Examines the evidence base for autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) intervention, distinguishing between experimental work identifying a treatment effect and research establishing ecological validity. Asserts that research should address which program components are helpful for which children and families in which contexts. Draws on current…

Describes the "Educate Your Child" program, a Cuban family-based program supported by UNICEF and designed to enhance the total development of children from birth until the start of formal schooling for the 80 percent of Cuban children who do not attend the Children's Circle preschool program. Highlights the importance of the regional…

Two studies collected quantitative and qualitative data from 24 families participating in an 8-hour outdoor adventure program and from 11 families in a residential family camping program. Findings demonstrate a strong positive relationship between structured outdoor family programming and family strength, and suggest that adventure activities…

Describes an activity-based formula developed to comply with a judicial mandate that standards for specialized and mixed caseloads be established. Discusses considerations involved in determining maximum caseload size, approaches used, formulas which have evolved, and circumstances in which the activity-based method works best. (NH)

Discusses the organization and functions of the Soho Family Centre. The centre's long-term goal is to provide fully integrated and free health, education, social, and community services for families with children under five years of age. (RJC)

The article discusses the conceptual and procedural mandates of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), required under Public Law 99-457, as both a bold radical step taken by the federal government and as a logical extension of current service delivery practices serving disabled children. (Author/DB)

Identifies and analyzes central tensions and themes that characterize child protection policy in England and Wales. Outlines conflicting messages that have been prevalent in debates about child abuse since the early 1980s. Analyzes in detail the 1989 Children Act, the 1991 Criminal Justice Act, Working Together (1991), and the Memorandum of Good…

The emphasis on family-support and school-linked services programs requires that professionals be trained with the new skills that will be required for these interdisciplinary approaches. A network of nonprofit training and leadership-development institutions is growing that emphasizes experiential learning. (SLD)

Presents a case study of the University of Minnesota's community-based program to serve the needs of children, youth, and families. Highlights the early history of the enterprise, noting the guiding principles and mission that have fueled its development. Summarizes the first three years of the consortium's operation and discusses a few of the…

Presents the transcript of a telephone conference between Patty Finch of the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education and Dr. Frank Ascione of Utah State University. (MDH)

This article explores the current status in the United States of support to families who care for children with disabilities at home. It summarizes essential program features, program effects, and outstanding issues (such as, ensuring family involvement in policy formation, sufficient funding, and system collaboration). (DB)

The mother of a child deafened by spinal meningitis in infancy discusses her emotional response to the diagnosis, including initial shock, guilt, and anger, followed by acceptance and constructive action. Early intervention services which center on family services and the importance of good communication between professionals and parents are…

Military recreation is a sophisticated leisure delivery system that has traditionally remained independent from public providers of recreation and parks services. Now, because of cost considerations, commanding officers may be developing new levels of public sector cooperation. The article examines differences between public and military…

Discusses the development of the Family Assessment Form for use in in-home family support services at the Children's Bureau of Los Angeles, California. Focuses on details of the form, its reliability and validity, and refinements in its use. (BB)

Describes the general characteristics of family support programs in North America. Summarizes the rationale for such programs. Describes an example of a support program, the family resource centers in Canada. Outlines such key planning considerations as the diversity of today's families, needs assessment, program variety, and cultural relevance.…