An analysis of variables affecting length of stay in foster care

The purpose of this paper was to find out whether the relationship between type of contact with agency and/or child in foster care and average number of contacts over time makes any difference in length of stay in foster care. Four types of contacts were examined: Family—Agency, Family Initiated—Agency, Social Worker—Initiated, and Family—Child. Results indicated that there were critical numbers for each contact type found to be statistically significant that would tend to reduce the length of the child's stay in foster care. The importance of contact during the first month of placement was emphasized.     

Theoretical and research considerations of burnout

As in any new area of investigation, the study of the phenomenon of burnout contains much potential benefit, especially to workers in helping/service professions; and it contains sources of error which may delay or distort understandings that are sorely needed. This paper identifies and explains many pitfalls and sources of error in developing theory and research about burnout. After discussing the limitations of the current definitions of burnout, the authors explore the ramifications of the most well supported definition. Specific suggestions are made for further investigation, especially in the area of individual characteristics and their interaction with the burnout phenomenon. Finally, methodologies most likely to yield solid, usable information for practitioners are discussed.     

Demography of disaster: Population estimates after hurricane Andrew

Hurricane Andrew blasted through the southern tip of Florida in August 1992, damaging or destroying tens of thousands of homes and forcing hundreds of thousands of persons to move at least temporarily to different places of residence. The hurricane not only disrupted the lives of many Floridians, but destroyed the statistical basis for producing local population estimates in South Florida as well. These estimates are used for many types of decision-making, from the distribution of state revenue-sharing dollars to choosing sites for fast-food restaurants. This article describes the estimation problems created by the hurricane and how those problems were resolved through the use of existing data sources and the collection of new types of data. It closes with a discussion of several conceptual, methodological and procedural issues that will have to be faced in virtually any attempt to estimate the demographic consequences of natural disasters.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 1994 annual meeting of the Population Association of America, Miami, Florida, USA.     

Interest rate policies and inflation in interdependent economies: Recent policy dilemmas

This paper examines Federal Reserve Board policies that are premised on a negative short-run association of interest rate movements and the rate of inflation. In particular, econometric evidence is provided, supporting the view that tighter monetary policy appears to raise inflation rates in the short run. Conversely, it is demonstrated that easier monetary policy does not necessarily raise inflation rates in the short run. In the case of uncoordinated monetary restrictiveness, interest rate competition among major countries can produce higher inflation and lower growth than was originally intended.     

川东师范学堂与西南师范学院的组建

为实施新学制,培养师资,光绪三十二年(1906年)重庆创办了第一所正规的师范学校--官立川东师范学堂.民国建立后,该学堂改名为川东师范学校.1932年,该校设立乡村师范专修科.次年,专修科迁至沙坪坝磁器口,并先后改名为乡村建设学院、四川省立教育学院.1950年,四川省立教育学院与1940年创办的国立女子师范学院合并组建西南师范学院.1985年,西南师范学院更名为西南师范大学.     

从"神感说"探讨古代文论的"神思说"

"神感说"是<周易>中提出的天人相感的一种范畴学说,它是基于中国古代原始思维之上的一种认知学说,涉及人的主体精神的诸多功能,对于艺术思维的激活具有积极的意义.中国古代文论的"神思说"明显地受到"神感说"与佛教重神说的影响,主要表现在对精神意蕴的廓大,以及对文艺创作中想象和灵感诸范畴的启发等方面.     

What we know about child maltreatment

This article presents the results of an informal survey of nationally recognized experts on child maltreatment. The poll asked, “What do we know about child maltreatment?” A process of collating and sequential validation produced an outline of current knowledge that demonstrates some progress in understanding child maltreatment.     

Local policy networks in the programme Social City—a case in point for new forms of governance in the field of local social work and urban planning1 Lokale Politiknetzwerke im Programm Soziale Stadt—ein Beispielfall für neue Formen von governance im Bereich lokaler Sozialer Arbeit und Stadtplanung

The federal programme Social City represents a concept that is different from traditional urban planning, social work and local economic development as well as planning concepts in various ways. The developmental processes to be set into motion on the level of city districts:

• should make cooperation between various sectors and actors a key issue;

• should encourage them to invest into this cooperation and use the resources to be brought about by their participation and

• furthermore, the participation of various groups of the local population is foreseen.

Building up the respective institutional premises for this kind of networking and participation is part of the programme. Thereby urban planning and policies in social work and social services are to be brought into cooperation. The paper is based on an evaluative study of such local policy networks as they take place in one of the Länder, Hessen. Central results of the analysis will be presented, and suggestions for the programme's further development as a new concept of governance at the local level include some reflections on its potential for legitimising social work in community building.     

国家--社会视域中的传统民间伦理

在中国传统伦理文化中,不仅存在以正统教化伦理为代表的"大传统",而且还存在以民间伦理为代表的"小传统".后者作为植根于民间生活土壤中的民众不加矫饰的价值观念,更为真实地展示了民族伦理生活的生命律动.在国家与社会互动的格局中,民间伦理与正统教化伦理之间既矛盾对立又相生相长,构成了传统社会伦理生活的真实景观.     

“中国模式”中的国家自主性问题:反思与前瞻

“国家引导的经济发展模式”是中国在迈向现代国家进程中表现出的显著特征,国家推动的发展战略以其“后发优势”引世界所瞩目。但是转型社会引发的复杂社会问题也在检视和挑战国家权威,国家自主性的合法性基础不仅体现在经济绩效上,而且更要体现在民众对国家的深度心理认同之上。国家自主性如何维系、如何克服自主性自身的悖论、如何吸纳市场经济和社会自治的改革需求成为探讨中国发展道路必须要解决的时代难题。