Dan Bloom of MDRC examines policies and programs designed to help high school dropouts improve their educational attainment and labor market outcomes. So called "second-chance" programs, he says, have long provided some combination of education, training, employment, counseling, and social services. But the research record on their effectiveness…

Provides information on selected governmental programs that exclusively serve individuals with disabilities, are federally supported (in whole or part), provide services for children with disabilities or young adults with disabilities in the process of becoming independent, and have an annual budget exceeding $500,000,000. Tables provide…

Provides an overview of home health visiting programs in Europe, with special emphasis on Denmark and Great Britain, where home health visiting has been in place for decades. Concludes that European home health visiting programs have been successful because they are an integral part of comprehensive, universal maternal and child health systems.…

Examines the wide variation that exists among home visiting programs in their content, theory, and operation, outlining the theoretical goals and operational dimensions of such programs. Numerous home visiting programs that focus on parents of young children are highlighted. Observes that few programs have been rigorously evaluated using the…

Describes the accomplishments and distinguishing features of California's Healthy Start Program, a statewide, school-linked initiative to provide health and human services support to children and their families at the local level. (MDM)

To address the health care needs of the millions of uninsured children of low-income families ineligible for Medicaid, many states have developed innovative public and private programs. Examines the privately funded Blue Cross/Blue Shield Caring Program and promising public programs in 11 states. (MDM)

Provides brief descriptions of major types of early childhood programs, and reviews what is known about the effects of early childhood programs on children and their families. The authors also consider how those effects come about and why effectiveness varies across programs. Five policy questions and recommendations are discussed regarding how…