This paper examines the need for and role of occupational therapy in the organization and functioning of a community day care center for psychiatric patients in India. The occupational therapy program involves client evaluation, determination of therapeutic activities, physical exercise, recreational activities, group sessions, family involvement,…

This article describes a demonstration project that utilized 28 community early childhood programs as intervention placements for 30 preschool-age children with disabilities. Results suggested significant developmental gains for all children. Service delivery characteristics identified as necessary for the effective implementation of intervention…

Describes the recent influx of immigrants from the nations of the former Soviet Union. Presents information about reasons for their emigration and difficulties encountered upon settlement in the United States. Recommends that schools and colleges develop programs to ease the transition for these new students and their families. (CFR)

This study of 26 deinstitutionalized and 31 institutionalized developmentally disabled New South Wales adults found that relocated subjects demonstrated a significant increase in adaptive functioning after 1 year of community living. No corresponding change was found for institutionalized subjects. Daily living skills improved the most, followed…

This comment on EC 231 901 notes that institution-based and community-based residential programs for mentally retarded persons have not been proven to be programmatically equivalent; promoting large institutions as safer than smaller facilities ignores the deplorable history of abuse within institutional services; and institutions cannot assure…

Describes the Independent Study Program of Seekonk High School (Massachusetts), a program that allows students to leave school on a regular basis to volunteer within the community. Seniors choose a project and submit it for approval. Suggestions are given for implementing and sustaining such a program. (SLD)

Discusses the community service promotional activities of black/urban radio in urban neighborhoods, and reports on a survey responded to by 54% on 123 African-American operated stations that demonstrates the industry's commitment to community service. Over 98% indicate active engagement in such activities. (SLD)

Describes the Newcastle Architecture Workshop, an independent, charitable company that works with schools and the community in educating for urban environmental change. Activities in the schools include curriculum planning, collaborating with teachers, developing teaching strategies, and inservice training. Describes several workshop projects, and…

Examines the effectiveness of field trips in raising teaching certification students' awareness of issues of diversity in psychology. Five community organizations serving diverse populations were targeted for student explorations, and it was found that field trips led to higher teaching efficacy and a more comprehensive understanding of issues…

In an exploratory project to enrich the reading experiences of 84 rural low-income first-graders, 15 female community members were trained to work with children in nontraditional and traditional activities that addressed reading-related skills. Student achievement test scores improved from exceptionally low reading achievement in the fall to…

Addresses issues of early intervention with young children with disabilities in the context of poverty as a risk factor for disability and recent welfare-to-work legislation. Concepts developed by Uri Bronfenbrenner and Peter Neville are reviewed to show the need to integrate concepts of risk and ecological support into the contexts of caregiving…

Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) was created by Purdue University (Indiana) School of Electrical and Computer Engineering to broaden the education of engineering students by the use of an extended service-learning experience integrated into the engineering curriculum. EPICS provides local community service organizations with…

Reviews the effectiveness of prevention programs in reducing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Results reveal that prevention programs, to date, have been successful in raising awareness of FAS; however this awareness has not been translated into behavioral changes in high-risk drinkers as consumption levels in this group have increased. (Author/MKA)

Representatives from 34 local interagency coordinating councils were interviewed about interagency agreements for the legally required transition from the infant/toddler to preschool service delivery system at age 3. Results indicated that most communities included the majority of legal transition requirements in their agreements. Policy issues…

School-community partnership programs can help teachers reach children in the crucial years from birth to 4, thereby preventing reading difficulties and raising future test scores. Many organizations help families in starting their children on the road to lifetime reading by distributing free books and pamphlets on reading aloud to children. (SM)