Social Work Commons^™

Effectiveness Of The Whytry Curriculum With Adults Participating In A Vocational Training Program, Erika Kern

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research project is to evaluate the effectiveness of the WhyTry curriculum with adults participating in a vocational training program specifically to develop retail skills. WhyTry is an interactive, multisensory program used to motivate participants to change patterns of indifference by using analogies, videos, and music to stimulate and inspire them to succeed. The curriculum has elements of Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Social and Emotional Intelligence, and multi-sensory learning (WhyTry, 2011). My research question is as follows: Is the WhyTry curriculum effective in increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy with adults who are participating in a vocational training program? …

Computer-Based Training: Understanding Mental Health Civil Commitment, Tiffany Sandbo

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this training is to enhance health and mental health professionals’ knowledge about the mental health civil commitment law and process in Minnesota. The goal is upon completion of this training: 1)Trainees will understand the mental health civil commitment law and process in Minnesota. 2)Trainees will understand your role in the mental health civil commitment process.

Factors That Contribute To Patient Length Of Stay At St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, Brenda Karch

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This research project employed a quantitative review of archived data comprised of patients that had been discharged from St. Peter Regional Treatment Center between 2002-2010. These patients were admitted to Minnesota Security Hospital for treatment and progressed through the program to Forensic Transition Services and eventually discharged to the community.

Best Practices For Working With Undocumented Latino Youth, Elizabeth J. Braun

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research Question: What are evidence supported individual, group and community practices to address the needs of Latino youth experiencing mental health issues related to undocumented legal status and risk of deportation?

Best Practice In Working With The Somali Population, Ilhan Duale

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Since the early 1990s, the state of Minnesota has had an unprecedented increase in refugees from Somalia. These individuals have emigrated from a war-zone country and arrived in the United States with a range of trauma-related injuries and mental health issues. As a result, Somali individuals and families who have migrated to the United States will require physical and mental health support. There is, however, a lack of research on effective interventions with Somali individuals and families. With the stigma that surrounds mental health and negative cultural views of mental health in the Somali population, practitioners at Comunidades Latinas Unidas …

Needs Assessment For A Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Outpatient Services, Mary Beth Patterson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research has indicated there is limited specialist multidisciplinary care in non-metropolitan regions and rural communities for eating disorder treatment, leaving patients and professionals dissatisfied with quality of care. The purpose of this project was to assess the need for multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment service in South-Central Minnesota, and if so, to obtain information about the current patient population and treatment of such patients.

Recommendations For The Provision Of Patient Activities, Jean Schlichting

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Federal Code § 485.645 is entitled “Special requirements for CAH (Critical Access Hospital) providers of long-term care services (“swing beds”).” It states that a CAH must be in substantial compliance with the skilled nursing facility requirements found in § 483. § 483.15 states that the facility must provide a comprehensive activities program that is designed to meet the physical, mental and psychosocial interests and needs of each patient. To ensure the program is meeting the interests and needs of patients, it also states that a comprehensive activities assessment should be completed with each patient. A wealth of research finds that …

Natural Connections: A Recommendation To Implement An Animal Assisted Therapy (Aat) Program Within The Shakopee Mdewakantonsioux Community, Heidi Simon

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Currently the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community does not have an Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) program. The purpose of this project was to research AAT programs that exist in First Nation Communities. The ultimate goal was to present evidence to support the implementation of a culturally based AAT program into the current mental health model within the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The Animal Assisted Therapeutic Learning (ATTL) program would incorporate traditional beliefs with contemporary ways of life in regard to healing and mental health.

Shelter Program For Homeless Males With Substance Use And Mental Illness: A Strength And Effectiveness Based Approach, Kotatee Tamba

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Homelessness represents one of the United States most pressing and complex problems. Approximately, nine percent of the nation’s homeless are considered to be rural. Locally, homelessness in Steele County continues to be a problem. A one night survey of homeless individuals in southeastern Minnesota revealed that there are 217 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. Homeless males have been found to be at greater risk of becoming homeless and tend to remain homeless for longer periods of time. The high risks associated with substance use, lack of adequate shelters and limited access to health care services in rural communities …

Housing With Support Marketing Study Tool, Gary M. Travis

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Housing for persons with serious mental illness (SMI) that is permanent, affordable, and supportive is very limited because the availability of these resources is inadequate and subject to significant demand by persons that are disabled or on a limited income. The limited access to housing for persons with SMI is contributing to homelessness and Minnesota has seen a steady rise since 1994 in the rate and number of people that are homeless and coping with mental illness (Wilder Research, 2010a). While some of the impact of disability, homelessness, and limited affordable housing access is known, what remains uncertain is a …

Improving Communication And Team Cohesion In A Long Term Care Facility, Jen Watson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this Capstone project was to provide a staff development training that was researched based and educational. The training focused primarily on communication with a secondary emphasis on team cohesion. Training aimed to equip staff with skills and knowledge useful for working within various systems

The Power Of Service Work: Developing A Consumer Volunteer Program For The House Of Hope, Inc., Darcy Wennes

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

House of Hope, Inc. (HOH) is a rural residential chemical dependency treatment center serving adults over the age of 18. HOH is a non-profit non-sectarian agency. Many clients at HOH have a dual diagnosis of chemical dependency and mental illness. Consumers at HOH are encouraged to volunteer, but are given limited support to do so. They have several hours in their day where there is no programming, and many consumers feel bored and unproductive. The literature suggests that there is a relationship between volunteer work carried out by consumers and their personal feelings of empowerment (Cohen, 2009) . Consumers’ feelings …

Best Practices Of A Social Worker's Role In Supporting Family Caregivers Enrolled In Hospice Care, Jessie Wolf

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to explore best practices are for hospice social worker’s providing care to family caregivers enrolled in hospice. This project explored processes and assessment tools that other hospice agencies in rural Minnesota utilized while caring for the family members of hospice patients. The information obtained was used to provide recommendations to Mayo Clinic Health System- Mankato Hospice program to further improve the hospice programming and the social worker’s role.

Effective Trauma Assessment Tools For Women With Severe Mental Illness, Heather A. Bangu

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Minnesota Security Hospital (MSH) serves individuals under civil commitment as Mentally Ill and Dangerous by the State of Minnesota. MSH is evaluating its practices to ensure the treatment environment encompasses a recovery oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed program. Understanding and assessing trauma will assist clinicians in providing patients with the most effective and efficient treatment (Carlson, 1997). Long term negative outcomes exists for individuals with severe mental illness who have experienced trauma including more severe psychiatric symptoms, substance abuse, and homelessness (Mueser, Salyers, Rosenberg, Ford, Fox, & Carty, 2001). The purpose of this Capstone project was to identify and recommend evidence-based …

Best Practices For Treating Co-Occuring Disorders In A Chemical Dependency Treatment Setting, Michelle Dick

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to identify best practices for treating co-occurring disorders that could be utilized with adult males being treated for chemical dependency at the House of Hope, Inc. Identification of these practices will more effectively meet the needs of the clients served at House of Hope, Inc. and allow the agency to increase their capacity to better service clients with co-occurring disorders.

Evidence-Based Strategies For Working With Veterans, Bethany Fopma

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

According to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 3.3 million veterans (41%) live in rural areas. Due to geographical barriers, these veterans often lack access to needed services and providers. This research project analyzed studies that utilized telehealth in delivering services to veterans with PTSD. While more research in this area needs to be conducted, telehealth technology shows promising results for improving veterans’ symptoms and providing veterans with satisfactory services. Research Question: Is telehealth medicine an effective intervention in treating veterans with PTSD?

Understanding The Role Of Attachments And Schemas: A Model For Working With Sex Offenders, Carol J. Ries

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to research, develop, present, and evaluate a training module to increase knowledge of the role of attachments and schemas in working with sex offenders and to provide a model for working with sex offenders. Research Questions: 1. To what extent will a training module on the role of attachments and schemas increase attendees’ understanding of these topics? 2. Will a training module increase the likelihood that attendees will apply this knowledge of attachments and schemas in their work with clients?

Characteristics Of Patients Admitted With Alcohol Related Traumatic Injuries, Jessica Wolf

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Alcohol use is well recognized as a contributor to traumatic injury. The purpose of this review was to describe the demographics of patients admitted to a regional trauma center with alcohol related traumatic injuries in order to improve service to this population and provide injury prevention programs directed towards this population.

Research Question: What are the characteristics of patients admitted to St. Marys Hospital with an alcohol related traumatic injury?