Presents the results of a survey administered by college students to the university community (n=313) as part of an earth week class project designed to merge research, teaching, and community outreach. Discusses the survey as a teaching tool, research, and community outreach program. (21 references) (MCO)

Describes Oakton Community College's (OCC's) efforts to increase international awareness on campus and in the surrounding community, not only general education international studies requirement, but through student study abroad programs, faculty travel/study opportunities, and foreign travel/study tours for community residents. Includes two brief…

Describes the Livingstone Family Centre in Bedford, United Kingdom, focusing on the characteristics of the local community, staffing considerations, parent involvement, and such center activities as an annual pantomime, keep-fit classes, infant care visits by community health workers, a toy library, and joint activities for parents and children.…

Traces the evolution of community services in higher education. Cites factors working against the clarification of the community service role within the community college's mission: preoccupation with definitions, burgeoning enrollments, lack of a financial base, and contrasting messages from educational leaders. Offers suggestions for…

Describes a university course in developmental psychology in which students participated as volunteers in community services for children and families. Explains that the course requirements offered 2 options: 50 hours of volunteer work or a series of 3 papers. Suggests that the volunteer experiences helped students maintain motivation and aided in…

Presents the story of how and why the Ford Foundation began to support environmental research and to educate the public about conservation and pollution. (26 references) (Author/MCO)

Highlights the efforts of 11 Kiwanis groups across the country who have formed partnerships with Head Start centers. Sponsored activities described include (1) reading and literacy programs; (2) building and maintenance projects for centers and playgrounds; (3) a health fair; (4) a family sports event; and (5) donations of time, labor, books,…

Describes in-home family support programs for low-income and minority children and families. Family-centered programs attempt to link families to services that meet their educational, health and social needs. The community needs to be involved in program development if programs are to be truly helpful and supportive of families. (SH)

The paper describes an "Outreach Study" in a British community which identified 46 adults with mental handicap over 50 years of age who were not in contact with specialist mental handicap service providers. The study's methodology and process are described including a discussion of issues concerned with defining the population.…

Examines unnecessary hospitalization and inadequacy of community services for children and adolescents with serious emotional or behavioral disorders. Discusses barriers that impede improved mental health services systems for children and their families and presents Child and Adolescent Service System Program "system of care" model as…

Examined relationship between place of residence and use of formal services prior to entering nursing home among older persons (n=131) within 30 days of admission. Found no residential differences in percent reporting use of formal services, number of services received, kinds of services used, or average length of time services had been received.…

Community-service programs that lack administrative or community support are destined to fail. The success of mandatory programs depends on careful preparations, stakeholder buy-in, academic merits, program quality, staff support, safeguards for students, accurate recordkeeping, and recognition of long-term educational benefits. (MLH)

Describes the author's psychology class, in which she required students to do service work with a resident in a nursing home. Reports that students met for a minimum of eight hours with the resident and wrote both a history of the person and a reflection on the project. States that half of the students decided to continue volunteering after the…

In a West Texas community that is 70% Hispanic, school-based community services build solidarity and contribute to well-being. The school provides social services, a community clinic, and service learning opportunities for students. This model is successful because it is self-initiated and self-organized. (Contains 43 references.) (SK)

Describes a hypothetical elementary school that is centered on social studies and social action, focusing on three practices at such a school: democratic education, education for social justice, and community service learning. Challenges to social action in U.S. schools include teachers' time limitations, curriculum standards, and emphasis on…