It is widely estimated that approximately 25% of school age youth face mental and behavioral health challenges. The vast majority of these youth are insufficiently treated, leaving them vulnerable to negative school outcomes such as attendance, behavioral, and academic problems. One common barrier to treatment is a lack of access to appropriate…

This study examines the location of British health visiting in contemporary policy discourses concerned with public health and safeguarding children. It argues that professional identity and orientation can be understood through health visiting's long history of public health work with children and families, which has included an engagement with…

Background: Community health efforts often include outreach activities designed to increase awareness and ensure uptake of services or programs. Yet, few comprehensive outreach evaluations exist, particularly those designed to improve access to and use of mental health services. Purpose: This article summarizes the use of two established…

In February 2001, President George W. Bush announced his New Freedom Initiative to promote increased access to educational and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In his charge to the Commission, the President directed its members to study the problems and gaps in the mental health system and make concrete recommendations for…

A model for the delivery of mental health services to people residing in small communities (less than 10,000 population) is presented. The model is the product of personal consultation experience over the past three years with a modestly staffed and financed but very successful mental health agency. Emphasis is placed on community action,…

Summarizes the 20-year history of the Appalachian Regional Commission's innovative, flexible, $550M model health care delivery system. Cites achievements in establishing primary care clinics; tackling black lung disease; and expanding health manpower, health education, maternal and child health care, and rehabilitation centers. (NEC)

Traces Southern West Virginia Regional Health Council's decade of delivering/linking cradle-to-grave health services for 500,000 rural residents. Describes microwave communications radio network; clinics; services in family planning, genetic counseling, prenatal care, maternal/child care, nutrition, heart/respiratory disease screening, renal…

Describes the implementation of a collaborative discharge planning program for a chronic psychiatric population. Emphasizes the importance of good communication between patient and professionals. Presents a case example. Findings suggest more substantial involvement of patients in after-care programs is needed. (Author/JAC)

Describes the Connecticut Unit of Service System, a unified system for quantifying services and service delivery that is administratively useful in monitoring and allocating resources. Includes a Relative Value Scale which incorporates staff time and related work to allow a comparison of inpatient and outpatient service. (JAC)

Describes new Appalachian Regional Commission model health care program linking expectant mothers/infants with volunteers familiar with available resources to provide prenatal medical care, assistance in modifying personal habits potentially harmful to unborn infants, nutritional supplements and advice, and social service assistance. Includes 1982…

Notes that mental health services have been a weak link in Head Start. Addresses the need to enhance mental health services by describing a successful, innovative university-Head Start partnership. Describes the model and provides advice for Head Start programs to expand and enhance their mental health services. (SD)

The president of a group practice prepayment program describes the health maintenance organization (HMO), an alternative health care delivery system for employee groups. An HMO differs from indemnity insurance in providing total medical and health care for a monthly fee, instead of paying only in cases of illness or accident. (MF)

Describes and evaluates a model for agency-based staff development training for a county mental health unit. Concludes it can be a useful way to identify and resolve problems. (Author/MCF)

Describes a project with Native American tribes in Louisiana which trains paraprofessionals to provide minimal mental health services for their own people and to gain access to various state agencies. The project was viewed as successful by the trainees and an outside evaluator. (JAC)

This monograph presents descriptions of 11 residential and day treatment programs serving seriously emotionally disturbed youth. Each program's description includes information about the program's origins, type of children served, guiding philosophy and treatment approach, services offered, work with families, linkages with other child-serving…