Special education services in Australia are provided by state departments of education as well as voluntary organizations. These services are provided in toy libraries and activity therapy centers as well as school settings. Thus, a variety of separate evaluations have been conducted. Further cooperative and systematic assessments are planned.…

Age differences in attitudes toward aging were investigated as a function of three-hour training program with 322 women (18-74 years) from various geriatric health care and social service contexts. Results indicated few instances of unfavorable attitudes toward aging in any age group. (Author)

This report details findings of a study which consisted of two main components: an analysis of the experience of international agencies in using mass media entertainment to stimulate changes in health behaviors; and an inventory of the main international projects which have utilized mass media entertainment for educational purposes. Following a…

It is suggested that researchers take into account the various problems as seen by Mexican American families when making decisions rather than assuming what the variables leading to those decisions might be. (JB)

Identifies and discusses barriers in the helping relationship that are erroneously labeled resistance. Proposes a transactional perspective to illuminate social and organizational barriers to the helping process. From this view an essential professional function emerges, responsibility for dealing with obstacles to the counselor client…

Thirty-six recently published United States history texts were examined for their treatment of the Freedmen's Bureau, a Federal agency ostensibly established to promote the welfare of emancipated slaves. Only four contained adequate information about the Bureau's role in perpetuating a contract labor system, thus exacerbating low Black…

Examines the writing of five administrators and six caseworkers in a county social services agency to determine their sensitivity to rhetorical issues and writing style. (HOD)

Examines some of the conditions needed for developing quality relations between social workers and foster carers in the realm of practical organization and in terms of individual qualities such as reliability, honesty, empathy and warmth. Looks at how social services and social work departments, in voluntary and statutory sectors, organize their…

Lists national organizations engaging in advocacy in areas of early childhood education. Provides contact information as well as brief mission statements for each organization. (AA)

Reviews literature on rural child sexual abuse and treatment. Surveys providers in rural Washington treatment programs. Responses describe agency characteristics, services, delivery problems, and suggested solutions. Reports providers' perceptions of service quality and interagency cooperation. Cites as problems heavy caseloads, lack of staff, and…

Studies the modes of and condition at exit of 585 children who left the care of the Casey Family Program. The research reveals a number of significant relationships between certain conditions, circumstances, and characteristics of the children previous to admission, and their condition upon departure from agency care. (Author/BB)

Examines the impact of federal funding cutbacks on operations of 12 nonprofit social service agencies in 6 rural Ohio counties. Finds that mega-agencies have broadened their clientele, service offerings, and funding sources, while smaller agencies are squeezed. Discusses effects on service delivery effectiveness, local priorities, and public…

A survey of the outdoor activity programming available to high-risk youth in the United Kingdom reveals limited availability of programs, little evidence of intensive personal development or therapeutic work in programs, and a significant interest among providers and users in sharing information and ideas. (LP)

Notes that the 19th-century problem of street children parallels contemporary problems of homelessness, youth gangs, and violence. Suggests that past and present programs developed to deal with these problems have many similarities and that understanding the origins of both the problems and the child welfare response is crucial to avoiding past…

Recently, adoptive parents have successfully sued placement agencies for wrongful adoption or fraudulently misrepresenting or neglecting to give a child's medical or family history. Adoption agencies' policies about disclosing the medical and social history of adoptees have been cyclical and have developed because of specific social factors; such…