Notes the rise of the harm-reduction model in the provision of substance abuse services and the history and success of syringe exchange programs. Describes the Xchange Point, a nonprofit community-based AIDS services organization founded in 1996 as a street-based outreach and syringe exchange program. (Contains 15 references.) (GCP)

A program of infant home visiting was established in Denmark as a result of concern about the rate of infant mortality. The objectives, problems, and promise of the infant Home Visiting Program are summarized and evaluated in terms of their implications for the United States. Although the results of the program have been overwhelmingly favorable…

Student nurse involvement in voluntary health care agencies helps prepare students for independent nursing roles and improves the public image of the nurse. Students survey agencies, choose one with which to work, write a report, draw up a work contract with an advisor and then participate in the agency's services. (CT)

Describes advance arrangements, local preparations and results of lead poisoning testing done in rural southeastern Illinois. Results confirm that lead poisoning is not confined to urban areas. (HS)

Context: Multiple national agencies and organizations recommend that women age 40 years and older have an annual screening mammogram. Women who are poor, less educated, lack a usual source of care, and reside in rural Appalachia are less likely to have had a recent mammogram. Purpose: To increase use of mammography among a rural Appalachian…

Accurate assessment of the client's ability to pay is the cornerstone to fee collections in any service organization. York County Counseling Services implemented a new method of fee assessment and collection based on the principles of providing a service worth paying for, accurate assessment of ability to pay, and a budget-payment system. (Author)

Described is the successful use of community agencies as the bases of field study programs for college students majoring in occupational therapy. (GW)

Results indicate that costs of the rehabilitation center can be counted in dollars saved by keeping the patient at home instead of in the hospital. Treatment effectiveness, social improvement of patients, and benefits to family and friends cannot be counted in monetary terms. (JAC)

Utilizing flexible community-supporting services integrated with a hospital-based program of planned intermittent relief of the patients' supporters, patients (N=50) were maintained in the community at an average cost of 79.5 hospital bed days per patient per annum. The Continuing Care Program is an alternative to institutionalization. (Author)

The Healthy Beginnings program is designed to help parents of prematurely born infants adjust to parenting challenges and opportunities of the first 2 years of the infant's life. The Healthy Beginnings Program provides parents of premature infants with support and guidance by offering: (1) monthly education and support meetings; (2) evaluations…

An internship program for baccalaureate nurses beginning their first work experience as visiting nurses provided support and guidance and produced confident, well-prepared staff members six months after they began work; for new nurses who did not serve an internship, the six months' experience was one of anxiety and turmoil. (AJ)

Describes On Lok, a long-term care approach which has assumed responsibility for providing all services needed by a functionally dependent adult population. Based on the first two years of operation, descriptive data on the service system, its development, participants served, services given, and costs are presented and interpreted. (JAC)

Some practical suggestions for a business-like approach to community mental health, particularly transitional residences. (Editor)

This paper describes a community outreach program that is aimed at mothers of preschool children for the purposes of primary and secondary prevention of mental illness. The goals of the group meetings are to expand the mothers' problem-solving capacities and share child-rearing experiences. The groups are lead by health care professionals. (NG)