Professional development in family-centred services was given to professionals supporting children with disabilities and their families with the purpose to influence ways to perform working tasks. Is it possible to change ways of working through in-service training? In order to find answers to that question perceptions of in-service training at…

This research was conducted to understand paraprofessional home visitors' perceptions of their training in addressing poor mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence, and their actions in working with families in addressing these issues. Five focus groups were conducted with a total of 28 paraprofessional home visitors. Three main…

There has been considerable interest in recent years in comparing the operation of social work services for children and families internationally, particularly between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Reviewing the respective policy environments and drawing on recent research experience in these three nations, the author…

Research shows that families have a powerful effect on children's success in school. Parental involvement at home and in school is positively associated with children's school readiness and significant school performance. This study is focused on examining the impact of an intervention technology program--Community Learning Centers--(Centros…

This paper is concerned with reviewing some useful effects of information about support services provided to families of young children with hearing loss and the challenges of providing this information to families. Evidence indicates that 95 percent of young children with hearing loss have hearing parents. With no previous experience of hearing…

This study examined the influences of generational status, self-esteem, academic self-efficacy, and perceived social support on 367 undergraduate college students' well-being. Findings showed that 1st-generation students reported significantly more somatic symptoms and lower levels of academic self-efficacy than did non-1st-generation students. In…

Because family literacy programs are new, the definition of such programs and program models are still evolving. Broadly speaking, two criteria differentiate family literacy programs from other literacy programs: (1) the program is conceptualized around the concerns of the family as a unit; and (2) there is, at minimum, an implied educational…

This article describes Families Play To Grow, a new program of family play and recreation activity sponsored by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. (PD)

This document contains the text of the welcoming address given by the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare at the White House Conference on Families. The address emphasizes the importance of the family and delineates the family assistance measures taken by the federal government during the Carter years. (JMB)

A synopsis and family discussion suggestions are provided for the NBC-TV production of Snowbound, a story of two teenagers lost in a blizzard. (STS)

The paper contrasts two assumptions about the nature of autism and discusses their implications for parent services. A deficit model of parental pathology and definition of the parent as patient is seen to lack empirical support. Growing recognition of biological etiology is discussed and alternative definitions of the parent or family as focus…

A respite care program in New Jersey provides 50 families of mentally alert severely disabled adults with periodic relief. The program, which featured recreational and social activities, promotes the mental health of parents and families. (CL)

A summer in-home signing program augments signing courses and attempts to reach more families and more family members. Secondary and postsecondary deaf students live with families for brief periods, helping parents, other family members and neighbors develop signing skills. (Author/CL)

A communication program for four families with a hearing-impaired child integrated positive communicative dimensions with issues related to this population. Findings indicate that the program had beneficial effects including improved awareness skills, the ability to label feelings and skills, increased perceptions of family cohesiveness, and…

Head Start provides comprehensive education and family support to over 15 million children living in impoverished environments in the United States. Surveys and canvass calls were used to ascertain the extent and nature of contact that Head Start staff have with parents with disabilities. Responses from Head Start programs in a six-state region…