Assessed the attitudes of parents regarding nurturance and self-determination rights for juveniles. Nurturance rights for juveniles were strongly endorsed. Most parents did not believe that juvenile suspects should be allowed to withhold information from police. Results question parents' abilities to provide meaningful protections for juveniles in…

Analysis of data from 270 families participating in Michigan's "Early On" (Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) program suggests two paths for empowering families: (1) implementation of program components via a family-centered framework or (2) family-centered delivery to build a family support network. (Author/DB)

This paper describes development of a study that includes participatory action research, specifically the establishment of a family advisory committee. The study involved a survey of Massachusetts families of children with disabilities. Suggestions for establishing and integrating the committee into the research enterprise are offered, as are…

Considers the need for family literacy programs and library involvement in such programs. National organizations and local library programs devoted to family literacy are described, and the California State Library's Families for Literacy Program, which provides funding for local library family literacy programs, is discussed. (MES)

Provides a framework for developing family literacy programs. Explains the characteristics of effective family literacy activities. Shares a compilation of family literacy goals and activities recently developed by a group of Ohio teachers. (RS)

This article presents a family-centered perspective in rehabilitation of individuals with cognitive-communicative impairments following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The approach focuses on capacity rather than dysfunction in families and includes family members as collaborators in rehabilitation. Suggestions for understanding family responses to…

Results of a survey of 150 retirees showed that participating/not participating in activities and active versus less active engagement in health and family issues discriminated among those retiring for work, personal, and health reasons. Activities and planning events were important correlates of retirees' satisfaction. (SK)

Presents actions that parents can take to help children prepare to return to school after summer vacation. Ideas highlight reading, writing, vocabulary, computers, family night, television, video games, communicating, music, study habits, encouragement, decision making, behavior, setting limits, modeling, grooming, nagging, toys, equality, school…

Rural Kentucky parents and professionals involved in early intervention for young handicapped children received training on development of individualized family service plans; family-focused services; and problem-solving, team-building and communication skills. Evaluation results, follow-up on participant teams, and recommended changes in training…

Assessments of schools and community agencies with teen pregnancy prevention programs (n=23) in three California counties were conducted using surveys, interviews, and site visits. Best practices identified included youth development programs, Involvement of family and other caring adults, and culturally appropriate and locally relevant…

Presents annotations of 42 children's books (published in 1997) about holiday traditions and family traditions focusing in nighttime rituals, special neighborhood occasions, and traditions across the generations; as well as stories based on oral traditions of sharing stories over time from generation to generation. (RS)

Asserts that fostering an informed concern about the natural environment and instilling an environmental ethic is a collective enterprise in which families can and should share. Presents information on the SmogWatch program, a short course designed for adults and youngsters to investigate together the phenomenon of ground-level ozone, a key…

A Maine elementary principal discovered that a family game night, complete with food and door prizes, helps build a sense of community by giving parents an opportunity to interact informally with school staff and students. It is particularly effective with previously uninvolved parents. (MLH)

Presents advice from researches and practitioners on how schools can cultivate parent involvement that improves student achievement: Redefine parent involvement, train teachers to work with parents, reach out to parents, stay in touch, encourage parents to advocate for their children, and invest in family involvement. (Contains 10 online…

Because of limited resources and rising populations, more intentional relationships among university departments are needed to achieve common goals, especially in parent programming. Article focuses on novel partnering opportunities for student affairs and institutional advancement departments. (GCP)