The study was designed to review autism-associated policies, describe policy characteristics, and determine potential policy gaps compared with the recommendations set by the World Health Organization. Autism-associated policies in 15 government agencies and public institutions were thoroughly searched on ministry websites up to December 2022,…

The COVID-19 pandemic offers policymakers the opportunity to rethink early childhood education and childcare in America, and to do a better job of aligning services with the needs and preferences of families. The availability of suitable childcare--affordable and convenient with adequate hours in a desirable environment--is a key component of…

This study, jointly conducted by the University of Warwick Institute for Employment Research (IER) and SQW Ltd., discusses the UK Government's intention to accelerate the process of ceding more responsibility for delivering a range of services to the local level. The logic is that local actors are better placed to identify local priorities. This…

This blueprint focuses on the policies that connect professional development activities and that support and make possible an effective implementation of a state system of professional development. It highlights policy principles and essential policy areas that build or sustain an integrated system--a system that ensures quality in all settings in…

The authors support the assertion that counseling psychology expertise should be present at all levels of therapeutic activity that may benefit persons who live with chronic health conditions. They consider the impact of the increasing rates of chronic health conditions on health care systems, society, and health service professions. In order for…

This paper serves as the introduction to the State Children's Cabinets and Councils Series, a set of reports intended to capture and organize the decisions and experiences of more than 20 children's cabinets and councils and present them against an emerging set of expectations about what the public and policy makers could and should expect from…

The knowledge, skills, and practices of early childhood care providers and teachers are critical factors in their delivery of high-quality developmental and educational experiences to young children. However, studies have found that the majority of professionals that make up the current early childhood workforce are not adequately prepared. Recent…

This book examines disability related housing and support services in Canada. It describes the major sources of funding supporting these services and analyzes associated problems. A variety of policy options for improving the availability and quality of disability-related housing and support services is offered. The first chapter briefly describes…

Consent engineering is a consultative approach used by public policy-makers to secure the legitimacy of proposed policy changes by involving representative interest groups in decision making. Using the example of five reorganizing secondary schools in Victoria, Australia, this article outlines the circumstances obviating consent engineering at the…

A hearing was held to explore the issue of child care. Opening remarks identifed potentially troublesome issues. Questions considered included: Should money go to parents or providers? Who will regulate and who will be regulated? Should any particular form of care be preferred? What is the magnitude of the child care problem? How much financial…

Defines handicapism "as a set of assumptions and practices that promote the differential and unequal treatment of people because of apparent or assumed physical, mental, or behavioral differences.""Demonstrates how handicapism manifests itself in personal interaction, in the organizational structure of the larger society, and in human service…

This article discusses aspects of the concept of quality of life that impact on policy development and habilitation services for persons with intellectual disability. The article contends that quality of life should not be viewed as an individual score for a person but in the larger context of a guiding principle that underlies the development,…

This study was designed to identify major issues of access to health insurance and health-related services for persons with disabilities and to develop recommendations that reflect a disability perspective on how these issues can be addressed. Findings and recommendations of the study are based on a review of the literature and testimony from over…

Join Together convened a panel of experts to review U.S. policies for addiction treatment and recovery. Although the panel reached an agreement on six recommendations for policy changes that can make help more accessible and expand treatment to more people. These recommendations are: (1) treatment for alcoholism and other drug addiction must be…

Wisconsin's Task Force on Early Education, Child Care, and Family Involvement identified the early education, child care, and family support services that will be needed in coming years and determined how these services should be implemented and coordinated. The task force began its work with an invitational conference involving about 100…