Risky sexual behaviors among U.S. adolescents have resulted in epidemic rates of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unintended pregnancy. This article describes a community-developed pilot program for parents in a large South Florida county aimed at increasing parent comfort in discussing sexuality with their children to improve adolescent…

Making Connections was the Annie E. Casey Foundation's signature place-based, community-change initiative of the 2000s. It sought to build on previous work and launch an effort focused firmly on the framework of family strengthening. The Foundation started Making Connections in 22 places, focusing eventually on first 10, then seven sites. It…

This report provides practitioners in the field of child and family services with important guidelines on early childhood education and family support programs including program design, community collaboration, funding, and staff management. The book presents the five main components of establishing an early childhood education and family support…

The manual focuses on the development of a school-level home/school information system to improve communication and understanding of special education programs. A step-by-step plan for developing such a system is addressed in terms of five major topics (sample subtopics in parentheses): basic information gathering (surveys and needs assessment),…

Districts are finding that alert notification systems that deliver automated phone messages are an effective way to reach parents and employees. Implementing the technology is one thing and getting the most out of it is another. This article presents the Districts' goal to get in touch with parents and employees in emergency situations. Andy…

Library and health care professionals team up in the Born to Read partnerships in Florida to empower at-risk expectant and new parents to take an active role in the health and education of their children. Designed for Born to Read workshop participants, this manual contains the following sections: (1) General Information, including workshop…

Father involvement enhances children's well-being. A growing body of research supports this conclusion, showing that children with involved fathers exhibit greater school readiness, increased cognitive development, higher levels of empathy, and other positive characteristics (Administration for Children and Families 2004a). Research also indicates…

Florida's Project CHILD (Computers Helping Instruction and Learning Development) is a computer-integrated instructional program for grades K-5. The project supplies teachers with training, specific strategies and supporting materials; teachers implement the program by following guidelines concerning classroom organization, implementation of…

The Volusia County (Florida) Single Parents Program was developed to identify single parents who are potential dropouts because of a lack of financial support for day care and to provide them with approved day care services. The program also features (1) cooperation between teachers and school guidance counselors to identify and counsel pregnant…

The resource manual is intended to help Florida school districts provide services to gifted students. Rules and regulations are cited along with recommended procedures for the following program areas: definitions, eligibility criteria, screening, referral, evaluation, determinaton of eligibility and placement, provision of an educational plan,…

Florida's priorities for career education were determined by a statewide survey of parents and community leaders. Career education needs identified by the respondents included (1) student needs (develop students' competencies in job responsibility, self-concept, self-knowledge, flexibility, and tolerance; emphasize students' basic academic skills;…

In an increasing number of schools, programs are being designed to instill self discipline in children. Adapted forms of reality therapy, parent effectiveness training, and teacher effectiveness training are used as preventative measures in cooperative ventures by Parent Teacher Associations and school districts. (FG)

The manual is intended to help Florida teachers of homebound or hospitalized children cope with the unusual demands of the position. Difficulties faced by such teachers are noted, including low student motivation, parents' need for support, and a setting not conducive to learning. A brief history of homebound educational services is followed by an…

This article presents two models for creating new developmentally appropriate preschool movement programs: CHAOS (Children Helping Adults Open Senses) at Eastern Connecticut State University and "KinderPlay" at Florida International University. CHAOS and KinderPlay utilize skill themes and movement concepts as their focus and incorporate…

One of several products developed for a comprehensive program of career development (kindergarten through university) for vocational education in Florida, this manual, consisting of two parts, contains a public relations program to introduce occupation specialists to key publics. Part 1 delineates the procedure for making contacts with the key…