An evaluation was conducted of Vermont's Welfare Restructuring Project (WRP), one of the earliest statewide welfare reform programs designed to increase work and reduce reliance on welfare. To assess the difference WRP made, parents applying for or receiving cash assistance in Vermont from July 1994 to December 1996 were assigned randomly to one…

A study examined reasons that adult female students are motivated to enroll in distance learning programs, described their perceptions of the courses, and identified barriers these women face as they attempt to progress through their degree programs. Results of focus groups with 40 returning adult women were analyzed. Their needs were grouped into…

This report examines the living and working conditions of adolescent migrant farmworkers. Interviews were conducted with 216 youth working during peak harvest time in six states, as well as with adult farmworkers, family members of working youth, and farm labor contractors. Most of the youth were 14-17 years old, although a few had begun work as…

This proceedings of the fourth Libraries Without Walls Conference addresses key strategic issues arising from international, regional, and cross-sectoral approaches to the provision of library services to distant users. The following papers are included: Theme 1: Libraries and Virtual Learning Environments: "Introduction" (Peter Brophy,…

Family preservation programs have long been used to prevent foster placement of children by providing services to the entire family. This manual presents the model for the Boys Town Family Preservation Program and discusses the foundations of in-home treatment, including cultural and family differences, community resources and networking, family…

This publication presents case studies of 12 diverse Wisconsin school districts that developed and implemented comprehensive school health programs (CSHPs) using Wisconsin's Framework for Comprehensive School Health Programs. The Framework helps schools organize multiple strategies to promote positive youth development using six components:…

Libraries that have assistive technology can help adult educators meet the information access needs of adult learners with disabilities. For example, the Special Needs Center at the Burton Barr Phoenix Public Library has been providing services to individuals with disabilities for more than 18 years. The Special Needs Center's services include…

The primary challenge of delivering and evaluating family-based services lies in successfully assessing changes in families. This guide provides instruction for use of the Family Assessment Form (FAF), an instrument to help practitioners assess families at the beginning of service, develop individualized family service plans, monitor family…

A literature review examined the potential impact of a multicultural applicant's nonverbal behavior (specifically, proxemics and kinesics) in a selection interview. Proxemics refers to the perception and use of personal and interpersonal space, which varies from culture to culture. The review indicated that in an interview situation, the chairs…

This guidebook consists of three parts. The first part is an introductory overview focusing on where mental health facets of school-based health centers (SBHC) fit into the work of schools. The second part is made up of three modules, each containing a set of units and resource aids focusing on day-by-day SBHC operational considerations and…

This booklet reports on focus groups organized by the California Youth Connection (CYC) in which foster youth across California discussed their experiences. Results of these focus groups were evaluated to see how the experiences matched current assumptions and knowledge. The intent of this booklet is to accurately depict the ideas, concerns, and…

This study examined the effectiveness of Minnesota Mainstream, a program serving professional individuals with psychiatric disabilities. The study also examined common career patterns among professional persons with psychiatric disabilities. Program participants (N=187), staff, and mentors were interviewed. Data were analyzed in terms of…

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends in the well-being of Oregon's children, focusing on children's health care. The statistical portrait is based on indicators of well-being including: (1) children's insurance coverage; (2) health care access; (3) health outcomes, including immunization rates and early prenatal care; (4) juvenile…

This paper discusses changes in information services at university libraries in Israel, focusing on the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Highlights include: combining the 20 departmental libraries at the Technion into one library system; efforts to build the status of the central library as the libraries' leader; the integrated library…

This Illinois state memorandum to school district superintendents provides clarification of policies regarding discipline of students with disabilities, specifically the issue of multiple suspensions, which may in the aggregate total more than 10 school days per school year, and the amount of services required during disciplinary exclusions. The…