Over the last decade, Colorado has emerged as a national leader in crafting innovative solutions for challenges facing its public school system. From implementing the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reforms to more recent legislation including standards and assessments for a preschool-through-college…

This article explores the implementation of the Victorian Youth Employment, Education and Training Initiative (YEETI). This statewide initiative delivered brokerage funds to homeless young people through their housing advocates. One of the findings of the project was that the main barrier to young people achieving a stable continuum in their lives…

This document begins by presenting highlights of a seminar held in June of 1993 to describe innovative training programs that focus on interprofessional and family-centered forms of service delivery in the public sector and to discuss some of the issues, barriers, and challenges. Following these highlights is a background briefing report on…

Written as though the date were 2007 (20 years after a proposal was made to dismantle protective services for abused children and start anew), this paper examines problems with the 1987 service system, outlines a major restructuring of existing programs, and hypothesizes about the impressive results during the ensuing 20 years. (JDD)

Early care and education has been designated as the 2000-2001 focus of the Education Commission of the States (ECS), a nonprofit, nationwide interstate organization that helps governors, legislators, state education officials, and others identify, develop, and implement public policies to improve student learning at all levels. Noting that there…

Primary oral health care, and the scope of services it includes, are defined. The proposed scope of services is a set of basic dental services used by the Indian Health Service. Policy recommendations for improving the integration of primary oral health services with primary health care and delivery are offered. (Author/MSE)

This monograph is the result of a study group on the rehabilitation service needs of unserved and underserved people with disabilities, especially those who are hard of hearing or have epilepsy. The first chapter discusses the criteria of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) for determining that members of a particular group are…

This paper describes the distinct strengths and weaknesses of special education in rural schools and discusses issues regarding rural education reform recommendations, such as inadequate resources, parental involvement, and use of rigidly interpreted performance standards. Preventive service delivery systems are recommended, and several policy…

The concept of public marketing presents a strategy for the systems approach to community development that would facilitate the community decision making process via improved communication. Basic aspects of the social marketing process include: (1) product policy; (2) channels of distribution; (3) pricing (perceived price vs quality and quantity…

Coordination of early intervention for children with disabilities is discussed, including barriers to interagency coordination. A 2-year study of 6 diverse states identified 13 ways in which public agencies are different from one another. Recommendations are offered to assist agencies to develop a coordinated service system. (Author/SW)

The Blue Ribbon Committee at Utah State University (USU) was charged with the study of information systems, telecommunications, and library services at the university, and challenged to look for ways to better manage, coordinate, and capitalize on both opportunity and investment in telecommunication and information technology and resources. The…

This report describes individual state projects under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act) that are addressing the needs and barriers identified by citizens with disabilities. Systems change activities are described under the following topics: (1) changes through policy and legislation; (2) changes…

This study attempted to describe and explain the different approaches taken by policymakers in a diverse group of states, as they seek to implement Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provides federal mandates and aid to assist states in planning and developing comprehensive multidisciplinary, interagency, coordinated…

This policy brief synthesizes the proceedings of a symposium on children and family services, focusing on elements of successful collaboration among human services agencies. In the first section of the brief, the meaning of collaboration in the family services context is clarified, and ways in which the current focus on collaboration differs from…

West Virginia's school improvement plan, emphasizing learning outcomes, mandates excellent education for all students. Following an executive summary, this paper discusses, first, the conflict between excellence and equity in educational reform, and West Virginia's intent to resolve that conflict; second, the legal foundations of the master plan,…