Examines progress being made in South Africa to bring quality child care to the nation's children. Describes recent government efforts to develop an interim policy for early childhood development, review accreditation standards, and build the capacity of governmental and nongovernmental organizations to develop early childhood programs. Describes…

Discusses the role of the federal government vis-a-vis youth programs and a change in policy from fostering youth passivity to fostering youth participation. (SS)

Provides overview, background, vision, and goals of a report from the Advisory Committee on Services for Families with Infants and Toddlers. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala pledged to use the guidelines presented to help establish "Early Head Start," a new support and services program for families with…

As this article emphasizes, permanency planning begins before placement through the adequate provision of assistance and services to families in order to avoid any need to remove children from their homes. Such family-focused prevention programs show promise in meeting needs of child welfare families benefiting children and states. (Author/BB)

Describes the national Child Support Enforcement Program and summarizes legislation that affects the program, focusing on the impact of welfare reform. Describes the four main program components: (1) locating noncustodial parents; (2) establishing paternity; (3) establishing child support orders; and (4) collecting and distributing support.…

Examines the mission of a Massachusetts state program responsible for coordinating the placement of children with AIDS in an adoption or foster child program when appropriate. Investigates issues relative to direct care, day care, school attendance and confidentiality in cases with children of AIDS. (RWB)

Looks at the mission of Camp Adventure, a U.S. cultural contact summer camp program contracted between the Department of Defense and the University of Oregon for the children of military personnel overseas. (RWB)

Describes an international program CHILD-to-child, which is designed to teach and encourage older children of developing nations to take a role in caring for and improving the health and development of their younger brothers and sisters. (Author/BB)

Describes steps taken to recruit Blacks to adopt Black children in foster care. Procedures included establishing an advisory committee, educating the public about adoption, and obtaining the involvement and cooperation of local government and community action organizations. (DB)

Discusses efforts of the Clinton administration to put children and families at the heart of domestic policy agenda, including program funding and immunization programs. (HTH)

Notes how the Childhood Immunization Initiative is building a system to sustain increases in immunization rates into the future. Discusses five elements of the Immunization Initiative: improvement in delivery services, monitoring, vaccine quality, cost, and federal commitment to supporting public health efforts and building a coordinated national…

Discusses the ways in which families and children with developmental disabilities can attain "full citizenship" with a creed of positive contribution, great expectations, friendships, choices, and strengths. (BB)

Presents an overview of the child (and family) welfare services in Japan which include health and fitness facilities, a children's allowance program, maternal and child health services, day care, facilities and services for children with special needs, and single parent family allowances. (BB)

Children do not exist to satisfy their parents' needs, as the self-absorbed value system in America tries to persuade us. Americans must rebuild a sense of community and treat their children as important people. This is the responsibility of governments, institutions, and individuals. (BC)

Notes the accomplishments and deficiencies of Head Start programs as society, and the landscape of social services, have changed since the program's inception. Presents recommendations for programs in the future, including that Head Start expands the number of children served and the scope of services provided and that it forges partnerships with…