Discusses the changing adoption field, including services needed by the children, biological parents, and adoptive parents. (DP)

Discusses the changing role of Service agencies in helping unmarried pregnant women, unwed mothers, and their children. (DP)

This article examines the community-level impact of concentrated child welfare agency involvement in African American neighborhoods. Based on interviews of 25 African American women in a Chicago neighborhood, the study found that residents were aware of intense agency involvement in their neighborhood and identified profound effects on social…

A discussion of the various approaches to social services for runaway youths. (BRT)

Advocates wider recognition of joint custody and coparenting of children after divorce or separation, reviews pertinent legal and other related literature, identifies indications and contraindications for joint custody and coparenting, and briefly discusses implications for social workers. (Author/MP)

The introduction of a child into a foster home has a profound and multifaceted effect upon the parents and children of the foster family. This paper describes some of the resultant stresses, and outlines ways to manage them productively. (Author/CS)

A discussion of infertile couples who are often plagued by unresolved feelings of grief, low self-esteem and threatened sexuality. An adoption agency, as advocate of the child, can assist them in working through these feelings. (Author/CS)

Presents the text from a brochure for parents whose children are to be placed in foster care. The function of the parents, the social agency, and the foster family are discussed. (BRT)

Examines the history and function of the relationship between social work and day care in the United States. (CM)

The California Survey by Bass and Mazur shows that with increasing age of the child, the probability of adoption failure increases. For success in adoptive placements of children, ages 2-12, it is suggested that agencies try innovative approaches in preparing the child and in selecting the adopting family. (GO)

Discusses the problem of determining the cost of raising a foster child. Total costs include direct or out-of-pocket costs and indirect costs or the value of time devoted to rearing foster children. The use of secondary data for estimating costs in local areas is recommended. (MS)

States that voluntary children's and family services are being affected by a reduction in government funds and argues for a vigorous response through the maintenance and development of tested, valid programs. (Author/MP)

Discusses the development of family centers in Great Britain by statutory and voluntary organizations. Includes a brief historical overview of family centers, current center models in practice, and issues related to centers. (RJC)

Summarizes for a general audience experiences of 585 children in foster care in the Casey Family Living Program from 1966-1984. Focuses on advantages of private, voluntary agencies like the Casey Family Program, and on the needs for long-term care of the most difficult (generally homeless) children in foster care. (SAK)

Data show that, despite philosophical opposition on the part of human service professionals, proprietary firms have become successful and apparently satisfactory providers of public child welfare services. Several attitudinal and administrative adjustments that could make contracting for services a less ideological and more effective procedure are…