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Self-determination theory (SDT) is an evidence-based approach to programs promoting behavioral change. Social work researchers are increasingly incorporating SDT into program planning and evaluation. Yet the theory itself, developed within the discipline of psychology, has not been fully evaluated for congruence with social work values and perspectives. We compare the core tenets of SDT to values found within the United States National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, and find that there is a significant overlap between SDT and social work values. Areas of congruence include autonomy, relatedness, and the importance of human relationships. There are some concepts within SDT that need special consideration when used by social workers, in particular competence and motivation. These constructs have been used to support narratives of individual responsibility in the face of problems caused by societal structures. Further, the theory's traditional framing of context has not explicitly highlighted social justice. SDT has been shown to be an effective strategy in supporting behavioral change. Social workers must be careful to include structural factors such as poverty and discrimination when applying SDT to planning and evaluating social work programs. With these considerations, we suggest that SDT can be a powerful tool for planning and evaluation of social interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Department of Education utilizes a standard classification system for all post-secondary degree programs. This system, the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), is utilized in a multitude of ways to gather and report academic program data. These data can include degree completions, career prospects for graduates, and instructional salaries. Understanding what a program's CIP code is and how to obtain program data based on CIP code can help HRD faculty build and maintain quality academic programs as well as conduct research related to HRD education. In this article, I provide some background on CIP codes and several use cases that might be helpful for faculty and program leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This reaction begins by highlighting four strengths of the article: (a) the clear introduction of CIP codes and how they are utilized; (b) where the discipline of HRD fits with the CIP code system; (c) the illustration of how CIP data can be utilized in HRD research; (d) the call for faculty to become more aware or CIP codes and impacts of this system upon programs. This reaction will also present some challenges and highlight an important use of CIP codes that was not discussed in the article. This reaction will then present a case that demonstrates why we as HRD program leaders cannot ignore the importance of CIP codes. Finally, implications of CIP codes for HRD and the role of higher education faculty members will be presented. The Rose (2023) manuscript holds valuable information that can lead to better program data and possibly some new streams of HRD research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine created a program planning course required for all master of public health (MPH) students to address the revised 2016 Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) foundational competencies. The objective of this study was to examine students' feedback on this new class based on their reflective writing. Methods: Students across 3 class sections during 3 semesters (fall 2018, spring 2019, and fall 2019) wrote a reflection paper as a final assignment about their course experience (N = 102). We conducted a conventional qualitative content analysis of deidentified student responses to systematically examine themes in the overarching areas of what students found valuable about the course and what they would want to be improved. We calculated frequency counts of themes to further contextualize the findings. Results: Students found the following aspects of the course valuable: a positive perception shift toward program planning (93.1%), new transferable career skills (87.3%), the course format (77.5%), course content (69.6%), working in teams (52.0%), course assignments (47.1%), and the instructional team (31.4%). Critiques included the following: more support for course assignments (39.2%), challenges of working in teams (27.5%), aspects of the course format (25.5%), gaps in course content (19.6%), and wanting more consultations with the instructional team (5.9%). About 14% of students stated there was nothing or little they would change about the course. Conclusion: Overall, the course received positive feedback from students. They identified several valuable course components and areas that could be enhanced, which we have worked to improve. We offer the course as a potential model for how schools and programs of public health can meet the 2016 CEPH competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative approaches to supporting the health of refugees and other newcomer populations in their resettlement country are needed to address the complex medical and social challenges they may experience after arrival. Refugee health professionals within the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers (SRHP)—the largest medical society dedicated to refugee health in North America—have expressed interest in greater research collaborations across SRHP membership and a need for guidance in conducting ethical research on refugee health. This article describes a logic model framework for planning the SRHP Research, Evaluation, and Ethics Committee. A logic model was developed to outline the priorities, inputs, outputs, outcomes, assumptions, external factors, and evaluation plan for the committee. The short-term outcomes include (1) establish professional standards in refugee health research, (2) support evaluation of existing refugee health structures and programs, and (3) establish and disseminate an ethical framework for refugee health research. The SRHP Research, Evaluation, and Ethics Committee found the logic model to be an effective planning tool. The model presented here could support the planning of other research committees aimed at helping to achieve health equity for resettled refugee populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This research aims to learn what schools for blind students in the United States are currently doing to teach students with visual impairments and further explore the services these schools provide in their states. Methods: This research used qualitative interviews with school administrators, staff members, and teachers at four schools for blind students in the United States. A constant comparison model was used to analyze common themes and trends within the data collected, allowing us to capture the voiced experiences of the interviewees. Results: All schools included in this research have built the capacity to serve a wide range of students with visual impairments through both on-campus programs and outreach services. To provide high-quality services, the on-campus programs and the outreach services embraced symbiosis with one another. In parallel to this effort, schools focused on building partnerships with districts and helped build capacity through indirect services. Discussion: Underlying ideologies within schools for blind students were the value of inclusion, belief in every student receiving a quality education, and aspiration towards schools for blind students to stay relevant in an era of inclusion. Schools were led by individuals who possessed inspirational and strategic thinking. Implications for Practitioners: This research documents the effective ways specialized schools for blind students are relevant in an era of inclusion, documenting the importance of creating new paths within traditional programs. This research outlines successful practices and ideologies that can be implemented by specialized schools, while acknowledging traditional on-campus programming combined with inclusive outreach models to create sustainable programming for all students with visual impairments throughout a state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that service-learning can increase student-learning outcomes across various disciplines. Service-learning opportunities have been steadily increasing in college settings, especially in health-related fields. This evaluation of an undergraduate public health course at a mid-size, public university in New England sought to understand the impact of service-learning on material retention, internships, and post-graduation public health careers. A 25-item questionnaire was emailed to students who took the course between the Fall 2010 and Spring 2016 semesters with 75 completed (33.3% completion rate). More than half of the respondents noted that their participation in a service-learning project positively affected their internship experience, their first post-graduation job, and their overall career, while also helping them retain the course material after graduation. Open-ended responses provided insight to the qualitative responses. Respondents noted that in addition to having the understanding and ability to put on programs in their community, they also had more confidence in their abilities. The opportunity to practice public speaking skills as well as work collaboratively in group settings, were both noted as essential skills needed to succeed in the public health workforce. It was concluded the project had a positive impact on student's learning and retention in planning, implementing, and evaluating an actual health promotion program as well as how they were able to use those skills in their careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Geovisualization and spatial analysis are valuable tools for exploring and evaluating the complex social, economic, and environmental interactions that lead to spatial inequalities in health. The objective of this study was to describe spatial patterns of infant mortality and preterm birth in Ohio by using interactive mapping and spatial analysis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Ohio vital statistics records from 2008-2015. We geocoded live births and infant deaths by using residential address at birth. We used multivariable logistic regression to adjust spatial and space–time cluster analyses that examined the geographic clustering of infant mortality and preterm birth and changes in spatial distribution over time. Results: The overall infant mortality rate in Ohio during the study period was 6.55 per 1000 births; of 1 097 507 births, 10.3% (n = 112 552) were preterm. We found significant geographic clustering of both infant mortality and preterm birth centered on large urban areas. However, when known demographic risk factors were taken into account, urban clusters disappeared and, for preterm birth, new rural clusters appeared. Conclusions: Although many public health agencies have the capacity to create maps of health outcomes, complex spatial analysis and geovisualization techniques are still challenging for public health practitioners to use and understand. We found that actively engaging policymakers in reviewing results of the cluster analysis improved understanding of the processes driving spatial patterns of birth outcomes in the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a framework of care to design experiences in formal or informal learning does two things. It acknowledges intentions of reflective learning through open communication and meets expectations of scholars seeking knowledge within a learning community. This proposed framework was developed from programs involving popular education, community development, open communication, critical reflection, and democratic participation. It can be applied to most instructional contexts, where relationships between facilitators and participants are valued as part of an active learning environment. This framework of care builds on the work of Myles Horton, Paulo Freire, Nel Noddings, and Fergal Finnegan. When planning programs, we recommend both understanding participants’ learning goals and then being attentive to care, community, communication, critical reflection, equality, and democracy. Through these approaches, educators can create a caring experience for learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Popular education programs allow for collective agenda setting and flexibility, and also to carefully and respectfully design activities that bring in all voices and level the power in the room. Popular education methods help to raise awareness and engage with stakeholders to support topics, such as social justice, human rights, collective power, and nonviolent responses. This study examines the explicit and implicit intentions and expectations of participants who have engaged in popular education workshops related to authentic leadership. This instrumental case study examines the reflective writing of 13 participants from two popular education workshops. To analyze the 26 reflections, the co-researchers individually coded a set of four reflections and then worked with a partner to compare their coding results. Themes were developed from the coded data. The themes included the Center as a destination, seeking renewal and inspiration, personal growth and learning gained from the experience, open minded and flexible expectations, interest in the topic, and professional and academic growth and networking. We suggest ways to build in components of a popular education program to other settings, such as building community, storytelling and sharing, and establishing group norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rate for musculoskeletal injuries among health care workers is one of the highest for all industrial sectors in the United States; these injuries often occur during manual handling (i.e., lifting, moving, transferring, and repositioning) of patients. The following article describes the process used to complete a comprehensive assessment, as well as the planning, implementation, and initial evaluation of a quality improvement program to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among health care workers employed by a rural Midwest hospital. Key elements for WMSD injury reduction were identified and compared across literature sources, national standards, and current state and federal legislative requirements for hospitals. The program used a multi-factor design that included evidence-based interventions (i.e., those supported by emerging evidence) to create a comprehensive Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) program intended to address the unique needs of the organization. Initial program results are reviewed as well as significant considerations and challenges for SPHM programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School is an Academic-Year Governor's School sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education. In addition to state funding, three local school districts support the school's STEM and Arts and Humanities programs. Juniors and seniors from seven high schools attend this shared-day, selective regional school. This article provides an overview of the school's mission and goals; describes: the method for student recruitment and selection; and academic programs and developmental support; and a planning process to align curriculum and instructional strategies with defined student outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) affects 5.7 million Americans and is the most common reason for 30-day readmissions. While evidence supports incorporating home telehealth (HT) programs within health care organizations to support HF patient care, it is essential to carefully map HT into existing care pathways to promote successful outcomes. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to increase enrollment in an existing Veteran’s Administration HT HF program through a strategically designed HT program plan. The outcomes included a 300% enrollment and no project participant readmissions during the 9-month project. Given the competency development in strategic and program planning, advanced practice registered nurses are ideally suited to provide the leadership in designing, implementing, and evaluating HT programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main study objective was to identify perceived barriers to achieving glycemic control among the Arab population in Israel, by both members of the Arab community with type 2 diabetes and by primary care teams working with the Arab community.Methods: A series of six focus groups using qualitative research methodology were conducted in two phases among people with diabetes and primary care professionals treating them.Results: The perception of the disease among people with diabetes was one of low severity. Barriers to adopting a healthy lifestyle and to self-management included awareness of the need, financial considerations regarding medication, and traditional gender roles. Food preparation in family life was identified as a strong cultural determinant. The health literacy needs for more in-depth and accessible educational programs were identified. Primary care staff viewed the needs similarly, with the exception of the need for in-depth instructional materials.Conclusion and Practice Implications: The understanding of the significance of healthy lifestyles and self-management was essential for developing culturally appropriate implementation programs and policy. Consultation with, and involvement of patient groups in needs assessment and planning is essential and should be established in policy that promotes best practice and health promotion in chronic illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing literature about the RE-AIM framework as a planning, implementation, and evaluation tool, little is known about practitioners’ adoption of the framework, confidence to utilize framework elements, or perceptions of its usefulness. To assess how RE-AIM was implemented by state aging service providers and public health partners, data were collected using an Internet-delivered, cross-sectional survey from 40 stakeholders in 27 funded states in an evidence-based disease prevention initiative for older adults. Most participants agreed the framework was useful for planning, implementation, and evaluation and relevant for evaluators, providers, community leaders, and policy makers. Yet nearly half felt monitoring RE-AIM requirements requires special expertise, and one third felt the different RE-AIM elements were difficult to measure. Findings indicate the RE-AIM’s appropriateness and utility for planning and evaluating the dissemination of evidence-based programs to older adults; however, additional trainings, resources, and technical assistance are warranted to enhance uptake in community-wide intervention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses a study on the development of Homeless Psychiatric Service Performance Indicators (PI). Researchers collated quality services descriptions from key stakeholders and noted eight parameters which were basis for the development of PI that were tested over 12 months. Results showed that PI were key in initiating practice changes, effective in team dynamics, and were able to clarify team aims.

In reviewing training methods reported in the literature, 13 were identified: case study, games-based training, internship, job rotation, job shadowing, lecture, mentoring and apprenticeship, programmed instruction, role-modeling, role play, simulation, stimulus-based training, and team-training. The nature and characteristics of these training methods and the relationships among them were analyzed using the following seven criteria: learning modality, learning environment, trainer presence, proximity, interaction level, cost considerations, and time demands. Results from this in-depth review suggest that the majority of training methods are not interactive, involve doing, and are off-the-job. As expected, it also concluded that technological advancements have expanded the delivery mode to various distance options. Profiles for the 13 identified training methods generated from this research should assist practitioners in selecting training methods most suitable for their needs and circumstances and serve as a platform for future research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The global health burden due to physical inactivity is enormous and growing. There is a need to consider new ways of generating evidence and to identify the role of government in promoting physical activity at the population level. In this paper, we summarize key findings from a large-scale cross-national collaboration to understand physical activity promotion in Brazil. We describe the main aspects of the partnership of Project GUIA (Guide for Useful Interventions for Activity in Brazil and Latin America) that sustained the collaborative effort for eight years and describe how the evidence gathered from the collaboration triggered political action in Brazil to scale up a physical activity intervention at the national level. Project GUIA is a cross-national multidisciplinary research partnership designed to understand and evaluate current efforts for physical activity promotion at the community level in Latin America. This example of scaling up is unprecedented for promoting health in the region and is an example that must be followed and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Churches have been a popular site for the implementation of health promotion interventions. Although the efficacy of church-based health programs have been established, it is unknown which aspects of church-based health promotion drive health behavior change. Process evaluation is a way to increase our understanding of key components of church-based health promotion and to move the field forward. Thus, a systematic review of the utilization of process evaluation in church-based health programs was conducted. Articles from 1990 to 2008 were screened for eligibility, resulting in the analysis of 67 articles. The majority of church-based health programs assessed recruitment (88.1%) and reach (80.6%). About 28.4% assessed dose delivered, and 27.3% measured dose received. Context and fidelity was assessed by 34.3% and 20.9%, respectively, of church-based interventions. Approximately 9% of church-based programs measured fidelity. On average, only three of seven possible components of process evaluation were measured among the studies reviewed. The number of process evaluation components assessed did not differ by program feature (e.g., target population, target health condition, program objective, etc.). Consistency in the conceptualization and measurement of process evaluation may facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive process evaluation effort in church-based and other health promotion interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The central thesis of the commentary is that expanding engagement between the public and private sector, especially in the area of physical activity, is needed and important. Powerful partnering offers the perspective that business is reframing its priorities, moving from short-term gain to long-term sustainability; and that business leaders are regarding the term ‘survival of the fittest’ not in terms of who is the most competitive and strongest, but who is the most collaborative and adaptable. The commentary stakes a position that global problems in the 21st century need both a left and right brain approach, where leadership and the worldview must be connected and collaborative rather than sharply delineated and disconnected. Through a series of examples, the commentary seeks to share how and why business is currently involved in physical activity partnering; and approaches and guidelines public health can consider to build the collaboration bridge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Program planning activities are not culturally neutral but are replete with various cultural values and affected by them. This qualitative study was conducted in Korea and examines how cultural values influence educational planning in Korea. Specifically, the study was to examine how Confucian cultural values play out in educational planning in terms of negotiating power and interests. In-depth interviews were held in a variety of settings with 13 program planners. There were two primary categories of findings: (a) planners' embedded Confucian values, such as group harmony, respect of hierarchy, propriety, face, bond of affection (jeong), and distinctive gender roles, were reflected in the everyday actions of planners and (b) these Confucian values, especially those of age, gender, and group harmony, influenced the exercise of power and negotiation of power and interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to discuss feminist-program-planning issues, drawing from a critical ethnographic study of a Latin American feminist community-based organization. The research findings discuss the centrality of feminist identity to understanding and analyzing day-to-day program-planning process issues within a feminist community-based organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the use of a community-based health survey to share local health information with faith leaders. Geographical information systems software identified survey respondents within 2 km (1.25 miles) of places of worship. Results were tabulated for the community surrounding each place of worship and were compared with city- and county-level data. Faith leaders were presented with community-specific reports describing the health attributes of residents who lived in the surrounding area, in order to assist with the identification issues of concern and opportunities to develop health ministries to address these issues. Faith leaders were encouraged to share this information with members of their faith community and develop means of obtaining additional information on the people of interest. We believe that engaging faith leaders with neighborhood-specific health information will be critical in providing an understanding of the importance of their voice in improving health outcomes of their faith community, the surrounding neighborhood, and the community at large. Our goal is to empower faith leaders to understand personal and community health issues and to act as a conduit for health-related information and health promotion at a local level. Church health teams developed an HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention program for African American adolescents and young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The foundation of a logic model or any theory-based planning model is the identification of the behavioral antecedents and the relationship of these variables to the target behavior. Applying theoretical concepts to specific behaviors and populations is often challenging for practitioners and program planning students. The challenge comes from the abstract definition of theoretical constructs, the duplication of similar constructs in multiple theories, and the need to combine multiple theories. To simplify the planning process when utilizing logic models and health behavior theory, we recommend the use of the PER Worksheet. The PER Worksheet is a planning tool that provides layman-term prompts for identifying health behavior antecedents. It encompasses five common health behavior theories--health belief model, theory of planned behavior, social cognitive theory, an ecological perspective, and transtheoretical model. The PER Worksheet is organized into three columns: Predisposing, Enabling, and Reinforcing factors, terms of the PRECEDE/PROCEED model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On October 6 and 7, 2005, a diverse panel of experts was invited to Atlanta, Georgia by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Smoking and Health to discuss, explore, and share their ideas on how to identify and subsequently plan effective interventions with low socioeconomic status populations in regard to tobacco prevention and control. The invited participants had expertise in three areas: surveillance and evaluation, program planning, and health communications. This article summarizes the methods, processes, discussions, and recommendations that emerged from the surveillance and evaluation group. Current surveillance systems have had success at identifying high-risk populations, but usually at the national or state level. Interventions occur at the local level, and current data are woefully inadequate in providing direction as far as programming planning. It is recommended that an eight-step approach be used for surveillance and monitoring that includes qualitative data collection and participatory planning models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, health system leaders seek to determine whether community health interventions make a difference to individuals in the community. However, community health improvement is difficult to measure, and health system staff may not be familiar with evaluation research methods. Health care organizations can improve their evaluation efforts relatively easily by building on what they already know: the Joint Commission accreditation process. By using accreditation as a framework, community health evaluation may be seen as more approachable when viewed through that lens. This article provides a framework for practical approaches to program planning, evaluation, and sustainability. Joint Commission accreditation functions (chapters) are similar to health program goals. Standards are similar to program objectives. Elements of performance are similar to activities or methods. Scoring comparisons are similar to measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a program does not produce expected changes in the outcomes of interest, program staff must understand why before making programmatic decisions. One mechanism for doing so is the logic model. This article describes how using one such logic model (the ATM approach) was used to improve areas of program planning and implementation. The key components include interviewing stakeholders to identify antecedent conditions to the problem of interest that are placed in a summary map and then prioritizing those conditions to address with program activities. Although the logic modeling process was helpful in making programmatic improvements, there were also several unintended benefits of engaging in the process including: providing a framework for planning and evaluation, helping the program operate more effectively and efficiently, and providing a common language among program staff and the evaluators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN) Essentials of baccalaureate and master's degree education require teaching population health skills in nursing programs. Clinical site placement for learning population health skills is hoped to be beneficial for both students and the agencies. This article reports on the experience of placing undergraduate and graduate student groups at an agency serving adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as well as many chronic health conditions. Each group of students developed a population health assessment and program plan, with each group building on the efforts of previous groups. The work of multiple student groups has assisted the agency in improving care for their clients, managing health issues associated with aging and chronic health conditions, and making organizational system changes. Lessons can be drawn from these experiences that are of benefit to others developing population health clinical experiences for nursing students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health providers are increasingly called on to do more with fewer resources. Aiming to help HIV clinical training providers in 15 local sites to better target their efforts, the Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center (PAETC) implemented a method for integrating disparate information, such as program-level evaluation and publicly available health services data, into one combined and useful format. The resulting local area profiles were distributed to each training site and were updated annually for 2 years. As a result, local training teams adopted data-based approaches to doing their work. Training managers and faculty reported that data presented in spatial formats (i.e., maps) were most helpful for targeting their outreach and training. In addition to achieving the aim of supporting better programs, the project increased capacity for using data to support all aspects of training and education, from grant writing to strategic planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Attributes that caregivers assign to complementary foods have been primarily described in the context of illness, but attributes assigned to foods in everyday circumstances must be understood to effectively promote good complementary feeding.Objective: This study aimed to understand how mothers judge complementary foods to be appropriate by cross-cultural examination of food perceptions in four different Latin American and Caribbean countries.Methods: We used semistructured interviews to assess attributes that mothers ascribed to a list of key foods, both home-made and manufactured, and reasons for feeding or not feeding them. We elicited attributes from 79 caregivers with children 6 to 24 months of age from two urban and perirban sites each in Brazil, Jamaica, Mexico, and Panama.Results: Textual analysis based on six home foods common to the four countries and manufactured foods resulted in six attribute categories, five of which could be positive or negative (Nutrient Content, Effects on Child, Child's Response, Availability and Accessibility, and Other Food Attributes); one (Food Quality and Safety) was only negative. Analysis of attributes of home foods (chicken, eggs, beans, carrots, bananas or plantains, and oranges) revealed many beliefs that were common within and across countries, whereas analysis of the attributes of manufactured foods revealed that these foods were less known.Conclusions: The consistency of the attribute categories across countries and across home and manufactured foods suggests their relevance to planning programs to improve complementary feeding in Latin America and the Caribbean and possibly other developing countries. These results can be used programmatically to assess the need for and the focus of food education programs, and to indicate which countries will be more receptive to certain foods as a means of improving complementary feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study examined how eight adult degree program administrators negotiate power and interest while planning programs in specific higher education settings: small, private, nonprofit, higher education institutions. The conceptual framework was grounded in Cervero and Wilson's program-planning model in combination with Bourdieu's concept of cultural and social capital and Raven's consideration of types of power at play in organizations. The primary means of data collection were in-depth interviews and qualitative questionnaires. There were four primary categories of findings dealing with how these adult degree program planners negotiate power and interest, centering on (a) moving the institutional interest in adult learners from the margins closer to the center, (b) gaining influence by drawing on multiple forms of capital, (c) building a bridge of common interests among key players as a way of leveraging power, and (d) balancing institutional expectations for growth with resource limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the authors' experiences on promoting and implementing a tech prep model for area schools. Implementation; Creation of career maps; Action plans.

Focuses on the preparation of students with the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to be successful through public education. Highlight on tech prep and school-to-work programs; Principals' responsibility for restructuring schools and transforming educational processes; Education reform concepts; Career paths for students.

Examines the relationship between environmentalists and scientists in the United States. Political discussion brought about by Earth Day 1990; Focus of the discussion on modern technology; Poor development of environmentalism with the scientific enterprise; Scientists' view of societal ignorance; Minimal impact of environmentalism on science; Possible influence of environmentalism on science.

Focuses on the scope of work of a three-way collaborative effort in education, titled `Career Opportunity Program (COP) 2000,' that has been in existence for more than six years in the United States. Partnership between five urban secondary school districts from different states; Presentation of the program's partners, the process, students, and the program's evaluation.

Presents the proposal made to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners in Oregon outlining the rationale for the Clackamas County Parent Education Program. Goals of the program; Features; Expected outcomes; Features of the proposed budget; Source of income.

This article discusses on demographic analysis and its relevance to strategic planning in public administration. Heretofore, the cumbersome access to demographic data has seriously constrained its widespread use in strategic planning efforts. However, dramatic advances in information technology have changed the nature and potential benefits of demographic analysis. Demographic data can be generated for local situations by modeling and extrapolating from international, national, regional or state data banks. To learn about the possible implications of any change in the execution of a given program, managers can import such data directly into their computer simulations and spreadsheets. The results can then be presented numerically, as a graph or as an overlay for a map of the area under study. By controlling for specific demographic variables, a manager can learn how an observed trend at the system level relates to developments in a given subsystem. The possibilities presented through demographic analysis provides a new type of input to the planning process. The ability to identify, define, and describe precisely the environment is necessary for proper identification of key stakeholders and for developing successful strategies for dealing with them.

This article argues that there is a need for more state and local government economic programs specifically aimed at enhancing the development of small business. Small business plays a key role in the development of technological innovation and could increase the productivity and efficiency of state and local government operations through the introduction of more modern technology. A number of important studies have shown that small business is the key element in invention, technological innovation, and the transfer of technology which, in turn, are keys to increased productivity and economic growth. Despite the benefits that result from a flourishing small business community and the corresponding advantages of assisting fledgling small businesses so that they can eventually provide these benefits, most state and local governments appear to be more concerned with attracting and retaining large corporations. A study of subsidies to industry in Pennsylvania concluded that subsidies to large companies were largely wasted while those to smaller firms were more effective in increasing employment in their respective communities. Since it is doubtful that financial assistance programs are effective in luring or retaining large corporations, local governments should concentrate on assisting in-state businesses and would-be entrepreneurs.

In-service program development requires that the individual offering it be familiar with needs assessment techniques and program planning. In order to provide a program appropriate to the audience's needs, the presenter needs first to identify and set goals for the program, identify objectives relevant to the participants' needs, outline the material to be presented, and select the most appropriate presentation methodologies and ways of evaluating the program. This discussion includes examples and sample assessment forms that are specific to a breastfeeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The continuation of a state's commitment to special needs programs requires renewal. Target groups, such as the educationally or economically disadvantaged, and even the handicapped, do not enjoy constant support, and commitment waivers over time. At present, the federal government—which is the role model for program support —is signaling a diminishment of commitment by taking actions to cut financial aid, to deregulate services, and to consolidate programs. Finding their resources dwindling away—and facing a critical need to reevaluate the balance between general and special needs programs—states are also beginning to rethink their support of special needs programs. The character of anticipated changes can be assessed based on what has been learned about program development, the strength of certain supports for the programs, the likely outcomes of increased fiscal, political, and demographic pressures, and about shifts in federal support and commitment. A distinction can be discerned in some states between the evolution that takes place in state programs that are not exact duplications of a federal program (such as compensatory education) and those which are (such as programs for special education students), owing to heavy federal involvement.

The article focuses on the importance of evaluation of education programs. It notes that like living things, education programs grow, change, mature and will deteriorate if not taken cared of. It suggests that evaluation can strengthen the program especially when it is rooted in a strong relationship among knowledgeable and motivated teams of planners and clients. Additional information regarding programs and evaluation is presented.

Health Promotion in Multicultural Populations: A Handbook for Practitioners and Students (3rd ed.) is a 20-chapter book that provides health education and health promotion students and practitioners a quality overview of issues and concerns when working with multicultural and diverse populations. The authors of the chapters provide practical information, and the use of case studies is innovative and helpful for health education and health promotion students and practitioners working or planning to work in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]