Although fundamental in helping multiproblem families avoid placement, social support is a complex construct not easy to define and difficult to carry out conceptually and practically. Four family support programs are described that illustrate certain common denominators for implementation. (Author/RWB)

Reports universal issues discussed by social welfare experts from 20 European/North American countries: unique energy of strong "local communities," stimulation of innovative thinking to resolve rural problems, and recognition that depopulated rural communities often regain strength and vitality when they become more accepting of new…

In addition to its basic function, the Head Start program provides access to health care, nutrition, and social services. Its services are comprehensive, parents and community are involved, and staff development is an integral feature. New York State's allocations of federal funds for handicapped children are based on Head Start's annual reports.…

Presents a brief overview of the development of Israel's heavy dependency on residential placement for child welfare. Recent trends reflect heavier reliance on community-based servcies for disadvantaged youth, but efforts to coordinate and improve such services are only beginning. (KH)

Reviews policy and ideological trends within three Israeli institutions which provide services to disadvantaged youth: Youth Aliyah, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Presents recommendations for policy initiatives for research and evaluation, differential diagnosis and program assignment, and…

Outlines the development of the Kramer Model, a project developed in the Little Rock School District (Arkansas). It includes an early childhood and elementary program housed in the same building that is an "extended day school". (MD)

Presents the roles of the federal government, business, professional organizations, state and local governments and the "information entrepreneur" in advancing the state-of-the-art in social service systems applications. Federal government will continue to act as catalyst for systems development but information entrepreneurs and others will play…

The Administration's economic policy has caused massive inflation, unemployment, and record deficits. Full employment and production should be the cornerstone of government policy. Strengthening of the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act, reorganizing the Federal Reserve Board, and amending the 1981 Tax Act are ways to achieve economic…

Articulates profitable routes to institutional reform for people dissatisfied with the quality of social service provided by the institution of which they are part. Argues that the creation of cultural and institutional democracy requires recognition of clients as constituents, and some elements of participatory decision making, community control,…

Compares working conditions of documented and undocumented Dominicans in New York City. Concludes that one of the most important functions served by the illegal alien population in a surplus labor region like New York City resides primarily in its greater controllability by employers in the secondary labor market. (RDN)

A consulting economist in private practice in Washington, D.C., a lecturer, and writer in the field of economics and social welfare, Ms. Keyserling has directed a national survey of day care needs and services in ninety cities. (Author)

This revised non-regulatory guidance for the McKinney-Vento program, which replaces the March 2003 guidance, includes new questions that address the following issues: whether children awaiting foster care placement are eligible for McKinney-Vento services (Item G-10); if children displaced from their homes by a natural disaster are eligible for…

In Scotland's unified system of juvenile justice and child welfare, the Children's Hearings system deals with over 60,000 referrals annually. If the hearing officer is satisfied that compulsory measures of supervision are necessary, it may require home supervision when the child remains at home. In 2001, over 6,000 children were on home…

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of process-outcome evaluation in a broad-aim social program. Researchers collaborated with program staff to create outcome measures and measures of the services provided. Interventions for different groups of program participants were analyzed, using data on 122 children from…

This Child Care Action Campaign (CCAC) issue brief details an audio conference convened by CCAC and the Child Care Law Center. Issues discussed include changes and implications resulting from the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. Areas covered, in a question-and-answer format, include: (1) Temporary…