This collection of papers asserts that the life prospects of children at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder can be improved substantially, and the growing gap between them and more privileged children reduced, by making appropriate investments now. After an introduction by Isabel V. Sawhill, the nine papers are: (2) "Promoting the Healthy…

Keeping children safe in foster care is a critical concern for foster parents and the professionals working with them. This document is comprised of a set of four pamphlets, addressed to foster families and those working with foster families, providing information on medication safety, making foster care placements successful, working with social…

A study examining child care services in rural and remote areas conducted focus group interviews and distributed questionnaires to parents living in 15 towns in the Mallee region of Western Victoria (Australia). Barriers to accessing child care in rural areas included limited availability of formal services, costs, stereotypes associated with life…

This book offers specific information on the wide range of federal prevention, emergency shelter, and family service programs available today that provide children and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with financial support, education, job training, nutritional services, and crisis funding. The chapters are: (1)…

Society should be particularly concerned about the long-term consequences of excluding (suspending or expelling) primary age children from school for behavior problems. Competition between schools has left behind less-marketable children who can contribute little to a school's performance indicators. Concomitant cutbacks in school and social…

Examines the nature of the crisis in child welfare, and how poverty and an array of social problems, as well as problems specific to the child welfare system, increased the overrepresentation of African American children and families in the out-of-home care system. Also discusses implications for child welfare practice and advocacy. (MOK)

Examines Progressive Life Center's (PLC) Therapeutic Foster Care program and its incorporation of NTU psychotherapy into its program model. Describes how PLC strives to improve the delivery of mental health services through culturally competent therapeutic techniques for African Americans, including seriously emotionally disturbed children. (MOK)

Claims that the juvenile justice system provides an array of interventions but that culturally relevant programs are necessary to deal with the myriad of social problems. Introduces the MAAT (Egyptian for virtuous or moral life) Center for Human and Organizational Enhancement Inc. and its Rites of Passage program, which uses an Afrocentric…

Based on the May 1990 report of Head Start's Silver Ribbon Panel, this article provides background information on the panel, summarizes Head Start's successes and challenges, outlines the commendations, and discusses implications of the panel's report. (BG)

Key points in the articles of this issue are discussed and preliminary criteria for school-linked service efforts are reviewed. Six critical issues requiring additional attention in implementing school-linked services are the following: (1) systemic change; (2) targeting; (3) financing; (4) evaluation; (5) state and federal leadership; and (6)…

Evaluates the first two years of a local welfare reform demonstration, the Family Development Center (FDC), in Baltimore (Maryland). This quasi-experimental study found the FDC successful in programs designed to increase labor market participation and earnings. FDC participants experienced increases in educational aspirations, self-esteem, and…

Because the growth of health and social service professionals in schools has implications for schools, teachers, and teacher education, coordination and collaboration among these professions should be improved. Modifications which reflect the need for knowledge and understanding of human services that affect at-risk students are needed in teacher…

Evaluates a five-year university-school partnership/dropout prevention program involving Fordham University's Graduate Schools of Education and Social Services and five New York City public schools with substantial minority populations. Results show that absenteeism declined significantly, child care conditions improved modestly, self-esteem…

Leaders from business, education, churches, government, and the nonprofit sector in Multnomah County (Oregon) started eight Caring Communities, collaborative programs dedicated to 100% high school completion. Although each has its own emphasis, all support and coordinate other groups' efforts to help poor and minority students succeed. (TD)

The Flying Dust First Nation, Meadow Lake (Saskatchewan) School Division, community members, and students formed a community school council that operates all area tribal and public schools. The council is fully inclusive of First Nations people and is dedicated to inclusive, culturally relevant education that integrates community services within…