This paper presents principles that should be considered in planning and interpreting studies of outcomes of interventions with children receiving mental health services. Principles to consider when planning outcome studies include recognizing that "outcome" refers to multiple rather than single domains and choosing outcome domains that…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that investigated whether a self-contained (SC) or pull-out (PO) intervention model was the most effective and most supportive of children's behavioral gains over the course of the entire 1996/1997 year. Data were collected by reviewing the clinical records of children (ages 6-14) who participated in…

This paper evaluates two locally driven, school-based programs in Illinois that use a system of care approach to provide services for children and adolescents with, or who are at risk for, developing emotional or behavioral disturbances. These sites included a mental health early intervention pilot program in an elementary school setting, and a…

This report provides a brief overview highlighting why policymakers should expand the focus of school reform to encompass a reframing and restructuring of education support programs and services and school-community partnerships. The report also suggests ways to accomplish this. It is time for reform advocates to expand their emphasis on improving…

This final report discusses the outcomes of the Family Connections Research and Demonstration Project, a project funded by the Oregon Center for Mental Health Services to study the effectiveness of an intervention designed to address the major problems related to services initiation and continuance within the children's mental health system. The…

This report describes the implementation and first 6 months of data collection of the required performance outcome measures for children receiving mental health services in Florida, as required under Florida's 1994 Government Performance and Accountability Act. This summary is of data received from August 1996 to January 1997 and includes data for…

A quality-assessment study was conducted at a university mental health service to review diagnostic practices, using the third edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders." Diagnostic practices of the staff and problems with student record keeping are discussed.…

Proposes a framework for assessing how human service delivery systems function. Identifies factors that influence the ability of agencies to operate as a unified system. Provides an accurate picture of how services are delivered to target populations, and why various systems function as they do. (Author/JAC)

Describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a training program in the primary prevention of childhood mental disorders for caregivers, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Cites the program's positive impact, as measured by increases in participants' knowledge and skills. (Author/MJL)

Due to the changing composition of the student body, college health services are becoming increasingly important and could play an active role in student retention. Realities which need to be faced by college health services include: (1) recession and budget cuts; (2) environmental health and safety activities; and (3) the impact of national…

School health education programs should fulfill five expectations: (1) increase understanding about individual and societal health; (2) increase individuals' decision-making skills about health behaviors; (3) increase individuals' abilities to engage in conducive health behaviors; (4) help individuals in their efforts to change health behavior;…

The outcomes of deinstitutionalization programs for criminals and the mentally ill have not matched expectations. Community alternatives have become extensions of the penal system. For the chronically mentally ill, granting the negative right of freedom from organized interference has often meant denial of the right to care and attention.…

This special issue presents seven papers describing programs for children with behavioral disorders. Among topics addressed are use of role playing to foster social skills, truancy intervention, and cooperative efforts by mental health agencies and public schools. (CL)

Service utilization records, often used to determine American Indian psychiatric disorder patterns, can guide selectively focused research. A tentative psychiatric epidemiology research framework contains four major components: community collaboration, sampling techniques, instrument development, and implementation. Available from: White Cloud…

A community-based program was designed to serve as an alternative to traditional short-term hospital treatment and after-care services for the psychiatrically disabled client. Comparisons revealed significant differences in favor of this approach. A rehabilitation counselor worked half-time and was an invaluable member. (Author)