Discusses the importance of a well-conducted needs assessment to the healthy functioning of a social services agency. Describes the assessment of its training needs undertaken by the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa-Carleton, Canada. (JOW)

Children experiencing the trauma of divorce often feel alone and ashamed. This article describes a Virginia elementary principal's provision of school support groups to give children a chance to acknowledge their problems and discuss their feelings. The project was developed in cooperation with a community family services agency. (MLH)

Describes the development, responsibilities, and achievements of the office of the Ombudsman for Children in Norway. (RJC)

Project Home Safe is an American Home Economics Association program that provides training, technical assistance, materials, and other solutions to the school-age child care problem. (Author)

The destruction caused by substance abuse extends to all of Philadelphia's nearly 200,000 students. The greatest damage is incurred through using legal addictive drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. This article describes Philadelphia's collaboration with police, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. Attorney's office to combat this problem. (MLH)

Discusses issues related to the public disclosure of documentary information produced by accreditation. Argues that accreditation documents would not be informative or useful to the general public, and their disclosure would have ill effects on the accreditation process. (DMM)

Supports greater public disclosure of accreditation information in light of heightened external concern about educational quality and weakened public confidence. Contends that accrediting agencies should be willing to specify the professional and lay judgments that provide a basis for certification. (DMM)

Describes three cases which exemplify mistakes in the recognition of child abuse by physicians, judges, and child welfare professionals. Discusses implications for prevention of child abuse and death and disability in young, at-risk children. (RJC)

State and federal budget cuts make it increasingly important for child welfare organizations to influence policy development. Accurate knowledge of legislators' beliefs about child welfare issues allows agencies and advocacy groups to develop positive means of promoting positive legislation. (SAK)

This paper examines the role of agency-sponsored job coaches in supported employment, and proposes a broader concept of supported employment. Suggested alternative support options involve the active participation of supervisors and co-workers. These are titled the mentor option, the training consultant option, the job sharing option, and the…

The educational needs of blind youth in developing countries are beginning to be met with training programs offered by such agencies as Helen Keller International of the United States, the Christoffel Blindenmission of West Germany, and the Royal Commonwealth Society of the Blind of the United Kingdom. (Author/DB)

In transition, articulation refers to appropriate coordination of services required for a successful move or transfer by special needs students. Four types of articulation are examined that improve service delivery for students with special training needs. (JOW)

Describes the efforts of the United States Catholic Conference (USCC) to provide a coherent, national vision for Catholic education and catechetics. Focuses on the USCC's efforts to support tax relief for Catholic education, monitor proposed legislation, and collaborate with other national, Catholic, and professional organizations. (DMM)

Discusses the political process that occurred among professional trade associations, government agencies, and public interest groups concerning the Government Printing Office Electronic Information Access Enhancement Act of 1993 (WINDOW bill). Highlights include the politics of information; the Paperwork Reduction Act; and the role of the ALA…

Summarizes a North Carolina study examining 27 homeless parents' experiences and perceptions regarding their children's education. Semistructured interview data showed that parents perceived educational continuity and stability as very important for their children. Parents were generally satisfied with their children's education, particularly…