State coordinators of early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programs completed a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, or SWOT, analysis that examined 12 areas within state EHDI programs. For the family support area, 47 EHDI coordinators listed 255 items, and themes were identified within each category. A threats,…

A university-community collaborative initiative to provide an interdisciplinary approach to personnel preparation is described. Twelve students (i.e., undergraduate, graduate) from various academic disciplines participated in early intervention coursework and practical experiences. Specifically, students were prepared to provide early intervention…

Research Findings: Reports from the Early Head Start (EHS) Research and Evaluation Project (EHSREP) found that participation in programs that combined home-based and center-based approaches (i.e., mixed programs) had the broadest pattern of significant impacts on parents and children through age 3. Which program implementation characteristics…

We evaluated a multi-family support group intervention program in elementary schools. Kindergarten through third-grade children at eight urban schools in a Midwestern university community were universally invited to participate in the Families and Schools Together (FAST) program, and made up half of the study participants; the other half were K-3…

This editorial comments on a study that found that parents of infants prenatally exposed to illegal drugs did not subsequently have more child abuse allegations than a comparison sample. The need for adult and child welfare professionals to work together in serving infants and their parents is stressed. (Contains 1 reference.) (CR)

This article describes the successful Ohio Early Start program, which is designed to prevent later developmental problems in infants and toddlers. The program was coordinated with the existing early intervention program and other efforts to ensure a comprehensive, community-based and family friendly network of child development health and…

This paper outlines what is involved in Sure Start, one of New Labour's key social policy interventions. It is argued that there are policy continuities with older redemptive policies which focus on young children. It is also argued that Sure Start could provide a bridgehead for a more socially democratic orientation into early childhood policy.

Early Head Start (EHS) is a comprehensive, two-generation program that provides services to low income families with children under the age of 3 years. As part of their mandate, staff members of EHS programs collaborate with other service providers in their local communities, including Part C and childcare providers. The incidence of disabilities…

The team approach recognizes that children have multifaceted needs that cannot be effectively addressed by a single service provider. Although "Partnerships in Family-Centered Intervention" is directed toward early-intervention settings, it is a useful text for preservice teachers, family members, and others involved in the educational process.…

This final report describes Project BLEND (Beginning Learning Experiences in Developmentally Inclusive Groups and at Home), a project designed to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate an ecological model for early intervention for children with developmental delays. Project BLEND included the following components: (a) the partnership…

This report discusses the outcomes of a project designed to help young children with special needs and their families prepare for and adjust to new service settings. The Bridging Early Service Transition (BEST) Project has helped administrators, service providers, and families plan and coordinate transitions for young children with disabilities or…

This article describes the Interagency Planning and Support Project, which aimed to improve coordination among agencies serving young children with disabilities and their families by integrating disparate service documents and planning processes. Analysis of Collaborative Support Plan data on 34 families shows the approach was successful in…

Describes a collaborative program undertaken by a Massachusetts district to enhance preschool students' learning readiness when entering kindergarten. The program consisted of three elements: networking local and area programs and services; improving the quality of programs and services; and increasing access to family services. (11 references)…

Presents a model intervention program for young children with disabilities based on a public health approach that is empirically driven, with correspondence rules relating the independent to the dependent variables. The program was designed to provide a total-service intervention for infants prenatally exposed to cocaine. (Author/CR)

Local Interagency Coordinating Councils (LICCs) have been established in most states to coordinate services to infants and toddlers with special needs and their families. This descriptive study examined the 40 Kansas LICCs, in order to understand the councils' developmental progress and current needs and to gain insight into broader issues of…