Legislation and policy lead to action. In the absence of law or policy, situations are addressed on a case-by-case basis or they are sometimes ignored. Legislation and policy become extremely important when they relate to groups that have traditionally been marginalized, such as students with disabilities or students with gifts and talents, and…

Case management services under NYS PROMISE are provided by a robust and diverse network of case managers and family coaches. Case managers work predominantly with youth in the research demonstration sites, while family coaches work exclusively with the families of intervention group youth enrolled in NYS PROMISE through regional Parent Training…

This monograph explores how homelessness intersects most social issues that marginalize individuals and negatively influence postsecondary completion, including poverty, foster care, and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer/questioning, and others) discrimination. As becomes evident, students experiencing homelessness should be considered…

This guide is designed to help advocates--including biological and adoptive parents, resource parents, adult students in foster care, and service providers--understand and advocate for the educational rights of children in New Jersey's foster care system. The guide explains the requirements of federal and state laws that particularly affect these…

Issues pertaining to children often struggle to become public policy priorities. A clear demonstration of this phenomenon is the degree to which children are supported in the federal budget in comparison to other priorities. If issues pertaining to children struggle for the policy spotlight, subissues pertaining to them face an even greater…

This handbook is designed to assist special education advocates in developing the capacity to mount an effective advocacy campaign at the state and federal levels. It is divided into the following four separate training modules: (1) "Introduction to Advocacy"; (2) "Understanding the Governmental Process"; (3) "Changing Public Policy"; and (4)…

In their popular explanation of No Child Left Behind, journalists and other public voices claim that unruly and inefficient public schools are being brought under the control of effective central authorities by scientific, test-driven accountability. Other popular themes of reform in media include mayoral control of schools, non-educators as…

Presents areas requiring counselor testimony in special education hearings. Discusses types of appeals proceedings including mediation, administrative, and judicial. Describes the role of the hearing officer and delineates hearing issues. Lists situations and behaviors that the counselor should be aware of during the hearing process. (RC)

This trainer's guide is designed specifically to provide training to individuals with mental retardation or other cognitive disabilities on their rights under titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Written in simple language and supported by drawings that make the material more accessible, the training is meant to give…

Addresses the crisis in health care, considering costs, lack of access, and system ineffectiveness. Reviews "Setting Relationships Right," the Catholic Health Association's proposal for health care reform. Advocates educators' awareness of children's health needs and health care reform issues and support for the Every Fifth Child Act of…

This report presents a guide to successful contracting of child and family social services during a new era in child welfare. The six chapters focus on: (1) "Privatization, Purchase of Service, Managed Care, and the Child Welfare Reform Agenda" (the continuing crisis, reforming the local child welfare delivery system, and the federal…

The purpose of this guide is to assist those involved in the transition planning process to help students with disabilities achieve a smooth transition from school to adult life. The guide addresses topics that deal with the preparation of students with disabilities as they leave high school. The guide's eight chapters deal with: (1) defining…

This book, which is addressed to early childhood educators, offers a call to action that focuses on the whys and hows of advocacy, and provides strategies for selecting issues, building support, and joining with other advocates. Chapter 1 discusses the need for early childhood advocates, contributions advocates can make to the decision-making…

The text examines issues in the roles of allied health professionals serving disabled children and youth. An introduction by C. Del Polito reviews the effects of negative public attitudes toward people with disabilities and describes an advocacy project to serve allied health professionals. In unit 1, J. Barresi traces the history of public policy…

This report is designed to help policymakers, child care providers, and advocates establish child care rate support policies that support high quality in the context of government-subsidized, privately-provided child care. It also provides advice on the development and interpretation of market rate surveys of local child care fees. Part 1…