Panelists discuss a ground-breaking study of new Pennsylvania firms; examine patterns/needs of small businesses during phases of start-up, growth, maturity, and decline; describe untapped markets in the federal government and through export trade; and review how states can support small business growth by legislative and regulatory change. (NEC)

Plenary session opening remarks by Appalachian Regional Commission Co-Chairman Winnifred Pizzano inform participants that the Region's future success depends on their ability to meet the challenge of change. Excerpts from four panelists' speeches address rapid social and economic changes in economic development activities at state and local…

Observes that adequate health care is essential to every child's development and achievement. Discusses some of the indicators of child health and the U.S. Surgeon General's goals for childhood health care. Describes means of protecting child health and what the federal and state government role should be. (SG)

A study was done of Californians' attitudes toward public higher education and its future in comparison to attitudes across the nation. The study conducted eight focus groups in California and used those findings to generate hypotheses tested through two telephone surveys. A California survey was conducted with 832 residents 18 years of age or…

Noting that there are more than 900 advisory committees providing private-sector advice to federal decision makers, this report investigates how well these committees have complied with the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which was intended to make them more accessible to the public and reporters. Following an overview of the subject,…

Several categories of problems affecting adult learning services in Colorado require state-level policy intervention for their solution. They include problems that limit adults' access to existing learning services, inadequacies in existing services, deficiencies in statewide planning and coordination of learning services, and financial…

The fifth of five volumes on the means by which Canadian communities can reduce the incidence of mental retardation, minimize existing impairment, and improve the quality of life of the mentally retarded, this booklet focuses on issues raised by the first four volumes, discusses the current system of support and services in Canada, and offers…

The economic role of counties is changing profoundly because of a revolutionary restructuring of the world economy and related changes in federalism. Three major forces are restructuring the economy: overcapacity in traditional industries, the emergence of new technologies that are creating new service and knowledge-based industries and…

The Surgeon General's report on children with special health needs proposes seven action steps needed to implement a community-based family centered health care approach. Recommended are the following actions: Pledge a national commitment to all children with special health care needs and their families; Encourage building community-based service…

A panel on technology transfer considered ways in which educational instructions and industry could share attempts to innovate. Examples of technology transfer in action included Pennsylvania's Ben Franklin Partnership, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's program, and NASA's Technology Utilization Division. Results of an Appalachian Regional study…

One in a series of booklets whose purpose is to stimulate greater and more effective understanding of world affairs among Americans, this five-chapter report is geared to the nonexpert wanting to know more about the complex topics of verification and compliance with arms control agreements. "Basic Concepts of Verification" examines the…

This issue paper presents three very different views of the roles that government, job training, and economic development programs play within society. The paper is meant to stimulate discussion among training and employment and community and economic development professionals; it focuses on job retention and emphasizes the role of counties in the…

Examines three key federal information issues from an economic perspective: what information the government should make available to the public; whether government information should be disseminated via governmental or private means; and whether costs of transmission should be borne by the public at large or by the information user. (CDD)

The National Institute of Education's (NIE) statement of procedures is presented that is used to determine which of the 17 existing regional educational laboratories and research and development (R&D) centers are ready for long-term special institutional agreements. Long-term agreements are defined as 5 years of NIE support. The statement…

Suggests a strategy for sustainable living that stresses the need for both national support and international cooperation. Proposes that the goal of creating a "sustainable society" includes improvement in the quality of human life and conservation of the Earth's vitality and diversity. (MCO)