The last few years have been exciting ones for us in SLS. Our 33 years of following a community group from age 5 to their 30's has brought wide-spread world-wide response from many continents (Australia, Asia, Africa, South and North America and Europe). (See What's Happening and Press Releases)
Now we have reached a time of change and transition. Helen Reinherz, Project Director since 1976, is retiring on July 1, 2010 and Dr. Angela Paradis will become the new SLS director. Angela started working with SLS in 1998 on graduating from college and since receiving her doctorate in epidemiology continues to be closely connected with every part of the project.
With this change there will still be continuity as both Helen Reinherz and long time co-director, Dr. Rose Giaconia, will play a consultative role as will the panel of experts who have provided help over the years.
We all anticipate that our participants' contributions to the study will also continue. The lessons we learned of their struggles and triumphs growing up continue to reach a broad audience of parents, teachers, researchers and other professionals who care for and work with youth. The latest article which should be on-line soon features the importance of adolescent/family relationship.* Longitudinal community studies of our length and scope are rare and the SLS's potential to contribute to knowledge exponentially increases over time.
With our best wishes as always,
Helen Reinherz
Angela Paradis
*Paradis, A.D., Giaconia, R.M., Reinherz, H.Z., Beardslee, W., Ward, K., & Fitzmaurice, G. (in press). Adolescent family factors promoting healthy adult functioning: A longitudinal community study. Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
Past and Present SLS Project Directors
