This study provides descriptive data on the rates of office discipline referrals and beginning reading skills for students in grades K-3 for one school district that is implementing a three-tier prevention model for both reading and behavior support. Students in the district are provided a continuum of reading and/or behavioral support based on…

This paper presents the policy and guidelines, which evolved over the last four years, for answering questions and giving counsel on an Internet site dedicated to sexuality and intimate relations of adolescents. The theoretical framework employed is that of non-directive counseling. Some ethical, legal, and practical issues are discussed. The…

The service delivery model of the Pennsylvania Children and Adolescent Service Systems Program (CASSP) is explained, and the 1983 federal initiative that launched this system is discussed. The federal CASSP initiative was developed to improve systems of care to ensure that the underserved population of children and adolescents with severe…

Intended for South Carolina families with a child having mental retardation, this guide encourages families to participate in all aspects of programs and services and offers guidelines for working with professionals. Five to 30 suggestions or tips are listed for each of the following aspects: (1) learning that your child has special needs (e.g.,…

This directory summarizes the main features of federal programs that provide money or other economic assistance for child care or the child care profession. For each program, the following information is provided: (1) the program title; (2) a contact person; (3) purposes and restrictions of the program; (4) the legislation that authorized the…

This guide offers an overview of important areas in operating a disability-related information and referral center (I&R) and contains many design and management suggestions. The guide is written for individuals operating or designing a "grassroots" information and referral center with only a few employees but a fair number of…

This study collected information regarding the direct and indirect management techniques employed by elementary teachers to control inappropriate student behavior and its relationship to discipline referral rates. The study also examined whether effective management techniques affected student on-task rates. A group of 270 elementary school…

Culturally specific behaviors must be considered in the pre-referral phase of assessing culturally diverse/limited-English-proficient students. Inferences regarding the reasons for students' performance reflect the knowledge base acquired by the school staff concerning a student's culture. Evaluative questions can gather data to assure non-biased…

Literacy councils in central Pennsylvania recruited more potential students within their communities and increased the number of students enrolling in their programs through a staff development project. Direct-service personnel from local human service agencies that constituted important referral sources for literacy councils were targeted for…

This paper presents a model for compensating school districts for implementing effective prereferral programs, in order to promote the most appropriate service delivery for all students. The model develops formulae based upon changes in regular and special education enrollment, and includes state monies allocated to special education. Variables in…

The Indian River Community College (Florida) program prepares people who qualify as displaced homemakers and single parents to enter or reenter the work force and vocational training. The program is designed to meet the needs of the target population by offering pre-employment information and skills, guidance, community referral, and vocational…

This manual describes the establishment and operation of a Computerphobia Reduction Program on a university campus which is directed by a licensed psychologist who trains and supervises graduate student interns to deliver three brief skills-acquisition modules. The manual describes the clinic facility, including staffing requirements; general…

Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) are considered an effective intervention for at-risk students. School faculty and staff are trained to identify and refer students whose personal and/or academic behaviors change in a problematic way. Once identified, the students are provided special services which include referral to community agencies for…

The special education referral-placement phenomenon has reached crisis proportions in New York City. Problems affecting effectiveness of approaches include: inadequate state and federal funding; fragmented decision making; lack of uniform terminology and standardized criteria for special education; lack of training, support services, and resources…