This report presents preliminary findings concerning early intervention services, based on data from in-depth interviews with 75 families with infants, toddlers, or preschool children receiving early intervention special services. Additional data included reviews of Individualized Family Service Plans and Individualized Education Programs,…

The Malta World NGO Forum, which launched the International Year of the Family (IYF) 1994 presented many views supporting the theme of promoting families for the well-being of individuals and societies. This theme reflected the opinion that IYF should be an opportunity to integrate the achievements for family members of previous United Nations…

The papers in these proceedings focus primarily on features of the Head Start Program, contributions made to its research and its future direction. The first part of the proceedings contains presentations from the nine symposia, dealing with the following topics: (1) Head Start demonstration projects; (2) issues relating to education and the…

In 1992, the Micronesian Language Institute established the PARADISU program, whose purpose was to strengthen and develop the English literacy and school participation skills of, and the school survival and success of children from, Chamorro, Chuukese, and Palauan families living on Guam through direct instruction and other activities. The program…

In 1991, the Worcester (Massachusetts) Public Schools received a grant to provide services to maintain the early benefits attained by Head Start children. One part of the program is advancement of a developmentally appropriate curriculum. A study was undertaken to examine the effects of investing substantial resources in classrooms in four schools…

A survey of 25 institutions of higher education was completed to identify strategies that are being used to prepare future teachers to help children and families of divorce. Ten individual strategies are discussed, including case studies, journal articles and reflective papers, use of children's literature, student teaching experiences, and…

At a time when schools are expected to do more than ever, it is important for them to forge strong partnerships with others in the community who share their concerns for the well-being and success of children. This guidebook illustrates how principals, teachers, and other members of a school staff can reach out to families and the community to…

Through a participatory approach to adult basic education, a project was conducted to break the debilitating cycle of illiteracy that passes from low-income parents to their children. The approach included a family literacy book club designed to encourage parents and children to read together and to improve parents' literacy skills, interests, and…

This paper analyzes the potential of a specific public policy tool to further principles of programs devoted exclusively to the Integration of Education and Human Services (IEHS). Section 1 describes the nature of the problem in establishing the need for IEHS. Section 2 describes policy tools currently used to implement IEHS, introducing the…

The social services component of Head Start links family, Head Start, and the community. This document addresses components of Head Start, providing Head Start staff who have social services responsibility with a guide to the provision of services to families. The chapters in the guide are: (1) "Overview of Head Start," including its…

Family support programs are proactive efforts based on the assumptions that families have primary responsibility for their children's development and well-being; healthy families are the foundation of a healthy society; families operate as part of a total system; and social service agencies should assist families' efforts to raise their children…

This anthology contains 19 articles selected from the "Zero To Three Bulletin" from 1984 through the spring of 1992 and organized into five sections. The section on relationships in infant/toddler child care includes: "Infants in Day Care: Reflections on Experiences, Expectations, and Relationships," by J. H. Pawl; and…

The presentations compiled in these proceedings on welfare and self-sufficiency reflect much of the current research in areas of housing, health, employment and training, welfare and reform, nutrition, child support, child care, and youth. The first section provides information on the conference and on the National Association for Welfare Research…

The guidebook describes a model for a community-based adult and family literacy program for immigrant and refugee communities that draws on and enhances the strengths of community members with strong educational backgrounds who can serve as community literacy teachers and leaders (interns). Mentors from adult education programs trained the interns…

This study, which collected data through interviews and document review, was designed to identify strengths and weaknesses of Minnesota's Comprehensive Children's Mental Health Act (CCMHA) of 1989 and its implementation through December 1990. Three criteria for mental health reform were established for the study, including: care should be…