Crossroads: Cooperative Transagency Program for Preschool Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Children. Final Report, November 1987-November 1990.

This final report of a project to serve culturally/linguistically diverse (C/LD) children (ages birth to 5) in Erie County (New York) presents a project overview, a summary of project outcomes, results of agency and parent evaluation, and conclusions. Project CROSSROADS (Cooperative Transagency Program for Preschool Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Children), had four main goals: (1) development of a comprehensive case management system for C/LD children; (2) identification of unserved C/LD preschoolers with handicapping or at-risk conditions; (3) provision of support services to families, agency staff and caregivers; and (4) development of a regional resource network. Major program successes are identified including continuation of the demonstration model; recognized success of the parent partner approach; continuation of the multicultural task force; and effectiveness of inservice training. Problems are also identified. These included: limited C/LD enrollment and resources; start-up and enrollment maintenance problems; continuous staff training; absence of specialists; expense; recruitment of cultural informants; staff recruitment; and limitations in direct service delivery. Recommendations for replication are also offered. Appended are the program's theoretical/philosophical rationale and recollections of a parent partner. (DB)