This paper describes the development and implementation of a county Youth Services Commission beginning with its inception, organizational structure, and subsequent role in facilitating county-wide programs for adolescents. As a branch of county government, with an independent staff, the Commission employed a subcommittee format to bring together…

The paper considers the role of program planners in ensuring community adjustment of deinstitutionalized severely mentally handicapped persons, especially in light of the provisions of the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, which provides a waiver authority to states to increase community programs for the deinstitutionalized population. The paper…

This paper summarizes the various visually-oriented and informational projects that were developed to enhance the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the town of Cody (Wyoming). Some of the projects that were developed included: (1) a slide show presentation detailing Cody's growth from 1896 to the 1920s; (2) a pictorial…

A model to serve rural (Kentucky) mentally retarded adults age 50 and over incorporates generic community resources such as residential, nutritional, medical, recreational, and transportation services with age appropriate activities and programs. The system is intended to provide an alternative to the life-long work setting of the workshop or work…

This paper presents a model for rural social service outreach programs, based upon the following: (1) an explanation of various resource systems and how they are related to outreach services; (2) current economic and social conditions of rural areas; (3) rural client systems; (4) the relationship of the agricultural extension model to rural…

As their graduates assume increasingly powerful civic and career positions, community colleges should utilize alumni as potential sources of fiscal and community support. To do so requires an alumni affairs organization through which the college and its alumni can be of help to each other. Colleges can provide former students with opportunities…

Steps involved in developing a high quality child development program are outlined and discussed briefly. They are: (1) determining what kind of program to provide (information and referral, family-centered, community-centered or a combination); (2) establishing priorities (a priority checklist is included); (3) identifying existing resources in…

A Youth Career Centre in South Alberta has been proposed to fulfill the career development needs of youth. The center should be based on the tenets of career development theory that suggest that five basic processes are necessary to facilitate the career development of youth: initiation, exploration, decision making, preparation, and…

A community-focused health promotion program for older adults was planned and implemented in Fairfax County, Virginia. A needs assessment was conducted to determine the social health problems and behavior patterns of the older adults in the community. After analysis of factors that may impinge upon the decision-making processes of those who might…

Psychologists' roles are changing and expanding in many ways. In the next decade, psychologists will probably continue their involvement away from the clinic and into the community. Deinstitutionalization should create many new opportunities for psychologists, particularly in the areas of community support system coordination and service…

The Quality of Life Project at Eastfield College (Texas), a set of campus and community activities designed to promote involvement in influencing the campus and community environments, is described by three people who were involved in its development and activities: Kathryn Berry, Coordinator of Student Services at Eastfield; Eleanor Ott,…

Case studies of local development projects in Scotland, Norway, Australia, and the United States (Minnesota) indicate that federal education programs of a "generative" nature (those linking educational improvement to other improvement efforts, emphasizing process, and stimulating grass-roots participation) are most likely to promote…

This paper presents a description of a community program for preschool children and their mothers which utilized the services of a psychologist-consultant. Originally, the Mother's Day Out program offered a few hours of child care to mothers of preschool children for a very small fee. However, it became apparent during the early phases of…

The Odyssey Project is named for the Greek hero, Odysseus, who for 10 years, sought the purpose of life. The Project is based on the philosophy that a new generation of American schools must be viewed as a lifelong quest for excellence. The project is one of 11 designs for schools funded by the New American Schools Development Corporation, a…