The author, a federal manager who leads development and maintenance of evaluation for specific public health programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tells the story of developing an evaluation unit in the Office on Smoking and Health. Lessons about managing evaluation, including his practices and related principles, are…

The Network for a Healthy California (Network) employs a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify the target audience and plan program activities because GIS is a powerful tool for assisting in data integration and planning. This paper describes common uses of GIS by Network contractors as well as demonstrating the possibilities of GIS as a…

There are relatively few major federal programs focused directly on advancing a systemic approach to mental health in schools. One such program is the U.S. Department of Education's grant program entitled: "Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems." Established in 2005, the program has funded 51 projects and is in the process of funding…

In this study of the current state of evaluation of health programs, which emphasizes the relationship between health status and poverty, four health programs are examined: Family Planning, Neighborhood Health Centers, Migrant Health Programs, and Comprehensive Health Services for Children and Youth. The study shows that the current health…

A preliminary investigation of school health education planning in 159 Health Systems Agencies was conducted. The role of health educators, sources of assistance available for the development of new programs, and the future of comprehensive health planning are discussed. (JN)

During the past three decades, there has been an increase in knowledge about early childhood development. Early experiences can function as either risk factors or protective factors for a child's future health and development. This has led to concern about how current health systems contribute to the quality of the earliest experiences of life.…

These guides provide orientation and advanced training for Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) personnel. The Trainee Workbook consists of exercises that help trainees to better conceptualize their jobs and learn how to explain EPSDT to clients. Material is included on task analysis, publicity, eligibility…

The prevention planning process pursued within the National Institute of Mental Health in 1978 is described and related to federal proposals on primary prevention program planning in the mental health field. The conceptual frameworks and parameters of prevention planning are cited, along with the specific new prevention initiatives to be…

The community mental health movement started with the purpose of providing services dealing with problems and issues specific to individual communities. As the movement grew, it took on the responsibility of delivering services to the "underserved" populations of this country, including children, the elderly, minority groups, and rural-area…

These three booklets present information about selected aspects of the Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program. A brief history of the development of the EPSDT program, a description of administrative structure at the national, state and local levels, and a description of the lifestyle typical of many EPSDT…

The purpose of this paper is to specify the design for evaluating the second year Health Start Program. This design is used as the basis for the determination of the data to be collected and the comparisons that will be made using these data to provide information to answer the policy questions asked by the Office of Child Development (OCD). For…

This document is the first part of a comprehensive study designed to review existing data about child development and the evaluation data of programs for children in order to propose recommendations for Federal program planning. Two major goals of the work reported in this section (Volume 1 are: (1) to arrive at an adequate definition of…

This guide is designed for individuals working in community mental health centers or other mental health programs concerned with needs and problems of the elderly. Section One examines the mental health needs of the elderly, and identifies major community social support programs that help the elderly with social and economic needs. Section Two…

The purpose of this booklet is to provide answers to basic questions about the Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. The first section argues that the need for EPSDT is evidenced in statistics on the health status of needy children. Provision of health care for many needy children depends on their…

This project provides school authorities with the stimulus and funds to take leadership, on behalf of children living in circumstances of poverty, in utilizing the participation of parents and bringing about coordination between the school and community agencies providing services to meet the physical and mental health, and nutritional and…