Reexamines definitions of "ruralness" and "resources." Describes three types of support services common to human service agencies. Discusses influence as a program development resource, advantage of rural programs, incumbent social work roles related to resource development, and what makes a program successful. Lists four program development…

Describes how the petrochemical employers of Texas City, Texas developed a fully accredited two-year associate degree program at the local community college tailored to train process operators for entry into the refining and chemical industry. Discusses planning; scholarship funds; vendor and community support; student population; outcomes of the…

Provides 11 guideposts for teachers and students planning constructive community action projects. These include avoid overanalysis at the beginning, write your original idea down before you modify it, ignore negativity, do your homework, build a core group, and recruit community allies. (MJP)

This commentary on Enrique Gracia's (2003) article, "Social Isolation from Communities and Child Maltreatment: A Cross-Cultural Perspective," discusses the relationship of neighborhood context to child maltreatment. The difficulty of sorting out individual and contextual factors is emphasized, along with the problem of clearly defining the unit of…

School-based youth community service programs are helping students develop individual and social responsibility, and build intergenerational bonds. Elements necessary to reap maximum benefit are described followed by five examples of nationally recognized programs. Project ideas and factors for success are offered. (SI)

This report is concerned with at risk children and youth. Synthesizing data based on country reports and case studies from 17 countries and 3 foundations, the report covers issues relating to the preschool, school age, and transition to work periods. At risk children and youth have become key issues not only from claims of social justice, but also…

This seven-chapter report explores in depth how issues relating to race, language, and culture can be incorporated into every stage of a reform process targeting supports to disadvantaged children and families. The report draws on 1993 research involving a survey of 98 collaborative programs in California, site visits to seven collaborative…

The reasons given for the apparent decline in family well-being include weakened family values, poor parenting, detrimental behavior of parents and young people, and social and economic forces in the larger society that make it difficult for families to perform their functions well. So great is the concern that some observers are convinced that…

This paper examines strategies for state and local leaders to finance supports and services for young children and their families in the wake of welfare reform. It focuses on strategies for revenue reform and for creating public/private partnerships to provide decision makers with current and relevant information on a variety of effective tools…

The Oklahoma State University Educational Alliance was formed in 1990 to address multicultural issues in a rural setting and provide a multicultural experience for students. This alliance consisted of Oklahoma State University (OSU) College of Education, Frontier Public Schools, and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. The OSU College of Education is…

A study conducted in 1988 assessed the effectiveness of the multigrade system in providing a primary education at four pilot schools in sparsely populated, rural areas of Zambia. In an attempt to alleviate the problems of financial strain and low enrollment in rural schools, this system combines two or more grade levels into one class taught by…

The San Diego County (California) Adopt-A-School program, established in the spring of 1982, is a partnership program that has paired San Diego schools at all grade levels with local businesses, military commands, and service organizations. The purpose of Adopt-A-School is to foster better understanding of public schools in San Diego, strengthen…

This guide explains the phases of the career education program at Great Mills High School (Maryland) as a means of helping other schools and school systems to initiate similar programs. Based on 4 years of experience at Great Mills High School, the guide provides career education activities for the 9th through 12th grades. The activities include…

To explore the perceptions of special education administrators regarding the anticipated effects of restricted funding, survey questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 200 directors of special education in Texas. Questions regarding demographics, funding sources, staff and program concerns, and assistance needed for coping were asked.…

This paper summarizes arguments surrounding the closing of Hisel School in Jackson County, Kentucky, in an effort to analyze the debate on rural education in Appalachia and how it relates to school-community relationships. Events surrounding closure of the school are summarized, including a two-year period in which a school community volunteer…