Videotex systems are reviewed and grouped into five general classes: information retrieval, transactions, messaging, computing, and telemonitoring. The videotex technologies providing these services at the user end are described and a series of technological enhancements for each service is discussed. (Author/JJD)

The Dallas Independent School District (DISD) provides for the delivery of services to handicapped students from birth to six years of age through the Project KIDS (Kindling Individual Development Systems) program. Journal availability: see EC 133 846. (Author)

Reported are findings of an impact evaluation of the Family-Centered Home-Based Intervention Project for Protective Services Clients, a joint venture of the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) Region 11 (Houston) and the DePelchin Children's Center. The project demonstrated a model of intensive intervention with families who had been referred…

Describes a project in which experimental national support services for adults were set up as a follow-up to the British Broadcasting Corporation's beginning French series. These services were: (1) a course-linked magazine, (2) a national network of study and self-help groups, and (3) a postal and telephone question-and-answer service. (SED)

Describes a community education project that aims to (1) make available to parents of young children stimulating toys, books, and other materials at a reasonable price; (2) stimulate discussion of educational issues relevant to parents; and (3) establish new kinds of links between parents and the schools and nurseries attended by their children.…

Describes a model for conducting functional assessment in the home. The model uses a trans-disciplinary technical-assistance team to assess and plan interventions for young children with severe challenging behaviors. Discussion includes the kind of information needed, specific examples of data collection in the home, and the benefits and barriers…

Recounts the use of pets in a kindergarten classroom for children to experience pet ownership and to share the care of animals. Outlines the entire process of pet selection, program implementation, and reactions to the program. Notes that in addition to exposure to pet care, children quickly learned the days of the week and recycling concepts. (SD)

At the preschool unit of the Medical College of Ohio, parents of children with severe emotional or behavior problems (including autism) are involved in their child's treatment. Prior to admission, parents complete questionnaires listing their child's appropriate and inappropriate behaviors and sign a contract with the professional staff. An…

A home-based respite care program for children and young adults with severe and multiple disabilities was conceived and developed by a group of parents and community members. A needs assessment revealed the scarcity of respite care in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. A pilot program was begun to test the model on a limited basis. Evaluation of…

Project ESPIRIT (Educational System in Parenting for the Retarded with Infants and Toddlers) has provided home based services to 25 at risk children of mentaly retarded parents. Assessments performed at home are followed by development of individualized educational programs for both child and parent. Suggestions are given for establishing such a…

The report describes the Services in Counseling/Intervention and Life Skills Education (SCILSE) Program, a comprehensive program providing services to emotionally disturbed children in their own homes, under the auspices of the Southern Home for Children, a residential treatment center in Philadelphia. The history of the Southern Home for Children…

The final report describes the development of a program to train neighborhood mothers as home visitors to families with a handicapped child under age 3. The following program aspects are detailed (sample subtopics in parentheses): population (referral sources, family and child characteristics); staff (changes in staffing pattern, hiring core…

The booklet discusses the concepts of sharing centers and sharing center kits in the Macomb (Illinois) 0-3 Regional Project, a rural home based program to serve rural handicapped and high risk infants and toddlers. It is explained that sharing centers provide opportunities for parents to share experiences and learn new approaches to working with…

A training program taught community people to work with parents of rural preschool children at risk for handicaps. Paraprofessionals received nine days of preservice instruction and a weekly inservice session on such topics as child development, assessment, and teaching strategies. Results have shown positive signs in children, parents, and…

Describes the two-way Highly Interactive Optical Visual Information System (Hi-OVIS), involving the transmission and reception of educational, advertising, and public service programing, which has been in experimental use in Japan since 1978. Utilizing fiber optics, the system equips each house with a keyboard, television, television camera, and…