Research studies on school success often focus on the impact of discrete elements such as race, culture, ethnicity, gender, language, or school location on high achievement. The condition of poverty, however, may be the most important of all student differences in relation to high achievement; although not all schools have racial diversity, nearly…

This two-page fact sheet summarizes typical approaches, programs, and resources in the area of family support and respite programs for families with special needs. Principles of family support programs are listed, stressing the common goal of increasing the ability of families to successfully nurture children. Typical components of such programs…

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…

This paper discusses domestic violence, examining its epidemiology for the general population and for two Asian American groups. It reviews data from 10 empirical studies on domestic violence among Asian American women. Qualitative studies stress the impact of family ties, family honor, and shame; religious values; fear of the legal system; and…

The United States has no national policy on "the family." Reviews the reasons why it is unlikely that such a policy will emerge in the foreseeable future, and urges adoption of social policies and programs that will assure to all children the care and nurturance for growth and development. (Author)

Presents a case study in which family policy in five European countries and the United States is compared in relation to the question of how citizens can raise the care for children at the same time they are productive members of the work force. (Author)

The aim of the federally funded National Demonstration Program in Child Abuse and Neglect was to develop and test alternative treatment strategies. This article reports on an evaluation of treatment services in the 11 projects in the program. Implications are presented. (Author)

Analyzes contemporary myths that impede the construction of a compassionate social policy toward the poor, challenges these assumptions, and outlines elements of a political agenda responsive to the needs of impoverished families. (PCB)

Reviews recent studies of family preservation and related family-strengthening programs. Estimates the effect sizes of outcomes in studies with control or comparison conditions. Also identifies a set of core services that characterize innovative family preservation programs in child welfare, multisystemic family treatment in juvenile justice, and…

Reviews literature on how exemplary child care services in Europe, the United States, and selected Canadian provinces have been planned, organized, and coordinated with other child and family support services, and with education, recreation, and public health services. (JPB)

The interest in family policy on the part of academic and political leaders may offer new opportunities to enact social legislation. Serious violations of civil liberties may threaten individuals and nonconventional families. Risks implicit in the adoption of a national policy outweigh the possible gains. (Author)

This article discusses a home-centered approach to the use of assistive technology for children with disabilities, reviewing the literature on children's home environments, self-determination, family systems, and the physical and social environment. Suggestions are provided for professionals working with families to identify and provide assistive…

Review of the research pertaining to reactive attachment disorder (RAD) in the family context considers diagnosis of RAD and family experiences associated with children who have RAD. Focus is on interrelationships among RAD behavioral characteristics and associated challenges to parents and siblings. Relevant literature from different fields is…

The article examines effects of implementation of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, Part H, Handicapped Infants and Toddlers, including goals and expectations for family support, a comprehensive family support program, and assessment and service options. (DB)

This paper reviews evaluations of family-centered intervention programs conducted in neonatal intensive care units. Of 10 studies identified, 3 focused on intervention to benefit the family system; 6 involved parents, but the primary focus was the infant; and 1 study combined the 2 approaches. All the studies had substantial limitations.…