Social Work Commons^™

A Conceptual Model For Rural Social Work, Michael R. Daley Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

As long as social workers have considered rural social work unique from other fields of practice there has been a search to capture the essence of rural social work. Is it a rural-urban dichotomy, is it geographically or community bound, and what are the principles that guide rural practice? Answers to these questions are important to education for future social workers and rural practice. The author examines key issues in rural social work and their influence on rural social work.

A Retrospective Study Of Teen Pregnancy In West Virginia From 2003 -2008: A Descriptive Analysis, Emily L. Mccave Msw, Phd, Ashlea Shiflet Msw Candidate

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

In 2006, West Virginia surpassed the national average birth rate for teens ages 15 to 19 years old. Through the use of the state wide Birth Score data, this article presents a retrospective examination of 8,094 teens who gave birth in West Virginia during the years of 2003-2008. Descriptive data on health issues such as prenatal care, infant birth weight and mortality, as well as demographic characteristics, such a racial background and Medicaid status are presented. Implications of these health issues are discussed along with special considerations for health providers who work within the Appalachian region.

Forever Changed: The Transformation Of Rural America Through Immigration, Maha N. Younes Ph.D., Elizabeth A. Killip

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

This qualitative case study reveals the impact of immigration on one rural Midwestern community and its longtime residents. The 123 phone interviews and sessions conducted with two focus groups provide compelling insights into residents’ perceptions of immigration and immigrants as well as their ensuing personal and collective struggle with and adaptation to an immigration process that forever changed the community. The residents offer prudent insights for policy makers, immigrants, and other communities facing similar challenges. While the focus of the study is on the macro conversion of the community through the eyes of its residents, the author stresses the need …

Rooster, Mary Murphy Ma

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Poem.

The National Rural Social Work Caucus: 32 Years Of Achievement, Barry L. Locke Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

The author presents a brief history of the Rural Social Work Caucus and outlines some of its important contributions.

Butter Churner, Mary Murphy Ma

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Poem.

Better Health Through The Salud Para La Vida (Health For Life) Project, Susan Dollar Ph.D., Lcsw, Helen Reid Ph.D., Laraeda Sullivan Rn

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

The Salud para la Vida (Health for Life) project was a demonstration project through the Missouri Foundation for Health which utilized interdisciplinary collaborations to address rural Latino health needs in southwest Missouri. Social workers and other professionals were uniquely qualified to work across counties with church, business, school, emergency management, law enforcement and health clinic leadership in promoting and sustaining the project. Salud para la Vida is worthy of replication in other regions that face similar challenges in providing culturally competent health services to Latino immigrants.

Worker Safety Within The Child Welfare System, Sylvia Hawranick Msw, Ed.D, Peg Mcguire Ph.D, Lisw, Candell Livingston Looman Lsw

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Literature surrounding safety issues affecting the child welfare system is examined with a special emphasis on rural Appalachia. A review of the existing literature regarding personal safety and safety training of child welfare employees revealed limitations. The annual conference of the National Association of Social Workers in West Virginia provided a venue for gathering information regarding overall incidents of a threatening nature to child welfare social workers. Information regarding the numbers and types of safety trainings provided to the child welfare social workers was also explored. Two of the authors designed a workshop as a focus group from which information …

Developing A Hybrid Research Course For Rural Bsw Students, Monte Miller, Lena Carawan

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Rural social work educators are facing intense demands to provide distance education, reach larger numbers of students, and deliver crucial social work educational content using multiple technologies. The development of a BSW research hybrid course in a rural setting which integrated face to face teaching with technology is discussed. The hybrid research course utilized compressed video and three face-to-face Saturdays. Course evaluations and pretest/posttest research findings are presented. Strategies for the development of hybrid courses are discussed.

Substance Abuse Program Availability And Child Maltreatment, Cindy Juby Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between substance abuse treatment availability, drug and DUI arrests, and child maltreatment across metropolitan, nonmetropolitan/adjacent, and nonmetropolitan/nonadjacent counties in Iowa. County-level data from Iowa between 2002 and 2005 were analyzed for associations between the selected variables. Regression and a path model were the methods of analysis and minority and poverty status were included in the design as control variables. The results revealed that counties with further proximity from metropolitan areas, those with increased drug arrest rates, and those with the highest poverty rates had positive and significant impacts on child …

Voices Of Women In Rural India: Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, And Education, Joanne Riebschleger Ph.D., Lmsw, Brittany Fila Basw

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Women self-help group participants in rural northern India described living with social and economic challenges, including persistent poverty and discrimination. Self-help group participants, teachers, administrators, and parents discussed rural education. Stakeholders talked with a social work student serving an intensive internship in a grassroots non-governmental organization. A grounded theory approach guided data collection, coding, and analysis. Self-help group participant data themes included the empowerment of women and development of entrepreneurship. Education stakeholders revealed a need for increased access to education, especially for girls and young women. Therefore, recommendations centered on “3 E’s” – empowerment, entrepreneurship, and education. American and Indian …

Contemporary Rural Social Work - Spring 2009 (Volume 1, Number 1)

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Contemporary Rural Social Work - Spring 2009 (Volume 1, Number 1)

Full issue

From The Editor, Michael R. Daley Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Journal of Contemporary Rural Social Work

Volume 1, Number 1

Spring 2009

From the Editor: Michael R. Daley, Ph.D., University of South Alabama