This paper outlines a set of "best practice" criteria for designing and evaluating early intervention programs for special needs infants and toddlers, from an international perspective. The paper recommends that early intervention programs be based on six principal values: community coherence, cultural sensitivity, right to services, family…

This article discusses principles and procedures of collaborative intervention in delivering educational services for children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The article presents examples of metacognitive-communicative intervention that can be carried out through collaboration across the school day and describes episodes of collaborative…

A resource cost methodology was used to obtain estimates of the cost of 11 early intervention programs for children, aged birth through five, with disabilities. Factors that had the greatest influence on cost were program duration and frequency of service, staff-child ratio, geographic location, and volunteer resources. (Author/JDD)

Comparison of 73 special education teachers providing direct instructional services and 43 educators providing mostly indirect services found that both teaching efficacy and personal efficacy were related to instructionally relevant effective teaching components. Type of service (direct or indirect) was not significantly correlated with either…

A national survey examined opinions of state directors of special education and special education teacher educators (n=118) about generic teacher preparation. Findings supported the value of generic teacher preparation for teachers of mildly handicapped students and identified unresolved issues including the impact of such programs on service…

This paper notes developments in supported employment practices and the manner in which support organizations, employees with disabilities, and companies interact. The paper then reconceptualizes supported employment and the role of employers. The reconceptualized approach involves such techniques as extending support to employer personnel and…

Explores where the responsibility for information resources management (IRM) can lie, identifying entities which might carry IRM tasks: (1) individuals; (2) departments; (3) institutions; and (4) markets. It is argued that the IRM function should be located at the department level, and that associated departmental costs may be overshadowed by the…

This article describes efforts in Colorado to develop collaborative relationships among educators to better meet needs of students with disabilities. The article stresses the importance of developing common understanding, developing a full array of services within the delivery system, and addressing school scheduling issues. (JDD)

Surveyed by mail the preference patterns of 326 Florida small farm operators for obtaining information through extension programs. Confirmatory factor analysis verified the presence of a lower cost preference pattern (mass media) and two higher cost patterns, one focused on individual consultation and the other on group educational activities.…

A model for assessing the needs of the rural elderly based on the goal of empowerment is described and evaluated through a case study in Pennsylvania. Overall, the 63 community workers positively evaluated the needs assessment data derived through the model. Ways to enhance the model are discussed. (SLD)

Efforts to revolutionize the child welfare system must consider social trends and forces. Encouraging trends that child welfare reformers might be able to harness include biotechnology, availability of medical care, gender equality, awareness of parenting skills, and service sector growth. Discouraging trends include increasing rate of divorce and…

Surveyed parents of young children in a rural area of Australia to determine why some children were not sent to kindergarten and to enumerate service delivery preferences of parents with children in kindergarten. Also presented are results of a survey of kindergarten teachers' attitudes toward changes in delivery of kindergarten services. (KS)

Explores the dimensions of confidentiality in nondyadic situations. Offers guidelines for practicing counselors regarding counseling as part of multidisciplinary team; coordination of services, referral, and placement; mandated services; supervision; and client advocacy. (Author/ABL)

The paper discusses the interaction of learning disabilities with the typical developmental tasks of adolescence and adulthood. Typical high school programs (resource room and segregated classroom models) are reviewed to determine how services can better meet the needs of this age group. (Author/DB)

The article examines the partnership between the Canadian government and nonprofit organizations in delivering rehabilitation services to blind/visually impaired adults. Discussed are legislation, concessions to blind persons, services of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, special equipment, dog guide schools, consumer groups, and the…