This article presents an analytic approach to assessing the relationship between policy advocacy activities and outcomes for discrete episodes of advocacy, using a holistic array of factors that affect the relationship between advocacy and policy change. The factors pertain to not only advocacy organizational structure and strategies, but also the…

A new 'Work & Skills' initiative is needed for people who are long-term unemployed. Next year there could be between 1 to 1.6 million people who have been out of work for 12 months or more. This could be the highest since the 1980s and will have drastic implications for families and whole communities across the United Kingdom (UK). There needs…

Providing effective support for mental health challenges is one of the most pressing issues on post-secondary campuses today. Throughout Ontario, colleges and universities have made mental wellness a priority. But this has created escalating pressures on institutions whose core mandate is to provide higher education and training. It is time for…

As this article emphasizes, permanency planning begins before placement through the adequate provision of assistance and services to families in order to avoid any need to remove children from their homes. Such family-focused prevention programs show promise in meeting needs of child welfare families benefiting children and states. (Author/BB)

This document describes a project undertaken to identify the nature and extent of Federal efforts related to the prevention of underage drinking to assist Congress in its deliberations on whether additional attention to alcohol use is needed. The report specifically aims to identify the amount of appropriated fiscal year 2000 Federal funds that…

Analyzes the challenges, pressures, and uncertainties facing the public child protection systems with recommendations for strengthening child protective services agencies and expanding prevention and treatment resources. Articles in this special issue place typical agency practices in a historical context as they consider dimensions of the child…

Mississippi continues to lead the nation in excessive infant deaths, as shown by the 1984 infant mortality rate of 14.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. This report offers recommendations for actions that should be taken by various entities to rectify the problem. Recommendations are made in the areas of (1) public awareness of teen pregnancy…

Third in a series of hearings on the status of Federal health and safety standards and the social and economic implications of lowering or relaxing them, this hearing investigated issues of child health. The hearings were prompted by concern that existing health and safety standards were being undermined by irresponsible budget cuts, in some cases…

This testimony by the Director of Education and Employment Issues of the Health, Education, and Human Services Division of the General Accounting Office (GAO) is based on a number of GAO studies of substance abuse and violence prevention programs for youth. The testimony focuses on: (1) the information available about substance-abuse and…

Describes some of the problems that have been identified in federal research funding, administration, and support of research initiatives and training concerning child abuse and neglect. Remedies for these difficulties are outlined, research priorities are identified, and ways to rejuvenate the federal government's role in this area are suggested.…

The Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice of the Committee on the Judiciary convened to discuss the federal role in combating juvenile participation in gangs. A proposed amendment to the crime bill being developed, described at the hearing by Senator Orrin G. Hatch (Utah), makes it a federal offense to engage in gang-related crime and subjects…

The second of two reports providing a comprehensive, cross-agency evaluation of federal and state programs for assistance to handicapped children, this report examines current policies and suggests alternative future policies for improved delivery of services to hearing and visually handicapped youth. Presented are extensive background information…

Fifty-two specific recommendations of the Commission on Education of the Deaf to remedy the situation resulting in its claim that "as of early 1988, education of persons who are deaf is characterized by inappropriate priorities and inadequate resources" are provided. (DB)

The first of two hearings on the topic of health care costs, their effects on the economy, and ways to curb costs was held in Washington, D.C. Testimony was heard from representatives of Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, American Farm Bureau Federation, Washington Business Group on Health, American Association of Retired Persons, American…

This Children's Defense Fund 1997 report on the state of America's children highlights the critical need for renewed commitment to children by all sectors of society. The introduction discusses Americans' values and presents 25 tips for effective child advocacy. The report then details the following: (1) the impact of welfare reform on children…