This commentary reviews three articles linked together by two themes (a) the use of cultural adaptation of evidence-based practices to reduce disparities in health and services delivery and (b) the importance of collaboration involving intervention developers, practitioners, and consumers when delivering services. Both themes illustrate a process…

"School Psychology: A Blueprint for Training and Practice III" (Ysseldyke et al., 2006) continues an over 20-year tradition of reenvisioning school psychology. This latest edition focuses with great clarity on school psychology as, ideally, a profession devoted to the prevention of school-based difficulties for children and capacity building for…

Describes a research model designed to investigate the shift in the care delivery site from the acute care institution to the home and community. Transitional care may soon become familiar jargon in community health care. (JOW)

In this reaction article to the Major Contribution, the merits and challenges of implementing patient-centered culturally sensitive health care, or cultural competence plus, are explicated. Three themes are addressed: separate but equal?, factoring in mental health, and sharing the load. The need to refine the conceptualization of the two…

Background: This paper considers some economic aspects of a therapy and support service for people with stroke and aphasia. This material was part of a broader evaluation of the service, which is reported elsewhere (van der Gaag et al. 2005, van der Gaag and Mowles 2005). Aims: The purpose of this part of the study was to investigate the…

Although universal school-wide support efforts are sufficient for most students, some children need more specialized and intensive supports. These supports are organized into programmatic structures such as alternative programs, special education, and Title programs. However, as Atkins, Graczyk, Frazier, and Abdul-Adil (2003) have described, an…

In light of national health care reform proposals, discusses complex world of managed care and managed competition, described as separate but related structures for financing and delivering health and mental health care. Concludes that any debate on national health care must be predicated on health care as a right and social utility, not as…

This article urges a reexamination of the concept of dissemination of health-related prevention programs. The article discusses factors that serve as sustaining conditions for dissemination of prevention programs including: (1) the nature of preventive intervention and parameters of effective community-based prevention praxis; (2) aspects of the…

Among 10 principles arising from a symposium on health services for mentally retarded persons in the community are the need for: multiple options for health care delivery; a stable primary care "medical home"; a health care network; presence of resource centers for specialty care; and establishment of a health care clearinghouse. (DB)

Takes three presentations from American Public Health Association meeting as point of departure from which to consider how health maintenance organizations (HMOs) organize and deliver mental health services to members. Recommends that HMOs work toward parity in coverage of mental and medical conditions, just as they do not discriminate in coverage…

Health care and other human service programs exhibit disparities and inequalities in services and rising costs. A broader focus in program evaluation is needed. Evaluation studies should determine how well programs work as well as identify and consider alternatives. (JOW)

Problems with the current values framework of health care services and delivery are examined, and it is proposed that health care reform efforts should incorporate the values of fair access to resources and services, personal responsibility for both health and health care costs, and a sense of community. (MSE)

Over the years, the nursing educational system has prepared nurses for the many settings in which health care is delivered. As health care shifts from a fragmented system of disparate providers and payers to integrated management systems, nurses and other health care professionals are experiencing tremendous changes. The nursing education system…

Responsibility for maintaining public health should be shared by government, health service workers, and educated consumers. (JD)