A study determined the extent to which states spend federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and state maintenance-of-effort (MOE) funds for cash assistance and non-cash services and how this compares to welfare spending in fiscal year (FY) 1995. It also identifed the extent to which states use TANF and MOE funds to provide services…

This paper considers the concept of the "one-stop shop" in relation to the provision of family services, whereby the family can access a range of support services made available in one location. The paper examines how the concept fits within the context of mainstream service provision in Great Britain today, specifically how the Coram…

This final report summarizes the activities and evaluation of Project Outcomes, a program developed at the University of Kentucky to prepare personnel to work with young children and their families in inclusive settings. The program was built around three unique components: (1) individual program plans were developed for each student; (2) each…

Noting that the need for basic skills education among the current labor force cannot be easily met by vocational training alone, this booklet presents the case for family literacy education to improve the skills of unemployed workers and describes the work of the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL). Family literacy is defined as having four…

The state of Washington implemented the Readiness to Learn program as part of the state's Family Policy Initiative. The primary goal of the program is to serve as a formal link between education and human services by authorizing grants to local school-linked, community-based consortia to develop and implement strategies that ensure children arrive…

This paper presents three case studies describing the experiences of rural families receiving early intervention (EI) services for a developmentally disabled infant/toddler. Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1997 amendments) provides funds for home-based, family-centered, transdisciplinary EI services. The case…

Families and Schools Together (FAST) is a 2-year program beginning with 8 weeks of multiple family meetings and transitioning into a long-term follow-up segment called FASTWORKS. FAST uses tested family therapy principles, delinquency and substance-abuse strategies, psychiatric techniques, family systems theory, and group dynamics to give parents…

The need for improved access to quality services for children and their families has resulted in a wide variety of early childhood and out-of-school time initiatives. Recognizing that developing financing plans and finding funding sources are a major challenge for these initiatives, this guide is intended to assist state and local officials, as…

This handbook of family support and education programs profiles 73 programs that highlight an array of service arrangements under school sponsorship. The handbook asserts that no one factor makes or breaks a program and that all facets of program development contribute to the degree of success. (SLD)

The Kentucky Family Resource Centers developed under the Kentucky Educational Reform Act are described as examples of the school-linked service movement. The lessons learned in the development of the centers and policy issues that need to be addressed by both education and social services to assure continued development of this movement are…

This article begins by defining family-centeredness and then reviews and integrates available evidence about family-centered practices in early intervention, preschool, and elementary and secondary schools. For each educational level, findings from studies that investigated program models, practitioner behaviors, family-oriented practices rating…

Elements of a successful Head Start program are described. These elements are provision of comprehensive services, parent involvement and family support, a commitment to meeting local needs, training and technical assistance support, and use of a collaborative approach. Anecdotes about two Head Start parents and a former Head Start participant are…

A study of outcomes of child protection services for children and families in Oregon investigated the congruence between parental reports and data from case records, services parents perceived to be most helpful, and the capacity of protection services for future protection. (BB)

Proposes a new model of family involvement in early childhood education that empowers families as lifelong learners. Strategies that empower families include advocating for family-centered communities; developing relevant parent education; promoting developmentally appropriate programs; providing success-oriented learning experiences and…

Overview of social service programs for families offered by the Independence (Missouri) School District describes programs designed to meet needs in the following areas: accessing community services; adult parenting education; literacy education and job training; preschool and after-school childcare; services for low-income families and special…