The 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act catapulted a "backwater" state to leadership prominence in structural reform. Grounded on school-readiness and community-involvement precepts, KERA links schools and social service agencies and provides family resource/youth services centers to coordinate social service delivery for preschool…

The role of teachers, teacher educators, researchers, program planners, and advocates in the somewhat unfocused field of adult literacy is discussed. They are invited to focus on three directions: shifting focus to families and communities, knowledge development, and multilevel collaboration. (Contains 10 references.) (LB)

Increasingly, colleges and universities are populated with nontraditional students with families, and family programs are a popular addition to traditional campus activities. Institutions are discovering that family programs encourage participation of these students in the college community and are good public relations. A variety of programming…

Reviews the literature that identifies substance abuse as a primary contributing factor to child abuse and neglect. Describes a three-year research demonstration project currently in its second year that is designed to identify substance-abusing families; stabilize families' current situation; and improve the likelihood of families' long-term…

Mary Joe Bane, assistant secretary for child and families, Department of Health and Human Services, discusses her goals for Head Start; how Head Start will be affected by collaboration efforts between child care and pre-K programs, health care reform, and the National and Community Service Trust Act; and major changes in store for Head Start…

Senator Kassebaum introduces the Head Start Quality Improvement Act which aims at building on the success of Head Start by connecting an increased budget with measures designed to improve program quality. The five-pronged approach of the legislation also mandates increased program accountability through performance measures. (SLD)

Describes two projects aimed at improving child development. Both the "School-Age Child Care" project and the "Parenting the First Year" project were replicated over 50 times as a means of moving 100 communities to action for child development. The diffusion model of outreach is contrasted with the knowledge generation process…

Examines the responsiveness of the adult education component in urban family literacy programs in the Midwest. Finds that most of the programs were aware of the concept of responsive, family-centered programs; however, their practices did not support such an approach. (NH)

Suggests eight questions that can serve as a framework for determining the extent to which early intervention has accomplished the goals inherent in a family-centered approach. Conceptual issues and methodological considerations associated with documenting these outcomes are presented and recommendations regarding implementation and future…

A short, 2-day, seminar-style program designed for adults with chronic aphasia and their families is described. Six-month follow-up data from 21 participant pairs found a significant improvement in functional activity level, improved knowledge of aphasia, and improved family relationships. Nonparticipant pairs (n=15) did not show any changes.…

Explored the inter-professional collaborative experiences of professionals working with children and their families in two areas of high social need. Found that although the way professionals conceptualize their practice may hinder effective collaboration, a complex interplay of several factors is involved. Constructed a typology of various…

Examined whether intervention provided to low-income parents of firstborn children produced delayed benefits for later children by studying younger siblings of children in a family-support program. Found that intervention group siblings had better school attendance, were less likely to need remedial services, and were more likely to be making…

Provides step-by-step guidance on planning and implementing effective, site-based intensive family preservation program research and evaluations. Discusses research processes and describes appropriate research designs and methodologies. Considers issues in collaborating with university researchers and other stakeholders in the process. (JPB)

Schools in Los Angeles County, Chattanooga, Boston, and San Diego have established family centers offering space (a room, bus, or neighborhood apartment) where family members can meet with parent leaders and school staff to plan and implement programs and partnerships. Varied purposes, activities, funding, and staffing are discussed. (MLH)

The Family Support Opportunities program is a Washington state program that connects individuals with extensive knowledge of local communities (community guides) with families of individuals with intellectual disabilities. A survey of 312 families found that when families indicated satisfaction with their community guides, they also reported a…