Some of the clinical, social, and administrative issues raised by the Department of Health and Social Security's (DHSS) policy for developing a community psychiatric service are discussed. Questions and answers about policy implementation are also covered, as well as evaluative research findings that bear upon relevant aspects of community…

The Australian state of Victoria has adopted a privatization approach to human services that is destroying the infrastructure of community services. Without a dynamic community services core, it is difficult for social citizenship to flourish. (SK)

Despite contrasts between capitalist Hong Kong and socialist Guangzhou, the two cities' community work is similar in terms of superficial emphasis on citizen participation, maintenance of status quo, and consensus orientation. The imminent changeover in Hong Kong's sovereignty will change social welfare services in both cities. (SK)

A participatory dialogue model was used to engage a Scottish community in identifying expressed and unmet needs for children's services. The move toward a partnership model needs to be made gradually so that participatory ownership and empowerment can develop. (SK)

The authors summarize approximately two years' experience at a family counseling agency in a small town near Tel Aviv. Topics covered include (1) objectives, (2) organizational structure, (3) strategy, (4) cooperation with other agencies, and (5) effects on intra-agency relationships. (CH)

This discussion of the participation of employees, voluntary and community groups, and consumers and parents in community social services planning traces recent origins of British thinking on the subject, analyzes what social services planners can learn from physical planners, and discusses methods of participation for each type of group. (JT)

Using Kindervatter's model of nonformal education, the author interviewed community health workers in London to assess their contribution to the empowerment of community health groups. Results indicate that a minority of projects have succeeded in integrating reflection and action and are involved in an empowering process. (Author/JOW)

Key factors of a model for training community health aides are (1) extended time for updating and reinforcing skills; (2) relevance to local situations; (3) group process and interpersonal communication training; (4) practical materials; and (5) participation of physicians, local health workers, and community leaders in rural health policy…

The author argues that the importance of primary health care, with emphasis on preventive aspects of care, requires a socioeconomic and health survey of each community and that the nurse-epidemiologist would be the most effective compiler of such surveys. (MF) Baganda in Uganda was interviewed concerning perceptions of loneliness and social…

Over two decades Quebec's local health and social service centers have evolved a philosophy integrating community development into their programs. Community workers still experience marginalization, but they are striving to be recognized as members of multidisciplinary problem-solving teams. (SK)