Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Public affairs (5)
- Capstone (4)
- Massachusetts (2)
- Access (1)
- Administrators (1)
-
- Authority (1)
- Blind individuals (1)
- Capsone (1)
- Capstones (1)
- Chelsea (1)
- College affordability (1)
- Corrections (1)
- Detroit (1)
- Drug monitoring programs (1)
- Education (1)
- Employment barriers (1)
- FAFSA (1)
- Family cap (1)
- Financial aid (1)
- Financial stress (1)
- Fiscal stress (1)
- Food (1)
- Food insecurity (1)
- Health wellness (1)
- Healthy eating (1)
- Human capital (1)
- Leadership (1)
- Local governance structure (1)
- Local government management (1)
- Low income families (1)
Articles 1 - 9 of 9
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Fiscal Stress In American Municipalities: An Analysis On The Role Of The State As It Relates To Municipal Financial Health, Yong-Hua He
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
While municipal bankruptcy as a whole is rare in the United States, since the Great Recession, fiscal distress in municipalities is common. This is due to the compounding of decreased state aid, declining property values and increased need of services. In these fiscally and administratively challenging times, where the U.S. government is ripe and saddled with political discord, high debt/legacy costs, and decreased economic stability, can cities walk the stringent financial tightrope without falling head first? This research paper addresses the causations leading to municipal fiscal stress, role of the state as it relates to municipal financial health and best …
Snap: An Evaluation Of How Families In A Low Socioecnomic Bracket Decide What To Eat., Kate-Marie Roycroft
Snap: An Evaluation Of How Families In A Low Socioecnomic Bracket Decide What To Eat., Kate-Marie Roycroft
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
The purpose of this research paper is to look at the major factors that influence how SNAP recipients make decisions about food purchases. The secondary purpose of this paper is to touch upon whether or not SNAP recipients suffer disproportionally from food insecurity and obesity-related chronic diseases. Three sets of interviews helped to inform this study: interviews with employees at the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), interviews with researchers who have studied SNAP recipients extensively as part of their work, and interviews with nonprofit coordinators that work with SNAP recipients after they are approved for their benefits. Additional data was …
Challenges Facing Massachusetts Agencies, Richard Ferrari
Challenges Facing Massachusetts Agencies, Richard Ferrari
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
For many residents of Massachusetts corrections is a part of the public sector that remains hidden behind tall walls topped with barbed wire. These walls do not just keep the inmate population on the inside, but keep the public out. This capstone provides a view from inside the walls of our corrections facilities. Interviews with high ranking corrections administrators throughout Massachusetts give an insiders perspective into the challenges facing Massachusetts corrections agencies. Over a billion dollars is spent on corrections in Massachusetts alone. This capstone looks at how that money is spent and the policies that dictate how our corrections …
Chief Executive Structure In Massachusetts Towns: The Relationship Between Authority Levels And Leadership Opportunities, Maureen A. Thomas .
Chief Executive Structure In Massachusetts Towns: The Relationship Between Authority Levels And Leadership Opportunities, Maureen A. Thomas .
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
Throughout Massachusetts towns and cities there are various organizational and chief executive structures that dictate levels of authority and leadership opportunities. Drawing mostly from the literature on city forms of government, this research explores the authority-level variations among town administrators and town managers in Massachusetts and examines how authority levels relate to leadership opportunities. A mixed methods approach is used via a survey instrument to the 215 Massachusetts town administrators and town managers, 7 in-depth interviews, and secondary data review. Levels of chief executive authority and leadership were found to vary widely among the 94 survey respondents. While quantitative results …
Family Cap: An Evaluation Of Child Exclusion Policies In Massachusetts, Gregory Ashe
Family Cap: An Evaluation Of Child Exclusion Policies In Massachusetts, Gregory Ashe
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
Between 1992 and 1998, 24 states including Massachusetts adopted provisions specifically designed to reduce the fertility rates of welfare recipients. These adopted measures became known as Family Caps. Under Family Cap, families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance would not receive increased aid for having another child. Proponents of this measure believe that by eliminating the financial incentive to have additional children, individuals on welfare would subsequently have smaller families. In this paper, I have used the most up-to-date TANF national data file to determine if an association between states with a family Cap provision and the …
A Case Study Of The Regulations Imposed Upon Massachusetts' Prescription Monitoring Program, Meredith Rodman
A Case Study Of The Regulations Imposed Upon Massachusetts' Prescription Monitoring Program, Meredith Rodman
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
This case study focuses on the effectiveness of the recent regulations imposed upon Massachusetts’s prescription monitoring program. Abuse and/or misuse of prescription opioids is becoming increasingly problematic within the United States and as a result many policy makers are looking for ways to combat the problem. In Massachusetts, the OxyContin and Heroin Commission was established to investigate the impact of both OxyContin and heroin on the state. The Commission delivered recommendations that eventually led the state legislature to make changes to Massachusetts’s prescription monitoring program. This study targeted five major stakeholder groups and asked a series of questions through interviews …
Financial Aid Administration: Effect And Innovation, Brendan Williams
Financial Aid Administration: Effect And Innovation, Brendan Williams
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
As college costs continue to rise, the importance of financial aid to create equitable access to higher education has also risen. This increase in importance of financial aid has coincided with an increase in the complication of the financial aid process. This paper explores challenges of financial aid administration, the effect of financial aid, and potential innovations in the field. Through one-on-one interviews with administrators, students, college access organization employees and a college access researcher the common themes are explored highlighted. The qualitative analysis of these interviews revealed the financial aid process to be complicated and burdensome for everyone involved, …
Health And Wellness Programs In Massachusetts' Public Sector, Andrew Sullivan
Health And Wellness Programs In Massachusetts' Public Sector, Andrew Sullivan
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
This paper analyzes the availability of workplace health and wellness programs among Commonwealth of Massachusetts and municipal employees within the state. In addition, it evaluates the decision-making process that goes into building such a system as well as the benefits and limitations of health and wellness programs at both the municipal and state level. Within the employee base, the decisions related to healthy living are investigated, such as eating habits, exercise frequency and priority of living a healthy lifestyle. When compared between groups, it was found that municipal employees have a higher likelihood of living a healthy lifestyle compared to …
An Analysis Of Employment Barriers Facing Blind People, William O'Donnell
An Analysis Of Employment Barriers Facing Blind People, William O'Donnell
Public Affairs Capstones Collection
Blind people, the target population being analyzed, possibly face higher rates of unemployment or underemployment compared to others with disabilities. They face higher poverty rates than any other minority group or group of people with disabilities. Typically, various statistics cite that 70% of working-aged blind people are not in the workforce. Federal acts have been implemented to increase employment outcomes in an attempt to improve employment outcomes for all with disabilities. The ADA and ADAAA been implemented to mitigate and/or eliminate barriers. This study used qualitative research to analyze data from participants to investigate whether or not they were employed …