Juvenile delinquency is a persistent problem in the United States, and students with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to become recidivists. This study examined patterns of and factors associated with recidivism. The sample included 5,435 juveniles with disabilities. Findings indicated intragroup variability regarding the number of…

The article describes a strategy for evaluating alternatives in intervention in families having children with handicaps using the values framework proposed by Nicholas Hobbs. A practitioners' checklist is offered as a guide for assessing the consistency of proposed interventions with the values framework. (Author/DB)

The article examines several different approaches to case management practices. An enabling model of case management is proposed as a framework for ensuring that early intervention practices optimally influence child, parent, and family functioning as part of development and implementation of Individualized Family Service Plans. (DB)

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…

Outlines a series of six imperatives designed to provide educators and other child advocates with a backdrop against which they may implement strategies for serving handicapped young children. (MP)

Coping strategies of parents (n=89) of children with disabilities in special education classes were assessed on the Family Assessment Device-General Functioning Scale and the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales. Results indicate that less frequent use of passive appraisal and more frequent use of reframing are associated with family…

The 35-item Family Needs Survey (FNS) is purported both to facilitate the acquisition of the parent's perspective on needs of families with handicapped children and to possess prescriptive utility. The FNS directs parents to indicate if they definitely do have a need, definitely do not have a need, or are uncertain if they have a need in six…

An adapted version of the Impact on Family Scale, a rating scale for measuring the impact of the handicapped child on family members, was completed by 49 mothers of children between 36 and 64 months of age. Evaluation suggested the adapted scale is effective in assessing the effects of early intervention programs on families. (Author/DB)

Describes a program designed to help families care for their medically fragile infants and children in their homes, thus preventing the need for protective services involvement. (PCB)

The development of behavioral parent training research and changes that have taken place in the field over the past 20 years are reviewed. The author describes the evolution according to three phases. Phase 1, Early Work-Child Focus (1960-1970), is seen to have emphasized the analysis of child behavior change. Phase 2, Mid-Period--Parent Focus…

This study investigated the needs, supports, and stresses of 37 families of children enrolled in an urban early intervention program at program start and 12 months later. At both assessment points, caregivers reported food, shelter, transportation, medical, information, personal time needs, and feelings of stress. Significant differences in scores…

Describes "Critical Thinking," a training strategy developed to guide staff who are serving families with multiple challenges. Discusses insights that staff generated through the "Critical Thinking" process about the characteristics of families with multiple challenges and the strategies considered effective in addressing those families' needs.…

This paper describes the cultural influences on the process of interviewing families to develop intervention goals for young children with disabilities. It describes an approach to ethnographic interviewing that involves developing rapport, using descriptive questions, and carefully wording questions, to assist families in discovering answers to…

A family-level, needs-based model of assessment and intervention with handicapped infants and young children is described. The model includes three major components: specification of family needs; identification of sources of support and resources to meet needs; and determination of staff roles in helping families access resources from their…

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…