The United States Commissioner on Aging describes challenges posed by the increasing size of the older adult population, outlines gaps in knowledge regarding aging and the elderly, and calls for greater collaboration between the elderly and existing mental health networks. (AOS)

Based on a survey of nearly 50 agencies in 13 states, describes orientation programs designed to meet the special needs of Indochinese refugees and immigrant women, both in the United States and in overseas refugee camps. (Author/GC)

Investigated the relationship between substance abuse and child abuse-neglect by analyzing child protective services workers' (N=21) responses to a questionnaire. Found significant demographic differences between substance- and nonsubstance-abuse child abusers, and differences in protective service workers' service plans for substance and…

Describes the growth of a Mien refugee community in Montgomery, Alabama, and the development of community educational and employment services to aid these refugees. Also discusses Mien cultural characteristics. (GC)

Argues that strictly systematic methods of service delivery can lead to the failure of child welfare rather than to its success. Holds that the current system for dealing with child abuse, because of its lack of flexibility and its contradictory roles of helper and prosecutor, breaks down effective, informal helping systems. (Author/GC)

Presents procedures, issues, and arguments for use of a group method to strengthen black grandparents' and older parents' abilities to cope with child rearing. (Author/MP)

Evidence suggests that living and labor conditions have improved very little among agricultural laborers and are particularly hopeless among migrants. Since the government, food producers, industry, and consumers are all beneficiaries of the present farm system, it is unlikely that farm workers will be able to unionize and control their own…

This analysis of American states' deinstitutionalization of mentally retarded citizens found considerable interstate variation in policy and no consistent internal policy toward deinstitutionalization for other groups (i.e. juvenile offenders). Political culture and legislative capability were the strongest predictors of state use of community…

Describes experiences of a group of social work students who spent several months working in the public welfare agency of one of Georgia's poorest counties. The results of their efforts support the contention that concrete assistance often enables clients to become active agents for change in their own behalf. (Author)

Innovations in the New Zealand Accident Compensation Scheme include defining the family unit in terms of past economic support and adapting common law principles to social provision. Accidents are considered a community responsibility. Family implications of this program are discussed. (Author/BEF)

Social disorganization in the family was found to be strongly related to the likelihood of child maltreatment. Utilization of social services, on the other hand, had a counterbalancing, negative impact on the occurrence of child maltreatment. (Author/CS)

Since World War II, the USO has developed a new image and created a new "world of services" everywhere. USO programs help military personnel to discover new skills and interests and unveil personal resources which carry lifetime value. (JN)

Article examines the inequity of government efforts to address rural problems, the unique aspects of social work administration in rural areas, and what must be done in the policy-planning arena in order to deliver rural social services with greater equity. (DS)