Describes effective parole appeal process for juvenile offenders, set up administratively by the Minnesota Department of Corrections in 1974. (MS)

A guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate (CASA) is appointed by a judge to speak for the child's best interests in court hearings related to allegations of child abuse or neglect. This paper examines the need for more American Indians to become involved as volunteer guardians ad litem. The first part provides historical information…

Written for parents of handicapped children in Minnesota, the booklet decribes parents' rights and responsibilities in special education. The question and answer format addresses the following topics: changing rights as a result of P.L. 94-142 (The Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; types…

The booklet presents, in English and Hmong (Southeast Asia), answers to questions concerning the rights of handicapped children and their parents. Topics addressed include a summary of changes brought about as a result of federal court decisions as well as state and federal laws, types of eligible disabilities, ages of eligibility, assessment…

Noting that obtaining facts and figures on important policy issues related to children is the critical first step toward identifying what is working and what needs improvement, this Kids Count guide is designed to help local community members find and use data on the condition of children and families in Minnesota. The guide describes how to…

The report describes evaluation activities of Minnesota's PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights) Center's "Parents Helping Parents" Program and the "COUNT ME IN" Project. Section 1 focuses on "Parents Helping Parents," a program to make parents more effective advocates for their children and to…

Describes a 4-year training program for Indian paraprofessionals as Social Work Aides to support Indian children--especially the handicapped--in a non-Indian school system. Reports positive program evaluations including high ratings for workshops and advocacy effectiveness, decreased absenteeism for students with advocate intervention, and…

This guide on transition services for Minnesota students with disabilities provides parents with information on student's rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that is available, how to obtain it, and how to improve the system to provide for transition needs that are not being met. Separate…

This booklet is designed to help Minnesota parents of young children with disabilities to find services to assist them and to help their children learn and grow. It begins by stressing the importance of parent advocacy for children with disabilities. Following sections address: (1) federal requirements for early intervention for children with…

This report summarizes the work of Minnesota's Legislative Commission on Children, Youth, and Their Families (LCCYF). The commission was established in 1991 to study state policy and legislation affecting children and their families, and to make recommendations to promote the present and future well-being of these groups. The report begins with an…

This booklet summarizes the rights and responsibilities of Minnesota parents of children with disabilities and offers guidelines on how best to advocate for their child. Introductory material briefly describes the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center and its programs. The booklet then summarizes federal court decisions,…

This report presents the Children's Defense Fund's (CDF) recommendations for spending the fiscal year 1998-1999 Minnesota state budget surplus. The intent of the CDF plan is four-fold: (1) emphasizing long-term investments in children's well-being; (2) address children's immediate health and safety concerns; (3) contribute to the continued…