The consumer of a service is of primary importance when defining groups most concerned with program impact. Program effectiveness for the consumer may be increased through the use of certain guiding principles based on the extension of existing quality assurance and program evaluation methodologies. (Author/RL)

The normalization philosophy originated in Scandinavia. Described as a complex ideology, highly compatible with basic social work principles, it has much to offer social education, especially in areas of social policy and services, planning and program development, and appreciation of the importance of the social environment. (Author/MLW)

Minimal service sheltered housing with peripatetic services adjusted to individual need may be more acceptable to the majority of elderly. The key program element in the British model is a resident warden, a housewife whose training and presence assures a proper and consistent flow of peripatetic support services. (Author)

Schools of education should be responsible for preparing educational personnel to teach in diverse educational environments. (CMJ)

Colleges of education need to take an active leadership role in developing programs for education professionals serving in broad areas of community life. Recommendations are made for designing programs for future educators working in a nonschool setting. (JD)

The Balanced Service System specifies functions required to eliminate mental disabilities and environments in which services can be provided. The model was tested in western Pennsylvania. Although the number of agencies serving the mentally ill doubled between 1960 and 1976, relative availability of each service component remained stable.…

A participant observation and interview study of ministry students revealed that these students received discrepant expectations for the professional identity from their faculty (the humanistic role) and from clients and other community members (the traditional role). (Author/SK)

A pilot study was designed to investigate two needs assessment approaches: social indicators analysis and key informants surveys. Results showed that social indicators analysis was a valid method of assessing human service needs at a general level. (MH)

Discusses the importance of being responsive to personal needs of the mental health worker. It is hypothesized that, for mental health workers to function at optimal levels of effectiveness, their own needs for recognition, support, and enjoyment must be attended to. (Author)

Briefly reviews general grouping of methods of program evaluation, discusses considerations in selecting a method, and comments on the roles and responsibilities of the public and voluntary sectors in the process of planning, evaluating, and implementing programs. (SS)

Discusses Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) as a way to manage human service organizations that involves the participation of individuals with developmental disabilities, parents, and employees in the pursuit of consumer satisfaction and continuous improvement. Also addresses how program evaluation can be used in conjunction with CQI…

Findings from a study of the socialization of 15 Asian Americans in teacher education, medical school, and law school at a large university show that all these students chose to enter these human services fields primarily for humanistic and altruistic reasons, and that they were sensitive to diversity issues. (SLD)

Current trends in mental retardation services in Massachusetts were investigated using the New England region, the state of Michigan, and the United States as comparative frames of reference. Massachusetts' movement toward reducing reliance on state institutions, reallocating funding, and developing community services and family support is…

Twice interviewed 13 psychotherapy clients about their experiences with helpful instances of therapist self-disclosure. Results indicate that helpful therapist self-disclosures resulted in positive consequences that included insights or a new perspective from which to make changes, an improved or more equalized therapeutic relationship,…

Investigated how the therapeutic process is associated with the retrieval of sexual abuse memories. A qualitative analysis of 11 adult women who identified themselves as victims of childhood sexual abuse resulted in the identification of 180 codes representing the participants' perspectives of therapy. Noteworthy codes were arranged into four…