This material describes the philosophical considerations and the component parts of a group home for adolescent girls. The roles of the treating staff, as well as the approaches to treatment, are described. Research findings of a follow-up study of all girls in care from 1959-1969 is briefly outlined. (Author)

Described are planning steps involved in developing programs for abused and neglected children in rural areas. Among barriers cited are economic factors and resistance to social planning. Emphasized is the need for congruence among local and regional agencies and organizations. Analyzed are six planning stages: entry, in which consultants gain…

Explaining the use of overlay methodology in the assessment of rural social service this paper describes a technique of visual juxtaposition wherein information is matched with geographic location. To ascertain whether senior citizen centers are located in areas of client concentration, for example, this model superimposes the location of senior…

Focusing upon the central problems of effective community practice in town and country areas, the four speeches in this collection emphasize some key analytical notions in what has been termed an interactional or activity field conception of community. Among the ideas emphasized are the complexity/integration and the coordination/integration of…

Describes the genesis, development, and implementation of a Spanish language course geared to English speakers who work with or aid members of the Hispanic population who have settled in the United States. A text prepared for the course, "Applied Spanish for the Social Services," is described. (DB)

The paper considers the issues the social scientist needs for conducting research in intramural drug treatment settings: (1) the researcher's orientations to his work; (2) the difference between the ideal and real world of treatment; and (3) resident and staff views of care. The impact of "treatment" should be a purpose for research. (Author)

Social network research can determine the possibilities and limits of informal support systems for handicapped adults. Analysis of 370 handicapped adults' social networks focuses on: social network characteristics, demographic characteristics, amount of support received, type of support needed, and feelings of balance/imbalance,…

A literature review and case study provide detailed characteristics of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a form of child abuse wherein the mother falsifies illness in her child through simulation and/or production of illness, presenting the child for medical care while disclaiming knowledge of its etiology. Guidelines for medical, social service, and…

Interviews with 59 Chinese parents of children with developmental disabilities uncovered some of the problems these parents experienced because service providers did not speak their language. The lack of language-appropriate information concerning the nature of the handicap and the course of interventive actions seriously affected both parents and…

Questions whether home-based early intervention is an invasion of the family that inadvertently undermines its self-confidence or is a life-saving service to families whose children are at risk of abuse and neglect. (HOD)

Describes hospital outreach programs and school based programs providing training to new parents and children to help prevent child abuse. Lists warning signs for teachers to be aware of. Includes a resource list and a discussion of ways that schools might help find missing children. (MD)

Analyzes population redistribtuion over last decade, focusing on changed rates of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan population growth. Discusses changes produced by migration processes: growing proximity of rural and urban areas; changing nonmetropolitan community age composition; differences in population migration patterns among occupational…

Argues the increasing importance of volunteers as social service funding declines and provides an instructional unit on volunteerism designed for college students preparing for helping professions. The unit integrates students' practicum experiences as volunteers with information about volunteerism, service delivery models, and the…

This essay, taken from the 2004 KIDS COUNT Data Book, focuses on the issues surrounding America's most at-risk young adults. For most American youth, the transition to adulthood inspires a mix of excitement and high anxiety. There is excitement about taking steps to realize emerging dreams, aspirations, and possibilities. Yet there is anxiety…