Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Annual Report 2021-2022, Elizabeth Winchester, Jada Thomas-Smith, Harleen Sandhu, Aimee H. Moles, Judith L. F. Rhodes

Reports

Child abuse and neglect is a leading factor in the staggeringly high rates of child mortality in Louisiana. In 2017, Louisiana had 44,793 total referrals for child abuse and neglect of which 19,851 were investigated (CWLA, 2019). Child abuse and neglect can have multiple detrimental effects on a child’s physical, psychological, and behavioral health. Effective prevention efforts are critical to ensuring the immediate and long-term safety and well-being of children in Louisiana. Each year, LCTF selects high-quality proposals and funds a range of prevention efforts to protect children, strengthen family well-being, and educate the public about children’s safety. Local, national, …

What Is Working To Reduce Violent Crime? Evidence-Based Solutions, Elizabeth Winchester, Timothy T. Reling, Kristina Little, Leanna Cupit, Melanie Fields, Judith F. Rhodes

Reports

The purpose of this review is to examine and evaluate current approaches to reducing violent crime. The review reports on supportive techniques, strategies, programs, and practices that are evidence-informed to combat criminal activity, delinquency, and community disorder. Ineffective techniques, strategies, and programs are also included. The review provides potential strategies and programs that require additional empirical research to show whether they work. This review includes the integration of education, employment, social services, and public health services into efforts to reduce crime and ease the burden on law enforcement and justice systems. Recommendations for reducing violent crime are included.

The Criminal Justice Response To The Opioid Crisis In East Baton Rouge Parish, Elizabeth Winchester, Kristina Little, Timothy T. Reling, Gabriele Richardson, Judith F. Rhodes

Reports

This report describes: 1) the history and current state of the opioid crisis in East Baton Rouge Parish; 2) the current and planned efforts of the Innovative Prosecution Solutions for Combating Violent Crime and Illegal Opioids (IPS) grant to respond to the crisis; and 3) recommendations for criminal justice practitioners regarding the opioid crisis in our community. The goal of the IPS grant is to reduce opioid-related deaths by fostering interagency collaboration to disrupt local opioid supply chains, educate the community about the dangers of opioid abuse and addiction, and provide support for individuals with opioid use disorder.

The rising …

Drug Use Behaviors: 2020 Treatment Providers Survey, Dataset, And Interview Final Reports, Jeanette Harder, December Lange Treacy, Liam Heerten-Rodriguez, Jodi Gabel, Daniel Kreuzberg, Rachel Lubischer, Jennifer L. Smith

Reports

The purpose of this needs assessment is to deepen DOP’s (NE DHHS Drug Overdose Prevention (DOP) program) understanding of individuals’ drug use behaviors in Nebraska through the lens of treatment providers.

The results of this study will aid DOP in providing training and other resources to treatment centers, focusing prevention efforts, and informing their strategic plan and future studies. Ultimately, this study will support DOP’s efforts to reduce opioid-involved fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Nebraska.

Staying Ahead Of Substance Abuse: The Changing Landscape Of Marijuana Use, Jennifer Smith, Pamela Ashley, Jeanette Harder

Reports

In their comprehensive report, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) (2017) concludes that the United States is in a pivotal time in the world of cannabis policy and research one in which “Shifting public sentiment, conflicting and impeded scientific research, and legislative battles have fueled the debate about what, if any, harms or benefits can be attributed to the use of cannabis or its derivatives” (p. 2).

Dop-Coroners’ Study 2019 Final Report: Assessing Coroners’ Needs, Brittany Willmore, B. Shine Cho, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) partnered with Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to assess the needs of Nebraska county coroners in conducting drug overdose death investigations.

To develop a clear understanding of the Nebraska county coroners’ needs, STEPs conducted an online survey of 91 county coroners who are serving 93 Nebraska counties, according to Nebraska DHHS’s internal data. STEPs administered the survey on July 23, 2019, and closed it on August 16, 2019. 28 people participated in the survey and 25 completed it, giving a …

Drug Use Behaviors: A Needs Assessment Of Treatment Providers, Rachel Lubischer, Jodi Gabel, Lynn Castrianno, Kristina Faimon, Dawne Frain, Jeanette Harder, Josie Schafer, Gaylene Armstrong

Reports

The goal of this needs assessment is to better understand individuals’ drug-use behaviors in Nebraska through the lens of treatment providers. The results of this study will aid the Drug Overdose Prevention (DOP) program in providing training and other resources to treatment centers, focusing prevention efforts, and informing the statewide crisis response plan and future studies. Ultimately, this study will support DOP’s efforts to reduce opioid-involved fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Nebraska.

Drug Use Behaviors: A Review Of National And State Trends In The Literature, Dawne Frain, Rachel Lubischer, Lynn Castrianno, Jeanette Harder

Reports

Purpose
This report informs a needs assessment to gauge drug-use behaviors, treatment needs, and prevention efforts through the lens of treatment providers across Nebraska.

Methodology
After determining the scope of the literature review in collaboration with DHHS, researchers gathered relevant information from a variety of sources. The primary areas of interest include:

• National and Nebraska statistics.
• Prevention.
• Initiation to drug use.
• Treatment.

Data Sources Used
This literature review includes a combination of scholarly articles, federal and state agency documents, and key stakeholder publications. Local news sources were also reviewed to capture current information relevant to Nebraska.

Impact Of Hotel/Motel Trainings On Realizing, Recognizing, And Responding To Human Trafficking, Rachel Lubischer, Jodi Gabel, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The Coalition on Human Trafficking (CHT) is focused on bringing trafficking awareness and prevention to the Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, communities, as well as building coalitions regionally, nationally, and internationally. Because hotels and motels are a trafficking hotspot, CHT launched their “Realize, Recognize, and Respond” campaign in 2016 to train hotel-motel staff within a 50-mile radius of Omaha.

The Coalition on Human Trafficking (CHT) partnered with Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to conduct an assessment of CHT’s Hotel/Motel Training Program between April 1, 2018 and May 31, …

Drug Overdose Prevention: Needs Of Healthcare Professionals And First Responders, Jessica Groeneweg, Lynn Castrianno, Gaylene Armstrong, Jeanette Harder, Rachel Lubischer, Dawne Frain

Reports

Purpose and Background
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) partnered with Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Grace Abbott School of Social Work, to complete a statewide needs assessment between October 2018 and April 2019. The purpose of this needs assessment was to gauge the capacity of statewide systems in Nebraska to respond to surges or clusters of intentional, unintentional, and unknown drug overdoses, especially in high-burden areas and with a focus on opioids. The hope of the results from this needs assessment is to inform DHHS …

Sexual Violence Prevention Best Practices For Nebraska Rpe, December Lange Treacy, Claire Rynearson, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The purpose of this report is to provide sexual violence prevention advocates and practitioners in Nebraska with support in choosing evidence-based or evidence-informed programs for implementation in their communities.

The beginning sections of this report will provide you with background information and a foundation for selecting a model. This includes information on the socio-ecological model, CDC strategies and approaches, evidence-based programs, evidence-informed practices, fidelity, appropriate adaptations, and considerations for rural communities. Our hope is for this information to provide you with the resources you need to determine what type of evidence-based or evidence-informed practice will be the best fit for …

2019 Evaluation Report For Omaha Girls Rock–A Youth Empowerment Organization, Dawne Frain, Jessica Groeneweg, Jeanette Harder

Reports

Purpose of Evaluation
Omaha Girls Rock invited Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to assess processes and outcomes for the 2019 Girls Rock summer camp program. STEPs evaluators endeavored to discover the degree to which Girls Rock achieved program outcomes of growth mindset, confidence, skill development, teamwork, and future focus for participants in their 2019 summer camp. STEPs evaluators accomplished this by 1) observing and recording behaviors during a full day of camp programming, 2) analyzing camper survey data and demographics provided by Girls Rock, and 3) conducting post-camp phone …

Coalition Building And Community Mobilization Measurement Tools For Sexual Violence Prevention With Nebraska Rpe, December Lange Treacy, Claire Rynearson, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The purpose of this report is to provide sexual violence advocates and practitioners in Nebraska with measurement tools for evaluating sexual violence prevention at the community and societal levels.

The beginning sections of this report will provide you with an overview of how to use the report. It includes the definitions we used to provide additional information about each of the measurement tools. There are also examples of the types of outcomes the tools may measure. The beginning section ends with important tips on how to use the measurement tools. The majority of the report is dedicated to the measurement …

Sexual Violence Prevention Education Measurement Tools For Nebraska Rpe, December Lange Treacy, Claire Rynearson, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The purpose of this report is to provide sexual violence prevention advocates and practitioners in Nebraska with measurement tools for evaluating their sexual violence prevention education programs.

The beginning sections of this report will provide you with an overview of how to use the report. It includes the definitions we used to provide additional information about each of the measurement tools. There are also examples of the types of outcomes the tools may measure. These outcomes, and therefore the tools, were selected based on the logic models completed by 16 RPE fund recipients during STEPs trainings in the summer and …

Drug Overdose Prevention: Promising Practices, Dawne Frain, Rachel Lubischer, Jessica Groeneweg, Lynn Castrianno, Jeanette Harder, Gaylene Armstrong

Reports

This report on best practices informs a needs assessment on the capacity of Nebraska systems to respond to surges or clusters of intentional, unintentional, and unknown drug overdoses, especially in high burden areas and with a focus on opioids.

2018 Evaluation Report For Omaha Girls Rock – A Youth Empowerment Organization, Rachel Lubischer, Tova Hettinger, Jessica Groeneweg, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The STEPs evaluation team partnered with Omaha Girls Rock to complete an outcome evaluation of Omaha Girls Rock camps held in the summer of 2018. To accomplish the evaluation, STEPs used both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The results and program recommendations are outlined below.

Dreamweaver Foundation Impact Study: Fulfilling Lifelong Dreams For Terminally Ill Seniors In Need, Pamela Ashley, Natalie Scarpa

Reports

Dreamweaver Foundation describes their work as “...fulfill(ing) lifelong dreams for terminally ill seniors in need.” This impact study was designed to provide evidence of how the Foundation is making a difference in the lives of the dreamers and their families. This study applied a systematic and objective approach to understanding the impact of the Dreamweaver Foundation by conducting and analyzing interviews with a representative group of dreamers and their families. The richness of their experiences was captured through these interviews and analyzed to identify themes of impact. In order to provide a solid foundation for the interview process, the study …

Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership (Encap), Community Needs Assessment: Douglas And Sarpy Counties, Jeanette Harder, Tova Hettinger, Keyonna King, Jerry Deichert

Reports

The mission of ENCAP is “to eliminate the causes of poverty by strengthening individuals, families, and communities through self-sufficiency initiatives in Douglas and Sarpy counties.”

As shown in the logic model below, ENCAP currently provides behavioral health, nutrition, family development, and transportation services. The logic model shows outputs and short-term outcomes as expected results of providing these services, as well as the resources needed to accomplish these outcomes. Serving people at 125% of the poverty line and below, ENCAP’s long-term outcomes are to assist individuals and families in achieving economic security, having improved mental health, increased access to food, having …

2017 Final Evaluation Report For Better Together, Jeanette Harder, Heather Bird, Jodi Mcquillen, Jieru Bai, Pamela Ashley, Joseph Forrest, Natalie Scarpa

Reports

Program Description
Heartland Family Service (HFS) partnered with Nebraska Families Collaborative (NFC) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) to begin Better Together, a comprehensive support service program for families affected by substance abuse in Omaha, Nebraska. Better Together seeks to prevent infant abandonment by increasing wellbeing, improving permanency, and enhancing the safety of infants and young children who have been exposed to dangerous drugs.

Utilizing a community-based treatment setting, Better Together provides intensive outpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment to families impacted by substance abuse. NDHHS and NFC identify families as being at risk for out-of-home …

Avenue Scholars Foundation: Pregnant & Parenting Students, Jodi Mcquillen, Jessica Groeneweg, Andrea Bradley, Jeanette Harder

Reports

Dates of Study: October 2015 - December 2015.

Purpose of Study: To answer the following questions...

• What are the experiences of being a teen/ young parent in the Avenue Scholars program?
• What factors are leading parenting scholars to remain in the program?
• What factors have led former program participants to drop out of the program?

Promoting The Participation Of Seldom Heard Young People: A Review Of The Literature On Best Practice Principles, Cathy Kelleher, Mairéad Seymour, Ann Marie Halpenny

Reports

The purpose of this research was to review national and international literature on the participation of seldom heard young people and to identify best practice principles in the field. Key objectives were: to provide a detailed account of what is meant by s eldom heard children and young people; to examine the core aspects of participation as well as the barriers and challenges to participation for seldom heard children and young people; to identify approaches which can improve the inclus ion of seldom heard children and young people in decision-making that affects their lives. The project aimed to integrate the …

Speech And Language Therapy Service Evaluation Report, Noirin Hayes, Siobhán Keegan, Eimer Goulding

Reports

Based in Tallaght West, CDI is the result of the professionalism, passion and persistence of a group of 23 concerned individuals and organisations living and working in the community who had a vision of a better place for children. Through innovative partnerships, they brought together an approach which drew on both the science and the spirit of best practice in order to meet the identified needs of children and families. A partnership was agreed between the Government and The Atlantic Philanthropies, and the consortium’s first piece of work was a needs analysis entitled How are our Kids? (CDI, 2004). A …

Evaluation Of The Spokes Programme: Executive Summary, Tanya Lalor, Gerard Doyle, Focus Ireland

Reports

The Spokes programme is an education, training and employment service provided by Focus Ireland since 2002 to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The aim of Spokes is to assist people to move on from homelessness by providing an alternative way of learning, through education and employment that is tailored to individuals needs. The number of people Spokes has worked with has consistently increased since the establishment of the programme – with 357 customers accessing the service in 2008 (this represents a 108% growth in the number of service users in just one year, i.e. 2007-2008). …

Learning Through Life: A Study Of Older People With Literacy Difficulties In Ireland: Executive Summary, Tanya Lalor, Gerard Doyle, Adele Mckenna, Aoife Fitzsimons

Reports

There has been limited research conducted with older people with literacy difficulties in the past. Hence, there is little known about the factors that could affect older people’s decisions about learning in later life, about what and how they choose to learn, and about what role learning plays in their life as they grow older. NALA sought to address this gap in the literature when it undertook a study in 2008 entitled ‘It’s never too late to learn’.1 The primary objective of the research was the systematic investigation of the coping strategies that older literacy learners identify as most effective …

Our Opinions Matter: An Action Research Project With Parents And Children In The Canal Communities: Final Report, Noirin Hayes, Jonathan Ilan, Sinead Kelly

Reports

No abstract provided.

A Place For Children? Children In Families Living In Emergency Accommodation: The Perspectives Of Children, Parents And Professionals, Ann Marie Halpenny, Anna Fiona Keogh, Robbie Gilligan

Reports

Homelessness affects the lives of an increasing number of children in Dublin. Research by Focus Ireland indicated that 1,262 children were living with their parent(s) in Bed and Breakfast (B&B) emergency accommodation in 1999 (Houghton & Hickey, 2000). More recent figures from the Northern Area Health Board (NAHB) Homeless Service show that 20% of first time referrals to emergency accommodation in the past year were families with 827 children. Much of the available information on these children’s well-being comes from studies on the health care needs and access to health care services of families living in emergency accommodation (Smith, McGee, …

Study On Street Children In Four Selected Towns In Ethiopia, Kevin Lalor, Angela Veale, Azeb Adefrisew, Unicef, University College Cork

Reports

The child is the most precious asset and the focal point of development for any country. However, unless children are brought up in a stimulating and conducive environment getting the best possible care and protection, their physical, mental, emotional and social development is susceptible to permanent damage. Ethiopia, being one of the least developed countries of the world due to interrelated and complex socio-economic factors including man-made and natural calamities, a large portion of our population - especially children - are victimized by social evils like famine, disease, poverty, mass displacement, lack of education and family instability. Owing to the …