Reviews the history of state mental health planning from the federal perspective, discusses some state objectives for comprehensive planning, and presents a participatory model for plan development. Demonstrates how the model can be used to produce a mental health plan that is a viable management tool fulfilling many state objectives. (Author/BH)

Three state organizations in Minnesota have cooperated to increase public awareness of gifted students. Activities, including public service announcements, talk show appearances, displays, and direct mail efforts are described. (CL)

Dissimilarities between vocational rehabilitation and special education are noted, making school-to-work transition complicated. The author cites fiscal and program practices in Wisconsin that successfully link rehabilitation to education. (CL)

The history, philosophy, and importance of family support programs to enhance caregiving capacities of families with disabled children are recounted. Information from a survey of state family support programs is summarized, and successful aspects of Michigan's support subsidy are described. (CL)

Reviews the history of the Crippled Children's Service (CCS) program and reports results of a survey of state CCS programs conducted in 1981. Documents extensive variability among state programs in number of children served, conditions covered, services provided, and other indices. Emphasizes the considerable influence of historical and leadership…

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau launched the State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (SECCS) Initiative to promote the healthy development and school readiness of young children. This brief is a planning tool designed to assist states in conducting strategic planning throughout the initiative. It is organized into seven steps as…

Among the provisions of Maryland Senate Bill 682 was that mission statements would be developed by the presidents of public institutions of higher education in Maryland, submitted, and then reviewed by the Higher Education Commission no later than June 30, 1999 as required by the law in effect before July 1, 1999. Mission statements were to be…

The Family to Family initiative has encouraged states to reconceptualize, redesign, and reconstruct their foster care systems. By 1996, the initiative was being implemented in five states, five Georgia counties, and Los Angeles County, California. This paper describes an approach for nontraditional partnerships that work to rebuild the foster care…

The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership involves local community groups and schools in the selection of student award winners, who are then judged in a statewide contest by business and industry representatives. The program provides an organized structure for continuous cooperation and communication between vocational education and the…

The article describes the Intermountain Center for Gifted Education in Utah which provides educational programs statewide for gifted and talented students. It is explained that the programs are also designed to expand community awareness of the needs of gifted students and encourage active community involvement. (PHR)

Kentucky service learning initiatives include (1) inclusion of Learn and Serve America in the state department of education; (2) leadership of the Kentucky Community Education Association; (3) increased state funding for community education; and (4) integration of community education and service learning through collaborative projects. (SK)

A review of Utah service learning programs leads to the following recommendations: (1) listen to community needs; (2) involve youth in planning service activities; and (3) collaborate with other community programs serving youth. (SK)

At Texas A&M University and the University of South Florida recent changes have limited some benefits of tenure. While these changes do not yet reflect a trend, some experts note that universities should deal with troublesome faculty members individually rather than by establishing rules eroding tenure for all. (SLD)

Describes the design and implementation of a mediation program for the resolution of child protection disputes in Nova Scotia. Focuses on the legal mandate for mediation, training programs for mediators, orientation programs for child protective workers, and the actual mediation process. (MDM)

The Biennial Report presents a summary of programs and services provided by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction for 2007-2009. The State Superintendent notes that while North Dakota's education system is good, slippage in test scores is occurring, cracks in the education system are developing and some students are falling through…