Emphasizes the need for radical improvement in agencies' response to domestic violence, based on a general raising of sensitivity and awareness at both worker and agency level. Suggests an emphasis on safety planning with women's services as well as child care and child protection agencies, and the promotion of positive and healing work with…

Describes an initiative by one District Resource Team to involve birth parents in ongoing training for approved foster caregivers. The objective was to enhance carers' sensitivity to birth parents' feelings and difficulties, and their ability to empathize with parents. Highlights the current trend in social work decision making toward involving…

Highlights a failure on the part of social services to respond to the current needs of the child welfare system. Strongly advocates a commitment to concurrent planning, defined here as the process of working toward family reunification while at the same time establishing an alternative plan, usually in the form of permanency with a relative or…

A survey of 20 health districts in England identified specialist services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviors. Great diversity was found in such services as specialized teams, staffed housing, assessment and short-term admission, and respite care facilities. Entitlement to appropriate treatment was more…

Eighty-one women in social service employment programs were surveyed to determine knowledge of employment clothing. They were compared on demographics. Differences were found in possession of business clothing, resources for clothing, education, income, residence, and homelessness. Findings indicate a need to educate low-income participants on…

Describes a program to improve mathematical skills of off-track students through a partnership among a university, public school, local telephone company, and the community (including families and social agencies). Shows significant improvements in students' academic achievement, and notes that all of the teachers felt the social work aspect had a…

Addresses barriers to family and community self-sufficiency. Asserts social workers need to understand the worldviews and values underlying political definitions of self-sufficiency to have a greater influence on social policy. Describes a more appropriate definition of self-sufficiency. Illustrates its usefulness with an example of community…

School districts are finding that demand for community use of school buildings and grounds is increasing. A 1995 series of focus groups explored implications for community access, including effects on facilities, scheduling, and educational programs. The most prevalent activities involved sports and recreation, day care, meetings, adult education,…

A survey of 120 families of children with emotional or behavioral disorders found they received more needed support from formal organizations and paid professionals than from informal organizations and unpaid individuals. However, family members were reported as the most helpful for coping with daily challenges. Parents receiving more support…

Discusses how groups that include early childhood educators can create dynamic support services to combat homelessness. Covers causes of homelessness and the needs of homeless families and their young children, and presents several strategies to develop effective services for them. Emphasizes parental involvement, school and community…

Presents the results of an evaluation of a family support program for female, long-term recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Findings show that program participants perceived that training had given them greater self-efficacy and competence, but not increased self-confidence, when compared to control group members. (RJM)

Asserts that social services remain largely unresponsive to the values and needs of Latino families. Discusses access to linguistically appropriate services, not just as a culturally competent practice, but also as a civil rights issue. Presents implications for all aspects of private and public child welfare, including investigations, foster…

This study examined factors contributing to short-term reunification for 235 children placed in South Australian substitute care from 1998 to 1999. Findings indicated that non-Aboriginal children and those placed because of parental incapacity were significantly more likely to go home, than neglected and Aboriginal children. Detailed profile…

The efforts of one unit of the Association for Retarded Citizens to develop guidelines for service provision to individuals with developmental disabilities and human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) are documented. A professional advisory committee was formed to make ethical recommendations that allow for provision of services in a "least…

Reviews the history, goals, achievements, and future of a graduate internship program sponsored by the Medical Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association. Students are placed in internships in a variety of clinical and research areas concerned with the development of health policy and careers in applied medical sociology. (NL)