Linking Public Housing to Education: A Comparative Case Study of HOPE VI

This research examines the federally funded HOPE VI urban revitalization program’s influence on neighborhood public school performance. A comparative case study was conducted in two HOPE VI neighborhood public schools, one that improved significantly (Philadelphia), and one that experienced a decline (Washington DC). The analysis revealed several insights into neighborhood factors that may influence school performance: the most vulnerable residents were least likely to gain reentry, mixed income housing residents often opt out of traditional public schools, and partnerships between public housing and education officials have been historically overlooked.     

COURT-CONNECTED PROGRAMS FOR DIVORCING PARENTS IN MICHIGAN

This article highlights the findings of a survey of court-connected programs for divorcing parents in the state of Michigan. Program and attendance information is given, and a typical program in Michigan is described. Program development and implementation issues, such as goals and program material, program management, court-mandated attendance, and program evaluation are discussed.     

Exclusion of Taiwan activists diminishes impact of the U.N. fourth world conference on women

Abstract

It has been widely reported that six bona fide organizations from Taiwan with expertise in the advancement of women and women's rights were denied accreditation to participate as nongovernmental organization observers to the official U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women that was recently held in Beijing, China. In addition, numerous women from Taiwan and also Tibet were excluded from attending the parallel Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Forum on Women ’95. This forum was specifically mandated to include all women and men from around the world who wanted to discuss the advancement of women. Originally the NGO forum was to be located in close proximity to the official conference in Beijing, but four months prior to the conference China announced that the NGO forum would be moved to a rural location forty kilometers outside of Beijing. The leadership of the NGO forum protested this change, but was assured by China that all applicants who submitted registration forms on time would be accommodated and granted visas.     

Empowerment or Encumbrance? Exercising the STV Option for Local Authority Elections in New Zealand

The introduction of proportional representation into New Zealand parliamentary elections in 1996 increased the momentum for introducing proportional representation into local elections. Legislation passed in 2001 provides local choice regarding the electoral system for triennial local authority elections from 2004. In this article we review the way local authorities responded to the opportunity to choose between the current first-past-the-post (FPP) system and single transferable voting (STV). We examine the communication and consultation carried out by local authorities and discuss the degree to which the exercise of the STV option reflects the principles of the Act and contributes to the goal of empowering communities.     

STATUS OF COURT-CONNECTED PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS ARE SEPARATING OR DIVORCING

This article reports on programs for children whose parents are divorcing or separating. Data were obtained from 67 courts and 81 program providers across the United States. Most court systems with children's programs used community providers and encouraged rather than required children's attendance. The average program consisted of one or two sessions, with a length of 4 to 5 1/2 hours. A partial list of commercially available curricula is provided in the appendix.     

1998 NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF COURT-CONNECTED DIVORCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

This second nationwide survey of 3,118 counties and independent cities indicates that 1,516 counties or cities in the United States currently have education programs available for divorcing parents. This is in contrast to results from a 1993–1994 study in which 541 counties had programs available, and is an increase of 180%. Comparisons are made between programs that are mandated and not mandated by the court or state and between court-provided and community-provided programs. Curriculum, format, funding, and evaluation efforts of programs are summarized. A typical program is described, and implications of the findings for program developers and court systems are included.     

THE DIVORCE EDUCATION INTERVENTION MODEL

This article offers a divorce education intervention model that court systems can use to determine the level of programming that fits their goals for divorce education and their available resources. This model includes three levels of education that vary by extent of presenter and parent involvement: basic information, feelings and skills, and brief focused intervention. Eight program components are compared: goals, personnel, strategies, resources, examples, parental involvement, potential outcomes, and limitations.     

RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF COURT-CONNECTED PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN U.S. COUNTIES

This article highlights the results of a survey of 3,073 U.S. counties regarding court-connected programs for divorcing parents. Court-connected programs were identified in 541 counties. Information is provided on states' efforts at parent education for divorcing parents, including proliferation of programs, commonly used programs, court involvement in organization of programs, fees, and various attendance policies, including mandated attendance. The research establishes a base of information that reflects current practices, informs future research on program outcomes, and assists court systems to implement, change, and/or mandate education programs for divorcing parents.     

A qualitative exploration of the experience of restorative approaches in a forensic mental health setting

Restorative justice (RJ) is an intervention gaining worldwide recognition in criminal justice systems and other settings. There is a growing evidence base demonstrating positive outcomes in a number of domains, but we found no previous research focussed upon the use of RJ in a forensic mental health setting. This study used a constructivist grounded theory analysis of semi-structured interviews to explore and develop a deeper understanding of RJ practices interventions in such a setting. Ten participants including RJ facilitators, patients and mental health staff took part in research interviews. Restorative interventions were found to be congruent with models of mental health and offender recovery. Processing emotions, developing thinking and coherent narrative, and immediacy are found to be key components of the intervention. The emergent model highlights the role of containment and a high level of facilitator skill when working with a complex, vulnerable and potentially unstable client group.