This study analyzed the goals statements on Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) or Individual Education Programs (IEPs) of 72 families in nine communities. The sample was drawn from communities of varying sizes in three states (Colorado, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania). Families were chosen to include children in 1-year age groupings and…

Asserts that increasing inter-agency conflict is detrimental to needs of children and families. Presents example of one agency (Educational Psychology Service), suggesting that its pressures are common to all agencies and that recent policies conspire to enhance the power of systems rather than of children and families. Discusses effective…

This final report describes achievements and activities of the Trans/Team Outreach Project, a Virginia project to replicate a model of inservice training designed to help early childhood intervention teams move toward more family-centered, transdisciplinary service delivery for young children with disabilities and their families. Trans/Team…

This proceedings document provides the texts of 13 presentations given at a 2-day conference in 1991 which focused on policies, materials, programs, and activities being implemented in Alabama to foster the successful transition of youth with disabilities to adult life. Two papers address the national scene: "Transition: Old Wine in New…

This monograph articulates eight key elements of a family-centered approach to policy and practice for children needing specialized health and developmental services. An introductory section reviews the development of the first edition of the monograph in 1987 and its widespread dissemination and acceptance since that time. Each of the following…

This manual provides a structure for professionals to work collaboratively with families in selecting outcomes for their special needs children. It does so through presenting a family-centered intervention approach to conducting the Individualized Family Service Plan or Individualized Educational Program meeting. Part I provides an introduction…

In this document, a "two-generation program" is defined as a program "that addresses the developmental needs of children within a family support context." The rationale for Head Start as a two-generation program that includes, but goes beyond, the boundaries of the welfare reform strategy, is explored. Major program goals…

Project LIFT is a 3-year model demonstration program designed to provide family-focused, home-based early intervention services to rural parents of handicapped children under 3 years of age. The LIFT model encompasses: (1) development of an Individual Family Service Plan, (2) case coordination to assist families in identifying and obtaining…

This report describes Minnesota's thirteen Council on Quality Education (CQE) Early Childhood/Family Education programs from the perspective of external evaluation researchers. Data were obtained from personal on-site interviews with 40 program staff members; personal interviews with 40 local program Advisory Board participants and local school…

This document reports on the Family Education Project, an educational program operated at the State University of New York's Urban Center in Brooklyn, New York. A total of 43 families made up of 67 adults and 181 children were secured from the Bedford Stuyvesant Youth-In-Action Head Start Program to participate in the project. These families were…

The Families Matter series of papers from the Harvard Family Research Project advances the concept of family-centered child care, advocating an approach to early childhood education that addresses the development of the child and family together. Grounded in family support principles, which build on family strengths and work from a community's…

Criticizes recent educational and sociological literature for its optimistic assessment of family-school programs. Maintains that these studies fail to address observable differences in parents' educational skills, occupational and economic flexibility, social networks, and positions of power. Illustrates these problems with examples from an…

A diverse group of professionals associated with Texas Woman's University's Institute for Women's Health, working collaboratively with school administrators, teachers, family support teams, and family members, developed Growing with EASE: Eating, Activity, and Self-Esteem, a nutrition program for young children and their families. In tracking the…

Most of the low-income, under-educated mothers in rural areas of Sri Lanka are disadvantaged and unable to provide their children with a healthy home environment, guidance, or the material support required for their children's education. This study hypothesized that educating low-income, under-educated mothers to develop their own literacy skills…

This theme issue offers a collection of articles focusing on support groups for parents of infants and toddlers, including the following: (1) "Gaining Perspective on Parenting Groups" (Nick Carter and Cathie Harvey) which reviews the purposes, history, and essential ingredients of such groups; (2) "The MELD Experience with Parent Groups" (Joyce…