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Denmark's child advocacy system is made up of local kommune (county) Child and Youth Welfare Committees which watch over the well-being of children. Each child and youth committee serves as an effective advocate for the children of its community in three areas: promotion, protection, and prevention. The committee's responsibility to promote conditions for sound child development includes determination of number of child care institutions and kindergartens needed and assessment of the quality of existing institutions. State funding is granted on the committee's recommendations. In community matters such as town planning, housing, traffic, and entertainment the committee also has much influence as they consider what provisions have been made for children. To protect the child, the committee can also serve as an advocate for the child in his own home. The committee has the authority to co-opt any specialist they deem necessary in the consideration of a case; however, the final decision rests solely with the committee itself. In recent years, the committee has put great emphasis on preventive measures through a family guidance program. Fundamental to this advocacy program is an attitude concerning society and the child: the child is everyone's responsibility. Furthermore, any citizen with a particular interest in children is expected to volunteer for service on a Child and Youth Welfare Committee. (CS)

This document reports on an exhaustive study into the large-scale treatment of drug abuse in New Jersey. Seeking to assess the impact of these programs, the state provided money to cover the cost of this comprehensive, year-long survey of both methadone maintenance and drug-free treatment projects. The findings generally supported the New Jersey State Law Enforcement Planning Agency's funding policies and commitments toward drug treatment, but the study also contained some revelations. It challenged some traditional views about treatment and suggested that certain program changes could result in more effective treatment. Of major significance was the general conclusion that drug program effectiveness could be measured; also that both major methods of treatment were helping to reduce crime while helping addicts and ex-addicts to lead lives without crime. Neither method was found to be more effective than the other. The study is viewed as a valuable framework for the implementation of improvements in the operation and analysis of nationwide drug treatment programs. (Author/PC)

The findings and recommendations of the Temporary State Commission to Evaluate the Drug Laws, set forth in the introduction to this report, are based on questionnaires to prevention experts and professionals responsible for child and adolescent care, on communications with community agencies, and on statewide public hearings. The committee found that few positive results could be ascertained for the State's programs, that use of cocaine and alcohol have rapidly increased among the young, that the immediate cause of drug abuse is poor self esteem, and that funding for drug abuse programs should be redirected toward learning, health, and emotional problems. Chapters on the drug situation in New York State and on concepts in drug abuse prevention open the explication of the committee's findings. Recommendations in the areas of education and health, delivery of community health and mental health services to children and families, the media, and alternatives to drug abuse programs are enlarged on in separate chapters of the report. Commission bills to establish a New York State Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Countermeasure Program and to redefine prevention of drug and alcohol abuse are appended along with a list of 1973 hearing witnesses. (JH)

School security directors, educators, and social scientists met in conference to explore in depth the causes of school crime and to recommend realistic means of containing and minimizing it. The conferees made the following recommendations. All school administrators should set up an appropriate recordkeeping system in order to pinpoint patterns of school crime in an effort to anticipate problems. Oversized schools that foster an impersonal atmosphere must be reorganized to create smaller units that give rise to a feeling of community among the students. Increased involvement of students and citizens in all aspects of school life is imperative if the schools are to comprise a safe and humane environment for all. School systems must offer appropriate program alternatives and options that will provide substance and meaning to the broad range of student abilities to be served. If the rate of crime reaches a point at which it is necessary to employ security personnel, the school system should employ a professional staff with a law enforcement background rather than use guards and uniformed police in the halls. Substantial resources should be allocated for the development of curricula that emphasize the teaching of moral and ethical values. Photographs may reproduce poorly. (Author/MLF)

This report describes some of the ethical and practical problems experienced by a group of mental health consultants attempting to initiate a primary prevention mental health program in a three-county area of North Carolina. Project Early Aid was designed to implement a program model that would upgrade both the interpersonal and physical environments of young children attending day care centers. It quickly became apparent to the consulting team that their values in regard to positive mental health were often discrepant from those of the caregivers who may or may not be reflecting shared values of a particular community. The resulting suggestions of the group on how to begin a primary prevention program include: (1) clarification of the belief systems concerning behavioral-emotional functioning of children to the consultants themselves, to coprofessionals, and to community members; (2) encouragement of the consumers' articulation of long-term goals and belief systems; (3) understanding of the historical factors at work in a community that have led to the establishment of and change in such belief systems; (4) a differentiation of those values which are widely shared and those which are idiosyncratic to certain persons or subgroups; and (5) an attempt to capitalize on points of convergence, while openly discussing divergent issues. (CS)

Described is a proposed graduate program to train nursery school, kindergarten, and primary grade educational personnel in a pluralistic social context for the purpose of reducing the number of children in need of special educational services. Program assumptions include causes of behavior such as the interaction of the internalized sets of concepts held by children with the external factors of home and school. A program format is recommended which includes curriculum content focusing on understanding the child's self through study of child rearing practices and cultural pluralism. Listed are 24 program objectives such as the development of awareness and appreciation of individual differences among children. The schedule for a typical week includes field work experiences and class participation. Noted is the involvement of community members. Compared are six modes of program evaluation such as gathering empirical evidence on pupil progress and evaluating the rationale on which a particular program is based. An evaluation design is proposed which would include provisions to collect empirical data, gather information to evaluate the program rationale, and assess the motivational and attitudinal variables of the program. Implementation and feedback phases involve activities such as taking standardized tests prior to and following the program. (DB)

Presented is the seventh annual report of the President's Committee on Mental Retardation (PCMR). Stressed are the members' beliefs in the capability of continuing development by mentally retarded people, in early detection and correction of handicaps, and in prevention through prenatal and neonatal biomedical intervention. Emphasized is the necessity for client-centered programs, with evaluation based on the amount of client improvement as a result of service. Described in the first section of the report are steps toward growing functional independence in educational, employment, and living situations by individual children and adults due to goal-oriented, personalized programs at such agencies as a children's center, a state school, a hospital for the multiply handicapped, a sheltered workshop, and a group home. The second section contains material related to prevention of mental retardation and early intervention programs, including discussions of prenatal research into the causes of handicapping conditions, methods of transporting high-risk infants, early childhood programs, and treatment to prevent long-term institutionalization. Covered in the third section are PCMR activities during 1973 with regard to areas such as legal rights, early childhood intervention, preparation for community living, housing and public information. The report includes photographs and the transcript of a group discussion by eight mentally retarded adolescents. (LH)

This report is addressed to decision makers in the field of juvenile delinquency prevention and to those individuals who have an active concern for juvenile delinquency prevention programs. In addition, the report specifies those program areas which show promise for providing some degree of success and those areas which have clearly failed to make any progress toward the goal of prevention. The report also contains broad policy recommendations with respect to juvenile delinquency prevention programming, specific recommendations concerning research in the area of juvenile delinquency prevention, and recommendations calling for the greater use of program evaluation in conjunction with delinquency prevention programs. (Author)

This report discusses the family guidance program established in Denmark as a preventive measure for child care. In developing such a program, Denmark developed a number of innovations concerned with preventive care programs for children. The program has changed from its beginnings in 1888, and since 1964 has offered voluntary family guidance to any family with children under 18. Implementing the program is the responsibility of the local districts, or "Kommunes," which explains the considerable variation in the quantity and quality of the services in different parts of the country. A "family helper" is assigned families who need long-term help in resolving family-child problems, and the helper usually spends six months to one year working with the family until the situation has stabilized. Families are serviced primarily on a crisis basis when it is felt that nonintervention would permit permanent damage to the quality of the children's environment. The three general types of services offered by family guidance are referral, economic assistance, and group services or parent clubs. (Author/PC)

Presented are key addresses and workshop summaries of the National Conference on Child Abuse (1973). Stressed by key speakers was the need for a coordinated, multidisciplinary effort at federal, state, and local levels in the areas of prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Considered in the workshop summaries were five major problem areas: identification, legislation, prevention and rehabilitation, education, and research. Recommendations by conference participants included improved health care for infants and preschool children, establishment of a National Center on Child Abuse to coordinate and disseminate information and to report on model laws; rehabilitation services (such as crisis intervention, job placement, and parent education) for the entire family unit; and family and community education with regard to prevention, casefinding, and nonpunitive therapeutic intervention. Discussed in a closing session were the issues of the social aspects of child abuse; research, evaluation, and clinical support functions of the proposed National Center; and the need to respect anonymity in order to obtain full cooperation from child-abusing parents who seek professional help. Names and addresses of conference participants are listed. (LH)

In remarks made to the 1974 Executives Conference of the Child Welfare League of America, the author summarizes a 2-year multidisciplinary study of U.S. programs and services for handicapped (specifically vision and hearing impaired) children and their families. Described are the study's first year efforts to identify the population, services required, programs, and delivery services. Considered are the second year's analysis of general system problems in four general classes: insufficient resources; inequity in access to services and level of services provided; gaps in such services as prevention, identification, and direction; and lack of planning, coordination, and information. Recommendations of important service needs include improvements in prevention, early identification, direction, and medical treatment. (CL)

The Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 directed the development and promulgation of a comprehensive, coordinated long-term Federal strategy for all drug abuse prevention and drug traffic control functions conducted, sponsored, or supported by the Federal Government. This second annual report of the Strategy Council builds on the groundwork laid in the Strategy 1973. The 1974 goals and objectives recognize that a society's response to drug abuse is a product of its values, attitudes, and beliefs. In a similar sense, the objectives of the Strategy 1974 rest on present understanding of the causes and consequences of drug abuse and on society's capacity to respond meaningfully to the complex factors as it encounters them. To the extent that disagreement with these judgments leads to constructive discussion, understanding of the many complex issues will be sharpened. This strategy, therefore, is to be dynamic--continually reexamined and reviewed so that programs and policies reflect the best knowledge at hand. Strategy 1974 sets forth an action plan which describes the way in which the Federal Government is responding to the drug abuse problem through a coordinated program of drug abuse prevention, law enforcement, and international cooperation. (Author)

Presented is a report on the California Governor's Conference of December, 1973, called to assess knowledge of preventive techniques in the field of developmental disabilities and to develop a more extensive design for future action. Keynote addresses by F. Lanterman and E. Brian are quoted. Summaries of the following talks are included: Prevention of Developmental Disabilities -- the Pre-conception Period (M. Golbus); The Prevention of Mental Retardation and Genetic Disease -- Early Pregnancy (A. Milunsky); Prevention of Developmental Disabilities in Later Pregnancy and Delivery (A. Parmelee and C. Kopp); and the Infant and Young Child (J. Meier). Examined in the document are eight recommendations representing a composite of the 91 recommendations proposed by the more than 200 persons attending the conference. The recommendations noted include the following: provide education and information pertaining to the prevention of developmental disabilities to all Californians and, in particular, to adolescents, prospective parents, and all practicing professionals; coordinate and, where necessary, expand services to prospective parents, expectant mothers, newborns, and their parents, so as to provide comprehensive and continuous coverage from pre-conception through delivery and early infancy; and review and assess the preventive services provided through regional centers and critically assess their capacity to undertake a full range of preventive programs. Names and addresses of the conference participants are listed. (IM)

The discussion of child neglect considers the following topics: definition, prevalence, etiology, identification and case finding, sequelae, prevention, and treatment. The differences between child neglect and child abuse and between the legal and professional definitions of child neglect are pointed out, and an operational definition is provided. Prevalence statistics from various states are cited and problems of obtaining accurate statistics are noted. Etiology is examined in terms such as economic factors, cultural values and child caring, and parental pathology. Included in a section on identification and case finding are discussions of large scale organization for adequate casefinding and early warning signals. Among consequences of child neglect reviewed are physical, emotional, and cognitive effects. A section on prevention focuses on child advocacy programs for families at risk, birth control, and day care. Approaches to treatment described include social casework, placement, parent-child community programs, and mental health centers. (LS)

Based on an analysis of data from a survey of middle-class junior and senior high school youths in a New York City suburban community, this paper examined: (1) young peoples' reaction to various drug prevention programs in which they have been involved, and (2) the program topics they would like to see discussed. Important relationships were found to exist between substance use, prevention program evaluations and desired program topics. The results suggest that the youths selectively relate to and want prevention experiences that confirm their substance relationships. (Author)

Described in three documents is the Early Prevention of School Failure Project which is designed to identify and provide programs for preschool learning disabled children. Screening tests are said to include evaluations of visual motor integration, speech, language and motor development. Considered in the pamphlet are services provided in Model Learning Disability Kindergartens for children with severe learning problems and therapy and teacher consultation services for children with milder difficulties. It is explained that validation results indicate growth exceeding project objectives in receptive language, visual motor and psycholinguistic development. Provided in accompanying documents are information regarding replication of the project in local schools, an annual report to the President and Congress which touches on program implementation costs. (CL)

Presented is an overview of hearing, speech and language research being sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS). Described is research in such areas as infant audiological screening, auditory prostheses, larynx surgery, and developmental dysphasia. (LS)

This paper reviews the research literature on the relationship of drugs, alcohol, and driving among young people, university students, and a group of young criminals. The data show that young people use drugs more than adults do, and that they drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, especially at night, more often than adults do, and consequently young people are more vulnerable to accidents due to drug use than are adults. The writer then considers possible countermeasures against drinking and driving such as limitations on drinking by young people, the amount of permissable liquor consumption, and limitations on driving such as forcing speed limits during certain periods of the day. The writer concludes that few countermeasures have demonstrated their effectiveness; nevertheless, he argues that it is essential that more effort be placed on the development of effective countermeasure programs and that those programs in existence be more effectively evaluated. (Author/SE)

The emphasis of this NIMH report is to improve our understanding of the origins of violence and to suggest ways of acting on that knowledge to reduce the incidence of crime and violence in American society. Also included in this volume are details of work aimed at reducing the toll of such problems as alcoholism and suicide among our citizens; a new approach in treating alcoholics; and efforts to understand and prevent adolescent suicides. Avenues for reducing the effects of cultural deprivation are explored in a study of young children from disadvantaged families. New efforts designed to meet the special mental health needs of Americans in contrasting settings--urban and rural--are also described. This volume also contains reports of the Institute's continuing efforts in basic biological and behavioral research--efforts aimed at helping to understand, for example, the genetic bases of mental illness, and the neurophysiological background of man's intellecutal and emotional functions. (Author/NG)