The manual is intended to provide persons working with the families of young handicapped children a basic structure to 1) guide an intake interview, 2) assess the extent to which community support services are being used, 3) formulate action plans, and 4) monitor the accomplishment of treatment objectives. Introductory information includes self…

Guidelines based on Project Head Start performance standards are offered for persons interested in starting and operating a home-based child development program providing individualized family services through home visits. Opening sections of the manual sensitize prospective service providers to problems and positive outcomes of home-based…

This booklet was developed to help school staff members, parents, and community leaders understand how family centers can promote family participation and strengthen their schools. It also serves as a guide to establishing family centers. The term, family center, is used throughout this booklet, although many schools prefer to call their center…

This report discusses the outcomes of a project designed to help young children with special needs and their families prepare for and adjust to new service settings. The Bridging Early Service Transition (BEST) Project has helped administrators, service providers, and families plan and coordinate transitions for young children with disabilities or…

This report, in French- and English-language versions, synthesizes the policy laid down in the "Think and Act Family" guide, which Quebec's Conseil de la Famille made public in 1989. The report is intended for those who work with families in any function, such as a volunteer, a professional, or an administrator; it emphasizes that a…

The Illinois Fatherhood Initiative is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to connect children and fathers by promoting responsible fathering and helping equip men to become better fathers and father figures. This brochure was produced by the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative to help give fathers and communities the necessary tools to…

Profiles six noteworthy web sites on literacy-related information, including sites that deal with issues addressing literacy and deafness, literacy development, family literacy program development, evaluation of family literacy programs, and encouraging young children with deafness to read. Online addresses of the web sites are provided. (CR)

The family is the handicapped infant or toddler's ecological system, is critical to the child's optimal development, and must be incorporated into early intervention programs. Characteristics of the ecosystem of the family of a handicapped child are discussed, followed by characteristics of ecologically attuned early intervention teams. (JDD)

This article discusses the role of organized religion in providing respite services to families of children with disabilities. Respite programs using church volunteers are seen as an opportunity for new and effective partnerships between secular service systems and the religious community. Model programs are described. (PB)

Advice is offered for making the children of alumni welcome at campus events and reunions, illustrated with the experiences of several colleges. Suggestions include cooperating with the campus legal office concerning risk and liability of child care, using community facilities that cater to children, starting small and expanding with success, and…

Offers advice to Head Start teachers on making parents feel comfortable as observers or volunteers in the classroom. Suggests that home visits are a way to become better acquainted with families and offers several ideas for keeping in touch with parents. Provides suggestions on encouraging parent participation and making parents feel welcome in…

Discharging the premature infant from the hospital calls for provision of support to families in such areas as capitalizing on family strengths and resources, empowering parents to make informed decisions, creating opportunities for parent-to-parent contact, focusing intervention goals on parent-identified needs, and providing services to families…

This article describes a variety of treatment options for infants and toddlers with nonorganic failure to thrive. Key elements of successful interventions are discussed and appropriate clinical applications are made. The need for a team approach to address the varied etiologically significant factors related to feeding difficulties is stressed.…

This article describes the Let's Play Project model, which uses play as the outcome for families and children with disabilities. The model is family-centered, play-focused, and uses assistive technology in the facilitation of play and development. Six assistive technology categories that are used are explained with examples of low-tech…

Developed to provide assistance in the building of an effective home-based program for Head Start children and their families, this handbook may serve as a blueprint for parent-focused home visits that assist the child and family to meet their special needs. Chapter one focuses on the home visitation model for providing services to families and…