Provides an overview of initial evaluative findings from a central component of a statewide, large-scale educational reform initiative, the Kentucky Family Resource and Youth Service Centers. Describes goals and strategies of the evaluation, with discussion of particular challenges this program presents for educators. Provides summary of…

Discussion of library activities at the Bensenville (Illinois) Public Library to promote lifelong learning focuses on services to the Hispanic community, including defining the target audience; family literacy programs, including home visits to help explain and promote library activities; and community involvement. (LRW)

Summarizes findings of a survey of eight First Nation (Canada Native) communities concerning the provision of child and family services. The results identify important differences concerning the causality of child welfare problems, the definition of key child welfare concepts, and the place of cultural values and practices in intervention. (MDM)

Discusses the School of the 21st Century model for school-based and school-linked service provision, which has been implemented in over 300 schools to provide high-quality services to children from birth through age 12. Includes preliminary results of a three-year outcome evaluation of one program. (MDM)

Examines the proposal to assign the child protective investigative function to law enforcement agencies, while maintaining the family service function in the child welfare system. Reviews the national experience with the separation of income maintenance and social services in public welfare, advising extreme caution in the implementation of this…

Compared the application of intensive family preservation services (IFPS) to reunify children in out-of-home care placement with their biological families, with the same service used for preventing the need for such placements. Suggests that the relative usage of specific services and service goals confirmed the continuation of the original model.…

Focuses on current knowledge of families' involvement in intensive family preservation services. Identifies gaps in knowledge pertaining to the context of service delivery, the theory of family preservation practice, the process of service delivery, and the conceptualization and meaning of service outcomes. Suggests that gaps might be…

This survey of seven hearing families with deaf children examined parent understanding of Signed English and American Sign Language, reasons for choosing Signed English, experiences with professionals and with other deaf adults, challenges of developing fluency in Signed English, and parental evaluation of the results of their use of Signed…

Drug-exposed infants are having a profound impact on the child welfare system. When community resources are not available to meet the needs of these children and families, requirements of current child welfare laws cannot be met. The range of services necessary for effective child welfare responses is discussed. (SLD)

Presents remarks on welfare reform by Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services, at the National Job Opportunity and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) Directors Conference. Four basic principles that guide current work on welfare reform are (1) making work pay; (2) improving child support enforcement; (3) strengthening education and…

California's approach to developing programmatic and administrative models for the implementation of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) in providing services to young handicapped children is discussed. The models focus on implementing recognized best practices as well as changing state policy and administrative structure to enhance…

Explores four questions: (1) definitions of the terms empowerment, disempowerment, and parent empowerment; (2) whether parents need to be empowered and the stresses and conditions that disempower them; (3) the role early care and education services play in the empowerment or disempowerment of parents; and (4) how government regulations provide…

Makes recommendations for raising happy, achieving children, focusing on the role of parents and teachers. Discusses how parents and teachers build child self-esteem and how they can support one another. Presents positive discipline suggestions for teachers and parents. Outlines the importance of applying brain research findings in child rearing.…

Statewide study of 455 Ohio children who received family preservation or reunification services found that the homeless child was more likely to be a child of color, to be younger, to have problems maintaining a bond with parents, and to be in a relative's home, and less likely to have behavior problems or successful service outcomes. Contains 22…

This reaction to an article (Bailey, 2001) that describes three potential levels of accountability for providing family support in early intervention and preschool programs, recommends helping all family members of children with disabilities, helping parents identify programs in the community, and identifying the most appropriate professionals for…