In the context of this paper, social pedagogy concerns how a person trained in social pedagogy can take up the role of a trusted and caring adult to help, support and empower troubled and vulnerable pupils to meet the demands they face in their lives so that they are better able to lead fulfilling and satisfying lives and can, in their turn,…

When children are struggling in school, underlying causes often include physical or behavioral health problems, poverty, abuse, and/or neglect. Children's poor physical health status has been linked to deficits in memory and reading ability. Children with behavioral problems are much more likely than others to have lower grades, miss school, be…

For most full-time employed parents, the gap between the end of the school day and the time they arrive home from work adds up to about 20 to 25 hours per week. Thus, many parents look to afterschool programs to satisfy their desire for safe, enriching experiences for their children while they are working. "Afterschool" is the general term used to…

The role of surrogate parents in advocating for handicapped children whose parents or guardians are unknown or unavailable, or children who are wards of the state is discussed and a surrogate parent training program in South Dakota is described. The program provides 20 hours of instruction including lecture and large group discussion, small group…

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, advances in the sociology of childhood and the consumer rights movement have placed the spotlight on children's rights in society, challenging those working with children to examine how they share power and ensure that children's views are taken on board. While children's service…

The document, over two-thirds of which consists of attachments, presents Part I of the final report on a child advocacy research and demonstration program in Tennessee, called County Agents for Children. The program established four county agents as general advocates for children in four rural counties, with roles modeled after those of county…

The last in a series of reports (EC 114 401-409) on recreation for handicapped persons reviews the history and current role of the National Consortium on Physical Education and Recreation for the Handicapped (NCPERH), a national advocacy organization. Information on advocacy in the national scene covers such aspects as the White House Conference…

The author reviews the history, philosophy, and administrative organization of New York City's Mayor's Office for the Handicapped (MOH). The office's bill of rights is set forth and its activities in advocacy, particularly for physically handicapped people are recounted. The beginnings of the MOH are traced from reactions to a 1967 order to ban…

This annual report details the activities of the National Association of Child Advocates (NACA) from June 2001 to June 2002. The report discusses the efforts of NACA to help members protect funding levels for programs supporting children and their families during the nation's economic downturn, including conducting focus groups to test specific…

Contends that strategies commonly used to persuade decisionmakers to direct more resources to early childhood education are not effective. Presents the Stand for Children's strategy, an intensive organizing approach used over the past 3 years in Oregon, Idaho, Tennessee, and Maryland. Describes efforts of Stand for Children to reinstate children's…

In 1994, the Carnegie Corporation released "Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children," which called for an action agenda to promote responsible parenthood, guarantee quality child care choices, ensure good health and protection, and mobilize communities to support young children and families. In 1996, the Carnegie…

This annual report describes the activities of the National Association of Child Advocates (NACA) from July 2000 to June 2001. The report discusses the association's two overarching priorities for the year: implementing its internal reorganization and building financial support for child advocacy. Also described are NACA's new initiatives (such as…

An ecological model for service and advocacy for handicapped children through a residential diagnostic center is presented. Such a model is explained to provide a meaningful interrelationship of varied resources and agencies at the local, state, and federal level with a focus on the generic program. Four positive interfacing functions relating to…

This report describes the role of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Training Program in planning and supporting training designed to produce state, community, university, and professional association leaders who can advocate for children and mothers and continue to effect change that saves lives and enhances health. The Maternal and Child Health…

One of six projects funded by P.L. 93-247 state grant money, the Foster Child Advocate Services (FOCAS) Project established a guardian "ad litem" program in which court-approved members of the community volunteered to visit children in Texas State Department of Human Resources Conservatorships. Part I of the report, describing the…