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The empirical management literature has found that the education of both managers and the workforce more generally appears to be an important driver of better management practices. This article sets out how such relationships might be conceptualised, and suggests that in a complementarities framework, modern management practices can be thought of as a type of skill-biased technology. It then summarises the literature that has explored the relationships between human capital and surveyed management practices in manufacturing firms and other sectors, highlighting the handful of papers that have found a positive correlation between management practices and measures of local skills supply. It concludes with a discussion of the policy implications that stem from what we know so far, together with avenues for future research that could shed more light on the causal mechanisms at play. [This report was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council through the Centre for Economic Performance, the Programme on Innovation and Diffusion (POID).]

Third World countries have used community health advisors (CHAs) for many years to deliver health services, health education, and linkages to isolated and underserved communities. In 1998 the National Community Health Advisor Study estimated there were at least 600 such programs in the United States using about 12,500 CHAs. Program activities and target populations vary widely; CHAs' work ranges from volunteer service in health education to actual provision of services. The most significant commonalities of CHA programs are a focus on reaching hard-to-reach populations, use of indigenous workers, and CHA expertise in community knowledge rather than formal education. Results of the 1998 national survey of 281 respondents provided data on rural and urban location of programs, racial and ethnic groups targeted, types of health problems encountered, provision of advocacy services, and types of outreach sites. Most CHAs were paid workers but averaged only 20 hours per week. Examples illustrate typical CHA activities: (1) acting as a bridge between underserved people and service providers (explaining the system to clients and gathering information for providers); (2) providing culturally appropriate health education and information; (3) locating cases, making referrals, and providing followup; (4) helping people with basic needs; and (5) building individuals' capacity to help themselves. Only a few evaluations of CHA programs have been carried out, all with positive results. Serious challenges for programs include inadequate and unreliable funding, lack of legitimacy among professionals, the health care system's lack of emphasis on prevention, and varying levels of CHA training. Recommendations focus on formal recognition of the value of CHAs, better funding, a comprehensive evaluation, and advocacy. (SV)

The relationship between life history, gender, and the discourse of modernization was examined from the perspective of a researcher with extensive experience performing evaluations about modernization within human services in Denmark. Three stories about site-based management in two human service institutionsa youth center and a boarding school for autistic childrenwere presented to illuminate fragments of the complex condition that modernization represents. One story, which was told by a female superintendent, reflects feelings of skepticism and professional pride and discusses modernization in terms of development. A second story, which was told by a male superintendent, stresses the challenges and criticism encountered during modernization. In analyzing the stories, the author explored the following themes: (1) the discourse of modernization; (2) pre-existing or interpretive narratives; (3) the notion of the dialectical, liberated, and dispersed subject and the various theoretical forms in which life histories emerge; (4) the concepts of subject and surface and their relationship to the discourse of life history and modernization; (5) fluent and fixed icons of life history; (6) lost virginity and floating space as images of modernization; and (7) rituals of passage, storytelling, imagination, and the researcher's voice. (Fourteen endnotes and 27 references are included.) (MN)

This paper synthesizes research, theories, and practical knowledge from developmental psychology and sociology to provide a basis for understanding, planning, and implementing effective and supportive partnerships between human-services providers and families. A family-centered approach is a process for delivering services to families, a philosophy based on an ecological model of the family. The ecological model builds and promotes families' existing strengths. Key components of the ecological model include creating partnerships and helping relationships; building the community environment; and linking families and community support. The ecological model borrows from systems theory (the notion that children must be understood in the context of their family relationships) and the"goodness of fit" child-development model (which seeks to improve the match between the needs of families with community resources and support). The paper also presents an overview of how the ecological paradigm has translated into practice--in Head Start programs, early intervention programs, family support programs, and the public schools. (Contains 39 references.) (LMI)

The National Service (NS) program links financial assistance for education to community service. Four issues of primary concern arise as policymakers and program planners move from the program's concept to the fine points of its design and implementation: (1) achieving balance among the program's conflicting goals; (2) expanding educational opportunities; (3) matching community needs to participants' skills and interests; and (4) avoiding conflict with existing activities and programs. These major issues suggest evaluation tasks, including determining how program goals drive program planning; comparing priorities assigned to NS goals over time and across service agencies, educational institutions, and government agencies; describing how program administrators define "civic responsibility"; tracking characteristics of NS applicants and participants; tracking the proportion of precollege NS participants who use their educational vouchers; assessing the fit between agency needs and participants' skills and interests; measuring and tracking participant attrition; assessing the cost effectiveness of various approaches to training for NS participants; describing how teachers, police, and other service professionals integrate NS workers into the workplace; determining the effects of NS on agency staffing and number and types of new service jobs; and tracking applications to and participation in other service programs. (Contains 22 endnotes.) (YLB)

This report examines program integration as a way to improve the delivery of rural human services in Pennsylvania. A panel of policymakers, human services providers, and representatives of state agencies identified barriers to effective rural human services delivery and generated policy recommendations. Most county-based human services in Pennsylvania, including services related to aging, children and youth, drug- and alcohol-abuse, and mental health/mental retardation, are provided through separate or categorical county agencies. Problems associated with categorical human services delivery include: administrative duplication, treating interrelated problems separately, forcing clients to shop for services, promoting competition among client groups for scarce resources, and inappropriate funding to rural counties for their human services needs. Program integration would involve the creation of a single department at the county level responsible for providing all human services programs. Case studies comparing categorical and integrated human services agencies are presented. Strengths of the integration approach are: reduction of county administrative costs, referral of clients for the most cost-effective treatment, provision of family-centered treatment, promotion of comprehensive planning, encouragement of staff communication and cooperation, and reduction of client "shuffling" between separate agencies. The panel recommended that integration of county human services should not be mandated by the state but instead should be encouraged through changes in state policies and procedures. Descriptions of policy options are included. (LP)

For several years, the Office of Telecommunications Policy has initiated projects investigating the potential of telecommunications as a method for alleviating some of the problems of rural America. In the course of these investigations, a number of insights have been gained relating both to the match between rural problems and telecommunications solutions and to some of the issues involved in service delivery via telecommunications wherever the delivery takes place. Covering some of the issues raised during these investigations, this paper discusses: (1) the rural setting, trends, background, and traditional public services (education, health, public works, public safety, and recreation); (2) some of the alternative technologies (telephone, coaxial cable, radio, video broadcasting, microwave, and satellites); (3) significant characteristics and comparative advantages of cable and local telephone systems; (4) some aspects of the "software problem"; (5) the development of methodology for identifying the communications requirements of localities; and (6) the compilation, codification and analysis of information already available. Several representative studies and demonstrations pertaining to health services, services to the elderly, educational services, public safety, and administrative services are outlined. (NQ)

This paper reports the results of analyzing financial, program, and client data collected from Minnesota's Developmental Achievement Centers (DACs) for 1986. A total of 4,883 adults were receiving services, with the largest group being severely mentally retarded. Persons with additional disabilities numbered 1,263, with severe behavior problems, epilepsy, chronic medical conditions, cerebral palsy, and other physical handicaps being the most prevalent. More than 60% of all adults lived in Intermediate Care Facilities/Mentally Retarded group homes. Over 70% of adults were involved in vocational activities, with 20% involved in community-based vocational activities. A total of 1,522 children were also being served, with the largest number diagnosed as developmentally delayed. Services most frequently received were occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy. Of the 1,164 children transferred or demitted from DAC programs, the largest percentage entered special education programs in the public school. The number of children's programs continued to decline as local education agencies increased coverage of those services. Financial results of the survey are also examined, presented in four sections: revenues, expenditures, per diems, and licensed capacity. The amount of revenues coming from Medical Assistance continues to grow and is becoming the primary source of reimbursement of DAC services. (JDD)

As one of a series of topic papers assessing federal laws and programs affecting persons with disabilities, this paper reviews the issue of transportation services. In the area of urban mass transit, four relevant pieces of legislation and public transportation accessibility regulations are cited, and cost issues are explored. Paratransit systems, fixed route bus systems, and rapid rail systems are described, leading to an examination of models of fully accessible, multi-modal transit systems. In addition to urban mass transit, other modes of transportation discussed include air travel, intercity and interstate buses, Amtrak, and private transportation. Principles of a national policy for accessible transportation are outlined, and recommendations for legislative amendments to develop a nationwide fully accessible transportation system conclude the paper. Twenty-four references are listed. (JDD)

This report is based on data and insights obtained during a study tour of the United States and Canada. The purpose of the tour was to combine attending three conferences on social work and social welfare held in Montreal, Canada in the summer of 1984 with visiting various institutions in Canada and the United States. In the first section of this paper, "Aspects of the Crisis," a general review refers in the first instance to the vast differences between countries, including those normally labelled as being equally deprived. The most important aspects of the crisis are subsequently dealt with under the headings: arms race (particularly the nuclear arms race), health, education, housing, food, human rights, poverty and employment, and social security. From these crisis aspects participants in the working paper formulated the following forum topics and prepared brief introductions that were included in the paper. These are: sociocultural shifts, economic choices, technological upheavals, demographic dilemmas, environmental tightrope, political and organizational technocracies, children's needs and rights, youth's future, aging concerns, family survival, feminist affirmation, uprooting and migration, discrimination and segregation, and integration of the disabled. A bibliography, notes on the three conferences, and the study tour itinerary conclude the document. (BZ)

To help grantmakers understand the impact of the Reagan administration's economic program, the author examines the program as a whole, particular budget areas, and likely effects on grantors and grantees. Chapter 1 profiles the Reagan program's reductions in federal spending, regulation, and taxes. The author notes the areas cut, losses for nonprofit organizations, the effects of block grants, agencies to be eliminated, and tax impacts on charitable giving and foundation grants. A closer analysis of the Reagan budget, in chapter 2, first assesses the general impact on entitlement programs and the social "safety net" and then focuses on areas of interest to grantmakers, especially social welfare, education, health, income assistance, environment and conservation, arts and culture, and neighborhood and community groups. The third chapter analyzes the implications of the Reagan program for grantmakers. It looks at the amounts of aid needed to make up the cuts, grantseekers' expectations, and grantmakers' current responses to the situation, including individual grantors' activities, collaboration among grantmakers and between public and private agencies, and actions to strengthen management capabilities. Two appendices list 27 organizations that have analyzed the Reagan economic program as well as programs targeted for elimination in 11 federal departments and agency groups. (RW)

The increase of poverty on Wisconsin farms in the late seventies is in contrast to the nonfarm sector in Wisconsin and to the trend of decreasing poverty in the nation. The federal formula for determining poverty levels uses personal income, the cost of a nutritionally adequate diet, and an assumption that food costs are one-third of a family's total living costs. However, because of the food which can be produced on a farm, poverty levels of farm families are set at 85% of the level established for non-farm families. A graph of available secondary data shows that while the percentage of farm poor is lower than in 1964, it apparently increased in the late 1970's. Why does this poverty persist? Prior research and studies supply some clues: ineligibility or nonparticipation in federal income and welfare programs; the high cost of farm resources for beginning farmers; low quality farm resource with low productivity; and the effect of advanced age of the farm operator on earnings and on unplanned expenses such as health costs. To reduce farm poverty, action must be initiated by rural educators and lenders, government policymakers, clergy and churches, citizen advocates, and public service agencies. (AN)

This publication was written to respond to the fact that many drug treatment centers receive inappropriate referrals of casual or recreational marihuana users from the courts for "treatment" as an alternative to jail. A drug abuse task force recommended that agencies give priority to abusers of the high-risk categories and to compulsive users of drugs of any kind. It also suggested the concept of an alternative educational model for casual users of low-risk drugs and recommended the adoption and implementation of such a structure throughout the country. In this way, more appropriate services will be provided to casual drug abusers. Educational services can be provided either as an additional program track at a treatment facility, or as a specialized educational service operated by community agencies not directly involved in treatment. This monograph examines four examples of alternative educational programs currently in operation. Descriptions of these four programs are presented. The programs described in this monograph provide one example of alternative programming which can be established to meet a community need and to provide human, inexpensive, and individualized services to the casual drug user. (Author)