Notes that mental health services have been a weak link in Head Start. Addresses the need to enhance mental health services by describing a successful, innovative university-Head Start partnership. Describes the model and provides advice for Head Start programs to expand and enhance their mental health services. (SD)

Underage drinking is a significant problem in the United States: Alcohol is the primary contributor to the leading causes of death among adolescents. As a result, communitywide strategies to prevent underage drinking are more important than ever. Such strategies depend on the involvement and education of adolescents, parents, law enforcement …

This paper addresses the role of the local Head Start program mental health consultant and outlines ways in which the program can assure optimal use of the consultant's services. The Head Start program incorporates the services of a local consultant to promote the mental health of children and parents. The specialist's role is to assist staff and…

During the past three decades, there has been an increase in knowledge about early childhood development. Early experiences can function as either risk factors or protective factors for a child's future health and development. This has led to concern about how current health systems contribute to the quality of the earliest experiences of life.…

This resource describes how pregnancy prevention efforts can be integrated into the various components of a school health program (the linkages between classroom instruction to prevent adolescent pregnancy and the school's health and mental health services, the necessary administrative policies, the type and extent of faculty and staff…

Rising rates of violence, teen pregnancy, child suicide, poverty, and youth crime are providing a wake-up call for educators and communities. This handbook is the culminating effort of a project designed to improve health programs in small, rural schools. Of the 16,000 school districts in the United States, more than one-half are small and rural;…

This manual was designed for Catholic Relief Services staff who want to improve the health and nutrition component of maternal and child health programs. The methodology presented had already been used in two country programs in Africa, and the experiences in those program evaluations made this guide to participatory evaluation useful for other…

This book provides college and university personnel administrators with information and resources for the development and expansion of wellness programs at institutions of higher education. The five contributed chapters address some of the issues involved in the development of wellness programs. In Chapter 1, "Wellness in Higher…

Describes ways in which parents and professionals are working together to ensure that goals related to family support are translated into policies, programs, and services in the care system for children and youth with serious emotional disorders. Features a parent organizing project in Wisconsin. (RJC)

Presents practical information about psychiatric medications and psychological emergencies to assist staff working in outdoor settings with mental health patients. Discusses the potential hazards and side effects of psychotropic drugs. Provides step-by-step guidelines for distinguishing between medical and psychological problems, assessing…

A definition of the components of comprehensive school health education is provided to help school personnel devise a curriculum for health education. Guidelines concerning aspects of curriculum, administration, and teaching methodology are offered. (DF)

Noting that too many children with elevated lead levels are not being identified in the United States, this report presents policy guidelines for increasing screening and follow-up care of children who most need these services, and for helping communities pursue the most appropriate approach to preventing childhood lead poisoning. Following an…

The U.S. Surgeon General's 2000 Report on Children's Mental Health estimates that one in five children and adolescents will experience a significant mental-health problem during their school years. While the family is the primary source of support for a child's mental health, the increased stress and fracturing of today's life make it imperative…

Convincing industry to adopt health promotion programs presents problems not generally encountered in the public sector. This article describes a marketing approach for organizations and individuals planning to "sell" health promotion to private firms. (PP)

By consciously applying evaluation techniques before they adopt a new program, health educators can increase the likelihood that the program will meet their needs. Guidelines are provided for posing questions about the new program, that are normally raised at the program's end, as part of summative evaluation. (Authors/PP)