Describes an independent support group for adopters and assesses its value, from the points of view of a social work practitioner and an adopter. The group's objective was to encourage its members to decide what form of contact and input they wanted, but to then implement the arrangement with the support of the agency. (AA)

The use of nonparametric quartile regression in examining the impacts of social programs on the distributions of noncategorical outcome measures is demonstrated through the study of earnings effects and income effects in four evaluations of training and employment programs for welfare recipients. Distributional impact estimates yield estimates…

This commentary argues that services to treat and prevent child abuse and neglect need to bridge an unnecessary gap between practitioners and parents. The article suggests that services for parents be designed as services practitioners themselves would like to use, and that parents should be welcomed into therapy with immediate help rather than…

Discusses wife assault and reports on two studies in which the social service network is viewed as an information system and which question the effectiveness of community responses to the information needs of battered women. Library services to individual women, social services providers, and public policy or decision makers are suggested.…

Examines perspectives of children's rights versus carers' values in formal caregiving, such as foster and residential care. Suggests that emphasis on values is overshadowed by focus on rights, and that performance is gaining importance over relationships between carers and children. Concludes that rights and values are distinguishable and that…

Surveyed social agencies' awareness of possible developmental problems of alcohol and substance abusers' children, extent to which agency felt it could deal with the problem involving the family, and development of services for children of substance abusers. Found that many agency workers considered involvement in family problems to be part of…

Explores the risks faced by lesbian, gay, or bisexual youth who have the stigma of homosexuality and suggests approaches and strategies for working with these at-risk youth. Although society is becoming more tolerant of homosexuality and bisexuality, there has not been a corresponding decrease in cultural homophobia. (SLD)

Explores the development of human services in one country by examining international trends and national patterns. Considers intellectual and practice influences upon current human services and discusses event and trends within the context of human services history. Claims that historical understanding may help human service professionals better…

Project Confirm aims to address the problem of foster children ending up in detention because of police and probation officers' difficulty in locating guardians to appear on behalf of arrested children. Project Confirm locates juveniles' caseworkers and informs them of their legal responsibilities. The program reached most of its implementation…

Studies the experiences of gay and lesbian seniors and their families in accessing a broad range of health and social services in the community. Results reveal that specific reference was made to the impact of discrimination on the health and access to health services of these populations. Recommendations for change are highlighted. (Contains 71…

Evidence from health, social services, family support, child care, and pre-school education programs shows that damaging outcomes for at risk youth, and the risk factors that precede them, can be substantially reduced by early intervention. Attributes and examples of effective programs are described. (IAH)

An estimate of the total number of adoptions in the United States and the proportion of total adoptions conducted by public agencies in 1987 was drawn from adoption information from state social services agencies, bureaus of vital statistics, and state court administrative offices. (BB)

Students who are mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or socially maladjusted often do not receive needed educational or community services. This article discusses incidence rates for these troubled students, describes the special needs of troubled adolescents, presents a proposal for the creation of "Boards for Children in Trouble," and…

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)

Family support programs are examined from a preventive perspective which is designed to help families before they are in crisis. Family resource programs are discussed in terms of their history, principles, distinguishing characteristics, relevance for families with children who have special needs, and implications for practitioners. (Author/JDD)