Examines some constraints unique to human service delivery in rural areas. Proposes a conceptual framework for strategies and examines implications of the framework for education of human services professionals. (Author/AH)

Describes how rural human service agencies of Clarendon County (South Carolina) cooperate, coordinate, and use creativity in providing services for their mutual client populations. Discusses use of interagency teams and shared resources and training, problems regarding confidentiality, and response to client needs. (NEC)

Presents a brief overview of four sociological theories concerning rural-urban differences: classical, determinist, compositional, and subcultural. Draws implications and applications for social workers and human service personnel. Suggests development of a typology which would include such components as theoretical orientation, roles of workers,…

A project to sponsor town meetings in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, to permit residents in isolated areas to express their concerns about delivery of human services and to make contact with others with similar concerns, is described. The description includes the project's rationale, purpose and goals, format, and evaluation. (KR)

The purposes of the Wyoming Human Services Project are delivery of human services, determination of how best to train and use human service personnel, and development of suggestions and guidelines for other rapidly growing communities about how to deliver human services most effectively. (Author/KR)

Presents survey responses of 71 family life extension specialists concerning academic preparation, job description, salaries, work responsibilities and time demands, and work rewards. Discusses the results in terms of employment opportunities for graduate students in human services. Contains 15 references. (SV)

Overall, people living in villages that recently resumed population growth, irrespective of their personal characteristics (in most cases) are at least slightly more inclined to favor greater public expenditure than individuals residing in small places not growing from 1960-74. The majority of people, however, were satisfied with services…

Survey of 20 community mental health centers in 12 Midwest grain belt farm states found continuum of farm crisis problems requires professional responses consistent with philosophy and goals of community mental health. Results indicate responses vary, not in relationship to severity of problems, but because of center philosophy and resource…

Early identification of handicapped rural children is difficult due to the scarcity of rural preschools, medical and human services, and education about the handicapped. This article defines early identification, delineates its four steps and the significant and divergent approaches to it, noting advantages and disadvantages of developmental…

Reviews impact of recent agricultural trends in South Dakota. Outlines Kubler-Ross' stages of grief/adaptation that farm families must negotiate as they cope with the trauma of the loss of their farms. Indicates service providers must overcome farmers' mistrust for human welfare services and reach out to this vulnerable population. (NEC)

Reviews literature regarding previous rural mental health studies and regarding attitudes and perceptions about mental illness. Presents results of a study to assess demographic characteristics of clients of a rural Georgia mental health agency. Reviews the implications of the results of the results for rural community mental health practitioners.…

Communities experiencing rapid growth due to energy development have serious and predictable social and human service problems, especially concerning women, the aged, and other minorities. The Wyoming Human Services Project, a model of impact mitigation, might be emulated elsewhere to modify the effects of such growth now and in the future.…

Small western boomtowns typically respond to increased social problems by placing greater demands on existing formal service systems rather than taking advantage of the potential of utilizing informal sources of help as part of a coordinated and comprehensive approach to meeting community needs. (Author/SB)

Among 1,861 households in rural Iowa, the true unemployment rate was 17.3 percent, compared with the officially reported figure of 6.5 percent. Such discrepancies, related to changes in job-seeking behavior among the chronic unemployed, produce underfunding of federal training and job assistance programs in rural areas. Contains 16 references. (SV)

Outlines the development of a service delivery network--California Farm Families in Transition--for distressed farmers in Fresno County. Describes the three-tiered prevention model used, initial needs assessment, and services provided in legal, financial, mental health, social, and job development areas. Contains 15 references. (SV)