This collection of four reports focuses on the provision of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. The first report, "Making More Effective Use of Assistive Technology in the Vocational Evaluation Process" (Anthony J. Langton), discusses how integrating assistive technology into the vocational evaluation process will…

A survey of 61 vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies investigated the use of rehabilitation technology services. The results are organized into the following eight reports: (1) general report of findings (includes information on the governing structure of VR agencies); (2) personnel of VR agencies (includes findings on the roles and…

This fact sheet begins with an overview of family support programs, which includes a discussion of the premises of family support programs and a list of typical program components. The remainder of the fact sheet focuses on one approach to family support, comprehensive and collaborative (C&C) services. The fact sheet underscores the need for…

The first goal of the America 2000 initiative was to have all young children able to start school ready to learn by the year 2000. This paper summarizes the efforts of six communities to meet that goal through increased collaboration between health care providers and educational institutions, on the assumption that children's health is directly…

The Nutrition Education and Training Program (NETP) promotes healthy eating habits to improve the health and well-being of children. It integrates mealtime and learning experiences to help children make informed food choices part of a healthy lifestyle. Kansas NETP has adopted the national NETP philosophy and strategic direction, with goals…

Illinois received one of six 2-year National Institute for Literacy grants to create statewide interagency staff development systems for literacy. After a staff development plan has been developed/implemented, a needs assessment process is developed that entails the following five steps: determine indicators of program quality and develop…

Supported employment opportunities can help to meet the transition needs of individuals enrolled in special education programs. A review of related literature discusses characteristics of supported employment program participants, the need for individual transition planning, the school's role and responsibility, vocational planning, benefits,…

The Wood County Literacy Coalition (WCLC), in Wisconsin, is a unique partnership of state- and federally-funded employment and training agencies, local non-profit agencies, and area vocational and technical colleges. There is a great need for such cooperative efforts in the provision of adult literacy services. To succeed, all involved literacy…

Although the World Conference on Education for All, held in March 1990 in Jomtien, Thailand, fostered international consensus on educational goals and raised expectations, obstacles to successful achievement of education for all (EFA) must be identified. This paper describes the five most important obstacles--political factors, economic/financial…

This report discusses issues regarding the out-of-home placement of children with developmental disabilities and the need for permanency planning for these children. The document reports on a project which sought to: (1) discern practices of Colorado's Department of Social Services and Division for Developmental Disabilities which affect the…

The First Regional Early Childhood Forum was convened by the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) to identify, develop, and promote linkages in the community that foster the healthy development of young children and their families. Participants were divided into collaborative work groups first according to affiliation, then across…

This issue brief discusses the process of identifying a broadly defined set of desired outcomes for children and youth. It looks at the experiences of four states making progress in this area--Oregon, Texas, Kentucky, and Kansas--in order to illustrate the implications for state education agency policy and practice. It presents principles for…

Several key federal and state initiatives are currently moving in the direction of requiring more and better comprehensive service delivery in education. In an effort to avoid duplicating services, better utilize federal dollars, and improve educational opportunities and outcomes, federal legislation promotes aligning and integrating programs and…

The Rank Foundation's director of youth projects for northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland presents personal views on at-risk youth and ways that adventure-based interventions can meet their needs. Young people today suffer from the constant bombardment of advertising campaigns promoting material consumerism as the criterion for…

This monograph presents long-range plans of South Carolina's "Continuum of Care for Emotionally Disturbed Children" program, which provides community based services to children and adolescents with severe disturbances, through coordination and utilization of public, private, and individual services. An executive summary notes that 323…