Describes the two basic program development methods used in a parent education project of the Franklin County (Ohio) Children Services: (1) program development by local planning committees from specific suburban, rural, and urban geographical areas, and (2) construction of predesigned programs for parents who are clients of the agency. (MF)

Although successful dropout assistance programs depend on effective implementation, casework, and long-term followup activities, the literature only occasionally addresses these practices. This article reviews data collection problems, major risk factors, reforms aimed at actual and potential dropouts, and alternative school programs. Second…

Rural residence and social service delivery, role of the social worker, availability of services (staff count), and special training for service providers are examined to propose that case coordination, focusing on services to the client, is more appropriate than case management in meeting the needs of the rural developmentally disabled. (MM)

Issues of incarceration and its effects on parents, children, families, and communities are as much human development concerns as policy dilemmas. This report synthesizes the discussion of these concerns and their implications for policy, practice, and research as presented at the National Center on Fathers and Families'"Roundtable on…

Although permanency planning has been a central focus of child welfare practice since the passage of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act in 1980, new requirements of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 encourage concurrent planning on reunification and another alternative such as adoption. This guide is intended to assist child…

Over the last several years, state and local governments have increased the privatization of a range of services that historically have been provided by government agencies, including adoption services. This issue brief of the Child Welfare League of America provides adoption professionals with information on the privatization of adoption…

Presents a view of the domain of social work and its core of expertise from a historical contemporary perspective. Considers three factors: the location of social work within the social structure, its objectives, and the nature of its societal sanction. (JAC)

Identifies and discusses barriers in the helping relationship that are erroneously labeled resistance. Proposes a transactional perspective to illuminate social and organizational barriers to the helping process. From this view an essential professional function emerges, responsibility for dealing with obstacles to the counselor client…

A study compared the Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) lay-volunteer program and the staff attorney model in a large midwestern city. Results indicate that CASA volunteers performed at least as well as specialized attorneys in representing children in juvenile court. (BG)

Summarizes the objectives, conceptual model, results, and implications of a project called Foster Care Training: A Comprehensive Approach, in British Columbia, Canada, which was designed to illustrate ways in which a networking model can provide increased support and training for participating foster parents. (BB)

Outlines three major differentiating categories of children who were sexually abused by sex rings: level of fear, ability to trust, and disclosure confusion. Addresses denial and resistance regarding child sexual exploitation by a ring among practitioners in the child welfare system. (Author/BB)

Tested the hypothesis that placement stability for foster children would improve if they received help in resolving separation conflicts with their biological families from a group treatment program under the leadership of the child's caseworker. Important lacks in agency practice were revealed. (BB)

A device for organizing practitioners' observations, the Maternal Characteristics Scale is used here to identify traits that distinguish samples of Caucasian neglectful mothers from those who are not neglectful. This replication of the scale supported earlier findings that relatedness, impulse control, confidence, and verbal accessibility were…

The expertise of rehabilitation teachers and diabetes nurse educators can complement each other in components of diabetes management for people who have become visually impaired. The role of each professional involves education; integration of diabetes self-management into a comprehensive rehabilitation program; nutrition; exercise; medication,…

The growing need for holistic interventions with at-risk families supports the need for an integrated services delivery model in Canada. The case management approach used by two different projects is presented with case study illustrations. Treatment planning, termination, and implications for school counselors are discussed. (EMK)