This article explores components of family-centered care and challenges professionals encounter as they work with families in which abuse/neglect is suspected or is occurring. Strategies for working with families in a family-centered manner that promotes a sense of empowerment in family members, while ensuring the safety of children, are offered.…

Presents some findings from a 3-year study of a voluntary organization, Home Start, which offers support to mothers with children under 5 through volunteer home visiting. Discusses the activities of Home-Start in the context of debate over appropriate policy and practice linking family support with health visiting, employment policy, education,…

Examines the way the German child welfare system responds to parental requests for help by comparing experiences of families in England and Germany. Describes the German context and provides a case study of one mother's experiences with the welfare system. Highlights key features of the German child care system that facilitate the process of…

Describes a unified, statewide effort to increase outreach activities targeted to ethnic minority families with a demented relative. Provides data demonstrating the effectiveness of these programs. (SNR)

This article discusses how clinicians can work with parents of young children with disabilities who may themselves have mental health disorders. Recommendations are provided for an initial approach to parents with mental health challenges, referral to psychiatric personnel, establishing trust and rapport, and sustaining a relationship with parents…

This article discusses the increasing population of children from diverse backgrounds and suggests commonsense methods for team development of cultural competence for the provision of appropriate early intervention services to linguistically and culturally diverse families. Recommendations for using interpreters and developing models for family…

This study investigated Venezuelan university students' perceptions regarding domestic violence and possible encounters with domestic violence in programs for young children. Students indicated that they expected to encounter only those situations they were prepared to confront, indicating needs for curriculum changes in teacher-training programs.…

Introduced in 1997, Quebec's family policy includes an integrated family allowance program, comprehensive early childhood development and child care services, and a parental insurance plan. Government funding and regulation ensure that affordable/free child care is available to all children aged 0-12, child caregivers receive training and adequate…

A study of 246 child victims of extrafamilial sexual abuse (ages 2-14) investigated effectiveness of family participation in crisis counseling, individual parent/child treatment, children's treatment groups, and parent support groups. A family approach and services for parents in addition to intervention for child victims were key components in…

Argues that shortcomings in program implementation and evaluation contributed to failure to demonstrate effectiveness of the Comprehensive Child Development Program (CCDP). Articulates lessons from the CCDP, including addressing roles of demonstration projects and their evaluations, problems in evaluation early in program implementation, the…

Responds to Gilliam et al.'s critique of evaluation of the Comprehensive Child Development Program (CCDP). Restates the policy implications of the study and comments on the design of the intervention and the evaluation. Concludes with remarks on how evaluation and research should be used to help low-income families. (Author/KB)

Most school districts have long endorsed the school as a neighborhood anchor housing adult-education classes, recreation programs, and community events. Since the mideighties, service-oriented partnerships addressing student and family needs have grown exponentially. Partnerships in New York City, Montana, Washington State, and Rhode Island are…

This article describes BEGINNINGS, an interim Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for use in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It discusses the rationale that supports the process, the format, and recommendations for its implementation. The program's early intervention services help to identify supports and to facilitate transition to…

This study evaluated a multiple-family group-intervention program (MFGI) for first-time juvenile offenders. The recidivism rate for subjects who completed the MFGI (the Family Solutions Program) was compared to recidivism rates of two other groups of first-time juvenile offenders. Using logistic regression analysis predicting who will recidivate,…

Cognitive interventions have been shown to promote learning and confront behavioral challenges among youth. Many programs report to reduce violence and aggression among youth. Positive interventions with a solid evidence base offer the most promising strategies to address behavioral problems with youth. Six model evidence-based interventions…