The monograph provides an historical overview of services for families of disabled children and considers strategies for increasing family support. The historical analysis traces factors influencing the lack of priority placed on family services and describes trends in family resource services. Advantages and drawbacks of the continuum and array…

As many as 15 million people living in rural areas report one or more long-term impairments that significantly affect their quality of life. In general, disabled people living in rural areas receive fewer services than do people in urban areas. For example, counties in Montana with the largest population centers received significantly more…

Reviewing the research findings and issues which have been generated around the topic of Mexican American underutilization of mental health services, this paper discusses five major concepts: (1) the epidemiological paradox of Mexican American underutilization of services; (2) explanation offered for the paradox; (3) elaboration on the explanation…

Service integration entails the delivery of educational, health, and social services to children, youth, and their families through collaborations that include schools and major health and social service providers. Organized as a series of questions, this monograph provides information and insights on the process of service integration,…

Major components of care for mentally retarded persons are discussed from an international perspective. The use of community resources to provide comprehensive services is emphasized, including teaching and rehabilitation techniques. Topics addressed include identification and assessment; etiological factors (prevalence and causative factors);…

Developed through a literature review and a meeting with California policy makers, the paper examines the local special education variables necessary in developing state special education fiscal policies. The first chapter reviews the shifting focus in state special education and finance systems and finds three distinct phases of public policy and…

Despite increased per pupil cost of programs, facilities, and certified personnel caused by low student enrollments, small rural high schools can offer broad and diverse curricula. This paper briefly describes 31 model programs used by small and rural high schools to maintain or expand curriculum offerings and lists advantages and disadvantages of…

Students with special needs living in rural areas face a difficult challenge as they prepare for employment and adult life. Access to vocational education in rural areas may be limited by isolation, problems in teacher recruitment and retention, curriculum and instructional deficiencies, and weak financial support. In addition, program relevance…