A survey of directors of 61 Texas early intervention programs found that directors felt that program improvement should be the main reason for program evaluation efforts, that evaluating program goals and child progress are the most feasible strategies, and that evaluating program quality and family progress are the most difficult strategies. (DB)

This paper explores the origins, differences, and similarities of community-based rehabilitation, which developed in southern countries, and independent living, which developed in northern countries, for persons with disabilities. Although both approaches share a broad definition of rehabilitation and values emphasizing community and consumer…

The Special Education and Treatment Program in Frederick County, Maryland, uses storytelling as a connection between reading and healing for elementary-age children with serious emotional disturbances. Increased academic and emotional development is achieved through interagency cooperation, curriculum compacting, academic follow-up, therapeutic…

Describes a pilot study to help develop instruments appropriate for a full-scale assessment of the Blacksburg, Virginia, community network. A brief overview of the methods employed in the pilot evaluation is given. The results of focus group interviews, lessons learned, and future plans are presented. The 17-item focus group questionnaire is…

This paper outlines challenges for community research endeavors such as avoiding exploitative relationships with research participants. It then outlines 10 values for community research and action, involving establishing collaborative relationships with research participants, determining research goals and methods, designing and disseminating…

This response to previous symposium papers (EC 604 155-161) concerning regulations and quality assurance in Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) sees regulations as the bureaucratization of values, identifies paradoxes implicit in regulatory controls, and urges reform of the current developmental disability service…

This examination of the successful community placement of 15 medically fragile individuals with profound mental retardation and complex epilepsy found that simplification of anticonvulsants, early intervention for seizures, and improved staff education resulted in fewer seizures, decreases in emergency room visits for status seizures and…

Provides an overview of a seven-step process in the development of a cooperative school and community incentive program designed to increase safety belt use among high school students. The process involved community leaders, school officials, students, and local law enforcement personnel in its design, implementation, and evaluation. (GLR)

Describes pilot test of survey of grocery store product displays to measure the amount of health education information provided and the proportion of the display devoted to "healthier" products. Finds that inter-rate reliability ranged between 0.73 and 0.78 for the healthiness indices and between 0.30 and 0.67 for the health education measures.…

Establishing community-based rehabilitation projects for visually impaired populations in developing countries in the South Pacific presents challenges in communication, logistics, security, and other factors. Program development must consider differences in geography, population distribution, resources, cultural and religious values, and needs.…

This rejoinder to several commentaries on a paper (EC 231 901) on the theory-practice relationship in the care and education of mentally retarded individuals discusses the degree to which setting is the service versus a part of the service, differences between researchers and practitioners, and the role of science and scientists. (JDD)

Describes a literacy project (Preschooler's Outreach Program) sponsored by a public library and staffed by students from the children's literature classes at a Texas university. Shows that college students participating in this project have unique insights into literacy acquisition among young children and are able to put into immediate practice…

Examines self-regulation as a nonacademic outcome of schooling and assesses school- and community-based programs and practices intended to promote self-regulation. Examines how self-regulation develops and is supported within and across three types of person-context interactions. Explores implications for cultural enrichment and social…

Describes efforts in South Florida to address school safety in eight troubled urban schools. The Coalition for Community Empowerment offered at-risk youth and their families a community-based program focused on strengthening family-support systems and maximizing the use of community resources through effective partnerships. (SLD)

Presents challenges faced by universities experimenting with interprofessional programs to better prepare professionals to tackle complex problems faced by children and families: (1) overcoming compartmentalization of professional schools, (2) learning to be effective partners with communities, and (3) reconceptualizing the nature of professional…