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Full-Text Articles in Social Work

Expanding Full-Service Community Schools In Minnesota, Angela Dabu, Kaylee Olson, Allie Paulson, Kaylee Warner Mar 2023

Expanding Full-Service Community Schools In Minnesota, Angela Dabu, Kaylee Olson, Allie Paulson, Kaylee Warner

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

While many students across Minnesota (MN) receive an excellent education, too often disenfranchised children and children from under-resourced families do not obtain the same educational benefits and outcomes as their peers. Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) offer a better path to equity and excellence by welcoming community agencies as partners in school improvement by bringing community services into the school and empowering the people closest to students to examine disparities and target racial and economic opportunity gaps. Building on the success of the FSCS model, Minnesota legislators are proposing a $90,000,000 allocation to support and expand FSCS throughout the state. With …


You Betcha We Want Mn Paid Family Medical Leave!, Julie Bishop, Crystal Haugen, Alicia Nelson, Cassandra Rigdon Mar 2023

You Betcha We Want Mn Paid Family Medical Leave!, Julie Bishop, Crystal Haugen, Alicia Nelson, Cassandra Rigdon

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Minnesota workers deserve a paid family and medical leave policy that strengthens families, increases employee productivity, and builds better communities for all. Current family and medical leave policy in Minnesota disproportionately negatively affects workers in lower-income careers (Minnesotans for Paid Family & Medical Leave, 2023). Rural communities also experience disproportionate negative impacts from current family and medical leave policy due to their proportionately older populations and higher rates of residents with disabilities that — when combined with geographic complicating factors such as distance from medical care, shortages in eldercare and childcare providers, and limited long-term care options — force residents …


Reforming Predatory Payday Loan Practices In Minnesota, Michelle Dammann, Neida Juantos, Wendy Tougas Mar 2023

Reforming Predatory Payday Loan Practices In Minnesota, Michelle Dammann, Neida Juantos, Wendy Tougas

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Since 1999 the payday lending industry has been draining millions of dollars from Minnesotans struggling to keep a roof over their heads, put food on the table, and provide for other basic needs. For many people, repeat borrowing is the only via options to meet their monthly expenses. People who use this short-term loan option often fall into a debt trap because of steep interest rates that make it nearly impossible pay off the original and subsequent loans. Predatory marketing and lack of available banking solutions force marginalized groups into a cycle of debt. Minnesota needs to invest in fair …


Reforma A Las Prácticas Predatorias De Los Préstamos Del Día De Pago En Minnesota, Michelle Dammann, Neida Juantos, Wendy Tougas Mar 2023

Reforma A Las Prácticas Predatorias De Los Préstamos Del Día De Pago En Minnesota, Michelle Dammann, Neida Juantos, Wendy Tougas

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Desde 1999, la industria de préstamos de día de pago ha drenado millones de dólares de los ciudadanos de Minnesota que solo luchan por mantener su hogar, poner comida en la mesa y satisfacer otras necesidades básicas. Para algunas personas, los préstamos son la única opción de cubrir sus gastos mensuales. Las personas que usan estos préstamos usualmente caen en una trampa de deuda por las tasas de interés elevadas. Estas hacen que sea casi imposible pagar el préstamo original. La estrategia de marketing predatoria y la falta de soluciones bancarias disponibles obligan a los grupos marginados a entrar en …


Incorporating Cultural Healing Practices Into Mental Health Care, Maria Jeremiason, Hailey Wilhelm, Yuriana Soto, Erin Sudbeck Mar 2023

Incorporating Cultural Healing Practices Into Mental Health Care, Maria Jeremiason, Hailey Wilhelm, Yuriana Soto, Erin Sudbeck

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Minnesota approaches mental health based on Western cultural traditions. This approach does not encompass the traditions of multicultural communities, many of whom have experienced deep generational trauma, oppression, and discrimination. We must address our treatment of people living with mental illness by incorporating and expanding holistic cultural traditions rooted in the cultural traditions of all Minnesotans. This will include honoring the work of cultural healers, cultural brokers, elders, and community health workers within all communities.


End Felony Disenfranchisement And Restore The Right To Vote, Anna Lahr, Hannah Van Otterloo, Nichole Smith, Taylor Ernste Mar 2023

End Felony Disenfranchisement And Restore The Right To Vote, Anna Lahr, Hannah Van Otterloo, Nichole Smith, Taylor Ernste

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

In Minnesota, felony disenfranchisement is the withdrawal of voting rights of individuals with a criminal offense through incarceration, probation, parole, or supervised release. Current felony disenfranchisement laws prohibit roughly 55,000 Minnesotans' right to vote long after their release from incarceration. This law specifically suppresses Minnesotans of color, vulnerable populations, and low-income communities. Promptly restoring the right to vote for individuals with felony convictions upon release from imprisonment will promote equality in voter representation for actively contributing members of society.


Investing In Rural Mental Health: An Approach To Increasing Access To Mental Health Professionals And Services, Corey Jeries-Bardon, Paige Peterson, Paige Pittmann, Makena Roeker Mar 2023

Investing In Rural Mental Health: An Approach To Increasing Access To Mental Health Professionals And Services, Corey Jeries-Bardon, Paige Peterson, Paige Pittmann, Makena Roeker

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Farmers and rural residents in greater Minnesota are often overlooked relating to mental health services. Minnesota needs to focus on an approach to increase accessible mental health services in rural communities. The model for delivering mental health services has often been a one-size-fits-all approach without understanding the unique barriers, cultures, and strengths rural communities offer.


Building The Pathway Towards Inclusivity: A Policy Brief Advocating For Inclusive Postsecondary Education, Callie Fore, Crystal Morales, Deann Prouty, Emily Whittaker Mar 2023

Building The Pathway Towards Inclusivity: A Policy Brief Advocating For Inclusive Postsecondary Education, Callie Fore, Crystal Morales, Deann Prouty, Emily Whittaker

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) lack a pathway and adequate support to pursue post-secondary education in Minnesota. Opening pathways to inclusive higher education will strengthen the state's workforce and economy and will reduce dependence on costly formal supports. In Minnesota less than 3% of students with ID have access to in-state postsecondary education, and there are only four colleges and universities that specifically offer enrollment to students with ID. Barriers to education and funding have dramatically slowed progress toward expanding inclusive higher education options, and Minnesota is far behind other states in the nation. Inclusive higher education is a proven …


Ensuring Equity In Education: End Exclusionary Discipline To Protect All Students Access To Learning, Emma Daugherty, Dominika Dyminski, Lacey Erickson, Carly Manderfeld Mar 2023

Ensuring Equity In Education: End Exclusionary Discipline To Protect All Students Access To Learning, Emma Daugherty, Dominika Dyminski, Lacey Erickson, Carly Manderfeld

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

A student's race, disability status and previous history of discipline are leading factors associated with being subjected to exclusionary discipline. This contributes to a negative cycle of discipline for our Black, Indigenous, and other students of color (BIPOC) and students with disabilities. This cycle prevents BIPOC and students with disabilities from learning, growing, and reaching their full potential. Minnesota must disrupt this negative disciplinary cycle by ending subjective disciplinary practices and investing in practices that promote an equity and a healthy school environment for all students.