A shift from the traditional individual student-therapist relationship to the student-family-therapist triad is expected to occur with increasing enrollment of older students. Within a limited number of sessions, focus on the family is appropriate for assessment and therapeutic reasons. (JN)

The existing educational system and a hypothetical one increasing the authority of families are compared for their relative ability to meet educational objectives. (JMF)

The Coons and Sugarman proposal for family choice and control of education by means of a voucher system is summarized, and some difficulties in the plan are identified. (JMF)

A mental health program in the schools is described which uses a nurse trained in mental health, with the support of a psychiatrist, to coordinate a mental health team and act as a liaison between the school and the health professionals, to assess referrals and arrange team meetings to plan interventions. (JMF)

This study focuses on whether external family ties exist as supportive networks by comparing a probability sample of 200 low-income Black females with 371 of their White counterparts. Contradictory evidence is offered regarding the availability and utilization of supportive kin networks by the two groups studied. (Author/EB)

The rate at which retarded children are deinstitutionalized is being slowed by this country's failure to emphasize programs supportive of these children's families. The author proposes changes in policy to increase assistance and support to the family as a unit. (Author)

Evaluated the psychometric utility of a home literacy environment measure. Examined the measure's accuracy in predicting unique variance in children's performance on academic achievement measures after accounting for other important sources of variance, such as IQ and maternal education. Claims that this measure is psychometrically strong and…

In Baltimore, Maryland, 49 schools are working with the National Network of Partnership-2000 Schools at Johns Hopkins University to build comprehensive, permanent partnership programs with their families and communities. This article profiles three elementary schools that attribute their success to action teams, six types of family involvement,…

This paper describes an interdisciplinary model for the assessment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that includes families as active participants and collaborators and emphasizes cultural competence and a strengths perspective. Steps in the assessment process are detailed. Preliminary research on the assessment model indicates its…

Discusses principles associated with strength-based approaches to support families of children with disabilities: a philosophy based on family strength; a partnership approach to service; a family-centered agenda; an individualized response to family needs; a comprehensive view of family development; and an assessment of outcomes based on family…

Offers 20 suggestions for improving parent involvement in their child's schooling at home and at school, and for improving school-home communication. Home suggestions include asking parents to read to and with children, assist them with homework, and help them start their own library. School suggestions include planning specific volunteer…

Investigated 130 2-parent families with children who had mild, moderate, or severe cerebral palsy to examine the critical family strengths which contributed to the overall health and health improvement of these children. Used the Typology Model of Adjustment and Adaptation to examine the relationships between family stress, family types,…

This paper discusses risks to communication development in infants and toddlers. It suggests basic guidelines for assessment of the infant, the interaction, the caregiver, and familial strengths and needs. It also suggests guidelines and resources for intervention with infants at various linguistic stages and with their families. (JDD)

Early language developmental delay within high-risk and handicapped populations is explored, focusing on: basic guidelines and emerging directions in screening, diagnosis, and ongoing evaluation of infants, toddlers, and their families; early intervention activities in neonatal intensive care nurseries and in community settings; and future…