Examined how services are used by children with severe learning disabilities living at home in London, England, the associated total and component costs, and parents' perceptions of their children's needs for health care. Found some evidence that costs were associated with greater children's needs as well as evidence for under-provision of formal…

Describes an expanded school mental health framework and its goal of improving the mental health status of children and adolescents through collaboration. Addresses current challenges including building advocacy, improving funding, increasing capacity, enhancing quality, and using and expanding the evidence base for mental health in schools. (SD)

Applies assumed similarity and reward-cost theories to problem of low rates of utilization of mental health and social service programs by rural Alaska Native populations. Recommends strategies of service delivery to increase utilization of needed services. Recommendations may be applicable to other rural areas. (Author/TES)

Describes the Kindergarten Intervention Program in Los Angeles, a model for recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers to help kindergarten students with special needs. Provides specific steps for initiating an early intervention mental health program using trained volunteers. (TE)

Examines the adoption of programing innovations at 118 rural mental health centers in 12 Midwestern grainbelt states. Concludes that directors' failure to innovate in response to the 1980s' rural crisis was due to scarce resources and a mentality giving precedence to existing programs, regardless of need. Contains 40 references. (SV)

An overview of research and programs aimed at primary prevention of adolescent suicide is presented. In addition to person-centered programs, institutionally oriented prevention efforts involving policy formation at the district, community, and state levels are outlined. Model programs and resources are cited. (SLD)

Suggestions for enhancing use of evaluation studies (i.e., state-level mental health programs) are presented. Steps for maximizing evaluation utilization include marketing, planning, and conducting the evaluation; developing/focusing policy questions; translating findings; and making people pay attention to the results. These are processes for…

Provides a selective review of relevant research on developmental psychopathology and its relevance for group care programming; a summary overview of major themes in residential care outcome research; and suggestions for future research on group care with implications for direct practice, service organization, and policy. (TJQ)

This study examined the congruence of child protection agencies' legal positions, court clinic recommendations, and judicial dispositions in 59 contested child maltreatment cases. Placement recommendations/decisions were highly correlated; where there was disagreement between successive evaluations, it was in the direction of enhancing family…

As the official position statement of a committee of the National Mental Health Association, this paper advocates a national mindset that finds violence simply unacceptable and supports social, health care, and community support policies that promote healthy and secure communities that will ultimately prevent violence. (SLD)

The efficacy of an Assertive Community Treatment approach in preventing jail recidivism for the mentally ill was compared with that of forensic specialist case management or referral to mental health centers. More experimental subjects (total final sample of 94) returned to jail within a year. (SLD)

Literature review indicates adoption status never really ends for any adoptive family; agencies should help whenever help is needed. For families adopting children with special needs, it is imperative help be available at all times. This involves special considerations. Kinds of services needed are discussed, and program designed to provide those…

Investigated services received, length of treatment, and outcomes of thousands of Asian-American, African-American, Mexican-American, and White clients using outpatient community mental health services. Asian Americans and Mexican Americans underutilized services. African Americans overutilized services and exhibited less positive outcomes.…

Examines rewards and costs to "natural helpers," service-providers separate from any established group. Survey of 19 rural helpers identifies lack of appreciation, time and energy loss, and emotional-spiritual fatigue as costs of helping. Suggests mental health professionals collaborate with helpers. Recommends ways of enlisting helpers'…

Discusses why gifted girls are at risk for emotional instability due to the mixed social messages they receive, the lack of mental-health services for gifted girls, and their need for specialized counseling. Urges mental-health professionals to consult with professionals in gifted education to provide appropriate services. (CR)