Discusses effects of violence on children, focusing on steps that educators and child development professionals can take to mitigate the effects of violence on the development of at-risk children. Suggests that educators and professionals need to foster a caring educational environment, promote self-discipline, provide children with outlets for…

Describes how preschools and elementary schools can establish a Family Lending Library to make available to parents books on the reading process, literacy, and child development, as well as books they can read to their children. The library can also contain videotapes, toys, and a variety of materials that address the uniqueness of each family.…

Potential barriers related to the participation of Latino families in programs addressing the needs of individuals with severe handicaps are discussed. A successful education and training activity for Latino families with children with developmental disabilities, which provides a family focus in the family's own language and integrates relevant…

Describes a comparative study of self-perceived and grandchild-perceived strengths and educational needs of 204 African-American and 204 Anglo grandparents and 295 African-American and 175 Anglo grandchildren, examining how to adapt programs effective for Anglos so that they would be effective for African Americans. Recommendations are made for…

Describes the Follow Through educational model as one type of program with a strong commitment to parent involvement. Findings provide evidence of positive outcomes in three areas of parent involvement: advocacy, decision making, and instruction. Suggestions for the implementation of new parent involvement programs in elementary schools are…

A rural school-community council identified local risk factors for youth substance abuse, selected prevention strategies related to the risks, and developed objectives and evaluation processes. Community members were presented with the plan and formed a committee to begin implementation. (LP)

Explores the role that schools can play in providing direction, guidance, and support to children and adolescents in the face of growing violence in society and in schools. Discusses the development and implementation of preventive measures such as additions to the curriculum, mentoring programs, child abuse and neglect programs, parent education,…

The Parent as a Teacher Inventory was used to determine expectations of Anglo and Hispanic parents whose children were underrepresented in gifted education programs. Parent responses to the inventory, and a parent education curriculum that was developed based on the responses, are discussed. (BG)

A communication training program for parents of new cochlear implant users includes an assessment of parents' communication behaviors using the Communication Index for Parents, a parent seminar, a home-training program, and a parent library. Speech and listening diaries, completed by parents at regular intervals, provide information to guide…

Parental knowledge of child sexual abuse and interest in educating themselves and their children for primary prevention was studied, via interviews with 51 mothers and 50 fathers of preschool and day-care center children. There were significant differences by sex of parent for sources of preferred information, preferred educators, and types of…

The Niagara Falls Secondary School Family Learning Program targets young disadvantaged parents and their preschool children for family literacy development that focuses on parent-child literacy and social interaction. Guidelines for program development include establishing partnerships based on a shared vision of family literacy, developing plans…

The Road to Readiness component of the Center on Families, Communities, Schools, and Children's Learning focused on individual, family, and community supports and obstacles to school readiness. Several projects of the initiative are described, focusing on a chart developed to help parents encourage a child's early speech. (SLD)

This article provides a critical review of empirical investigations on the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology with individuals with autism or pervasive developmental disorder. The review is presented by six topic areas: assessment, staff/family training, supports for augmented input, supports for…

Family, friend and neighbor (FFN) child caregivers represent a significant proportion of caregivers for young children. Yet, these caregivers receive little support for their services. In 2003, the First 5 California Children and Families Commission (First 5 California) began a study to determine the work-related needs of FFN caregivers in…

We examine the issues involved in creating and maintaining a successful collaboration between university-based researchers and community members when designing and implementing the Parents Matter! Program (PMP). The roles of focus groups, community advisory boards, and community liaisons are highlighted. PMP provides an illustration of the ongoing…