Explores the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services' efforts to transform the Bureau of Indian Affairs service delivery paradigm into a more holistic case management paradigm for child and family services congruent with Navajo culture and rural location. Discusses a composite case to illustrate issues experienced by many Navajo clients.…

The Kentucky Family Resource Centers developed under the Kentucky Educational Reform Act are described as examples of the school-linked service movement. The lessons learned in the development of the centers and policy issues that need to be addressed by both education and social services to assure continued development of this movement are…

Overviews national data concerning the problems associated with the high dropout rate of migrant students. Stresses the importance of enhancing self-esteem of migrant children. Offers recommendations for national, state, and community action that emphasize empowering children and their families to break the cycles of poverty, abuse, and high…

A number of issues involving the concept of quality of life as applied to persons with intellectual disabilities are summarized and a number of agreed-upon principles regarding its conceptualization, measurement, and application are presented. Public policy and disability reform are addressed as they relate to the quality of life concept.…

Profiles rural single-parent father family through three case study surveys. Focuses on fathers' adaptation to change, their use of outsider resources, and specific needs. Suggests services be seen in context of common rural economic stress. Suggests approaches and social services for these and other rural families. (TES)

The connection between the conditions of education and the total condition of children needs to be bridged. Schools would be a logical hub to integrate and coordinate youth services. (MLF)

Elements of a successful Head Start program are described. These elements are provision of comprehensive services, parent involvement and family support, a commitment to meeting local needs, training and technical assistance support, and use of a collaborative approach. Anecdotes about two Head Start parents and a former Head Start participant are…

An institutional political process model for comparing social welfare policies is presented. Principal elements include each country's societal values, government institutions (operationalized as the role of interest groups), policy goals, and welfare system type. The model is demonstrated through a comparison of the dissimilar social welfare…

Identifies the following basic issues involved in planning and implementing school-linked services: (1) planning; (2) targeting; (3) governance; (4) information systems; and (5) staffing. Effective planning requires a policy-minded team of equals from various agencies. Strategies that community teams can use to address each issue are discussed.…

Overview of social service programs for families offered by the Independence (Missouri) School District describes programs designed to meet needs in the following areas: accessing community services; adult parenting education; literacy education and job training; preschool and after-school childcare; services for low-income families and special…

Describes a program based in St. Paul, Minnesota, which provides whole-family foster care for a population of adult parents and minor children without stable residences, in which the children are at risk of placement in out-of-home care. (HTH)

A literature review reveals that homeless adolescents are at extremely high risk for acquiring HIV infection. Sexual and drug use behaviors that put these adolescents at risk are described. New models of social, health, and mental health services for these youth are outlined. (GLR)

Fifty-four county mental health authorities in Michigan were surveyed before and after implementation of new policies and funding for support services for disabled individuals and families. Case management assessment, respite care, in-home services, and advisory committees showed significant increases in availability. Length of time that families…

Describes the Kids Organized on Learning in School (KOOL-IS) initiative of the B.F. Day Elementary School in Seattle, Washington, which coordinates health, social, and educational services for homeless children. Organizational components, a case study, and program evaluation are considered. (BB)

Suicide mortality rates are analyzed for older adults (Blacks, Whites, males, and females) using national mortality data for 1980 through 1986. Elderly White males have the highest rates and have experienced an increase of 23 percent. The rate for Black males rose by 42 percent. Implications for social policy are discussed. (SLD)