This article presents a framework for future research and program development designed to support children's peer-related social competence. Intervention research is examined within a historical perspective culminating with a discussion of contemporary translational approaches capable of integrating models of normative development, developmental…

This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of an online professional development course designed to develop an understanding of the foundations, perspectives, and strategies used by key disciplines (e.g., occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, early childhood special education, visual…

The Coimbra Early Intervention Project was undertaken in Portugal to develop the first coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency program involving health care, education, and social service, using existing resources in the community. The program now operates regionwide and supports more than 100 families and children with disabilities or at…

Family support programs are examined from a preventive perspective which is designed to help families before they are in crisis. Family resource programs are discussed in terms of their history, principles, distinguishing characteristics, relevance for families with children who have special needs, and implications for practitioners. (Author/JDD)

Principles of program evaluation and strategic planning are discussed and applied to a case example of the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Infants and Toddlers Program. This program contended with issues of increased referrals and enrollment, evolution from a child-centered to a family-centered paradigm, and change to community-based provision and…

This paper describes the Oklahoma Statewide Training and Regional Support (STARS) program, a system of early intervention inservice training developed to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part H. Major challenges included identification of technical assistance needs, facilitation of training attendance, identification…

Professional experience or educational background in public health provides a valuable perspective for designing, implementing, and evaluating early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities and chronic illnesses. Described are public health's historic role in early intervention and a graduate program exemplifying the…

Provides a coherent framework to help states examine their personnel development systems and provides steps for the development and implementation of an integrated service delivery and personnel development system for early intervention. A model consisting of 12 key elements for planning and implementing a comprehensive system is presented. (CR)

The Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration is a statewide technical assistance project to assist school and related-services personnel in Maryland to manage the specialized health needs of students with developmental disabilities and handicapping conditions within the educational setting. The project's purpose, scope, staffing,…

This article describes a comprehensive, credentialed training program for family child-care providers that is family-centered, community-based, and focuses on developmentally appropriate practices for all children, including those with disabilities. The development of and rationale for this program are discussed, and a description of field test…

The Early Intervention Special Education Program at West Virginia University developed, implemented, and evaluated a distance education model using satellite broadcasts of coursework and supervised practicum experiences to train early interventionists. Program success suggests that emerging telecommunications technologies offer a feasible…

This article relates experiences and insights gained by a nurse educator directing the University of Utah College of Nursing's Utah Early Intervention Personnel Preparation project, a graduate-level interdisciplinary program to prepare early intervention specialists. Recommendations are offered for development of preservice or inservice…

This article describes the application of an interagency model to provide integrated services for children with disabilities in the Republic of Palau, a former United States Pacific island trust territory. Emphasis is on complying with Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act through indigenous people working together with…

A statewide staff mentoring program was developed in Illinois as an option for providing a personalized, intensive approach to training early intervention personnel on a large scale. Evaluation results for the initial period of developing the process and for the first eight trainer-trainee dyads suggest this approach is individualized,…

This article offers an historical perspective and evaluation approach for technical assistance efforts provided by U.S. based agencies in the Pacific and two studies of outcome evaluation at the regional and local level. The Palau Interagency Model is discussed in depth as a model for change and improved interagency coordination. (Contains…