduate level and quarterly NCFR Report provides us work in social service agencies, in the 13 at the graduate level). During times with organizational information as military, or in government. These con- of financial cutbacks, many family well as a Family Focus section devoted nections enhance both our classroom science programs have turned to to an issue of current interest. Family teaching and our work with graduate NCFR for letters of support because Focus can be removed and added to students who are embarking on their many academic institutions view the our files. own research. Moreover, as we become CFLE-approved program credential as NCFR provides national recognition of more global in our research, teaching, and an asset for a department. NCFR and outstanding work through awards to understanding of world events, NCFR the CFLE staff also provide us with individuals and organizations. These membership opens doors and creates teacher kits, course syllabi, and teach- awards recognize excellence in re- bonds with international colleagues. ing methodology updates. Look for search, teaching, service to families, the upcoming publication Family Life COMPETENCE and audio-visual production, as well as Education: Integrating Theory and In this increasingly complex world, outstanding work by students, future Practice. staying competent means continual administrators, and international learning. Every year when I leave the NCFR is positioning itself as an issue- scholars. annual conference, I’m happy about oriented professional organization · NCFR is particularly committed to what I have learned and experienced. that brings the latest scientific students and new professionals. They But I’m also frustrated that I couldn’t research on families to the attention of have an elected role in each section attend all the sessions. I always say, “I’ll policymakers. NCFR’s booklet Public and are represented on both the Board just have to come back next year to learn Policy through a Family Lens has been of Directors and the Program Planning some more.” Since NCFR is an organiza- distributed to members of the U.S.