Describes two summer internship programs for college students designed to groom the next generation of leaders for the Armenian American community, pointing out that these programs are prototypes for providing young adults the chance to jumpstart their careers while intensifying their ethnic identity and involvement. Discusses interns'…

The six chapters of this theme issue attempt to define conceptual and methodological issues in the evaluation of integrated services systems and to begin to synthesize some of these issues. An introduction to these evaluation issues is followed by case studies and a discussion of implications for program and policy development. (SLD)

This article synthesizes descriptions of and recommendations for community transition teams which assist in the transition of youth with learning or other disabilities from school to adult life. The levels, composition, and functions of transition teams are described. Community-level transition teams are shown to be critical support vehicles for…

This article addresses cultural influences on the family care and community-based rehabilitation of people with disabilities in Asia, especially Hong Kong. Considered are factors influencing the Hong Kong family, the caregiver role, the role of community development, and implications for policy and service delivery in newly industrialized cities…

The friendship status of 58 preschoolers with disabilities in inclusive child care settings in North Carolina was examined. The majority of children were found to have at least one friend. Associated factors included diagnosis, developmental level, behavioral characteristics, characteristics of the friend, similarities between the child and the…

Paints a portrait of a 7-year-old girl, her mother, and their experience at a community-based, after-school youth program in a public housing development, demonstrating how stories taken from the field can illustrate the power of peer education and motivate community based organization staff toward more inspired educational after school…

Discusses findings of a study of service-learning programs in middle schools in Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Missouri, particularly noting reasons the programs could be improved to show a greater impact on students. Considers the effects of such programs on students' academic achievement and social development. (JPB)

Managed care has profoundly altered system delivery models in mental health. Many school-based mental health professionals lack information on how professional practice is being reshaped. This paper reviews the confluence between managed care and school-based services. It provides a re-orientation framework to help give a clearer understanding of…

Describes a literature conference for the Harlem community on choosing and using self-affirming books for African American children. Describes Grandma's Place, a literacy and parent support center with an array of multicultural literature. Describes programs and activities that seek to support literacy, strengthen the family, and provide access to…

Studied community perceptions of students and faculty involved in service learning and campus outreach activities through a survey of 65 directors of community service programs in which students participated and followup interviews with 30 agency personnel. Findings suggest that campuses and communities generally enjoy positive relationships, but…

A survey of 13 vocational programs that used natural supports as one of their strategies for securing and supporting people with disabilities in community jobs found that people with more severe disabilities had fewer wage- and integration-outcomes and fewer typical features of employment compared to those with less severe disabilities. (CR)

This commentary discusses the limitations of traditional research and the benefits of participatory action research (PAR) that changes the stance of the researcher from dispassionate observer to that of friend, ally, and colleague of the "subject". The use of PAR in helping researchers, parents, and advocates work together in promoting…

A study of 112 preschoolers with and without disabilities in 16 community-based, inclusive preschool programs, found both groups of children exhibited similar child behaviors and were meaningfully engaged in a variety of adult- and child-initiated activities within similar activity contexts; however, children with disabilities received more adult…

Interviewed students in grades 4-7 to determine correlates of regular participation in anti-tobacco activities and their willingness to participate if given the opportunity. Correlates of both regular participation and willingness to participate included parental discussion of tobacco use, exposure to school anti-tobacco courses, and belief that…

With the purpose of contributing to the research and discussion about youth work as a contextual, interpersonal process of human interaction, it is suggested that youth work is like a modern dance that works best when youth workers are present, in sync with youth development rhythms for trusting and growing and making meaning in an atmosphere that…