Discusses why some schools chose the dial access retrieval system medium, how it was utilized and modified, and why it succeeded or failed. (EKN)

Presents a flow chart for turning good ideas into complete proposals before proposing them. The process involves clarifying the idea and assessing its current practicality, value for the program, compatibility with policy, implications, costs, funding sources, and implementation time requirements. (PGD)

Advocates adoption workers receive perinatal education so that they may be more competent in placing special needs children. Suggests a perinatal inservice program for social workers which would bridge the gap from the clinical practice setting of perinatal centers to the child welfare arena. (Author/CM)

Examines the fate of 25 innovative instructional programs implemented in 1971-73 as a result of state legislation. Arrives at seven conclusions about why some programs (seven) were still in existence eight years later and why others were not. (IRT)

Describes a British Columbian demonstration project which employed permanent planning to reduce foster care drift. (Author/MP)

Offers information on the 1977 law passed by the Minnesota legislature which supported adoptive parents' right to open the sealed birth certificates of their adopted children. (CM)

Clarifies and defines various terms used in the language of adoption. (CM)

Promotion of innovations is enhanced by understanding market segments and their different needs. The Innovativeness-Stages matrix is a way of identifying market segments by their receptiveness to innovation and stage in the adoption process. (SK)

Notes the complex and emotive nature of surrogate motherhood. Describes a surrogacy arrangement that was apparently based initially on a clear agreement and partnership, but developed into a disputed adoption application when the surrogate mother became dissatisfied with contact arrangements. (HTH)

Article explores parents' reactions now that their adopted children are school age. The research revealed changes in the openness in the adoptions over time and identified four dimensions along which open adoptions vary. Findings showed parents' enthusiasm for the openness in their adoptions, regardless of type and extent of openness. Implications…

Through a qualitative investigation at six U.S. colleges and universities, identified key strategies that led to the adoption of new mental models, including ongoing conversations, processes to develop a set of concrete concepts, the use of cross-departmental working groups, public presentations, faculty and staff development opportunities, and…

Grouped pregnant teens in a social services agency according to those who: (1) followed through with a parenting plan; (2) followed through with an adoption plan; and (3) switched from an adoption to a parenting plan. Teens who switched (one-third of the population) were identified as high-risk in terms of health histories and psychosocial…

Examined pregnant adolescents' choice of adoption. Found that adolescents with mothers who favored adoption and those who had few parenting peer models were more likely to choose adoption. Age, knowledge of peers who had chosen adoption, grades in schools, involvement in comprehensive adolescent pregnancy program, and participation in individual…

Explored Hispanic children's experience of transethnic adoption using two groups of families: a group of 30 White families who had adopted Mexican American children and a group of 30 Mexican American families who had adopted Mexican American children. Found differences between the two groups. Delineates potential psychological and ethnic dilemmas…

Conducted descriptive study in which 12 Black families shared their ideas about adoptive parenthood. Found most common reason for adopting was inability to have children biologically. Found need for post-adoptive services for Black families on an as-needed basis. Recommends adoption agencies and communities build on positive experiences of Black…