The long-term results of a 32-hour interpersonal communication skills training program for unit staff in a large state psychiatric hospital were evaluated. The main goal was to improve staff effectiveness through systematic training in communication behaviors expressing empathy in staff-patient interactions. Staff outcome measures were turnover,…

The Chapter 1, Part B, Institutional Facilities Program of the New York (New York) public schools was fully implemented in summer 1993, providing supplementary career education, academic remediation, and daily living skills instruction for approximately 500 students at 15 institutions for neglected and delinquent children. Eighty-two percent of…

A study examined the impact of a simulated aging experience on nursing staff perceptions of job satisfaction and job performance. It was hypothesized that nurses and nurse aides who participated in the simulated aging experience would be more satisfied with their jobs and would receive fewer complaints from residents than those who did not…

A project was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Cambridge/Kentucky Educational Television General Educational Development (GED) Video Series as a tool for providing adult basic education (ABE) instruction to institutionalized drug addicts and alcoholics at Eagleville Hospital in Eagleville, Pennsylvania. After the integration of the…

The seven narrative reports featured in this publication detail the accomplishments, in seven key areas, of State Grant Programs (Titles I, II, and III) funded by the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). These descriptions of state and local library activities, demonstrating how libraries are meeting a variety of users' needs, are: (1)…

This study (one portion of a larger study) was designed to describe the post-release experiences of former institutionalized students who received Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I services. The sample consisted of approximately 200 students from eight correctional institutions. Data were collected through interviews with the…

Project Proud Option of Palmer, Massachusetts, had the following objectives: (1) develop and implement a system for assessing the functioning levels of handicapped students in institutional schools as these functional levels relate to already existing job task outlines and performance objectives; (2) develop new job opportunities within the…

An introduction by Dr. David D. Komisar provides background and objectives for a study which eventually involved observations in six residential institutions. Two institutions were judged to be ineffective as residents appeared to be not happy or self-sufficient, showed little intellectual growth (or were rarely, if ever, retested), had many…

An account of theory and practice in the psychiatric inpatient care of children at a large residential treatment center is presented. The formative factors of the home and community are discussed; consideration is given to the validity of the residential center as a treatment center and to the omnipotence and/or helplessness of the patient. Ego…

The shift from institutional to community-based care for the mentally ill failed because communities were not prepared to undertake this responsibility. Suggestions for more humane care are given. (IS)

The study of 742 older persons (above age 45) with a developmental handicap residing in either community or institutional settings in Alberta, Canada, found those residing in congregate care settings had significantly higher frequencies of health impairments. Persons residing in the community had significantly better independent living skills and…

We identify explanatory risk variables associated with the co-occurrence of two problem behaviors: juvenile offending and adolescent fatherhood. Data were gathered from a 5-year prospective, longitudinal study of 531 incarcerated juvenile offenders as they transitioned from youth correction facilities back into the community. Of the total sample,…

The abuse of people with developmental disabilities has a long and horrific history, which extends from prehistoric to current times. Only in the past 20 or 30 years has society recognized that this abuse is a serious social problem and, with this recognition, research has been carried out on the topic. The limited research that has been done…

Since the early 1990s, research, largely from a feminist perspective, has been devoted to identifying the "gender-specific needs" of delinquent girls. This article explores racial differences between girls and how these differences may affect the commission of violent behavior and self-injurious behavior. Self-report data were collected…

North Carolina has a dropout crisis--only two thirds of North Carolina high school students graduate. One reason this crisis has not received the attention it deserves is because the state was reporting badly inflated graduation rates (supposedly as high as 97 percent) until it finally adopted a more realistic reporting method earlier this year.…