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…

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)