Three strategies for evaluating training programs for paraprofessional human service workers are offered. The first concerns the assessment of the differential usefulness of selection versus training of helpers. The second focuses on factors producing effective training. The final strategy entails an evaluation of the impact of systematically…

Describes the successful joint programing efforts of a public school system and community centers for mental health in providing comprehensive educational services to emotionally disturbed students. (Author)

A model for the evaluation of patient education programs is proposed. (MM)

Discusses the use of public television as a means of providing mental health outreach services for the community. Describes a weekly program, "The Black Family," broadcast in Jacksonville, Florida, which focused on family relationships, social issues, and mental and physical health, using a call-in format that allowed viewer participation. (JAC)

Integrated schools, family income, and regional differences were not a factor in achievements of Black professionals. Most were educated by parents only and service rather than money was the basis of career choice. Those in helping professions should consider successful Blacks in developing a mental health model. (JAC)

College student personnel and mental health workers need psychological education programs whose effectiveness can be empirically verified. This report describes such a program in sufficient detail to give professionals a clear model for study and application to their particular populations. Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory was used to…

The consultative effort to assist in the development of mental health services in Crystal City, Texas is described. Issues of political involvement, cultural and language issues, community dynamics, staffing, staff development, and training of psychology interns are discussed in light of the inadequacy of certain aspects of traditional…

Overviews articles in this issue that focus on the current status of adventure therapy and describe efforts aimed at defining a framework for conceptualizing adventure therapy. Notes changes in the field, including introduction of state laws requiring licensure of programs, the drive for program accreditation, and growing training opportunities in…

A strategy to encourage evaluation used by the Centers for Disease Control in the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) is described. DASH personnel tried to make evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus education programs more attractive by providing materials and models for evaluation. (SLD)

A 4-year study of 27 system-of-care sites designed to provides mental health services to children and adolescents, found that despite many changes in each local service system, no site was able to fully implement all 16 key attributes comprising an ideal system-of-care model (including sites with previous system-building experience). (Contains…

Notes that mental health services have been a weak link in Head Start. Addresses the need to enhance mental health services by describing a successful, innovative university-Head Start partnership. Describes the model and provides advice for Head Start programs to expand and enhance their mental health services. (SD)

In this component of the evaluation, the Circles of Care grantees assessed the feasibility of their model systems of care. The goal of the Feasibility Assessment was to assure that each model system of care was well designed with careful consideration of project goals, community resources and readiness, cultural competence and measurable outcomes.

This article describes the literature-based, testable, formative Patient-Centered Culturally Sensitive Health Care Model that explains the associations between patient-centered culturally sensitive health care, health-promoting treatment behaviors, and health outcomes and statuses. An intervention program based on the model and its foundational…

This parameter presents overarching principles and practices for child and adolescent mental health care in community systems of care. Community systems of care are defined broadly as comprising the wide array of child-serving agencies, programs, and practitioners (both public and private), in addition to natural community supports such as…