In this paper, we report on our experience as rookies organizing, funding, and running a summer computing camp for middle school girls. The focus of the camp was building mobile applications using App Inventor. The three day/two night camp targeted girls in rural, high poverty school districts and was funded through an award from the National…

The manual describes the development and implementation of a project for gifted and talented students (grades K-12) in a rural, culturally isolated area (Wells River, Vermont). Approaches to the following project components are discussed: needs assessment, project goals and objectives, implementation (including staff responsibility), activities…

This paper offers a case history of one university academic department's experience with the pressure to create online scholarship opportunities for professional educators. As tertiary education transforms its course delivery to Web-based learning management platforms, instructors are challenged to transform career-long practice suddenly and…

Since 1979 collaborative activities in continuing education for human services workers in Montana have shown that combining training efforts among agencies and higher education units provides better instruction at a considerable savings in cost and particularly suits rural agencies with small training budgets and small, widely dispersed staffs.…

The article traces the experiences of the Malaysian Association for the Blind in developing rehabilitation services for rural blind persons. It explains the rationale for a community-based approach to rehabilitation and concludes that center-based and community-based approaches to rehabilitation complement each other in bringing services to rural…

Discusses recent successes with innovative training program for staff working with chronically mentally ill. Describes program development, program structure, program content, and funding issues. Emphasizes value of collaboration between academia and mental health service agencies. (Author/TES)

High levels of parent involvement in their children's education result in higher student achievement; higher attendance levels; a decline in dropout rates; fewer disciplinary problems; and better student motivation, self-esteem, and behavior. Since unacknowledged parents withdraw from the school, schools should acknowledge parent participation. To…

For the last year, the Rural Libraries and the Humanities Project has assisted 30 rural libraries in Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma in developing locally initiated humanities programs. Program packets focusing on heritage, literature, and women were prepared to aid in program development. Development of unique local programs was also encouraged.…

This book chapter describes a program of the Two Hills Regional Resource Centre (THRRC), which provides support services to 39 towns in northeastern Alberta. The program supports individuals with severely challenging behaviors (such as self-abuse, aggression, destructiveness, and noncompliance) so that they will be able to live and work in their…

The paper presents the multi-factorial problem of sexual abuse of children within their families, provides definitions of relevant terms (incest, sexual abuse, sexual misuse, molestation, sexual assault, rape), reviews the epidemiology of sexual abuse and its effects, and traces development of a Sexual Abuse Resource Team in a rural/resort New…

Outlines planning procedures and strategies that enable special education supervisors to fit work transition programs for disabled students to local circumstances. Discusses school and community needs assessment to establish program goals; alternative program models; and planning imperatives related to knowledge of the community, staff background,…

This article offers guidelines for planning distance professional development via interactive video for special educators in rural areas. A comprehensive planning checklist is organized into nine tasks. Other suggestions address equipment and interaction tips for receiving sites and setting up the site to encourage inclusion and active…

Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) undertook a project to expand and improve job placement services to increase the overall placement rate for Associate of Science program graduates. The size, minimal available resources, and isolated location of FKCC contributed to its graduates' difficulties with job search. Objectives were accomplished…

This handbook provides guidelines for rural areas throughout Virginia or the nation for establishing an employment counseling and placement service. The first section focuses on the Job Referral Service (JRS) organization and administration. It describes the responsibilities and roles of (1) the school administration and faculty who provide…

This theme issue addresses current trends and new developments in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have meaningful employment opportunities, especially in the context of recent federal legislation. Stressed throughout is the importance of collaboration among professionals, individuals with disabilities, and family members in achieving…