Presents practical guidelines for starting a family center in a school as a place set aside for making the school accessible and helpful to family members and encouraging involvement in their children's learning. Funding, cultural sensitivity, activities, transforming the school culture, and outreach are discussed. (SLD)

The validity of self-reported drug use as a measure of behavioral change for evaluation of drug use prevention and human immunovirus risk reduction programs was examined, using responses of 154 subjects. Results suggest that self-reports of drug use are accurate enough for measuring risk behavior change in program participants. (SLD)

Discussion of the information gap between urban and rural areas focuses on Rural Information Centers that were developed by the Department of Agriculture. Highlights include cooperative efforts, examples from various states, rural information needs, electronic access, state-level cooperation, and information outreach. (LRW)

Analyzes the development and implementation of a teen hotline that utilizes skilled student volunteers. A comprehensive and meaningful training program combined with a high level of acceptance among the general youth population resulted in a valuable service for both the client callers and the student volunteers. (RJM)

Through a review of literature, information-seeking characteristics of multiethnic groups are identified. Discusses barriers to communication in libraries, program development for patrons for whom English is a second language, needs assessments, outreach, training, and recruitment. (AEF)

Describes efforts of the Los Angeles Community College District's three most affected campuses to help rebuild Los Angeles in the wake of the 1992 riots. Discusses sensitivity gatherings, new job development partnerships with business and government, community outreach, and the district's long-term commitment to the city. (DMM)

Describes the approaches, advantages, and challenges of the Science Outreach program, a broad-based, coordinated effort aimed at increasing the science literacy of diverse societal groups. Discusses staff development workshops, modified science fairs, scientists in residence, grants awarded for the program, outreach to the public-at-large, and…

Three successful college-community relations programs include weekly televised conversations between president, students, faculty, and staff (University of Michigan); a neighborhood outreach and college awareness program (Virginia Wesleyan College); and a conference to help campus and community understand motives of and reactions to prejudice and…

This article proposes a model of distance education for schools of social work. The model involves use of videotapes, an on-site discussion leader/field instructor, computers, and direct observation by field instructors. Possible problems are addressed as are evaluation concerns and policy issues. (DB)

Briefly describes Amish history and culture, the Metzenbaum Center for special needs children in Geauga County (Ohio) and grounded theory approach to investigation of the center's success in gaining trust of Amish. Results of seven interviews indicate that the Center's outreach success is due to repeated home visits by center staff and a support…

The revival of exhibitions has been occasioned in part by a wave of renovations taking place in libraries across the country. Exhibitions of library materials promote awareness and use of library collections and can serve as a "hook" to stimulate reading. Public response to library exhibition programs in major cities is enthusiastic. (SD)

Five winning guideposts that facilitate development and maintenance of a strong community relations program are climate building, confidence building, team building, image building, and commitment building. The influence of community relations on public education support bases depends immensely on personal and group interrelationships and the…

One goal of the Success for All program is that each student in high poverty schools will achieve at or near grade level by the third grade. Describes and gives the rationale behind the program's Family Support Team component, which is concerned with attendance intervention, home visits, parent involvement, and integration with community agencies.…

Describes a staff development program designed to assist financial aid personnel in handling interpersonal difficulties encountered in the workplace. Program phases include a large group outreach workshop, a customized inservice for financial aid, and short-term counseling. Discusses effectiveness of program as well as connection to other student…

This article describes the Vision Outreach Project--a pilot project of the University of Alabama at Birmingham for training teachers of visually impaired students. The project produced video modules to provide distance education in rural and urban areas. The modules can be used to complete degree requirements or in-service training and continuing…