The United States has no national policy on "the family." Reviews the reasons why it is unlikely that such a policy will emerge in the foreseeable future, and urges adoption of social policies and programs that will assure to all children the care and nurturance for growth and development. (Author)

Presents a case study in which family policy in five European countries and the United States is compared in relation to the question of how citizens can raise the care for children at the same time they are productive members of the work force. (Author)

The aim of the federally funded National Demonstration Program in Child Abuse and Neglect was to develop and test alternative treatment strategies. This article reports on an evaluation of treatment services in the 11 projects in the program. Implications are presented. (Author)

Asserts that few family preservation evaluations have demonstrated which service components, characteristics, and compositions lead to positive outcomes for families. Proposes a taxonomy and recording instrument for explicating and measuring the process of family preservation services by practitioners and programs in order to improve the…

Describes the establishment of a multifamily therapy program within an adult substance abuse treatment facility. Reports on a study in which the effectiveness of multifamily therapy was assessed with regard to women in treatment. Findings indicate that multifamily therapy is an extremely positive intervention for female substance abuse clients.…

Examined how services are provided to families enrolled in Early Head Start (EHS). Surveyed EHS staff from four waves of the programs in six Midwestern states regarding the process of developing goals using documents such as Family Partnership Agreement (FPA). Found that the majority of staff who develop FPAs are family service providers and staff…

This article discusses the increased emphasis on providing early intervention services within natural environments and how to maximize natural learning opportunities by using everyday activities that children experience and embedding intervention in daily routines. Guidelines for deciding the frequency of services, changing services, and the level…

A study examining outcomes of a free camp for low-income families in Oregon surveyed 19 participant families. Enjoying the outdoors, spending time together as a family, and meeting new people from their communities were significant outcomes. A 5-month follow-up survey found positive program outcomes that continued after the experience. (TD)

Studied behavioral problems that 19 Scottish adoptive families experienced with their adopted children. Also studied families' experiences with, views on, and suggestions for postadoption services. Discusses implications for adoption practices. (BG)

Low income families were interviewed to determine the factors related to the number of family food servings per week. More food servings were found to be associated with participation in WIC, household size, and the number of different income sources. The number of food servings decreased the last week of the month, particularly in families with…

Parents (N=229) of young children with handicaps in 10 states evaluated the Family Needs Survey, one instrument sometimes used to develop Individualized Family Service Plans. Overall, parents felt the survey to be useful in communicating useful information to professionals. The survey was equally acceptable to minority and low income parents.…

Analyzes contemporary myths that impede the construction of a compassionate social policy toward the poor, challenges these assumptions, and outlines elements of a political agenda responsive to the needs of impoverished families. (PCB)

This article describes an early childhood special education personnel preparation program designed for family specialists. Specialized family coursework and field-based experiences are provided in addition to training experiences in child-related skills and competencies. (Author/PB)

Discusses the legislation and assistance available for single parents, primarily mothers, who make up an increasing portion of the population in the Federal Republic of Germany. (RJC)

Describes the self-help movement in Britain among parents and relatives of children in public care and considers the achievements, problems, and hopes of local groups. (RJC)