This paper contrasts the rhetoric of quality assurance with the realities of poor quality in today's Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR). The ICF/MR operational model is described as paper oriented, failure based, and insensitive to the effects of its own practices. Recommendations include the establishment of local…

Research has found a strong relationship between aggregate economic indicators and the number of individuals receiving services from mental health facilities. To examine the relationship between macroeconomics and health, the broad utilization patterns and demographic information on the aggregate number of individuals using the mental health…

This report describes visits of two Americans to Bratislava, (Slovakia) and Prague (Czech Republic) as part of a larger project providing technical assistance to improve the care and services for children with special needs in these countries. A summary of the Bratislava visit lists people met and places visited (with a brief description of each…

Of the empirical research on agency utilization, examinations on the usage of community based organizations (CBO's) such as Community Action Programs, Opportunities Industrialization Centers, and Urban Leagues, have been minute. This study of CBO's revealed significant relationships relative to the use of program services by 575 respondents…

This issue of WIN (Welfare Information Network) Issue Notes focuses on the tendency of children from low-income families to drop out of high school, become teen parents, become involved in drug-related activities, and become involved in other activities that place them at high risk of long-term welfare dependency. Section 1 offers the background.…

This seven-chapter report explores in depth how issues relating to race, language, and culture can be incorporated into every stage of a reform process targeting supports to disadvantaged children and families. The report draws on 1993 research involving a survey of 98 collaborative programs in California, site visits to seven collaborative…

This paper examines the current status of U.S. children's mental health and its impact on children's ability to learn. It notes the incidence of mental disorders in children, risk factors predisposing children to mental disorders, and symptoms of children with serious emotional disturbances. It explores the school-based and community-based…

Pennsylvania's family literacy programs were subjected to a statewide evaluation in 1999-2000. Data were collected through focus groups with parents, a survey of staff in community agencies and organizations, and analyses of program data and the findings of selected assessments administered to adults and children involved in the program.…

The following were examined: (1) the Department of Transportation's (DOT) efforts to evaluate the Job Access and Reverse Commute (Job Access) program; (2) transportation and related services provided by Job Access; (3) whether the program fosters collaboration between grantees and others in the design, financing, and delivery of those services;…