This conference paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the characteristics and needs of mothers participating in Hawaii's Healthy Start Program (HSP). The HSP is a screening and outreach program with two components: (1) the early identification component, which consists of community-based screening to identify newborns at…

This study was designed to document the processes and dynamics of two multidisciplinary teams under the Access Vermont program, which provides services for children and youth with serious emotional disabilities and their families. In both cases, local interagency teams in the largely rural catchment areas developed plans for an initiative focused…

These three symposium papers summarize the outcomes of studies that explored the accessibility and the utilization of youth mental health services. The first study, "The Role of Diagnostic Systems" (Theodore Fallon and Mary Schwab-Stone), involving 219 children (ages 6-12), examined the perils involved in the use of categorical diagnosis to…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that used cluster analysis to identify groups/clusters of children (n=158) with severe emotional disturbances receiving services at a rural, mental health center in Southeastern Ohio. Extensive data were gathered at intake that included information regarding child and family characteristics and the…

The second-year implementation of Graduation 2010, a districtwide public-school initiative, had its beginnings in brain-based research and involvement from both school and community. The original plan for the program had eight strands: (1) Arts; (2) Music; (3) Foreign Language; (4) Reading/Language Development; (5) Thinking Skills; (6)…

This descriptive study in the Cleveland (Ohio) public school system evaluated the impact of an intensive, school-based mental health program. Forty-two African American elementary school students were referred for school-based mental services due to overt behavioral problems. Children were evaluated for risk status across three domains: community,…

This study followed up a large national sample (N=4,161) of Head Start children in an attempt to identify children who are at risk for emotional or behavioral disorders and eligible for special education and to determine to what extent these children are actually identified in the natural progression of special education referral. Children were…

This paper reports on initial implementation of a state required process for determining eligibility of children and adolescents for Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Programs. Three criteria are used for determining eligibility: a diagnosable mental, behavior, or emotional disorder; impairment of one year's duration; and establishment of…

Describes the mental health problem among the poor whose rural or cultural attitudes and values often prevent their seeking or receiving services. Describes federal involvement in mental health since 1946, including legislation, presidential policy, currently proposed bills, and budget items. Discusses state and local administration of federal…

This paper describes the implementation of a Head Start Family Service Center (FSC) program and discusses the impact of such centers on Head Start preschool education. It reviews the role of current Head Start FSCs on the provision of support services to Head Start families, especially in the areas of adult literacy, substance abuse education and…

The National Goals 2000 emphasizes the importance of public school children's socio-emotional and physical health. Twenty percent of America's public school children suffer significant mental health problems. The longer schools wait to intervene with children at risk, the more expensive and less successful the schools' efforts will be. Aggressive…

Homeless people with alcohol and other drug problems present the traditional substance abuse services delivery provider with special challenges. This paper discusses the optimal designs of comprehensive treatment services for homeless persons with alcohol and other drug problems. Most importantly, the homeless must have immediate access to a safe…

To understand how work, love, and learning are interrelated in adults' lives, data were collected in two ways: through a life-history type instrument and through in-depth interviews with 19 men and women. A life event framework was chosen to illustrate the broad constructs of work and love. Respondents identified in two columns major life events…

The relationship between factors underlying a measure of acculturation, the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (ARSMA), and the 566-item Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was studied. The ARSMA consists of 20 questions that are scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from Mexican oriented (1) to Anglo oriented (5).…

This study was conducted to examine the link between occupational conditions and depressive symptoms in newly appointed teachers. Emphasis was placed on the variability among schools to which teachers were assigned. Subjects were recruited during the spring semesters of 1987-89 as final senior year seminars were being completed at teacher-training…