Play is traditionally considered the foundation of learning in the early years. Because play is characterized by free choice, it can be difficult for adults to ensure all learning is useful for children. The intervention described here took a novel approach to this problematic. It exposed 17 four-year-olds to different adult demonstrations to see…

This study investigated specific attitudes and beliefs, related to the concepts of peace education, of participants in an "Introductory, basic help increase the peace program" (HIPP) workshop. Pre- and post-workshop ratings showed significant differences on two important attitudinal variables: first, the importance of being familiar with the…

This issue of "P/PV In Brief" provides updated data from the Ready4Work prisoner reentry initiative, with a focus on the prison crisis occurring in many cities and states. While much more research is needed to understand the true, long-term impact of prisoner reentry initiatives, outcomes from Ready4Work were extremely promising in terms of…

A national demonstration project, Training and Placement Service, has placed more than 6,500 people with epilepsy in jobs. The approach features support by local affiliates of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, job preparation, technical training, and employer cooperation. (CL)

Although random assignment is generally the preferred methodology in impact evaluations, it raises numerous ethical concerns, some of which are addressed by securing participants' informed consent. However, there has been little investigation of how consent is obtained in social experiments and the amount of information that can be conveyed--and…

In ComputerTown, USA!, a corner of the children's section at the Menlo Park Public Library, children and adults are trained to use microcomputers. This is one of the top five winners in American Libraries' competition to identify innovative library programs. (LLS)

Success in competitive employment placement of a demonstration project serving 53 persons with developmental disabilities is associated with three factors: (1) training approach and methodology; (2) program management; and (3) trainee characteristics. (CL)

Homelessness is a troubling social problem, challenging to the best public and private efforts to provide some measure of remedy. For one group of the homeless, those with severe and persistent mental illness, that challenge is doubled: homelessness complicates the treatment of mental illness, even as mental illness complicates efforts to…

The project addressed the discrepancy between research (documenting the vocational potential of severely handicapped adults) and current services (which include an expanding national program of nonvocational day activity centers) with five coordinated components designed to improve, implement, and evaluate vocational services. The first component,…

The Montana Supported Employment Demonstration Project is working toward employment of 60 percent of severely disabled adults. The program features demonstration and training centers, supported employment stimulation, job development, single point of access case management, school to community transition, and an interagency coordinating committee.…

This issue of "P/PV In Brief" reviews interim outcomes from the Ready4Work prisoner reentry initiative. Funded by the US Department of Labor and the Annie E. Casey and Ford foundations, Ready4Work is a three-year national demonstration project designed to address the needs of the growing ex-prisoner population and to test the capacity of…

Describes the Lifelong Career Development program developed at Iowa Central Community College. It provides a means of working effectively with individuals to facilitate the development of daily living, occupational, and personal and social skills. (JOW)

Describes a federally funded program designed to build a wide range of services to attract deaf adults into continuing education. (LRA)

The document is intended to help individuals, agencies, and states seeking information on supported employment for persons with disabilities. An introductory article (by Zana Lutfiyya, Pat Rogan, and Bonnie Shoultz) titled, "Supported Employment: A Conceptual Overview," describes supported employment as an alternative to sheltered…

Adaptive recreational activities were taught to 27 institutionalized profoundly retarded persons ages 12- to 39-years in a demonstration project. (CL)