Interviewed 420 street youths in a midwestern city to analyze their sexual behaviors. Ninety-one percent were sexually active, and nearly half were engaged in sex for survival. Discusses the need to coordinate comprehensive social services to prevent an increase in the number of street youth. (SLD)

Data from 2,866 fourth-seventh graders and 631 teachers were used to compare 15 St. Louis schools designated as community education centers (CEC) with 15 others. No significant differences in achievement, cognitive ability, or learning motivation were found. CECs' outreach and social services did not seem to affect achievement. (Technical data on…

Examines commitment levels of nursing home workers and explored the association between commitment and seven characteristics, such as styles of teamwork. Results indicate that styles of teamwork, educational background, and role clarity were significantly associated with commitment. Differences in the commitment levels across these variables were…

Examines the perceptions of older, community-dwelling adults about factors they consider essential for remaining independent. In-depth interviews with 103 residents revealed that they considered finances, health, family support, a sense of identity, and a feeling of independence as contributing to their ability to remain in the community. (RJM)

Therapeutic recreation faces changes that impact educational preparation and professional practice. This article examines the changes, suggesting the need to rethink how the field operates in order to secure its future. The recent reorganization of Temple University's therapeutic recreation curriculum is presented as one example of a proactive…

Reviews literature on prevalence, mechanisms of fetal toxicity, effects of exposure, socioeconomic factors, and social-support programs to increase awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine. Emphasizes the need for drug education and social-support programs for disadvantaged pregnant women to prevent and control cocaine use. (EMK)

A study examined the effects of organizational characteristics, including organizational climate and interorganizational coordination, on the quality and outcomes of 32 public children's service offices in Tennessee. Findings show that organizational climate is the primary predictor of positive service outcomes and a significant predictor of…

A longitudinal study of 249 English children in out-of-home care demonstrated that improving the stability of placements is more likely if agencies can identify which children move frequently and why. Findings showed that the majority of moves were planned transitions from one temporary placement to another. Behavioral difficulties and absence of…

Responses from 179 prosecutor-based and domestic violence victim assistance programs indicated that 67% of practitioners had college degrees, 68% belonged to professional associations, and more than one-third participated substantially in continuing education. Type of organization, gender, and age were not related to professional attitudes;…

Critically examines the suggestion that unemployment could be reduced by creating jobs in nonprofit organizations, observes trends in the sector's employment and resources, and discusses the conditions in which nonprofit organizations provide social services more efficiently that government and for-profit enterprises. Concludes that this is not a…

Outlines England's child-care system, focusing on services to protect at-risk children or support families of children in need; explores the changing Department of Health interest in research on outcomes of different aspects of the system, including the role of social services in child protection, the Children Act, the residential child-care…

Examined the implementation of "Looking After Children" materials in five Australian States and Territories. Found that few system changes were required for cultural reasons. Initial fears of increasing workloads were outweighed by positive responses from practitioners, caregivers, and youth with experience in the out-of-home care…

While access to educational opportunities has increased, associated mental health services have lagged behind and frequently lack sufficient depth, scope, and duration. This article offers lessons for clinicians derived from recent legislative amendments and developments in the case law surrounding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.…

Explores the ways in which shifting meanings of childhood and constructions of sexually abused children and the structuring of team practice pose problems for multidisciplinary team members. Argues that understanding child sexual abuse and developing community-based practice approaches must be informed by broader perspectives. Suggests a model of…

Despite the holistic approach inherent in the hospice philosophy, social work may be viewed as ancillary to medicine. Social work, in turn, may lack sensitivity about other professions' expertise and values and therefore be unprepared to collaborate across cultural boundaries between professions. This article outlines the barriers and proposes…