This overview describes the prevalence and etiology of the population of children who are deaf blind; considers service delivery and resource systems currently in place; and discusses current and future issues including provision of transition services, lack of qualified teachers, and lack of related and support services. New initiatives are…

Effects of variations of program evaluation purpose and methodology on decision-making information needs of various stakeholders were examined with 475 participants in planning for early childhood special education (223 administrators, 140 service personnel, and 112 parents). A program evaluation's purpose and methodology differentially affect…

Advocates renewal of the settlement house tradition in the inner cities, tracing the history of the settlement movement, and illustrating contemporary settlement approaches in St. Louis (Missouri), Cleveland (Ohio), New York City, and Boston (Massachusetts). Settlements offer a way to provide organization in disorganized communities. (SLD)

Eight broad and significant trends in the health care environment are examined, including trends in demography, the economy, epidemiology, patterns of finance and delivery, science and technology, values, and higher education governance and institutional planning. Strategic accommodation of the changes is seen as necessary as the profession moves…

This article reviews the rationales and premises of the Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) approach and early childhood special education (ECSE), highlighting areas of overlap. DAP's insufficiencies for planning, implementing, and evaluating ECSE programs are noted. A selective literature review clarifies issues separating the two areas,…

Analyzes why the current complex of social institutions and systems does not effectively serve poor children, highlighting the lack of early or preventative help for families and inappropriate organizational structure. Offers a series of five principles for a new foundation based on prevention, comprehensiveness, continuity, and accountability.…

Describes the Decker Family Development Center (DFDC) in Barberton (Ohio), while relating the difference that the DFDC's services has made to one poor family. Recounts the DFDC's establishment, funding, and current services (adult education, counseling for parents and children, and several types of child care services). (JB)

This article extends the ideas of social support systems to giftedness and disadvantagement, and presents examples of two intervention programs for talented, economically disadvantaged children--the Epstein Fine Arts Fund, and SMART (Science and Mathematics Advocacy and Recruitment for Teaching), both in Chicago, Illinois. A research agenda is…

This directory provides information, by state and province, on U.S. and Canadian schools and programs for preschool, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary students who are deaf or hearing impaired. A chart summarizes program types, number of students enrolled, services offered, and communication methodologies. Information on demographic…

The East Coast Migrant Head Start Project, a federal grantee providing Head Start services to migrant families, has developed a continuity system to ensure that comprehensive service delivery occurs for each child and family enrolled. The system focuses on centralized and parent-held documentation, advocacy training for staff and parents, and…

A field-based elementary teacher training center was established in a California school district to develop training for cooperating teachers, systematize selection of cooperating teachers, standardize student teacher placement, and develop delivery and support systems. Results indicated improved student teaching performance, increased school…

Argues that much can be done to solve the problems of U.S. children by building on the lessons from past successes. Removing the risk factors we know how to remove can bring about improvements. Strategies are offered to build responsive programs that deal with children as part of families. (SLD)

Identifies the following nuts-and-bolts issues that must be addressed when establishing school-linked service programs: (1) planning; (2) targeting; (3) governance; (4) information systems; and (5) staffing. Political and policy issues are extremely important in seeking partnerships among independent agencies in an intergovernmental setting. (SLD)

Discusses the Comprehension and Cognitive Development (CCD) approach of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education to instructional planning and delivery improvement. CCD is a cross-disciplinary approach that recognizes that mathematics, science, and language arts demand comprehension of textual material and identification and transfer of…

This paper outlines developments in child protection from an international point of view and offers a perspective into the twenty-first century. The paper focuses on management of intrafamilial child maltreatment (identification, treatment, government intervention, primary prevention); and management of extrafamilial child maltreatment through…