Mark L. Goldstein

The Digital Television (DTV) Transition and Public Safety Act requires all full-power TV stations in the U.S. to cease analog broadcasting by Feb. 17, 2009. Low-power stations are not required to cease analog transmissions and most will continue broadcasting in analog. Fed. law also requires the National Telecomm. and Info. Admin. to subsidize consumers¿ purchases of digital-to-analog converter boxes. This testimony provides info. on: (1) technical and coord. issues facing full-power broadcast stations as they transition to digital; (2) issues pertaining to low-power broadcasting and how they affect consumers; and (3) the extent to which Amer. households are aware of the DTV transition and likely to utilize the converter box subsidy program.

Broadcasters¿ Transition Status, Low-Power Station Issues, and Information on Consumer Awareness of the DTV Transition

Digital Television Transition

The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires all full-power TV stations in the U.S. to cease analog broadcasting after Feb. 17, 2009, known as the digital television (DTV) transition. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is responsible for implementing a subsidy program to provide households with up to two $40 coupons toward the purchase of converter boxes. This report examines: (1) what consumer education efforts have been undertaken by private and fed. stakeholders; and (2) how effective NTIA has been in implementing the converter box subsidy program, and to what extent consumers are participating in the program. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.

Implementation of the Converter Box Subsidy Program Is Under Way, But Preparedness to Manage and Increase in Subsidy Demand Is Unclear

Digital TV Transition

The U.S. is currently undergoing a transition from analog to digital broadcast TV (DTV), which offers the promise of more TV programming options, interactive TV, & high-definition TV. This report provides: (1) stakeholder views on Americans' knowledge of the DTV transition; (2) stakeholder views on how government & industry might most effectively communicate critical DTV info.; & (3) info. on efforts by Germany & the UK to inform their citizens about the DTV transitions taking place in those countries. Information for this report was obtained from a variety of stakeholders, including companies in several key industry segments, gov't. officials, telecomm. experts, FCC staff, & rep. from industry trade & consumer groups. Charts & tables.

Issues Related to an Information Campaign Regarding the Transition

The Federal Protective Service (FPS), as part of the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for providing security services to about 9,000 federal facilities. In recent years, FPS downsized its workforce from 1,400 to about 1,000 full-time employees. In 2008, there was concern about the impact that downsizing had on FPS's mission. In FY 2008 and 2009 Congress mandated FPS maintain no fewer than 1,200 employees. This report determines the extent to which: (1) FPS has hired and trained new staff to address its mandated staffing levels; (2) FPS has developed a strategic human capital plan to manage its current and future workforce needs; and (3) FPS's customers are satisfied with the services it provides. Illustrations.

Federal Protective Service Should Improve Human Capital Planning and Better Communicate with Tenants

Homeland Security

Stephen J. Morewitz

There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of certain chronic disorders among children and adolescents. For example, health experts warn of an epidemic of diabetes mellitus due to an increase in the sedentary life style and poor nutrition of children. There are many questions still to be addressed in the study of chronic disorders among children and adolescents.What are the risk factors associated with chronic diseases in these populations?What are the major complications that contribute to disability and increased health care utilization and costs? What impact do chronic diseases have on the psychosocial development? What are the most effective diagnostic, treatment,and rehabilitation strategies? How can patient education and self-management activities be improved to help children and adolescents improve compliance with treatment regimens? How can parents and other family members become more involved in assessment and management? In what ways can peers, schools,religious institutions, and other organizations help children and adolescent scope with their chronic disease? This book addresses these questions by focusing on how eight chronic disorders affect health care utilization, costs, coping, and health outcomes in children and adolescents.Research studies are used to illustrate wide range of topics from the epidemiology of chronic diseases in children and adolescents, health care utilization and costs, to treatment outcomes, disability, and family processes.Case studies from a clinical psychologist’s private practice are used to clarify major psychosocial issues underlying chronic diseases in these populations. Chapter One analyzes the epidemiology of eight chronic conditions in children and adolescents. Data on the prevalence of diseases and associated risk factors are stressed in this chapter. Health care planners can use these analyses to improve primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention through more effective uses of health care resources. Chapter Two examines the latest information on health care utilization and costs for children and adolescents that can point to a more efficient means of reducing the rising health care costs associated with the treatment of chronic diseases. In the remaining chapters, the eight chronic diseases are evaluated in terms of five major issues. First, the latest trends in complications associated with each chronic condition are explored.Second, the impact of each disease on disability and psychosocial development of children and adolescents are analyzed. Third, recent research findings on diagnosis,treatment, and rehabilitation strategies are discussed. Fourth, new trends in patient education and self-management are presented. Fifth, each chapter will assess the role of family, peers, schools, and other organizations in helping children and adolescents cope with their chronic disorders. Dr. Mark L. Goldstein, a clinical psychologist, reviews the literature and uses composite case studies from his practice to illustrate the impact of these trends on how children and adolescents manage chronic disease. The information in this book will be relevant to a wide range of professionals and students in the fields of pediatrics, medicine, nursing, public health, mental health, social work,education, health administration, health policy, and social sciences.

Chronic Disorders in Children and Adolescents

The Digital TV Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires all full-power TV stations in the U.S. to cease analog broadcasting after Feb. 17, 2009, known as the digital TV transition. The Nat. Telecomm. and Info. Admin. (NTIA) is responsible for implementing a subsidy program to provide households with up to two $40 coupons toward the purchase of converter boxes. In this testimony, which is principally based on a recently issued report, the author examines: (1) what consumer education efforts have been undertaken by private and fed. stakeholders; and (2) how effective NTIA has been in implementing the converter box subsidy program, and to what extent consumers are participating in the program. Illustrations.

Congressional Testimony

Digital TV Transition: Information on the Implementation of the Converter Box Subsidy Program and Consumer Participation in the Program

This authoritative reference brings together leading experts for up-to-date theory, findings, and guidelines on the core aspects of child custody evaluations. Contributors offer steps for gathering more accurate family data through home observations, interviews, and collateral information. Chapters examine psychological assessment tools commonly used in evaluations, including measures relating to parenting competencies, mental illness, domestic violence, and substance abuse, and consider increasingly salient issues such as relocation and families in therapy. The section on case studies shows best practices applied in real-life custody situations, and a chapter authored by a family court judge offers rarely-seen perspective from the bench. Featured in the Handbook: · A survey of ethical and professional issues. · Observing and interviewing children, adolescents, and adults. · Psychological assessment and personality testing. · A detailed review of the Bricklin scales. · Specialized issues, including parental alienation, attachment, cults, and more. · Illustrative case studies and psychological reports. Mental health professionals who conduct child custody evaluations, including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists clinical social workers, family and marriage counselors, and licensed clinical professional counselors, will appreciate the Handbook of Child Custody. Family law attorneys will also find the Handbook useful in assisting them in child custody litigation. Its thorough coverage will aid evaluators in making recommendations that are professional, ethical, and impartial, and family lawyers in understanding the evaluation process and preparing for expert testimony.

Handbook of Child Custody

To accomplish its mission of protecting about 9,000 fed. facilities, the Federal Protective Service (FPS) has a budget of $1 billion, 1,225 full-time employees, and 15,000 contract security guards. This report assesses the challenges FPS faces in managing its guard contractors, overseeing guards deployed at fed. facilities, and the actions, if any, FPS has taken to address these challenges. To address these objectives, the report conducted site visits at 6 of FPS's 11 regions; interviewed FPS officials, guards, and contractors. It also conducted covert testing at 10 judgmentally selected level IV facilities in four cities. A level IV facility has over 450 employees and a high volume of public contact. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Mark L. Goldstein

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