Family support programs are examined from a preventive perspective which is designed to help families before they are in crisis. Family resource programs are discussed in terms of their history, principles, distinguishing characteristics, relevance for families with children who have special needs, and implications for practitioners. (Author/JDD)

Illustrated is the importance of several sociological concepts in understanding families of young children with disabilities. These concepts include the social system, cultural and subcultural values, status and role, definition of the situation and role-taking ability, presentation of self, and social process. (Author/JDD)

Describes the founding and operation of a family center in Macon County, North Carolina, that combines Head Start, day care, disabilities mainstreaming, prenatal care, and a parent-child center all in one complex. The New Horizons Center will serve as a training site under the Smart Start statewide preschool initiative. (MDM)

A survey of 128 British families of children with autism found progress over the last decade in the shorter time for referral to specialists, younger age at diagnosis, and younger age at receipt of special education services. Difficulties remain in obtaining initial professional advice and support, correct diagnosis, and appropriate help in the…

Discusses efforts of the Clinton administration to put children and families at the heart of domestic policy agenda, including program funding and immunization programs. (HTH)

Among the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act's innovations are Family Resource/Youth Service Centers (FRYSCs), which focus on the network supporting students and their families, rather than "fixing the kid." Parents are empowered to participate in their children's education, assisted by the larger community and outreach activities.…

Data relating to 2,768 children served by the SKI*HI model of early, home-based programming for children with hearing impairments revealed that SKI*HI children, on average, were identified by 18 months of age, had higher rates of language development during intervention than prior to intervention, and had greater language gains than expected based…

NatureLink is a weekend camping program developed by the National Wildlife Federation that uses mentors to teach environmental education to urban and suburban families. Mentors continue to work with families for a year as they fulfill commitments to protect natural resources in their communities. Includes information on how camps can become a…

This article describes the reflective process component of a multisite study of the effectiveness of family-focused, developmentally supportive care with low birthweight infants. Reflection is felt to be of particular value to developmental care because of the nature of the developmental approach itself, which is theory-guided, relationship-based,…

The Family and Medical Leave Act (1993) allows employees time off to care for themselves and others. The FMLA and its enforcement guidelines attempt to balance teachers' need for flexibility in handling family issues and students' need for instructional quality and continuity. Schools need written policies and legal counsel. Special rules and…

Uses the pyramid-of-services model to organize the complexity of child day care systems and to delineate their place in the framework of family preservation and support services. Argues that the family focus of family preservation and family support can utilize the unique elements of child day care as a vehicle for family empowerment. (MDM)

Discusses policy and program innovations in toddler day care and family support services in Europe, focusing on educational opportunities in Denmark, France, Italy, Finland, Sweden, and England. Reviews the implications of these innovations for toddler day care and family support services in the United States. (MDM)

Discusses issues raised in three workshops organized by the Board on Children and Families devoted to childcare for low-income families. The workshops sought to distill the available information from current research, examine the current status of the childcare delivery system, and consider promising directions for future research. The conclusions…

A survey of 180 early intervention professionals found significant discrepancies between current and ideal family involvement in early intervention programs, specifically in parent involvement in decisions about child assessment; parent participation in assessment, team meetings, and decision making; and provision of family services. Barriers to…

Four approaches to services and intervention design for young children with learning and/or behavior problems are described, followed by a discussion of PASSKey (planned activity, systematic sampling, and keystone behavior), an ecobehavioral and naturalistic approach to intervention design. A case study illustrates the model. (Author/DB)