The belief that adoption of, adherence to, and use of family support principles is associated with better parent, family, and child outcomes has for the most part gone untested but not unchallenged. This monograph investigates the relationship between practitioner adherence to family support principles and parent, family, and child behavior and…

This policy brief is the fifth of a series of analyses of Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data by CLASP (Center for Law and Social Policy). It describes the picture for Head Start and Early Head Start children, families, and programs in the 2002-2003 program year. In this brief, "Head Start" refers to all Head Start programs, including…

The author describes a program in which the families of migrant workers were educated, trained, and placed in permanent jobs. This program also provided health, counseling, and child care services. (RWP)

Home economists must discuss basic survival needs and isolate the unique contribution of home economics to the solution of pervasive social and economic problems. People need an adequate diet, adequate housing and clothing, a healthy environment, and good medical care. Home economics focuses on the family and must concentrate on the problems,…

Suggests that money spent to police child abuse among low-income families should be used to assist families in need of relief before abuse occurs and to monitor institutions and law enforcement agencies that purport to protect children from their abusive parents. (Author/GC)

To effectively change public policy for children and families (1) the citizenry must have a sense of the immediacy of the problem, (2) a broad-based lobby must be built to support the formulation of policy, and (3) pivotal leverage points within government at which pressure can be directed must be identified. (Author/RH)

Presents a brief analytic summary of all readily available social and psychological research concerning apparent causes and consequences of adolescent childbearing. Existing federal programs addressed to this problem are listed with recommendations for further development of public policies and programs. (Author)

Explores the diminishing role of federal government following a series of legislative mandates to maximize equal educational opportunity. Also examines the escalating poverty rate resulting from the economic restructuring of the country. Calls for systemic reform in education, health and human services followed by an integration of these services.…

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…