Prompted from several directions, the Stone Foundation sponsored this exploratory workshop on community self-help and mutual aid efforts. The purposes identified for the conference were: (1) to enhance the functions of self-help groups by creating new opportunities for them to learn from others; (2) to find ways to share more widely what is known…

Suggests that one of the reasons why many of the older self-help organizations rejected professional help may be that the help that was offered was of the more authoritarian variety. (Author/AM)

Suggests that no issue on the domestic scene has greater importance for women than full employment because the potential gains for women are immense when the economy moves into high gear and there are jobs enough for all who are willing able and seeking work. (Author/AM)

Critical reasons for frustration and circularity in the formulation and implementation of mental health policy are analyzed. The primary reason proposed is the lack of equal, systematic and structurally-reinforced participation of mental health services consumers and their communities in the planning and implementing of policy and programs. This…

Notes that Rosen's concern with consumer effects produced by behavior therapy self-help programs is to be lauded, but that some problems are best left to the judgment of the public, rather than of those who would look after it. (Author/AM)

Notes that while self-help groups are an important and encouraging development, they are more often a response to symptoms than to the underlying problems. (Author/AM)

Described is an empowerment and self-advocacy training program for individuals with disabilities and parents of young children with disabilities, called Partners in Policymaking. Discussed are first-year activities, program evaluation data from participants, and both quantitative and qualitative short-term outcome data collected from first-year…

Suggestions are made for establishing a policy for prohibiting smoking on school property. First, a working committee for policy formation should be established. This committee should consist of representatives from all populations affected: students, teachers, parents, staff, bus drivers, cooks, administrators, and union and community…

Beginning with a definition of open learning as flexible learning systems in which people study how, when, and where it suits them, this summary reports on activities of the Council of Educational Technology (CET) that are designed to promote open learning systems; explains different forms of open learning systems, such as flexistudy, learning by…

This report describes the proceedings of a three-day workshop on community-based rehabilitation (CBR) models and training in India. The workshop included 72 professionals from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Sessions and papers from the workshop are summarized and address the following topics: (1) a training module for the…

This report synthesizes the discussions and the recommendations of a conference on lifelong learning held at Wingspread (Racine, Wisconsin) in November, 1980. Co-sponsored by the National Retired Teachers Association, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Commission on Education for Aging of the Adult Education Association/USA, the…

A study examined key dimensions of the pattern of learning and enterprise culture change relating to provision of training and learning services for small businesses in Australia. Barriers to training were both demand- and supply-side factors. Research showed the significance of informal learning that occurs in workplaces of small firms but was…