The Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) has been producing Progress since 1996. This magazine-style publication provides a wealth of information on different factors that influence the health and well-being of Canadian children and youth. This 7th edition reports on many indicators, including family life, economic security, physical safety, learning, and more. Because the report tracks this information over time, it helps identify trends, successes, and challenges.

Progress is one of the CCSD's most popular products. It is a useful resource tool that includes a full index and easy-to-read charts and tables. It is geared to those whose work involves issues affecting children and youth. Researchers, policy-makers, community workers and activists, teachers, parents, and child care workers are regular users of information in Progress.

Social conditions such as housing, family income, and education leave their deepest marks on children and youth. Improvements in these social conditions have been shown to open up new vistas for young people who might otherwise end up behind bars.

This is the principle behind crime prevention through social development (CPTSD): promoting well-being through social, health, and educational measures. Such international authorities as the United Nations (2002) agree that CPTSD is effective, particularly with children and youth.