It has been estimated that 9 to 13% of children and adolescents have a mental disorder that causes significant functioning impairment and that only one fifth of those who need mental health services actually receive them. The majority of children and adolescents are enrolled in schools, where they spend a considerable amount of time, and this is…

Intended for parents of mentally retarded children, the booklet describes the organization of a parent support program in Canada. Sections outline seven steps involved in the development of a Pilot Parents Program: (1) one or two parents in a local association for the mentally retarded chapter decide to start Pilot Parents; (2) a Pilot Parents…

The author describes a process through which parents of exceptional children or school personnel in any community can organize a parent group for themselves and their children. (CL)

Described is a parent sponsored preschool formed by 10 mothers of handicapped children who could not obtain child care assistance elsewhere. (GW)

Suggestions are offered for establishing local parent association groups as advocates for gifted and talented students. Beginning concerns include location and recruitment of new members; affiliation with state and national groups (such as the Association for the Gifted within the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Assocation for…

This article suggests techniques for recruitment and involvement of students in local and state Parent Teacher Associations (PTA). The National PTA has authorized the establishment of Parent, Teacher, Student Associations (PTSA). The process for changing from PTA to PTSA is outlined. (IAH)

The author provides information on organizing a parent support group for parents of gifted children to share problems and plan appropriate educational opportunities for their children. Suggestions are made for making contacts, developing the group structure, and ensuring the group's success. (SBH)

This handbook, designed for members of Title I parent advisory councils, explains the Title I program and serves as a guide to organizing and conducting parent councils. The first chapter contains a brief summary of Title I history and intent. Chapter two explains laws and amendments relating to parent advisory councils. The third chapter offers…

This guide, in Spanish, notes the value of parent groups for parents of children with disabilities, as they offer parents a place and a means to share information, give and receive emotional support, and work as a team to address common concerns. Typical activities of a parent group are listed, and ways of identifying parent groups that exist…

This guide notes the value of parent groups for parents of children with disabilities, as they offer parents a place and a means to share information, give and receive emotional support, and work as a team to address common concerns. Typical activities of a parent group are listed, and ways of identifying parent groups that exist nationally and…

The report documents the achievements of the Parent Information Center, an information and referral service for parents of handicapped children. Documented are the center's relationships with community agencies, presentations, participation in parent advisory boards at the local level, interagency cooperation, consumer outreach, staff training,…

The author presents several suggestions for the organization of self-help groups for parents of developmentally disabled children. Guidelines stress that parents are the most important advocates their children will ever have and that parents must often meet to share information among themselves. (SBH)

The guide presents six papers designed to help people become effective advocates for gifted and talented children. In "Effective Advocacy: Understanding the Process and Avoiding the Pitfalls," P. Mitchell considers such obstacles as using an adversarial rather than a persuasive approach and being impatient. She charts a procedure for more…

This document is composed of seven leaflets to aid parents in housing projects to develop play programs for their children. "Board Structure and Leadership" describes the constitution of a board of directors, the planning of a program by committees, and the development of leadership. "Publicity and Fund Raising" relates the value and outlines…