The contributions of the families of John Kennedy and Robert Cooke to national policies on mental retardation research and services are explored. The course of federal funding from 1950-1985 for mental retardation and developmental disabilities is traced for six program categories: services, training, information/coordination, income maintenance,…

As required by Public Law 100-146, states must submit to the Administration on Developmental Disabilities data concerning services to persons with developmental disabilities. This paper reviews relevant literature to establish a theoretical framework, definitions, and suggestions for extent, scope, eligibility requirements, and measures of…

Reviews feminist theory and practice, spelling out implications for a feminist theory of social welfare containing both public and private realms. Uses these implications to examine a woman's grassroots voluntary organization that contains possibilities for rethinking societal responses to social welfare needs. (Author/LS)

The study found seriously inferior educational services for mentally handicapped students in special care schools administered by social services authorities in Northern Ireland when compared with special schools for similar children in England and special schools for other children with disabilities in Northern Ireland. (Author/DB)

Presents results of a three-state mailed survey that examined pre- and postadoptive service needs of 562 families who adopted children, most of whom had special needs, through public child welfare agencies. Financial and medical adoptive subsidies emerged as pivotal service needs. Counseling and education services and respite care were evaluated…

This paper examines two types of interaction between families and professionals that appear to accompany escalating, and potentially fatal, child abuse. In the case of "closure," families attempt to withdraw from contact with the outside world and particularly from monitoring professionals. In "covert warnings," families approach professionals and…

Over two decades Quebec's local health and social service centers have evolved a philosophy integrating community development into their programs. Community workers still experience marginalization, but they are striving to be recognized as members of multidisciplinary problem-solving teams. (SK)

The rationale for a multistage approach to evaluating services demonstration programs is discussed. The approach takes into account limitations that are often found in such programs. The National Evaluation of Models for Linking Drug Abuse Treatment and Primary Care provides an example. (SLD)

Through an interagency, community-based approach, data were collected on 238 children with serious emotional disturbances in DuPage County, Illinois, including child's age, gender, race or ethnicity, learning characteristics, psychiatric status, and adjudications; parent marital status and employment; child's living arrangements; family history of…

Uses the pyramid-of-services model to organize the complexity of child day care systems and to delineate their place in the framework of family preservation and support services. Argues that the family focus of family preservation and family support can utilize the unique elements of child day care as a vehicle for family empowerment. (MDM)

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 Kanuhkwene Project, based on a traditional concept of community, was developed by Oneida women to address critical social issues. Kanuhkwene empowers through connection with the social world and the natural world, and is instructive for what it shows about the possibilities of mainstream social services versus traditional Native American…

Describes support services offered to family day care providers by family day care associations, accreditation programs, the Child Care Food Program, child care resource and referral agencies, supportive corporations, education agencies, child care centers, and voluntary support organizations. Also considers support of family day care in other…

The complex needs of the heterogeneous group of homeless women suggest that policy and services must focus on a continuum from adequate and accessible emergency services (shelter, food, financial assistance) to transitional assistance with housing, employment, and mental and physical health care, and ultimately to stabilization. (SK)

Examines features of independent living philosophy with regard to compatibility with Native American cultures, including definition or conceptualization of disability; self-advocacy; systems advocacy; peer counseling; and consumer control and involvement. Discusses an actualizing process as one method of resolving cultural conflicts and…