Young, sexually abused children should be identified and treated as early as possible. Structured and directive treatment proceeding at a regular pace achieves greater success than an unstructured, nondirective approach. Structure reduces anxiety for the children, parents, and therapists. (Author/BB)

The TIES [Training, Intervention, Education, and Services] for Adoption program in Los Angeles, attempts to reduce obstacles to adoption of children in out-of-home care who experienced prenatal substance exposure. Interviews with parents conducted at intervals following home placement reveal experiences and concerns, parenting aspects and adoption…

Needs assessments require staff with the necessary expertise to design the study, collect the data, analyze the data, and present results. They require money, time, and persistence, because the people one wishes to assess often are difficult to access. This article argues for the centrality of a well-done needs assessment when developing services…