This article discusses using existing state resources not currently used for matching purposes to leverage additional federal Medicaid funding for community services and supports for persons with mental retardation. A table is provided that lists state funds potentially available to match additional federal Medicaid funding. (Contains six…

Presents a framework to guide evaluation activities for school and community programs that attempt to improve career development outcomes for students K-16. Discusses three essential components to this framework: a comprehensive career development model for students; a framework to identify post-high school outcomes; and a program evaluation…

Discusses academic service learning, and the three key elements of such projects. Discusses the need for meaningful community service that meets needs, clear curriculum connections for students, and projects that incorporate ample time for both reflection and evaluation. Describes pairing preservice secondary teachers with high school writers.…

The Candora women's collective uses a participatory model in developing community-based programming for women. Such grassroots organizations are faced with ethical dilemmas in negotiating the interests of funding agencies, organizations, and the women served. (SK)

Discusses reasons community-based youth-serving organizations are natural settings for drug prevention programming. Is based on a three-year study of a school-based drug prevention program adapted to the Boys & Girls Club setting that serves high-risk youth. Presents strategies used to achieve success in a nonschool setting where program…

The experience of Project STAR, an early intervention program for children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and their families in Boston, Massachusetts, has revealed that successful direct service programs must be family centered and community based, must provide a comprehensive range of services, and must coordinate those services across…

Describes one community-based program designed to support and strengthen families with an identified problem of substance abuse. Discusses parents' progress in addressing their problems, reduction of risk in Project families, children's placement experience, and client satisfaction. Concludes with implications for practice with substance…

Stresses the importance of local arts, focusing on encouraging modern dance at the local level. Addresses issues such as audience participation, sense of ownership and community, and accessibility that accompanies local art. Considers the implications for K-12 modern dance education. (CMK)

Consumer outcomes and recurrent service costs were compared for 31 individuals with disabilities in group homes and 56 individuals living semi-independently in Australia. Participants living semi-independently had significantly less social dissatisfaction, used community facilities more frequently and independently, participated more in domestic…

A study of 86 adults with mental retardation living in village communities, 133 in residential campuses, and 281 in dispersed housing schemes found dispersed housing had higher costs and had greater quality of care than did residential campuses. Quality of life benefits were associated with dispersed housing and village communities. (Contains…

Studied the Community Service Writing program at San Francisco State University to explore the relationship between the knowledge students acquired in school and the knowledge they needed when writing for community-based organizations. Results for 25 students suggest that service learning program developers should attend not only to the transfer…

Discusses how local churches may be able to work with local agencies to help integrate adults with developmental disabilities into the community. The benefits of church participation and recommendations for accessing the possibility of church involvement are provided. Research needs in this area are also emphasized. (CR)

Describes the Center for Engaged Scholarship at the University of South Florida, which operates from the premise that all scholarly work has potential applications beyond academia. Its activities help faculty to partner with community groups while also meeting the expectations of their departments and disciplines. (EV)

Discusses the similarities of adult musicians' experiences in five Japanese community and company bands and the experiences encountered in the United States. Focuses on the profile of the Japanese musicians, their reasons for being musicians, the teaching methods and funding of the bands, and rehearsal/performance experiences. Addresses…

This commentary discusses the need to review priorities embodied in systems providing services to children with disabilities and their families, and how special educators are trained. It urges educators to look outside of schools to the broader community to plan for full inclusion and the supports necessary to facilitate true participation. (CR)