This article reflects on a few of the major intellectual contributions Ann and Rud Turnbull and their colleagues at the Beach Center on Family and Disability have made to their academic fields and to the wider society. The focus is on some of their key ideas that have been particularly innovative and important in changing the way scholars, policy…

This annotated bibliography provides bibliographic information and non-evaluative annotations of about 46 publications based on research with families of children with disabilities and authored by staff members of the Beach Center on Families and Disability in Lawrence, Kansas. Citations are organized into sections on book chapters, hearings and…

The project, Extending Family Resources, was designed to assess the impact on 14 families of raising children with handicapping conditions and to implement a model program to reduce obstacles facing those families. The model emphasized incorporating under-involved relatives, friends, and neighbors into the family's support network. Performance…

The document provides summaries of 53 programs from around the country demonstrating innovative approaches to identifying needs and developing and delivering services and materials to families. Chapters are organized according to broad themes which underlie their programs' design. Chapter 1 (10 programs) examines programs which explore informal…

In spite of the growing awareness and development of respite services, many families in need of them have little or no access. This is especially true for families whose children have emotional handicaps. A rationale for respite services supports parents' entitlement to respite care, its importance to all family members, and its help in improving…

Discusses principles associated with strength-based approaches to support families of children with disabilities: a philosophy based on family strength; a partnership approach to service; a family-centered agenda; an individualized response to family needs; a comprehensive view of family development; and an assessment of outcomes based on family…

This study investigated perceived levels of stress among military families who have a young child with a disability. Findings clearly show family stress increasing due to the combined demands of military life and caring for a disabled child, as well as other perceived stressors. Findings underscore the need for and benefits of a family service…

The effects of stress in families of very young handicapped or at-risk children are pervasive, multiple, and sometimes unsuspected. Stress reduction strategies include building on family strengths, empowering families and children, arranging for medical stabilization, providing social and economic stabilization, providing a functional curriculum,…

A study investigated why some of the low-income single caregivers of 104 children (ages 7-40 months) with disabilities were more involved in early intervention services than others. Difficulties in family functioning and lower levels of knowledge about child development were directly related to caregiver involvement. (Contains references.)…

In 1986, the National Council on Aging developed the Family Friends program, which brings older people into the homes of children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Charter programs were implemented in eight cities. These programs are still operating, and programs in other cities are in various stages of development. Since 1989, Family…

Recognizing the importance of the need for quality day care for children of working mothers, handicapped children, and children of low income families, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Labor and Human Resources met to address this issue in the Child Care Center of Owens Technical College, in Toledo, Ohio. The Subcommittee interviewed or heard…

This book presents 21 case studies of young children with disabilities in a variety of family situations and settings, for early interventionists to study in planning and applying recommended practices. Section I, "Defining and Delivering Quality Services in Early Intervention," provides two introductory chapters: "The Search for Quality…

This speech reports on data collected by the Early Intervention Collaborative Study (EICS), which is a longitudinal study following the development of 190 young children with disabilities (and their families) who entered 29 publicly funded early intervention programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the period from 1985 to 1987. The…

This book presents strategies for building strong partnerships between service providers and the families of individuals with disabilities. Papers have the following titles and authors: "Contributing to Resilience in Families: An Overview" (George H. S. Singer and Laurie E. Powers); "Parent to Parent Programs: A Unique Form of…

This monograph for health care professionals considers the impact that chronic illness and disability have on youth and their families and provides information on adapting principles of family-centered care to promote resilience in adolescents and their families. The monograph stresses the need for community systems of comprehensive services…