In the fall of 1996, Congress passed the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Bill. The bill challenges librarians to become more collaborative, encourages resource sharing and cooperation among all types of libraries, and shifts the focus of federal funding to technology. This report describes…

Suggests that guidelines serve as a model of "good practice" for program development and professional practice on the federal, state, and local level. Principal objective is to inform policy makers and decision makers of the major characteristics of comprehensive services. Includes recommendations regarding practice issues, and outlines…

Background: Coordinated school health programs (CSHPs) bring together educational and community resources in the school environment. This method is particularly important in rural areas like Kansas, where resources and trained health professionals are in short supply. Rural Stafford County, Kansas, struggles with health professional shortages and…

Summarized are the findings and recommendations of a 2-year study of all major services and service delivery systems in Nevada for persons with mental health disorders, mentally retarded persons, and abusers of alcohol and other drugs. Considered are the following areas of basic service needs: prevention of the mentally handicapping conditions,…

As alcohol-related incidents and tragedies continue to be a major concern on college campuses, researchers and college counseling center directors struggle to find the most effective alcohol prevention programs Several theories have been adapted to form the foundation of prevention programs. These programs have then been evaluated to discover…

Collaboration has become a pervasive strategy for systemic change in human services, education, government, and community agencies. Collaborative partnerships require a change in thinking and in operating. Such changes can be intimidating or threatening. In addition, other barriers must be overcome to make partnerships work. Examples of successful…

Presented are 10 papers resulting from a workshop, involving representatives from 33 state developmental disabilities councils, designed to examine common problems and issues confronting developmentally disabled citizens in rural areas. Entries include the following titles and authors: "Who, What, and Where--Studying Prevalence of Developmental…

The transportation needs of the 30% of the population living in rural America, particularly those of the elderly, handicapped, poor, isolated, young, carless, and unemployed, are more critical than the needs of their counterparts in urban areas because of the lack of rural public transportation. Yet, only about 1% of the capitol federal investment…

Procedures developed by Gwinnett County (Georgia) Public Schools to evaluate and serve the increasing number of students with medically complex needs are outlined. A medical review panel convened to address health and safety issues and requests that the school provide unique or specialized health care procedures is described, as is the development…

This report provides three case studies illustrating the characteristics and general nature of selected family support programs in socially vulnerable communities. The profile of each program provides in-depth information about how the program operates. Fundamental barriers to program development and service provision are identified, and specific…

This document reports findings on the current state of the health of young people in Missouri as documented in a study of school health. A strong recommendation is made for comprehensive school health instruction to help students learn life skills which entail self-esteem, effective communication, peer refusal techniques, decision making, and…

Education for public service programs is a good example of the successful fusion of traditional vocational and academic disciplines. (Editor)

The problems of doing family therapy in any mental health setting are well-known. Trying to get a program of family therapy established in a state hospital has its own share of problems. But it also has its payoffs. This presentation describes the establishment of a family therapy program in one state hospital, highlighting the problems and…

Methadone maintenance is a relatively new method for treating heroin addiction. Controversy and questions remain about the drug itself and its use of methadone. The author was engaged by The Drug Abuse Council to prepare these descriptions of four methadone programs and the accompanying summary. The evolution of these programs is examined, and the…

The use of paraprofessionals to fulfill the program planning functions of the college counseling office has proven effective at St. Petersburg Junior College (Clearwater Campus), Florida. Ideally, these paraprofessionals should be mature adults, have some college experience, and report to the same supervisor as do the counselors. They perform such…