Reports survey responses from administrators of 23 urban and 25 rural, federally funded, primary health care projects in 6 midwestern states. Compares urban and rural projects regarding patients' social problems, staffing patterns, referrals to other agencies and community groups, and present and projected social services. Contains 16 references.…

A cooperative experiment among Pennsylvania rural communities and the University of Delaware and La Salle College, this course ("Re-Emerging Issues in Social Welfare: The Rural and Small Community") was developed to expose urban students to a rural environment and to utilize rural educational resources. (JC)

Survey of 20 community mental health centers in 12 Midwest grain belt farm states found continuum of farm crisis problems requires professional responses consistent with philosophy and goals of community mental health. Results indicate responses vary, not in relationship to severity of problems, but because of center philosophy and resource…

Pinpoints several problems in youth services in general and in rural areas in particular. Suggests strategies for overcoming these obstacles: packaging services which meet child's total needs, establishing youth service bureaus to coordinate families and human services resources, and using natural helping networks of the community. (Author/AH)

Reviews literature stressing the need for rural networking, especially between formal and informal helping systems. Describes seven rural networking situations to explain networking as a means of rural service coordination. Notes four major obstacles to network development and 12 principles that can enhance the use of networking resources. (SB)

Focuses on some of the problems faced by human service workers in rural communities and suggests the use of an outreach child advocacy model (with a nine-step diagnosis procedure) for intervention. The rural advocate will be more successful and acceptable to the community using a collaborative approach. (Author/LC)

Describes study of rural or small town community development programs funded by the Small Town Emphasis Program. Outlines program factors including competition, innovation, needs assessment, low income involvement, networks, technical assistance, efficiency, strategy, and timing. Provides examples of six programs and recommends future development…

Addresses the feasibility of establishing standards that would guide communities in protecting the environments of children and families. Recommends an environmental assessment tool that evaluates child well-being, compares community averages in terms of high-risk factors, includes longitudinal assessments of child well-being, examines community…

A comprehensive community approach to the problem of spouse assault involves education of a grassroots community organization, legal incorporation, establishing organizational goals and plans, publicity, state coalition of all such community groups, and new legislation. Such an approach led to the establishment of Michigan's Domestic Violence…

An Ontario study of 68 caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease revealed that those respondents living in more remote areas of northwestern Ontario expressed greater needs for information, education, and social support; experienced significantly more difficulties with morale; and employed coping strategies that reflected an inadequate social…

Discusses contextual factors (geography, community idiosyncrasies, personal relationships, formal resource scarcity, community resource accessibility, external force influence, visibility, "Jack-of-All-Trades") affecting practices of rural child welfare workers. Points out similarities/differences in child welfare work in urban and rural…

Describes New York's Tutorial Outreach Program set up with funds from the Migrant Programs Branch (U.S. Department of Education) to help educate the children of migrant workers. Explains how the program could be used by rural social workers to further their efforts in helping clients. (Author/LC)