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…

Four approaches to services and intervention design for young children with learning and/or behavior problems are described, followed by a discussion of PASSKey (planned activity, systematic sampling, and keystone behavior), an ecobehavioral and naturalistic approach to intervention design. A case study illustrates the model. (Author/DB)

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…

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…

The purpose of this paper is to summarize current trends in child abuse prevention and to provide program administrators and policymakers with guidelines for implementing successful new parent programs in their communities. Contents address: (1) the scope of the child abuse problem; (2) a theoretical framework or conceptual model for use in…

This article discusses why the universal adoption of family-centered values and practice in early intervention is problematic in the context of the current state of early intervention. Recommendations are provided for the new millennium, including participatory research in family-centered early intervention and personnel preparation based on…

A rationale for and components of a development systems model are presented to guide early intervention programs. Core principles emphasizing a developmental framework, integration, and inclusion are expressed in the context of a multicomponent interactive system. The model's focus on maximizing family patterns of interaction by addressing…

Responds to Gilliam et al.'s critique of evaluation of the Comprehensive Child Development Program (CCDP). Restates the policy implications of the study and comments on the design of the intervention and the evaluation. Concludes with remarks on how evaluation and research should be used to help low-income families. (Author/KB)

This article describes BEGINNINGS, an interim Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for use in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It discusses the rationale that supports the process, the format, and recommendations for its implementation. The program's early intervention services help to identify supports and to facilitate transition to…

Describes a comprehensive continuum of services model for children with autism developed by a human services agency in Massachusetts, which incorporates these and additional empirically based approaches. Service components, methodologies, and program objectives are described, including representative summary data. Best practice approaches toward…

This paper describes five programs of early intervention for children with hearing impairments and their families. Programs are described according to their mission, services, and unique contribution to the field of early intervention. First, essential components of all programs are identified. These are evaluation, audiological management, parent…

This report presents the findings of a study that investigated the scope and nature of early childhood service delivery systems in three states (Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Colorado). The study followed 75 children with disabilities for 18 months and surveyed 170 service providers of infants and toddlers and 186 service providers of…

Noting that Minnesota has developed many innovative services for parents and infants, but does not yet have an organized way to attend to infants' emotional development and mental health needs, this report details a study to ascertain the need for infant mental health services and examined the current level and types of services available. Data…

Describes the Vaughn Street Elementary School in San Fernando (California) plan to become a family services delivery site. Plans include cooperation among agencies; a family center for coordination of services, child care, and educational resources; a social network of mutual assistance; and a parent service exchange bank. (JB)

This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of an interdisciplinary graduate program designed to prepare already licensed or certified physical therapists and occupational therapists for the full inclusion of students with disabilities in educational settings and for the full participation of infants, toddlers, and young children in…