Noting that the gains made by children must be understood and supported by the family and community, Head Start gives parents and other family members many opportunities to develop an appreciation of the young child's needs and how to meet those needs. Successful parental involvement enters into every aspect of Head Start; therefore, Head Start…

This report documents the activities and outcomes of the 5-year model demonstration project AHEAD (At Home and At Day Care), a Utah program that is designed to deliver services to infants, toddlers, and young children (ages birth-3) with noncategorical disabilities. The program delivers services to the children and their caregivers in their…

This packet of handouts focuses on the role of the family in easing their child with disabilities from one early childhood educational program to another. Typical items include: reasons for involving families in transition; questions parents ask about "appropriate" placement; planned conversations with parents during the transition process; parent…

This paper describes a project to train service providers in replicating the Home Activity Program for Parents and Youngsters (HAPPY). HAPPY is a family-focused program developed to meet the educational needs of disabled children ages birth through 5 years in rural Nevada. Content of the training modules was developed from a review of literature…

A summary of the research on adult literacy indicated factors which make an effective program: recruitment of students centered on personal contacts, individual intake conferences, and sensitive and compassionate teachers with high morale about the program. A summary of the research in preschool literacy programs stressed that factors associated…

Part of a volume which explores current issues in service delivery to infants and toddlers (ages birth to 3) with handicapping conditions, this chapter describes the history of the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP) and provides information on exemplary program components based on written responses to a survey of 67 HCEEP…

This report of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources recommends that the Senate pass the Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act of 1987, S. 1542. The bill amends the Head Start Act to provide for the establishment of several child development centers designed to encourage supportive services for infants and young children from low income…

the position statements of the Association for Retarded Citizens address major issues in early intervention for preschool age children with possible handicaps. Among statements offered are that public support should be maintained in maternal and child health block grant and in preschool incentive grants and demonstration programs; that…

Several conditions indicate the urgent need for Jewish day care programs. The rising divorce rate among Jews, tremendous changes in the structure and function of the American family, the isolation of the nuclear family in the suburbs, and, importantly, Jewish parents' need for guidance concerning Jewish child-rearing practices, all present…

This paper describes a child development project implemented in an attempt to demonstrate that a full range of child development services can be centered in an elementary school. Child development services are defined as a broad array of support systems to children and their families which facilitate the children's progression through life--their…

Since Part H Interagency Coordination Councils (ICCs) were established in 1986, parents have been discussing what the primary role of the parent member is and should be, such as providing a parent and family perspective to the work of the ICC or representing family consumers throughout their state and, as such, a wide range of needs and opinions.…

Highlights issues related to the increase of non- traditional families and challenges child care directors to learn about these families. Guides directors in developing good relationships with parents, children, and their own staff and provides a list of sample questions to get information. Includes a 16-item bibliography for further information.…

A survey of 989 service providers for handicapped children, age 0-6, examined the degree to which early intervention activities focus on the family. The survey assessed perceptions of the value of working with parents, time devoted to family-focused activities, kinds of services offered, achievement of objectives, and factors impeding services.…

Assessed the impact of taking a high-quality picture book home from school daily on the at-home reading behaviors of young children and family members from middle and low socioeconomic backgrounds. Findings indicated that the program significantly increased the time children were involved in reading each day, and doubled the number of books read…

This paper describes Project Assist, a model for developing and implementing a flexible system of social support that can be individualized for families of infants/toddlers with disabilities. The model uses group support, individual support, and follow-up support to meet a variety of family needs and promote family adaptation. (JDD)