The article describes modern development in education in the Russian Federation, tied to the development of professional standards. We will show that introduction of professional standards can not only start from a profession, but from an actively developing social practice. Using the example of alumni socio-educational support of all forms of…

Child- and family-serving programs in community-based settings wield tremendous power for improving the lives of infants and toddlers. In this article, three authors, from Ohio, Montana, and Sierra Leone, describe the principles of adaptive leadership and will share their real-world applications. Their stories explore critical questions for…

The lack of culturally appropriate health and mental health care has contributed to the large number of African American youth and families involved in the child welfare system. This article reviews the consequences of the insufficient access to culturally sensitive, evidence-supported interventions for African American foster youth. The authors…

This book addresses the basic issues that require resolution in the design of an effective, comprehensive independent living program for adolescents who are moving out of foster care placements. It provides recommendations for improving the delivery of services and encourages adoption of certain policies and practices to improve conditions…

Examines the changes initiated to reorient Kentucky's child welfare system to a family prevention model; this includes an examination of the model's goals, the implementation of the model, training of the staff, problems encountered by the initiation of the new model, and an evaluation of the model. (Author/BB)

Appraises foster care and advocates its change from a largely custodial system to one that is essentially treatment-oriented. Development of a placement continuum from least intrusive (day care) to most intrusive (hospitalization), with a variety of intermediate options including foster home care, is crucial. (NH)

Describes the work of the Romanian Orphanage Trust, which is working in partnership with the Romanian government to develop a model foster care program. Discusses the scale of the challenge facing those attempting to build services for families and children in that country. (HTH)

In a program developed at Merrywood School (Bellevue, Washington), four key components were identified as critical to successfully placing disabled children in foster care: identification and recruitment of stable, motivated, and qualified foster parents; preparation of foster parents; support for foster parents' needs; and development of creative…

Discusses a mentoring model as a resource for lesbian and gay adolescents in foster care. The authors apply known successful program elements to the design of a model mentoring program for lesbian and gay adolescents. The program is meant to alleviate problems of isolation, stigmatization, and lack of positive lesbian and gay role models. (GR)

Summarizes the objectives, conceptual model, results, and implications of a project called Foster Care Training: A Comprehensive Approach, in British Columbia, Canada, which was designed to illustrate ways in which a networking model can provide increased support and training for participating foster parents. (BB)

Provides descriptive information about visiting services developed by the Family Connection Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, that could serve as a model for the development of similar services in other communities. Describes the center's services to families with children in placement and program variations for divorced parents and their children.…

Describes international programs developed in collaboration with Holt International Children's Services, a nongovernmental organization fostering international adoptions and assisting in developing child care programs and practices, in the Philippines, Thailand, India, and Romania. Considers strategies used for program development, including…

Increases in delinquency and violence among adolescents in the last decade are rooted in a number of interrelated social problems that may originate within the family structure. This publication is one of several in the "Family Strengthening Series" that describes the effectiveness of family intervention programs and provides resources to families…

Describes a culturally specific rites of passage program designed for African American youth in foster care as an adjunct to an independent living program. Presents preliminary evaluative data on this program. Discusses future directions in culturally specific programs. (SNR)

Describes the experience of the Philadelphia Kinship Care Task Force's collaborative process between political, public, and private communities to respond to the emergence of kinship care. Describes the achievements including a national summit, initiation of dialog on policy and program aspects, and formation of legislative and administrative…