This brochure presents an overview of the eight trial Family Support Programs in Illinois which attempt to meet needs of families of children with disabilities in order to enable such children to remain with their families and avoid institutional placements. Principles of family support are listed, including its focus on whole families and meeting…

The report presents findings from a study of family-based care for persons with developmental disabilities. The first of four parts introduces the problems of family-based care and presents perspectives of parents and of persons with developmental disabilities. Part 2, on responding to the needs of families, includes a review of historical and…

Discusses two core values and 10 principles to be used in development of systems of care for severely emotionally disturbed children and their families. (RJC)

The Neonatal Network, a model program in Dallas for interagency service coordination for primarily indigent, minority, very-low-birth-weight infants and their families is described. The Neonatal Network has been an effective service delivery coordination system and training mechanism that should be applicable and easily replicable in other…

Describes the "Educate Your Child" program, a Cuban family-based program supported by UNICEF and designed to enhance the total development of children from birth until the start of formal schooling for the 80 percent of Cuban children who do not attend the Children's Circle preschool program. Highlights the importance of the regional…

The article discusses the conceptual and procedural mandates of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), required under Public Law 99-457, as both a bold radical step taken by the federal government and as a logical extension of current service delivery practices serving disabled children. (Author/DB)

Research indicates that problems faced by many youngsters and families, such as poverty, inadequate housing, and poor health care and nutrition, are interrelated in complex ways. These problems are often inadequately addressed because of flaws in the social service delivery system. These flaws include a lack of communication between public and…

"Integrated services" refers to the collaborative delivery of educational, health, and social services for children and families such that families have a single point of entry into the delivery system. In some states, attempts to integrate social service delivery are part of education reform legislation. In Kentucky, schools link the…

Findings are presented from a site visit to a Raleigh, North Carolina, program that provides in-home support to children and adults with severe disabilities and their families. The program, the Wake County Community Alternatives Program for Persons with Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities, is administered by the North Carolina Department…

The monograph provides an historical overview of services for families of disabled children and considers strategies for increasing family support. The historical analysis traces factors influencing the lack of priority placed on family services and describes trends in family resource services. Advantages and drawbacks of the continuum and array…

The study identified areas of innovative practice in 131 recently funded projects under the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program. Innovations emerged in curricula, mainstreaming, transition services, use of technology, interagency coordination, type of service provider, and technical assistance. Most interventions had a family focus.…

Noting that prevention is the key to healthy development of the youngest children in Illinois, the Birth to Three Project is working to develop a comprehensive, coordinated system of services for expecting families and children under 3 years of age. This progress report details the first year implementation of the All Our Kids (AOK): Birth to…

This qualitative study examined the perspectives of three families and the early interventionist in a family-centered early intervention program. Included among the six major issues are: (1) identifying and meeting child or family needs, (2) meaning of child-focused or family-focused intervention, (3) use of family resources or professional…

This article profiles the Hope Infant Family Support Program in San Diego, California, and its shift to providing educational services in the natural environment. How the program managed this complex change process is discussed, including the development of a vision statement, incentives, skill development, resource allocation changes, and action…

Nonprofit family-run organizations, such as Tennessee Voices for Children (TVC), are providing leadership in advocating for and delivering services to children and families in need. Utilizing a family-driven approach and a staff partially comprised of parent-professionals, TVC's Nashville Connection and Family Connection programs have strengthened…