ISSN 0889-6194 Networking: The Linking of People, Resources and Ideas TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Network . ...................................................................... 1 CUSS Network Advisory Board Members .................................................... 2 Services Available ....................................................................... 3 CUSS Electronic Network ................................................................. 4 Notes From The Editor ................................................................... 5 Articles, Reviews and Reports Considering A PC-based Local Area Network? by G. Puckett .......................................... 5 Research at the Human Performance Institute, U. of Texas at Arlington by George Kondraske .................. 7 Selected Information from Fidonet News ....................................................... 9 Information from the CUSSnet Conference Area ................................................. 11 Selected Listings of Files from Several CUSSnet Nodes ........................................... 13 Members Comments and Activities Network Activities ....................................................................... 17 Research Projects and Reports ............................................................. 17 Health and Mental Health ................................................................. 18 Disabilities ............................................................................ 18 Resources and Materials Electronic Information Resources ............................................................ 18 Newsletters Magazines and Journals ......................................................... 18 Articles .............................................................................. 19 Books and Reports ...................................................................... 19 Software Announcements ................................................................. 19 Resources for the Disabled from Equal BBS ................................................... 20 Braille Institute, Sensory Aids Learning Center, Devices on Display ................................... 22 Upcoming Events . ...................................................................... 23 About the Network Computer Use in Social Services (CUSS) Network is a call 817-273-3966 and type the file in the HELP file area called nonprofit association of professionals interested in exchanging FIDOLIST.80. Communications are at 300-2400 baud, 8 data information and experiences on using computers in the human bits, 1 stop bit and no parity. Almost any computer or terminal services. Members participate in the Network by: and modem will work. • Sending materials for the CUSSN Newsletter, such as: mem­ The Skills Bank allows members to locate or share specif­ ber needs, interests, hardware/software use, activities, ic knowledge, skills and experiences for providing information resources, ideas, experiences, computer applications, and about yourself. Contact Gunther R. Geiss, Adelphi U., School events. of Social Work, Garden City, NY 11530. • Participating in the electronic network , skills bank, software clearinghouse and subgroups . The Software Clearinghouse offers a computerized inven­ • Distributing Newletters at workshops and conferences. (I will tory of commercial and public domain available human serv­ send newsletters to distribute or place on a resource table.) ice software, a software review file, and a software exchange. • Referring vendors to advertise their services and products Contact Walter LaMendola, Professor, School of Social Work, through the CUSSN. U. of Denver, Denver, CO 80208 . • Holding local CUSSN meetings. Local meetings in Dallas/Ft. Special Interest Group (SIGs) are subgroups where sig­ Worth, Chicago , Baltimore and Australia have been nificant networking is occuring on a special topic. successful. Educators SIG, write Wallace Gingerich, School of Social Wel­ Network Dues: $10 individuals , $15 institutions (payable in fare, U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201. U.S. Funds). Contact Dick Schoech, Associate Professor, Hospital Social Services SIG, write Mike King, Director of School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington , Box Social Work and Discharge Planning, Saint Francis Hospital , 19129 , Arlington , TX 76019 . 100 Port Washington Blvd, Roslyn, NY 11576. The Newsletter is published approximately 4 times a year Area Groups: and is sent free to all network members . Back issues $5 each. Baltimore, MD, contact Bob Elkin Professor, U of Maryland , School of Social Work and Community Planning, 525 W. Red­ The Electronic Network (CUSSnet) establishes local bulletin wood Street, Baltimore , MD 21201 boards , national and local mail and file transfer, downloading California, James M. Gardner , Department of Developmen­ of public domain software, and access to numerous reposito­ tal Services, Fairview State Hospital, 2501 Harbor Boulevard , ries of electronically available information on human service Costa Mesa, CA 92626 computing. CUSSnet builds on Fl DON ET, approximately 900 Australia, Floyd Bolitho, La Trobe U., School of Social Work, microcomputer-based local bulletin boards across the U.S. and Bundoora Victoria, Australia, 3083. in 9 continents. Contact Dick Schoech for your local node, or 2 CUSS NETWORK ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Bill Allbritten, Professor, Murray State U., 2004 University Sta., Murray KY 40271 Floyd Bolitho, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, La Trobe U., Bundoora Victoria, Australia 3083 Robert Elkin, Professor, U of Maryland, School of Social Work and Community Planning, 525 W. Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Marilyn Flynn, Professor, U. of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1065 Frieze Bldg., Ann Arbor, Ml 48109 James M. Gardner. Department of Developmental Services, Fairview State Hospital , 2501 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Gunther R. Geiss, Professor , Adelphi U., School of Social Work, Garden City , NY 11530 Wallace Gingerich. Associate Professor, School of Social Welfare, U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee , WI 53201 Steve Ice, Dept. of HHS , Region X, MS 411 , 2901 Third Avde., Seattle, WA 98121 Mike King, DSW, Director Social Work / Discharge Planning , St. Francis Hospital , 100 Port Washington Blvd., Roslyn, NY 11 576 Camille Lambert, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, U. of Toronto, 246 Bloor St., W. , Toronto, Ontario M5S 1 A 1 Walter La Mendola, Professor, School of Social Work, Information Technology Center, U. of Denver, Denver, CO 80208 F Dean Luse, President, Outpst Inc., 119 Wilson, Park Forest, IL 60466 Alain MAZET, 10 Boulevard gambetta, 87000 LIMOGES, France Menachem Monnickendam, PhD, School of Social Work, Bar llan University , Ramat Gan 52100, Israel Stewart Toole, Managing Editor, CASW, City of Birmingham Polytechnic Dept of Soc. & Applied Soc. Studies, Perry Barr, Birmingham, England 842 2SU Thomas Neudecker, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Carnegie Mellon university, 500 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburg, PA 15213 Dick J. Schoech, Associate Professor, U. of Tx at Arlington - Social Work, P.O. Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019- 0129 ANNOU NC I NG The Human Service Software System (HSS) was developed over a three year period with the support and participation of 25 non-profit corporations and the Department of Health and Human Services. The initial response to HSS has been over­ whelmingly positive! HSS is a truly national software system with installations in all 50 states' chapters of the Special Olympics . The Special Olympics had one of the "big eight " accounting firms review HSS, along with 22 other software systems, and HSS was their first choice! All modules are integrated with the General Ledger Module, but each can be operated on a stand alone basis. Each module is priced at $495.00 and is compatible with I BM PC and all PC-compatible computers . No currently available business software has the performance features of HSS, features which are absolute requirements for For Social Service, Public, and grant-receiving , charitable, or non-profit organizations. Call or write for product literature and / or information about a dealer in Non-Profit Organizations your area (Dealer inquiries welcome) . • Accounts Receivable/Client Billing Module • Accounts Payable Module 1216 Grandview Avenue • General Ledger/Budgetary Accounting Module • Payroll Module Pittsburgh , PA 15211 • Development & Fund Raising Module • Client Management Module (412) 481-7330 CUSS Network Newsletter, Winter 1986/87 3 Services Available Vendor/Consultant Contact Person Services Illinois OUTP ST, Inc. F. Dean Luse, Ph.D., Consultation on feasibility and information system planning. Provides Drawer CNC6 CSW, President help with accountability, forms & report design, decision support 119 Wilson St.. (31 2) 7 48-3854 systems, database development, software selection & evaluation, Park Forest, IL 60466 training your staff to use computer systems Extensive micro and mainframe computer experience. Synergistic Office Joseph Zefran, MSW The SOS team of human service/computer professionals help you Systems (SOS) (312) 680-8383 with ready-to-use SOFTWARE exclusively for nonprofits - Fund Ac­ 438 Peterson Road (312) 275-3747 counting, Donor/Fun Raising, Client Service/Receivables - and a full Libertyville, IL 60048 range of SERVICES - feasibility studies, programming, training, and support. Florida Community Service Council Susan K. Buza, Executive Full range of consulting and technical support