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…

This guide presents useful research findings and best practice information about developing parent and family involvement programs. The first chapter focuses on reporting research findings on parent involvement and highlights pertinent findings on how parent involvement benefits students, parents, teachers, school quality, and program designs.…

Home Start programs, designed to provide child development services to children in their homes, are located in 15 states. (DS)

Describes a Venezuelan project whose aim is to help poor rural families bridge the gap between the actual and required levels of income. (AN)

Proceedings are summarized from the four-day conference "Parents and Children: A Family-Focused Approach to Service Delivery," held in Williamsburg, Virginia, July 1982. (MP)

Praises Worthington's article "Religious Faith across the Life Span" (1989) for providing framework for including religious faith as part of professional and scientific endeavors. Stresses importance of willingness of counseling psychologists to provide consultation and collaboration to clergy. Suggests areas (family enrichment programs…

Describes a program developed by the Children's Aid Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, called Intergenerational Support System (ISS), in which senior volunteers serve as support persons for problem families. (SAK)

Five educational programs to strengthen marriage and family skills were delivered in 2 states to 244 participants. Two to 5 months later, 50-88% made positive behavioral changes; 73-100% approved of tax-dollar support for the programs. The communication program significantly increased self-esteem and family functioning. (SK)