The director of the National Institute on Handicapped Research highlights contributions of psychologists to disability research, describes the federal role in this area, and suggests directions for future development. (Author/CMG)

This essay recounts the controversy triggered by Senator William Proxmire's public criticism of the "love research" proposed by Ellen Bercheid and Elaine Walster to the National Science Foundation. (Author)

Stresses that the psychological community should be involved in shaping public policy for children, youth, and families who will be adversely affected by proposed Federal budget cuts in social programs. Summarizes issues discussed in the articles that follow in the same volume. (MJL)

Lists federal agencies which sponsor research on children, indicating types of research sponsored and expenditures in 1977. Analyzes needs and trends in research on children and reviews the history of federal involvement in such research. (GC)

Analyzes American attitudes towards science and discusses how these have affected patterns in federal funding for research. Advances a rationale for motivating federal expenditure on academic science and proposes a lobbying effort for a more coherent federal science policy. (KH)

The Assistant Secretary for Human Development Services (DHHS) highlights Federal legislation and involvement in the field of adoption and foster care, with a focus on handicapped children. Private sector involvement is also discussed. (CMG)

In this discussion, the director of the Bureau of Health Professions in the Health Resoruces and Services Administration describes the current organization of his agency, programs it has undertaken related to psychology and mental health, and health personnel utilization studies it has initiated. (GC)

"Psychology's progress during the last quarter century is reviewed and its potential for significant scientific advances in the future assessed. Some reasons underlying the public's current mistrust are considered; one of these is the tendency for some psychologists to become advocates for particular public policies and/or to misrepresent the…

Reviews five federal policy-based initiatives for children and families (Project Head Start; lead poisoning prevention; Medicaid; Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children; and Earned Income Tax Credit), discussing aspects of federal prevention program design, implementation, policy, and research. (Contains references.) (SM)

Examines the role of government agencies, professional standards, and federal and state legislation in: (1) determining the quality of ability tests; (2) resolving imbalances and conflicts among participants in the testing process; and (3) defining fairness and due process. (Author/GC)

Indicates that national statistics show declining numbers of unskilled jobs and large numbers of semiliterate and illiterate high school graduates; argues that minimum competency requirements can benefit both individuals and society. Observes that recent judicial decisions have usurped the right to set educational policy, which constitutionally…

Discusses problems in the relationship of government and science (particularly behavioral science research). Proposes a compact among government, industry, and universities for support of basic research (KH)

This article is concerned with the aged and looks briefly at the history of federal involvement in mental health care, discusses current trends, and examines the future of mental health care in the United States. (CMG)

Summarizes and discusses the implications of a recent national study of public policies affecting the delivery of mental health services to disturbed children and adolescents. Discusses fiscal, administrative, and service inadequacies as well as innovative programming and policy efforts. Addresses implications for the policymaking and…

Report of a conference to explore the problems involved in increasing the numbers of certain minority groups who would pursue professional careers in psychology. Some attention given to Spanish Americans and Puerto Ricans, but the discussion centers around black Americans. (DM)