In this landmark volume, Greg J. Duncan and Richard J. Murnane lay out a meticulously researched case showing how--in a time of spiraling inequality--strategically targeted interventions and supports can help schools significantly improve the life chances of low-income children. The authors offer a brilliant synthesis of recent research on…

The purpose of this synthesis is to present summary information on family-centered practices, and on interventions aimed at promoting positive parenting practices, teaching parenting skills, and influencing parent child interactions that have demonstrated associations with positive social emotional development for children aged 0-3 years. The…

The twenty-first century family faces many demographic changes. Despite this, the importance of intergenerational relationships remains. This article initially reviews the literature surrounding the role that grandparents play in their children's families, highlighting a growing body of research demonstrating the important support role that…

Head Start is a national program that provides comprehensive developmental services for preschool children (ages 3 to 5) from low-income families and social services for their families. Approximately 1,400 community-based nonprofit organizations and school systems develop programs to meet specific needs. Head Start began in 1965 in the Office of…

This bulletin summarizes the results of a training and technology transfer program focussing on strengthening families for the prevention of delinquency. A national search was conducted for representative family strengthening programs, and through a process that involved national conferences, regional training sessions, and technical assistance,…

The concept and implementation of direction services, a one step center offering assistance to parents of handicapped children, are traced. Three basic functions of the federally funded direction service centers are noted: to help locate and provide access to the most appropriate resources for handicapped children and youth; to collect and…

Examines models of integrative delivery services for children and families and the role of the school counselor in the provision of such services. Discusses the importance of structuring the delivery approach and the role of school counseling professional organizations and counseling programs as valuable sources of support. (Contains 17…

Describes the general characteristics of family support programs in North America. Summarizes the rationale for such programs. Describes an example of a support program, the family resource centers in Canada. Outlines such key planning considerations as the diversity of today's families, needs assessment, program variety, and cultural relevance.…

Over the past decade, fathering programs of various kinds have proliferated in a number of different contexts. These programs are faced with two critical issues. The first is the need for a practical, inclusive, yet challenging framework to guide effective practice in diverse settings. This review presents a definition of good fathering as…

Describes a paradigm for identifying male involvement in Comprehensive Child Development Programs (CCDP) that is based on 4 years of service delivery for 40 adult males participating in Project EAGLE, a federally funded CCDP in Kansas City (Kansas). The paper addresses issues of diversity of characteristics and participation patterns of the males…

This article provides a rationale for developing communication/interviewing skills of early childhood interventionists, presents information on training in family interviewing and communication skills, describes perspectives of interventionists who have attended a workshop on the family-focused interview, and suggests strategies to help…

This article explores the role of values in social science research and in public policymaking for programs that intervene in the lives of children and their families. A values classification scheme is described that was used in the To Strengthen Families Project. (PP)

The demand for family foster care services has increased rapidly during the past decade, as has the number of special needs children requiring foster care. This monograph presents information collected over the past 20 years concerning policies and programs which have been used to retain and recruit foster parents. The ever-increasing need for…

This guide is one part of a set of materials designed to support an ecological intervention system for families and their special needs children between birth and three. The system is constructed on four premises: (1) intervention is guided by the family; (2) parent-child interactions are the heart of early intervention; (3) family rituals, daily…

The document looks at the continuum of residential service models for mentally retarded individuals. Chapter 1 describes and cites research on four models (natural family homes, foster homes, community residential facilities, and nursing homes); and points out differences among these service models. A second chapter focuses on programs and…