"Zero to Three is a single focus bulletin of the National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families providing insight from multiple disciplines on the development of infants, toddlers, and their families. Noting that sometimes practice needs to be "translated" into research, as with understanding the phenomenon of paraprofessional…

This report presents current information on the characteristics and work patterns of hired laborers who perform crop work in the United States. Information was obtained from interviews with 4,199 workers in 85 counties between October 1, 1996 and September 30, 1998. Chapters 1-3 provide information about the farmworkers themselves, including…

Argues that advocacy for improved programs and services to strengthen family life in the United States is inconsistent with prevailing cultural attitudes which have turned away from the valuation of the traditional nuclear family. (BE)

Describes the Ignatian Lay Volunteer Corps (ILVC), an organization of retired people who volunteer to serve the poor by teaching and counseling. Suggests that ILVC volunteers want to help others as a way of giving back what they have been given. (AJL)

Uses examples of institutional child abuse within the Australian police force, social service departments, diplomatic service, schools, the judicial system, and the church to show that leadership may mitigate or amplify abuse. Contends that the precedence of adults' rights over children's rights contributes to child abuse. The recent creation of a…

Examines stresses on the early childhood service system due to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Discusses elimination of Aid to Families with Dependent Children; creation of state block grants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Child Care and Development Fund; and restructuring of the Child…

Introduces a project undertaken to examine the medical/health, social services, and legal needs of African American children who have experienced or will experience the death of one or both parents as a result of HIV/AIDS. Presents the preliminary findings, and claims that services have expanded but much remains to be accomplished to achieve…

Part of Canada's Exemplary Schools Project, Georges Vanier Secondary School--a large school near Toronto--meets the needs of an extremely diverse student population by developing expanded curricular options and special programs that focus on student social and developmental needs. Case study explores tensions among school staff with varying views…

Reviews research on experiences of vulnerable and poor English multiracial families. Finds three emerging concerns: (1) relationship between family structure, locality and racism, and disadvantage and oppression; (2) the impact of family life on culturally defined gender roles; and (3) the limitations of current early years research and practice.…

Describes a Baltimore City Head Start project that was designed to provide educational and other services to children from birth to age five years who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Services are also provided to children's families. (BB)

Discusses calls for Head Start to expand its services for children from birth to three years and to devise standards for infants and toddlers. Recent policy decisions resulting in such expansion are discussed. The need for Head Start staff involved with infant and toddler care to be trained about infancy is considered in detail. (BG)

The crisis in urban public education is a crisis of community. A program of urban school reform founded on community renewal would operate on the following three levels: (1) strengthening schools as community institutions; (2) reorganizing schools as models of community; and (3) making community issues the focus of study in schools. (AF)

Reviews the current state of mental health services to children, youth, and families. The development of a continuum of care coordinated across the mental and non-mental health systems that naturally occur in all children's lives may vastly improve mental health services to children, youth, and families. (Author/BJV)

Summarizes findings of a survey of eight First Nation (Canada Native) communities concerning the provision of child and family services. The results identify important differences concerning the causality of child welfare problems, the definition of key child welfare concepts, and the place of cultural values and practices in intervention. (MDM)

This article examines the development of Temple University's Institute for Africana Social Work, which is designed to foster an explicit African-centered perspective and practice for social work intervention in African American communities. Various programs and policies initiated by the institute are reviewed. (MDM)