Describes investigation undertaken to develop a family-based intervention model designed to address problems of juvenile offenders and reduce effects of delinquency. Risk factors investigated included age at first court referral, seriousness of offenses, parental supervision, school functioning, peer group, alcohol and drug use, and criminality in…

This article describes the design and testing of the Family-Centered Program Rating Scale, which is seen as useful during comprehensive evaluation of early intervention programs for young children with disabilities and their families, as well as during program planning, staff development, and research processes. The article provides information…

Because of accelerating social change, conventional parent involvement efforts aimed at the traditional family have proven ineffective. This article discusses three basic approaches to involve parents: direct involvement in school management and choice; participation in special parenting training programs; and participation in family resource and…

Even Start Family Literacy Program is a three-part program serving thousands of children from birth to age seven. The federal program supplies parents with the training to be their child's first teacher; allows them to gain needed literacy skills and complete their own formal education; and provides a preschool for young children. Children gain at…

The Family Math Program is an outgrowth of the Equals Program at the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley. Piloted in 1982 in Richmond, California, this widespread program boasts a simple philosophy: Families "doing math" will get the same result as families who read--improved skills and enjoyment. The program also confronts parental…

This commentary on EC 605 926 cites a study which yielded a dramatic difference in expenditures of families of children with mental retardation. The paper expresses concerns with reclassifying family supports as health care costs, and proposes alternative policy options for compensating families caring for a family member with mental retardation.…

Describes family support programs implemented by major corporations and labor organizations such as the International Brotherhood of the Teamsters and Corning Glass. Relates the effects of child neglect and the housing crisis on a nine-year-old boy in New York. (FMW)

Examines the benefits and pitfalls of large-scale concurrent planning--working with families toward reunification while developing alternative permanency plans. Notes that as large-scale programs begin to develop nationally, those implementing concurrent planning must be aware of pitfalls that can undermine effectiveness, while keeping in mind its…

Reports on ethnic differences in service utilization, preferences, and delivery concerns among 488 Latinos, European Americans, African Americans, and Asian Americans who were consumers or potential consumers of California family-resource centers providing child, economic, social, and health-related services. Latinos and African Americans were…

This study investigated 52 Navajo family caregiver perceptions about early intervention services and supplemental information was gathered from 15 early interventionists identified by caregivers. Overall, caregivers were satisfied with services. Caregivers' perceptions of program family-centeredness had a strong positive relationship with…

This article explores factors that facilitate moving from the service-provider role to becoming part of a family's constellation of helpers. Elements of empowerment are juxtaposed with the following metaphors for practice: building a definition of disability, following the parent's lead, creating a community of helpers, and expanding perspectives.…

Explores schools' potential function as sanctuaries for immigrant families. Describes Grupo de Padres, a group formed by Latino immigrant families in an elementary school located in a low-income, migrational point-of-entry neighborhood. Interviews disclosed key physical and social components for a safe environment and the need for meaningful…

Discusses issues related to measuring outcomes of social-work interventions with children. Emphasizes the need for regular, carefully timed assessments. Argues that approach and perspective differences obscure relationships between program and child outcomes and that assessing family-services outcomes raises accountability questions. Suggests that…

Illustrates several key cultural perspectives that must be considered in order to overcome communication barriers when providing culturally competent family services. Describes the challenges encountered by Hmong and other Southeast Asian families at a parent center. Presents an account of a Hmong father's experiences seeking care for his child…

Describes the use of administrative data in support of a project to develop outcome measures for the Children and Youth Division of the Department of Human Services in Philadelphia, focusing on safety and permanency indicators for the in-home services program. Considers issues of data file construction and analysis, baseline results for in-home…