Objective: This study attempts to uncover barriers to participation in a marital enrichment program that had been expected to be attractive to eligible couples. Method: Work products associated with a multiyear demonstration project were subjected to ethnographic analysis. Results: Eligible couples did not see congruence between the program's…

In 1974, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges initiated a special project to promote, in courts throughout the country, periodic review of the status of all children in foster care. This paper explains the development of these judicial review systems, describes several alternative review mechanisms, and discusses key issues…

Describes the establishment, promotion, and five-year progress of a postadoption service in Hampshire, England. (SW)

Examines the changes initiated to reorient Kentucky's child welfare system to a family prevention model; this includes an examination of the model's goals, the implementation of the model, training of the staff, problems encountered by the initiation of the new model, and an evaluation of the model. (Author/BB)

This report describes how barriers to planning for children inappropriately placed in foster care were overcome in a 3-year demonstration project: Freeing Children for Permanent Placement, conducted by the Children's Services Division, Department of Social Services, State of Oregon. Clients, amount of effort made, personnel involved, social work…

The paper presents a proposal for the addition of a specialized adoption agency for sexually abused children and youth to current services of a residential group home. The proposal resulted from the lack of appropriate families for children completing the Agency's Preparation for Adoption Program. Evidence suggested placements have been hindered…

Describes steps taken to recruit Blacks to adopt Black children in foster care. Procedures included establishing an advisory committee, educating the public about adoption, and obtaining the involvement and cooperation of local government and community action organizations. (DB)

Appraises foster care and advocates its change from a largely custodial system to one that is essentially treatment-oriented. Development of a placement continuum from least intrusive (day care) to most intrusive (hospitalization), with a variety of intermediate options including foster home care, is crucial. (NH)

This user's manual, designed to meet the needs of adoption exchange administrators and program managers for a formal tool to assist them in the overall management and operation of their program, presents the Model Adoption Exchange Payment System (MAEPS), which was developed to improve the delivery of adoption exchange services throughout the…

This manual, which provides guidelines for effective adoption services for children in residential group child care who need new, permanent families, emphasizes interagency collaboration and communication as critical to effective adoptive plans. The manual is intended for public agency social workers responsible for placement and permanency…

Traces the history of self-help in the African American community, with emphasis on services and programs for children. Claims that the traditions of self-help are very much alive in the African American community, and are manifest in a range of activities. Illustrates contemporary models of self-help from the example of one adoption agency. (MOK)

This practicum sought to address the need for increased opportunities for prospective adoptive parents to gain introductory knowledge regarding adoption issues and processes in a rural state in the northeastern United States. A multimedia educational unit containing a 45-minute videotaped presentation and various written materials were developed…

This report is the result of investigations into the residual or long-term impact of the l975 Corp Member Training Institute (CMTI) of the Teacher Corps on Institute participants. Singled out for investigatlon were the trainers, the trainees, and the evaluators of the program. The impact of the CMTI on the Teacher Corps projects and schools where…

Intended to aid administrators and users of social services in establishing information systems, this comprehensive guide to the design of such systems identifies the elements, effective strategies, and potential pitfalls involved in their planning, implementation, and utilization. Detailed discussions of management strategies for system…

Highlights a failure on the part of social services to respond to the current needs of the child welfare system. Strongly advocates a commitment to concurrent planning, defined here as the process of working toward family reunification while at the same time establishing an alternative plan, usually in the form of permanency with a relative or…