This monograph provides a framework for programs, states, and organizations to think about the issues in developing culturally competent programs for families of children with special needs, and offers a variety of examples from programs across the country that are providing exemplary services. The monograph is designed to help program makers…

A series of self-study questions is presented to examine policy and practice issues important in developing culturally competent programs for children with special needs and their families. Cultural competence refers to a program's ability to honor and respect the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, and behaviors both of families who are…

This publication provides background information on financing and programming for persons with developmental disabilities to assist state legislators in making public policy and funding decisions. The booklet is in a question-and-answer format and covers the following topics: (1) definition of developmental disabilities and factors of concern to…

This final report describes a project in Vermont which developed, implemented, evaluated, and disseminated a program development model for establishing new, and for improving existing, comprehensive early childhood special education services to young (birth to 5 years) children with disabilities and their families in rural settings. The model…

The report describes the population of children in Australia with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, notes their needs and characteristics, reviews their school placement and social circumstances, and considers future educational services for them. Initial chapters review the literature on medical, psychoeducational, and social-family aspects of…

Seven papers focus on issues in identification and educational program planning for children with emotional disturbances. "Social Policy Issues in Special Education and Related Services for Emotionally Disturbed Children and Youth" (J. Kauffman), touches on problems with the federal definition of and terminology about the emotionally…

This handbook, the second volume in a series of three publications on distance education, presents guidelines on structures and strategies in organizations and the processes of materials development. A checklist of specific items is included for each topic addressed. The first guidelines are addressed to policymakers and senior administrators and…

The curricular and extracurricular responsibilities of teaching in a small school district require uniquely prepared teachers. Rural teachers often need additional background in instructional methods for teaching reading, content areas other than their specialty, discipline techniques, use of community resources, and individualized diagnosis and…

A public policy seminar discussed how to match small towns and small computers. James K. Coyne, Special Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Private Sector Initiatives, offered opening remarks and described a database system developed by his office to link organizations and communities with small computers to…

In spite of some initial disappointments, the large number of publications and government services devoted to prevention suggests that preventive mental health has established its place in the mental health delivery system. Prevention is broadly defined as an attempt to reduce the prevalence of a disorder. Traditionally, prevention has been…

Literature on the topic of preparing teachers for mainstreaming was reviewed, with focus on research and writings involving: (1) teacher attitudes toward mainstreaming; (2) teachers' expressed needs in regard to mainstreaming; (3) development of preservice education programs which provide a base of knowledge and experience in mainstreaming; (4)…

This paper presents a new spiral-ecological approach to counselor supervision, founded on the basis of a collaborative and facilitative relationship aimed at the promotion of skills acquisition, cognitive development, and personal growth. A brief review of the literature summarizes trainee, site, and supervisor factors that influence training…

This report summarizes the third phase of the Telecommunications Information Network (TIN), which provides a telecommunications link between four remote southwest Ohio hospitals and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, thereby reducing the isolation of healthcare providers at the remote hospitals. A description of the system explains the…

This guide is based on the principles and methods used at Rise, Incorporated, a sheltered workshop providing successful industry-integrated programs for handicapped persons. It is intended to serve as a model both for existing service providers who are interested in retooling their program in the direction of industrial work services and other…

The regular education initiative is a recent movement away from special education for students with learning and behavior problems. Leaders and advocates from the fields of school psychology, special education, and compensatory education have argued that the current within-child disability approach to serving students experiencing academic or…