Focal Point Fall 2001

Walker, J. S.

Cook, J.

An educator and parent of a young adult with disabilities describes her work providing training in friendship facilitation.

McGlynn, M. M. & Rutherfurd, R. B.

Summarizes research on best practices in programs to build the social skills of children with emotional and behavioral disorders.

Marshall, M.

This article describes a summer program formulated according to many of the best practices for social skills training. In addition to formal instruction in social skills, program activities include daily community outings and cartooning.

Berry, J.

A fifth–grade teacher gives examples of reading and writing activities that are meaningful and rewarding for young people with mental health challenges, as well as for the adults who participate. She also describes a class on "writing from the heart," in which young people produced essays and poetry.

Jivanjee, P. & Simpson, J.

The article reviews the benefits of respite care for families who have a child with a serious emotional disorder and provides examples of a range of respite care strategies. From the Research & Training Center.

Berry, J.

Family–run support groups provide a welcome haven for people raising children and youth with emotional and behavioral difficulties. Caregivers are also energized by the empowering effects of feeling included, of being accepted, and of being understood.

Hogan, S.

In South Eugene High School, parents and their children assemble to share a meal and relax. As they do so, they are also fighting isolation on family, educational, and community levels.

Smith, C.

Young people with mental health challenges come together for mutual support, capacity–building, and to make a positive difference in their community through service.

Castro, B.

Una organizacion de familias hispanas provee un programa exitoso para jovenes Latinos con impedimentos o necesidades especiales. La meta de este programa es el desarrollar las destrezas de liderato de jovenes Latinos, para que aboguen por sus derechos.

Castro, B.

A Latino advocacy organization hosts a program to increase empowerment and leadership skills among Latino youth with disabilities.

Brennan, E.M., Caplan, E., Ama, S. & Warfield, O.

Summarizes research documenting how high-quality inclusive childcare programs are enriched by and enriching for young children with emotional and behavioral challenges. From the Research & Training Center.

Ranson, L.

An essay from an inclusive child care site nominated as a model program.

Schuman, M. F.

An alternative school addresses students' feelings of academic frustration and helps them discover satisfaction, confidence, and pride in meeting academic challenges.

Hernandez, T.

Two therapeutic foster care parents play many roles for the children in their care.

Vance, J.

A service coordinator helps a terminally ill woman fulfill her plan for her children's future.

Hunter, S.

A Wraparound team supports a young woman in her efforts to reach the goals she has set for herself.

Griffiths, T.

This piece describes the work of Compeer, an organization that uses mentoring as a strategy to increase resilience among youth and adults with mental illness. The article includes evaluation data.

Berman, S., Larkin, A., & Corradine, N.

This article describes the work of Friends of the Children, an organization that provides a child in need with a stable, caring adult mentor.

Cook, J.

This article reviews research on friendship facilitation and describes materials designed to aid adults in promoting friendships between children with disabilities and their non-disabled peers.

Rossi, M.

YATMA is a successful program that works with at–risk youth, using a multi–cultural, arts–based curriculum and a mentoring/relational approach as catalysts for personal and creative growth. The article includes information from case studies and program evaluation.

Kidder, B.

A registered drama therapist writes about working with a troupe of adolescent actors performing and conducting workshops in prisons and treatment centers. Includes excerpts from program participants.

King, S. M.

A minister in Columbus, Ohio describes how she turned her church into a place of belonging for all children.

Cross, T.

Among Indian people, there is an almost universal belief in the importance of spirituality and the influence of spiritual forces in the balance of one's life. The author discusses the role of this belief in the achievement and maintenance of mental health.

Caplan, E. &=& Schutte, K.

Reviews research on the outcomes for youth—including youth with emotional and behavioral disorders—from participation in community service. The article focuses on principles for designing effective programs. From the Research & Training Center.

Boisvert, B., Brimner, G., Campbell, K., Koenig, D., Rose, J. & Stone-Smith, M.

This article describes the positive results of efforts to reunite children in foster care with their families. It includes a case study, reunification and support strategies, and outcome information.

Rumbaugh, M.

A care coordinator is honored to participate on a wraparound team that supports a young woman's transition from reliance on formal supports to engagement with more informal or natural supports.

Grealish, M.

Finding supports where you would least expect them.

Berman, S.

This article describes an innovative program to provide long–term mentoring to at–risk children. It includes information from program evaluation and stories from a Friend and her youth companion.