Report on Troubled Youth, Nationally and Locally

What: A press briefing on "Our Nation's Kids: Is Something Wrong?" -- a report detailing thousands of citizens' thinking at National Issues Forums held across the country. University Extension, UC Davis, is one of three organizations in the nation selected to present the report's findings. Presidents of the Sacramento Urban League and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento will also speak on the issue of troubled youth in our local area. When: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14. Where: Tahoe Room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 1209 L St. in Sacramento. Who: John Doble, president of Doble Research Associates and principal author of the report; James Shelby, president and CEO of Sacramento Urban League; and Kevin McCartney, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento. Background: National Issues Forums bring together citizens from around the country to discuss challenging social and political issues of the day. Over the past year, hundreds of civic and educational organizations convened forums to discuss the problems of today's troubled youth. This report is based on the thinking of thousands of citizens in nearly 100 forums conducted in 31 states, including California. Research methods included forum observations, interviews and pre- and post-forum questionnaires. Overall findings show that Americans' main worries about young people have shifted from drugs, violence and teen pregnancy to a broader concern about too many kids lacking a sense of right and wrong, respect for authority or responsibility for their actions. The report describes several ideas on what needs to be done to improve this pervasive societal issue. Detailed findings, along with copies of the report, will be presented at Monday's press briefing, and interested members of the public are encouraged to attend. The event is hosted by University Extension, UC Davis. University Extension -- the continuing and professional education arm of UC Davis -- hosts a National Issues Forum each year, drawing participants from civic, educational, religious and legislative organizations from across the state to deliberate on vexing social and political issues.