A literature review reveals that homeless adolescents are at extremely high risk for acquiring HIV infection. Sexual and drug use behaviors that put these adolescents at risk are described. New models of social, health, and mental health services for these youth are outlined. (GLR)

Updates a 10-year medical overview on HIV/AIDS written for a Child Welfare League of America publication. Covers HIV transmission, diagnosis and treatment of HIV in infants, maternal treatment and testing, and advances and challenges, including new drug therapies. Concludes with recommendations on systems of care for affected families. (EV)

Needs assessments require staff with the necessary expertise to design the study, collect the data, analyze the data, and present results. They require money, time, and persistence, because the people one wishes to assess often are difficult to access. This article argues for the centrality of a well-done needs assessment when developing services…

Surveyed 106 child welfare workers on types of personal loss they experienced and the support they received from colleagues. Found that 85 percent had endured a loss during their term of employment. They received the most help from their co-workers, followed by supervisors, but would have liked more emotional support and a longer leave of absence…

This study addresses three questions about the population of children and families served in the highest level of care in the child welfare system in New York State residential treatment centers (RTCs): (1) How prevalent are emotional and behavioral problems in the youth entering RTCs? (2) Has the proportion of youth with such problems increased…

Describes folk healing beliefs and practices of Mexican-American families. Suggests that practitioners in cross-cultural child welfare services must understand traditional practices and incorporate a compatible approach to them. Otherwise, their clients and patients will go their own ways, sometimes with dire results. (BC)

Describes three distinguishing characteristics of Hmong culture that influence the daily lives of Hmong children: (1) the family; (2) child rearing and discipline; and (3) Hmong perspectives on physical and mental health. Provides examples of problems these cultural differences can create for helping professionals who serve Hmong families living…

Profiles the development and characteristics of the Power Through Choices curriculum designed to prevent adolescent pregnancy, HIV infection, and sexually transmitted diseases among out-of-home care adolescents. Highlights a 1997 evaluation of the curriculum's implementation, which found that students in the program responded positively to the…

Describes a special foster care demonstration project--AIDS Foster Care Project--designed to provide foster home care to children with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and AIDS-Related Complex through the Leake and Watts Children's Home, a New York City multiservice child caring agency. (Author/BB)

The squatter settlements in Kuala Lumpur exhibit a high incidence of communicable diseases, teenage pregnancies, and psychological and familial stress. The Sang Kancil Intervention Program responds to this situation by providing preschool education, maternal and child health care clinics, and activities that generate income for low-income…

This article examines findings in three epidemiological studies of day care centers and concludes that higher standards of care can reduce the incidence of hepatitis among parents and staff. (Author/DB)

Examines family-centered care and prevention, two concepts central for the development of child welfare services for children infected with HIV. Explores implications of HIV infection for foster care of infected children. Reviews the training of foster care personnel and foster parents to provide competent services. (BC)