Describes a national program funded by the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) to train rehabilitation specialists in the use of these prevention strategies in rehabilitation programs. Objectives include strengthening prevention knowledge and skills, encouraging coalition building, and broadening understanding of the effectiveness of…

This demonstration program evaluated by the Child Welfare League of America indicates that intensive service to families is effective in elinating the need for foster care or in reducing the time spent in care by children of "at risk" families. (Author/GO)

Describes the experimental project of the Baltimore City Public Schools to prevent development of learning disabilities and to reduce the number of school dropouts within the population identified as educationally disadvantaged. (Author/MB)

A FIELD TRIAL OF AN INHIBITION ASSAY METHOD FOR SCREENING FOR PHENYLKETONURIA (PKU) TESTED MORE THAN 400,000 NEWBORN INFANTS PRIOR TO DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPTIAL. IN ALL, 39 CASES WERE FOUND, A HIGHER INCIDENCE THAN HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN EXPECTED. THE PRACTICALITY OF THE INHIBITION ASSAY METHOD WAS ALSO DEMONSTRATED. THE REPORT DETAILS THE TRIAL'S…

Group-randomized trials (GRTs)--studies that evaluate the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions occurring at the group level--are increasingly used to assess the effects of school-based prevention programs on behavioral outcomes of children and adolescents. These designs pose many implementation and design challenges for school…

In an attempt to lessen academic failure during the early years of schooling, 23 middle class kindergarten children who scored low on tests of cognitive development were given a special 6-week summer enrichment program. A control group of 23 low scorers received no enrichment program. Parents of the experimental subjects were invited to visit the…

A site in Milwaukee was selected for a series of high-risk population survey. This area was rated in the lowest category for Milwaukee in terms of median educational level and income, and in the highest in terms of population density per living unit, percent housing rated as dilapidated, and unemployment. A pool of candidates composed of mothers…

The involvement of behaviorists in primary prevention for mental health programs has been limited, to date. Using behavioral researchers offers several advantages, including the need to emphasize prediction and a priori control of maladaptive behavior, increased cost effectiveness, and increased monies for research. Common obstacles to the…

The School District of Jennings, Missouri, undertook a study of the effectiveness of grouping on academic achievement in kindergarten. It was hypothesized that grouping children according to developmental lags would be beneficial to the subjects in terms of their academic and personal development; that the curricula would be partially responsible…

An employee wellness program involving physical fitness activities and health education was implemented at the University of Texas (Arlington). Results of participant (N=50) and control group (N=152) pre- and posttest surveys, physiological tests, program evaluations, and analysis of personnel records demonstrated the program's value. (Author/MLW)

In this study, the authors compared differences in sexual risk attitudes and intentions for three groups of youth (experimental program, n = 90; attention control, n = 80; and nonparticipant control, n = 634) aged 12-14 years. Two student groups participated with their parents in programs focused on strengthening family interaction and prevention…