The College for Living Program in Denver, Colorado, focuses on independent living skills for developmentally disabled adults. The program is described in terms of its history (beginning in 1974) and its focus on education and community services provided by institutions of higher education. The program's three major goals and component objectives…

Presented is the final report of the Home Life Program, a demonstration project (1971-74) designed to teach basic academic and homemaking skills to 100 educable mentally retarded institutionalized persons. The project is noted to have been successful in teaching new skills and in improving self-help skills and appropriate behavior. It is explained…

Presented is an evaluation of a pre-placement program designed to improve the performance of 15 multi-handicapped blind children (4-10 years old) in activities of daily living, and to involve the parents in the children's education. Among findings reported are that all but one of the Ss improved in activities of daily living as measured by the…

Examined outcomes for all youths discharged from an independent living program from 1987 to 1994. Data included client characteristics and placement history, and assessment of skills as these relate to education, employment, savings, and living arrangements. Results indicated the life skills program improved the youths' self-sufficiency at the…

This study of 70 adults who were discharged from an inpatient hospital rehabilitation unit found a strong correlation between appropriateness of the initial admission of the patients and their functional gains. The study suggests admitting patients who have considerable gains to make and potential to return to community living. (CR)

The Functional Independence Measure for Blind Adults (FIMBA) Preadmission Interview and the Post-discharge Interview was tested on 143 veterans with blindness. Findings indicate the veterans achieved gains in at least one of the three dimensions (frequency, ease, and satisfaction) across the 33 items that were measured by FIMBA. (Contains…

This update discusses the "Reentry National Media Outreach Campaign," a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation that exists to bring the issues of prisoner reentry to greater public awareness. The U.S. Department of Education has been charged with administering the "Life Skills for State and Local Prisoners Program," a discretionary grant program…

A program evaluation was completed for a Virtual Reality (VR) pilot project intended to aid deaf children in learning various life skills which they may be at risk of not adequately learning. Such skills include crossing the street safely, exiting a building during a fire drill, and avoiding situations in which strangers may harm them. The VR was…

In this paper we examine the effect an outdoor and experiential education program on the life effectiveness skills of its participants. A private boys school in Melbourne focused on the challenging time of year nine to implement a program they hoped would enable the boys to develop life effectiveness skills in the areas of time management, social…

"Picture Exchange Communication System" (PECS) training was implemented with 5 nonspeaking adults with mental retardation who were not currently using any type of functional communication system. A modified ABAB, single-subject design was used to assess the effectiveness of PECS in enhancing the functional communication skills of these…

Youth violence and delinquency are problems that continue to challenge many communities across the U.S. For over a decade, Pennsylvania has been a national leader in confronting youth problem behaviors in a progressive and proactive fashion, investing heavily in supporting local community prevention coalitions and the use of proven-effective…

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is leading a national strategy to improve the United Kingdom's financial capability (FSA, 2006). The strategy recognises that there is a need for Financial Literacy education across all areas of society, from children in school to mature adults in all walks of life. In order to meet this need and to be…

Beyond the Limits, a program of the Wicomico County school system (Maryland), conducts 1-day adventure experiences that use a challenge ropes course and classroom experiential activities to develop students' intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. Before the experience, all participants agree to the "full value commitment," which is a…

A format for writing an individualized education program is described, along with results of a budgeting skills program designed for a mildly retarded young adult attending a sheltered workshop. The format requires explicit statements in such areas as the prerequisite skills necessary for participation in the program. (Author/SW)

Discusses challenges to adolescent mothers, adolescent fathers, and the young children of teenage parents. Describes recommended practices used in the Summer Training and Education Program, a life skills program; Between Us Sisters Starting To Operate Efficiently, a residential program; and the Developmental Training and Support Program, a staff…