ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: The National Association of Social Workers, Inc. (NASW) was created in 1955 by a merger of seven predecessor social work organizations to unify the profession; to advance professional practice and standards; and to improve social service policies and programs in services to the community. Primary functions of NASW include: professional development of members, creation and maintenance of professional standards of social work practice, and the advancement of sound social services policies and programs and membership services.

REGIONAL OR STATE OFFICES: There are 55 chapters (one in each state), New York City, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Europe, and the District of Columbia.

PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: NASW News, a monthly newspaper; Social Work Journal, bi-monthly. Quarterly Journals are: Health and Social Work, Social Work Research and Abstracts, Practice Digest and Social Work in Education.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: The National Association of State Boards of Education's (NASBE) overall objective is to strengthen the tradition of citizen control of public education in the United States. NASBE provides training, conferences and conventions, evaluation and consultation to State Boards of Education. Some of NASBE's special projects include career education training, vocational education training for the handicapped, training for the implementation of Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, promoting collaboration between CETA prime sponsors and local education agencies, teacher training in the implementation of Public Law 94-142, "Education for all Handicapped Children". NASBE is presently working on a three-year Adolescent Parenthood Project to study school policies and programs for schoolage parents.

REGIONAL OR STATE OFFICES: There are no regional or state offices. For information on state board representatives, contact the Washington, D.C. office.

PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: Newsletters: Focus and Potomac Review, two monograph series-The Imperative of Leadership and Perspectives on Consumer Education. There are also published books and other resources available upon request.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: The National Coalition for Children's Justice (NCCJ) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the conditions for children incarcerated in jails, reformatories, mental hospitals, and residential facilities. The major emphasis of NCCJ's activities is its intense media campaign designed to sensitize the American public to the systematic abuse of institutionalized children in the country. NCCJ is developing permanent coalitions among mass membership organizations in selected states, which will assume the responsibility for monitoring and upgrading conditions of children in public care.

REGIONAL OR STATE OFFICES: There are no regional or state offices. For information contact the office in New Jersey.

PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: A listing of publications is available through the office.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: National Commission on Resources for Youth (NCRY) is a national information sharing and helping network on youth participation programs. NCRY seeks out creative youth programs where teenagers assume challenging responsive roles in activities that affect others and meet community needs. NCRY will share information on youth participation programs with local community agencies throughout the country. The primary purpose of NCRY is to promote the development of quality programs that contribute to youth development.

REGIONAL OR STATE OFFICES: There are no regional or state offices. For information contact the New York office.

PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: Quarterly Newsletter, Resources for Youth. A list of all publications and educational materials is available through the New York office.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: The National Congress of Parents and Teachers is the nation's largest child advocacy group, representing-over 61⁄2 million parents and teachers. The PTA is committed to a continuing course of action that will bring the system of public education closer to excellence and all children closer to being direct beneficiaries of the improved system. In addition to working within the public school environment, the PTA is also committed to making the home environment a positive and healthy experience for children, with parents assuming the role of "coordinate educator" along with teachers. The PTA hosts many education projects for students, parents and teachers; projects include the "Comprehensive School-Community Health Education Project". Six innovative programs have been developed in pilot states. Each program illustrates how to build coalitions in communities to bring about school/community health education. The National PTA recently opened a Washington, D.C. Office of Governmental Relations, which will focus on legislation and related issues.

REGIONAL OR STATE OFFICES: There are 52 state offices. A directory is available upon request.

PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: A list is available upon request through local PTA chapters.