Malcolm Smith
Extension Associate Professor/Specialist, Youth & Family Education and Policy

As  and Youth and Education Specialist, Malcolm provides support, service and leadership to all Cooperative Extension Programs serving New Hampshire families. He designs and implements parenting support and training curriculum and programs to improve the quality of family life in New Hampshire. Malcolm is also a member of the Department of Family Studies faculty, teaching courses in Family Policy and serves on the Department's Graduate Committee and Advocacy Committee. He is also currently serving on the New Hampshire Legislative Task Force on Work and Family. Malcolm also writes a monthly column on work and family issues for the New Hampshire Business Review.

Dr. Smith has recently assisted in the founding of the Family Education Collaborative, a unique effort based in Manchester, which unites Cooperative Extension with the YWCA of Manchester, UNH Manchester, UNH Department of Family Studies and Family Support New Hampshire to make a meaningful contribution to family research and parent education. 

Malcolm is the co-author and project director of the Courage to Care project - a school climate and culture curriculum designed to reduce bullying and peer victimization by increasing empathy, compassion and civility in young people.  Smith's publication "Understanding Bullying" has been distributed widely across New England and the U.S. with over 100,000 in print.

Dr. Smith is a 2010 Graduate of Leadership New Hampshire.

Biography

In spite of giving his parents a really hard time, Malcolm has been caring for and about families for over 30 years.  He is a former staff member of the renowned Menninger Foundation where he worked closely with his mentor, pioneering psychiatrist Karl Menninger, M.D., in developing education programs for adults serving abused, neglected, behaviorally challenged and adjudicated children.  Malcolm also developed the Peaceful Intervention Program and Realistic Parenting, two training programs that have received national distribution.  He has also responded to over 200 cases of youth violence in schools and communities throughout the U.S. and Canada.  He is a senior consultant to many organizations including the U.S. Army Family Advocacy program and the Center for School Safety.

Recent research led by Dr. Smith has included the NH Child Support Guidelines Economic Reivew study and  the NH Work and Family Life Survey.  Dr. Smith's landmark research on the use of physical restraint of children in juvenile facilities is in publication with the Journal of Child Welfare.  In addition, Dr. Smith is currently writing a book entitle "The Meanest Generation:  How we can stop our young people's civility and compassion crisis."

In his spare time, Malcolm loves playing old time music on clawhammer banjo and the mandolin and is a fixture at local music gatherings.

Current Research

• Smith, M., Alleva, R., Frigon, J. Linehan, T., Collins, C. (2012) The Courage to Care: A Curriculum for Combating Bullying and Meanness. Durham, NH, University of NH Cooperative Extension

  Smith,M, & Smith,K.(2011)New Hampshire Work and Family Life Survey, Concord, NH: NH Division of Economic Security

  Smith, M., Kalinowski, M., & Baughman, R. (2009) New Hampshire Child Support Guidelines Review, Concord, NH. New Hampshire Division of Child Support

  Smith, M. (2010) Understanding Bullying: A curriculum for parents, educators and professionals Durham, NH. UNH Cooperative Extension

  Smith, M., Alleva, R., Linehan, T. Frigon, J. (2011) The Courage to Care: A curriculum to improve the culture and climate in Middle Schools, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and The Browne Center

  Smith, M. (In publication) Cultural and Social Issues of Divorce, a chapter in The Encyclopedia of Divorce, Sage Publications expected publication August, 2012.

  Army Family Advocacy Education for Human Service Professionals

  Needs Assessment of Parenting and Family Communities in Manchester, NH

  Development of the UNH Cooperative Extenstion Family Education Collaborative

  The Cycle of Restraint: Perceptions of the use of physical restraint on incarcerated juveniles.

Educational Background

• Ph.D, Family Life Education and Consultation, Kansas State University

  M.ED, Experiential Education, Minnesota State University

  B.A., Communication Arts and Education, Washburn University

Experience

• Former Founder and CEO, The Peaceful Intervention Program (A national training and consulting company serving over 300 school districts and human service organizations)

  Former Director, The Karl Menninger National Youthcare Training Center

  Former Teacher, Southard School, The Menninger Clinic

  Co-Founder, High Plains Public Radio

Professional Associations

• National Council On Family Relations Certified Family Life Educator

  Malcolm also a commissioned Kentucky Colonel

Program Specialty Areas

• Parent Education

  Adolescent Development,

  Family Policy and Advocacy

  Anger and Violence in Children and Families

  Peer Victimization and Bullying among children

  Family Policy

Select Publications

• RORE: Reactive Outreach and Radical Engagement (2011)The Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement

  Understanding Bullying: A comprehensive curriculum for parents and professionals (2010)University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension

  (2009) The Restraint Spiral: Emergent Themes in the Perceptions of the Physical Restraint of Juveniles: In publication, The Journal of Child Welfare

  The Realistic Parenting Program (1997) National Distribution

  The Peaceful Intervention Program; Caring Safely for Angry Children and Youth (1999), Lawrence, KS. MSC Publications

Contact Information

• State Staff
• Youth and Family Staff
• Staff Profile home