This paper describes Project Assist, a model for developing and implementing a flexible system of social support that can be individualized for families of infants/toddlers with disabilities. The model uses group support, individual support, and follow-up support to meet a variety of family needs and promote family adaptation. (JDD)

This article reviews goal attainment scaling as an alternative method for evaluating treatments for children with autism. It discusses the use of goal attainment scaling as a way to provide a convergent link between outcome goals and program goals within a framework of family-centered practices. A case study is provided. (Author/CR)

Considers two factors that have influenced the level of parent/family participation in early intervention services: (1) an increased focus on families in both state and federal early intervention legislation and the incorporation of social systems frameworks for better understanding of child, parent, and (2) family functioning. Also summarizes…

This article investigates parents' status within educational research and examines some research paradigms that have been used. A number of inherent methodological and ethical issues are identified and several fundamental aspects are explored. It is argued that researchers should adopt a partnership model for cooperative research on parental…

The preschool years ages 3 and 4 are extremely important for social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of preschool to heighten awareness and inform administrators, educators, families, and policymakers about the value of preschool and in particular preschool literacy…

This article deals with the impact brought by the school shootings at Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota to the school community. A deeply troubled 16-year-old student shot and killed seven other people and himself at a high school. The nation's deadliest school attack since the 1999 slayings at Colorado's suburban Columbine High School took…

Our community university, located along the Texas-Mexico border, in cooperation with a local elementary school campus is involved in a project focused on working with elementary students and their families in relation to early literacy development. The project provides preservice teachers with a structured opportunity to work directly with Latino…

Meaningful employment can have a significant impact on the lives of young adults with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). Unfortunately, too few adolescents with EBD experience successful employment outcomes upon leaving high school. In this article, the authors review components of secondary educational programming that may contribute to…

We conducted interviews with staff members, parents, and adolescents at a residential treatment center to examine the frequency, nature, and satisfaction with contact between parents and adolescents and parents and staff. We also assessed perceived barriers to family involvement and possible solutions for improving this involvement. Results…

A successful transition from home or preschool to kindergarten is a key component of school readiness. Yet, quite often this major step in a child's life is neither planned nor well coordinated. Thoughtful planning for this transition, however, can have a positive impact on children, families, teachers, schools, and communities that last well…

This article describes how a preservice early childhood program collaborates with a local agency in a community engagement project. The project was implemented in a family-community partnership class for preservice teachers. There were three purposes for this project. First, to build a partnership between the University of Alaska Anchorage…

This article describes one example of how teachers can create or modify family involvement strategies for parents from linguistically and culturally diverse groups, especially those who are English-language learners. Although such approaches may not work for every classroom or family, they provide a point of departure from traditional forms of…

To raise the achievement of every student, Maryland designed "Achievement Matters Most," a plan for public schools that sets goals in the areas of achievement, teaching, testing, safety, and family involvement in schools. Achievement Matters Most supports Maryland schools' efforts to meet the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind…

Today, 10.6% of children enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade in the U.S. are foreign-born, and 1 in 5 are children of immigrants. Public schools represent the setting where many of the acculturative struggles of immigrant children unfold, having traditionally served as a vehicle of socialization and "assimilation" of immigrants in the U.S.…

This final report, in the form of an executive summary presents the findings of the Families in Action project, a 5-year effort to examine the experiences of parents and other members of families of children with emotional disorders as members of policy-related bodies. The project also addressed the development of strategies to enhance parent…