The emphasis in this new third edition is on at-risk children and those with special needs and includes a brand new chapter on violence and bullying in schools and communities. Every chapter has been extensively updated to reflect current literature and thinking. The content provides a wider systemic view of how professionals and family members can better serve children who are at risk for failure in school or life. This book provides major concepts and research findings to help the professional understand the family life cycle, family interactions, and other environmental factors that may be affecting children. Special populations, including families of divorce and remarriage and abusive or addictive families, are examined, and specific strategies for working with these special children and their families are discussed. The text is responsive to the changing diversity in families. The applications section includes strategies and concrete exercises, plus interventions.