This article provides an overview of the history, development, and conceptual framework guiding a national certification initiative for child and youth care workers. Summarized are descriptions of three certification assessment measures (supervisor assessment, situational judgment certification exam, and portfolio assessment), integrated with…

This article describes a successful pilot project in New York City that effectively reduced the number of transfers or replacements of children in family foster care through the placement of mental health clinicians onsite at two foster care agencies. (Contains 2 tables and 2 footnotes.)

Describes a pilot project in York, Pennsylvania which provides therapy for the families of status offender youths (i.e. incorrigibles, runaways, truants). Results indicate that the program is effective in reducing placements and costs. (BD)

A preliminary report on a year-old pilot project attempting to formulate protocols for measuring goal achievement in residential treatment. (SS)

Alberta, Canada, welcomed nearly 16,000 landed immigrants in 2003, of whom more than half came to the Calgary area. Approximately 200,000 immigrants of various ethnic and cultural groups now live in the region. Many of these new arrivals have no natural support networks while struggling with language, cultural, and economic barriers. Recognizing…

A 16-week pilot program, sponsored and carried out by mental health practitioners, created a neutral setting for structured visits of biological parents, their children in placement, and the children's foster parents. Results were sufficiently promising to warrant planning for a more extensive, research-based program. (GLR)

A pilot project demostrates that a carefully designed program encompassing training of foster parents, use of volunteers, community support, and full commitment by foster care workers can result in permanent homes for youngsters. (CM)

Discusses a demonstration program which uses a puppet show followed by a coloring page activity as an aid in teaching children about the prevention and early detection of child sexual abuse. The program was well received by preschoolers in nursery schools and day care centers and by their parents and teachers. (Author/BB)