Participation by agencies in a network can provide access to a wider range of services and resources for the handicapped and can enable additional agencies to take advantage of information regarding specialized resources and services to the benefit of unlimited others. The major obstacle to effective networking is the fear that participation in a…

This information packet is designed to assist local interagency councils to implement Public Law 99-457's requirements concerning the provision of high quality services to preschool children with disabilities and their families. The model described provides a framework for continual coordination of agency programs as well as use of collaboration…

In the field of child and family programs, a needs assessment, which is essentially a fact-finding exercise, can be conducted either by focusing on a particular program or by examining a population of interest. In conducting a needs assessment, it is important to be systematic, be clear about the information which is sought, be specific about the…

This paper offers a model for planning services for children who are both mentally retarded and autistic. The model and recommendations for the residential therapeutic environment are organized according to the main axes of child development (biological, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional). (Author/DB)

This manual provides guidelines for the planning and development of shelter care projects as alternatives for juveniles facing pretrial detention, and suggestions for improving the quality of services in existing shelters. A six-phase planning process for establishing a shelter care service is outlined, with planning activities and narrative…

This manual provides guidelines for religious congregations interested in setting up programs to sponsor refugees. The manual describes the psychological implications of the refugee experience and discusses initial steps in organizing for sponsorship. Detailed information is provided for sponsors regarding: finances and mobilization of resources;…

This handbook offers a set of practical ideas and their philosophical underpinnings, designed to assist community groups which desire to form interagency coordinating councils. A Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) works to develop, coordinate, and provide a community-based, comprehensive system of services for young children with…

Basic information about respite care for individuals with disabilities and their families is presented in a question-and-answer format. The following questions are addressed: "What is respite?"; "Who needs respite services?"; "Who provides respite services?"; "What kinds of services are provided?"; "How…

This guide for administrators provides a model for linking adult basic education (ABE) programs--ABE, general educational development (GED), and English as a second language (ESL)--with a broad range of human service agencies. The linkage model depicts a process that is divided into three phases. Three chapters discuss in detail these phases.…

Adolescence represents a unique period in the life cycle. No longer children and not yet adults, adolescents make significant choices about their health and develop attitudes and health practices that impact their current safety and well-being. Those choices also often influence their risk for future serious chronic disease. Adolescence also…

Recruiting mentors is a continuous challenge for most programs. A systematic recruitment plan, carefully developed and implemented, will increase a program's chances for success. Drawing from effective practices used by volunteer-based organizations and research findings about mentoring, the material in this document describes recruitment…

Temporary child care programs, such as crisis nurseries or respite care services for children with special needs, need to develop and implement a risk management program to address any difficulties that might be encountered in providing direct care services. Risk management is a structured process to minimize potential liability, avoid harm to…

This document is intended to encourage organizations that serve persons with disabilities to explore the potential for expanded credit opportunities for their constituencies, particularly credit financing for assistive aids and devices. The paper contends that there are significant numbers of persons with disabilities who could effectively handle…

Developed from the Ohio At-Risk Linkage Team experiences, this guide assists local communities in organizing and strengthening effective collaborative interagency linkage teams for at-risk youth and adults. The guide proposes a series of steps, poses a number of questions relating to each step, and provides information about additional resources.…

Crisis nursery programs were developed to offer temporary relief from child care responsibilities for parents experiencing a crisis or extreme stress. While the programs focus on being helpful and supportive, they may seem threatening to some parents. Service providers need to understand parents' fears and concerns about using crisis nurseries and…