Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic, social and psychological factors associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among a sample of secondary school students (N = 402). Methods: Students completed a questionnaire which examined their level of participation in MVPA and sedentary behaviours…

This essay describes the setting up of early intervention services in Vietnam. From the outset, there was a focus on developing staff training programmes alongside establishing model early intervention programmes to ensure that the work would be sustained at the end of the project funding and spread throughout the country. The success of this work…

This report was commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) to inform the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and LGA work on "Narrowing the Gap." It focuses on early years' provision and presents findings from a review of the best evidence on narrowing the gap in outcomes across the five Every Child Matters…

Research studies on school success often focus on the impact of discrete elements such as race, culture, ethnicity, gender, language, or school location on high achievement. The condition of poverty, however, may be the most important of all student differences in relation to high achievement; although not all schools have racial diversity, nearly…

This article presents propensity score matching as a method to implement randomized conditions to analyze service effects using nonexperimental data. Most social work research is challenged to implement randomized clinical trials, whereas administrative and survey data are often available and can provide valuable information about services…

This two-page fact sheet summarizes typical approaches, programs, and resources in the area of family support and respite programs for families with special needs. Principles of family support programs are listed, stressing the common goal of increasing the ability of families to successfully nurture children. Typical components of such programs…

This article presents the results of a survey conducted with 44 adventure programs working with families. Results of the survey show that the majority of families served by family adventure programs are step families. The source of the programs' primary referrals were mental health or medical staff. Programs reported that they worked almost…

Applicable to any school district or school interested in starting a family resource and support program, this guide provides help for both planning and implementation of family resource and youth services centers. It outlines the philosophy behind family resource and youth services centers and how that philosophy is to be reflected in all aspects…

This resource guide was developed to provide a single source of current information for practitioners working with African American children and families. The guide describes materials, programs, national organizations, and other sources of information pertaining to the African American family. It presents information on a wide array of topics,…

This paper describes an application of basic concepts and theory from family life education in a community program for families. Following a review of background theory and philosophy, an action program model is presented and discussed. Experiences with the model are highlighted and implications for future work noted. (Author)

This annotated bibliography addresses issues, principles, programs, and research about respite care published in articles and books from 1978-1988. It covers a wide range of topics, from comprehensive overviews of respite issues, services, and policies to descriptions of specific respite care program models. A number of the bibliographic entries…

Intended for people interested in replicating the ideas contained in this manual in their own communities, the handbook describes the Family Exchange Center (FEC), an approach designed to support families with developmentally disabled children. Services offered include social, recreational, educational, mutual aid, support, and respite activities.…

The document describes development and implementation of a program offered by the Boston Children's Museum to facilitate museum visits for handicapped children and their families. An advisory council was formed with professionals who work with families and parents of severely disabled children. Among the original objectives were the provision of a…

As a result of the impact of economic industrialization on the U.S. economy, the extended family in the United States has fragmented; nuclear families have lost contact with sources of parenting information and, increasingly, when parenting problems have occurred, the assistance of social service agencies has been requested. The lack of parenting…

Changes in the Australian taxation system are discussed in reference to two central issues: (1) achieving horizontal and vertical equity within the tax-transfer system; and (2) interrelating taxation and social security systems. Horizontal equity embodies the principle that those in similar economic circumstances should pay the same levels of…