Reviews experiences of psychiatric patients in the community. Argues that deinsitutionalization and community treatment of the most needy patients have failed because these movements did not address the sociocultural reasons for institutionalization. Presents economic, clinical, and social hypotheses about why failures have occurred. (Author/MJL)

The article describes PACER Center, Inc., the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights, as a coalition of 18 Minnesota organizations which informs parents of handicapped children of their rights and responsibilities under state and federal special education laws. (SBH)

Examines shortcomings of the traditional high school special education curriculum and highlights a curriculum designed to assist students with mild disabilities in their transition to adulthood. The curriculum emphasizes problem solving and self-advocacy and includes components on daily living, personal/social, occupational exploration, and…

Argues that, despite the provision of community-based educational services, community colleges do not play a key role in social change in their communities. Reviews the history of community development in the colleges, suggesting that original goals were designed to be noncontroversial. Discusses increasing foundation support to address community…

Summarizes the results of a needs assessment survey of 186 disability service coordinators of Head Start programs in one region. Three important challenges were identified: serving young children with emotional-behavior issues, working with families, and working with community institutions. Implications for staff training are discussed. (Author/CR)

This article summarizes trends indicating a shift from institutional services to services in small community settings, an operational transformation from state government being the provider of services to being the purchaser, a shift from state financing of community services to federal-state cost-sharing, and an increase in people receiving…

Parks and recreation departments (PARDs) can help alleviate societal problems associated with at-risk youths. To better position PARD programs for reducing risky behavior, there must be scientific evidence showing their impact on youths' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The paper examines existing evaluation studies highlighting the positive…

This paper reviews 27 studies that taught community skills to persons with moderate to severe mental handicaps and tested the generalization of these skills. The review, which analyzed the degree of generalization that occurred and the effect of different strategies used, concludes that the general case method is the most effective strategy.…

The position paper, guidelines, and definitions of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association deal with service delivery for the mentally retarded in community settings, deinstitutionalization, audiologic screening for newborns, bilingual speech-language professionals, curriculum guides for speech-language professionals, supervisory…

Examines selected Native American child welfare programs in Canada that emphasize community control. Explains genesis of community programs after traditional systems perceived as agents of colonization. Concludes Native control can empower communities and encourage responsive service but explains how problems--including funding, jurisdictional…

Discusses the effects of trends in health care services, including an emphasis on primary health care and patient involvement, on the information needs of health care professionals and managers. A proposed information network that would provide point of use access to sources of health care information is described. (three references) (CLB)

When funding youth programs in developing countries, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) should consider programs that recognize both the developmental needs of children and socioeconomic factors, that serve youth directly or work indirectly through family and community, and that have proven strategies for stretching limited funding.…

Asserts that the purpose of the school must be more than a celebration of individual achievement; schools should incorporate opportunities for learning that involve altruism and community participation. Describes a secondary school community service program. (CFR)

The State Center for Services for the Visually Impaired in Schleswig (Germany) provides intensive counseling and support to students with visual impairments in transition between school and career. The community-based program promotes vocational and social integration of these individuals through organization of a model vocational counseling…

This article provides a legal update on the issue of residential placements for students with disabilities and discusses practice considerations in light of national trends toward greater integration and curbing of rising costs through providing incentives for community-based programs. Practices in Virginia are used as an example. (DB)