Reviews research relevant to family-based adolescent health promotion, focusing on efforts to prevent problems and encourage healthy development. Discusses family processes that appear central to healthy adolescent functioning, including attachment, reducing disharmony, and encouraging responsibility. Describes selected family interventions,…

In 1993, East Cleveland Schools teamed with Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Foundation to pilot FAST (Families Are Students and Teachers). Kindergartners stay with the same teacher through second grade and benefit from summer enrichment programs and school/home interactions. A strong relationship-oriented program, coupled with…

Discusses the incidence and consequences of child abuse. Examines issues involved in recognizing and reporting child abuse in schools. Covers the following aspects of the role of Child Protective Services: (1) intake and investigation; (2) supervision and treatment of children and families; (3) child placement and foster care services; and (4)…

Examines the roots of drug/substance abuse and the long-term positive social consequences of good programs for young children, as well as the components of a model drug abuse prevention program that easily can be incorporated into any Head Start, child care, or other early childhood program. (BB)

This Colorado study of practices in infant and toddler programs (ages 0-4) involved a review of 53 individual family service plans (IFSPs) and perceptions of 44 parents and 51 professionals concerning family-centered practices. IFSPs were found to be primarily child-centered, and urban and rural differences were determined. (Author/SW)

Interviews with 536 families (White, Hispanic, and American Indian) of infants and toddlers with developmental problems indicated parental needs for more and better information and indicated the importance of medical doctors as a source of information, individualizing information for different ethnic groups, and identifying unique strategies to…

Surveyed 49 state supervisors and 36 Native American supervisors of child welfare programs in Arizona. Found that, although both groups reported similar levels of supervisory professionalization and job satisfaction, they differed in their ethnicity, their supervisory tasks, and their training needs. Tribal supervisors reported having more…

College and university employee assistance programs that address work and family issues are discussed. Components of such programs include child care resource and referral, parent education and support groups, elder care support and education, and management training. Issues in program creation and administration are highlighted. More programs in…

Examined the impact of individual environmental and biological risks on the home environment of three-year olds in a sample of low birth weight, premature infants. Suggests that compared to nonpoor families, poor families experienced more multiple risk factors. Poverty clearly had a negative effect on the provision of learning experiences,…

Reviews three books on family preservation and welfare services: (1) "Families in Crisis: The Impact of Intensive Family Preservation Services" (Mark Frases and others); (2) "Together Again: Family Reunification in Foster Care" (Barbara Pine and others); and (3) "Rethinking Child Welfare in Canada" (Brian Wharf,…

Summarizes research on disabled children's effects on families and families' influences on children's adjustment. Offers (1) guidelines for family support programs involving school-home partnerships; (2) cautionary notes on provision of family support programs; and (3) methods for preparing professionals for such programs. (BC)

Presents a definition of empowerment based on research and school-based programing. Discusses ways in which schools can involve parents, teachers, and administrators in an empowerment process that leads to improved student achievement. Offers questions that can be used to focus initiatives in home-school partnerships. (BC)

Parent attitudes and effects of parent participation were studied for workshops for professionals trying to become more family-focused in early intervention programs for children with disabilities. Thirty professionals and six mothers participated. Parent presence influenced the extent to which professionals perceived a need for change in program…

Offers an overview of the history of the Chilean Education System and shows how many early childhood programs have been developed since the early 1900s. Details employer-provided care programs for children under two. Also discusses the training of those involved in early childhood education. (BB)

This paper reports a survey of 1,283 Michigan families of children with severe mental impairment, multiple impairments, or autism, concerning the state's cash subsidy program. Families reported that the subsidy amount was adequate. The greatest need was for sitters and respite care, followed by life planning, speech and physical therapy, and…