Needs assessment is the process of identifying the gap between a target population's needs and its services. If a gap exists, a program can be designed to effectively respond to those needs. This article explores the needs of elderly African immigrants in Minnesota through the use of qualitative interviews. A convenience sampling was used to…

In Nova Scotia as in much of Canada, early intervention service providers for young children with special needs are predominantly independent non-profit organizations which, although subject to government regulation, may or may nor receive government financial support. Basic information about who provides and uses services, the types of services…

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 community-based participatory research (CBPR) project utilized a mixed-methods survey design to identify urban (Tulsa, OK) American Indian (AI) strengths and needs. Six hundred fifty AIs (550 adults and 100 youth) were surveyed regarding their attitudes and beliefs about their community. These results were used in conjunction with other…

This monograph reports on a study concerning client acceptance and rates of rehabilitation in vocational programs for individuals who are blind. In this study, a national survey of state agencies for the blind examined characteristics of different agencies and developed classification criteria to distinguish agencies into logical groups based on…

An instructional videoconference (IVC) is an interactive delivery mechanism for long-distance communication and education, which uses 2-way audio and 1- or 2-way video to facilitate interaction between presenters and learners who are separated by significant distance. This guide, intended for the staff of federal, state, and local programs that…

The fundamental question for those concerned with high quality services for people with severe disabilities is how resources can best be used to assist these individuals to live better lives. The question of how to assist in creation of better lives tests and builds leadership. Leadership involves mobilizing people's resources to make progress on…

This document was prepared to support school districts in the process of implementing Oregon administrative regulations regarding gifted student education. Elements are listed that should be included in school district policies relating to the education of gifted students. A step-by-step program planning outline is suggested, from establishing a…

This document describes an interactive television (ITV) distance education network designed to service rural schools. Phase one of the network involved the installation of over 14 miles of fiber optic cable linking two high schools, a career center, and the University of Rio Grande; phase two will bring seven high schools in economically depressed…

The current standard in providing residential services for individuals with severe disabilities favors serving small groups of people with similar levels of assistance needs in ordinary housing units, which are owned or leased by nonprofit agencies, funded by a mix of federal and state funds, and employ shift workers who provide professionally…

This report focuses on interagency collaboration in the delivery of social services to children and families. Section I discusses the "why" and "what" of collaboration and family service centers. It addresses the common questions of potential collaborators who may have little or no background information on the subject. Section II offers steps,…

This booklet focuses on the role of interagency agreements in facilitating the transition of young children and their families from early intervention services to preschool services as children turn 3 years of age. Interagency agreements can be viewed as an "invisible brace" supporting families and staff as they consider many issues in moving from…

A survey of Virginia's local school divisions was conducted to obtain data on the number of students in Virginia with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the nature of the services provided to them. A definition of traumatic brain injury is presented, and disorders resulting from TBI are listed, followed by a list of services required by this…

This directory offers a list of providers, planners, and researchers involved in respite care services for families with children who are mentally retarded, behaviorally disturbed, or physically disabled. The directory, based on information available as of October 1989, lists over 1,800 respite care providers and their addresses and telephone…

The report describes an attempt to develop a cost-effective/program-effective service delivery model for providing special education to mildly handicapped students in Bellevue, Washington. Objectives include: needs assessment; analysis of delivery system options and fiscal resources; and establishment of delivery system priorities, evaluative…