Social Work Commons^™

Branch Campuses: Extending The Reach Of Social Work Education, Simon Funge, Dana Sullivan, Larry Owens, Whitney Harper

Social Work Faculty Publications

The study explored the characteristics and experiences of branch campus social work education programs and educators in the U.S. Eighty-one (n = 81) branch campus social work educators in 26 states completed an online survey. Findings revealed that undergraduate and graduate branch campus social work education was primarily delivered face-to-face to non-traditional students. Half of these programs were recently established, and the majority were expected to grow. However, teaching these students was not necessarily viewed as a shared responsibility. Though some branch campus faculty reported higher workloads and limited connections to parent campus colleagues, faculty generally reported great satisfaction teaching …

Retention Of Child Welfare Caseworkers: The Wisdom Of Supervisors, Austin G. Griffiths, Patricia Desrosiers, Jay Gabbard, David Royse, Kristine Piescher

Social Work Faculty Publications

Child welfare supervisors have a unique vantage point, leading local service delivery efforts while representing a larger organizational bureaucracy. They also play a key role in workforce stability, as high caseworker turnover remains a real problem that affects clients, communities, and agency budgets. Using a qualitative thematic content analysis to analyze data collected from a sample of public child welfare supervisors in a southern state (n=117), findings from this study provide suggestions for systematically addressing workforce turnover through the unique perspective of the child welfare supervisor. Supervisors made recommendations to improve agency infrastructure, organizational climate, and organizational culture as areas …

Assessment And Cts2 Publication.Pdf, Suk-Hee Kim, Karrah Wills, James Canfield, Francoise Kazimierczuk, Dana Harley, Melody Hyppolite, Patricia Desrosiers

Social Work Faculty Publications

This paper presents prevalence data gathered from the fast-growingmetropolitan southeast in the United States college campus representativesample through an on-line 28-question survey on the sexual,physical, and psychological harm in university/college dating anddomestic violence relationships. The study questions were 1) what isthe prevalence of dating and domestic violence on college campus?and 2) what are the characteristics of those affected by it? The results,derived from the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) and the datingexperiences survey, reveal that college students’ gender identity,sexual orientation, grade point average (GPA), number of missingclasses, current relationship status that they were associated withdating and domestic violence among college …

The Challenge Of Integrating Social Justice Content; Making The Abstract Concrete, Simon Funge, Rashida Crutchfield, Lisa Jennings

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Deliberative Dialogue: An Interdisciplinary Tool Promoting Civil Discourse And Enhancing Civic Literacy, Gayle Mallinger, Molly Kerby

Social Work Faculty Publications

Overview:

• Basic concepts of deliberative dialogue as an interdisciplinary tool
• Deliberative dialogue as a instrument for civil discourse
• The efficacy of deliberative dialogue on civic literacy

Dropped In Without A Parachute: Library Managers’ Supervision Experiences, Simon Funge, Audrey Robinson-Nkongola, Laura Delancey, Austin G. Griffiths

Social Work Faculty Publications

A survey of U.S. library managers explored the relationship between their social identities, experiences supervising others, support from others, and their overall satisfaction in their professional role. The literature provides evidence that demographic differences give rise to challenges in the workplace. Though no statistically significant differences were found between minority and nonminority managers related to supervisees' microaggressive behaviors, written commentary provided evidence of these and other supervision challenges. A regression analysis found that supervisees' behaviors, along with a manager's age, were significant predictors of their satisfaction as a supervisor. Recommendations for further research and implications for libraries emerge from these …

Teaching At Branch Campuses: The Faculty Experience, Whitney Harper, Larry W. Owens, Simon Funge, Dana J. Sullivan

Social Work Faculty Publications

There is limited research on the perceptions of faculty who teach branch campus students. Exploratory in nature, this qualitative study explored the branch campus teaching experiences of a particular subset of educators – those who teach in social work education programs. The paper will discuss social work faculty members’ perspectives about the advantages and challenges of teaching branch campus students. Eighty-one social work educators from twenty-six states completed an online survey developed by the researchers. The survey included qualitative questions that explored both resident and non-resident faculty members’ perceptions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of teaching branch campus students. The …

Managing Microaggressions In The College Classroom, Gayle Mallinger, Jay Gabbard, Saundra Starks

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Victimization Of The Homeless: The Role Of Public Perceptions And Implications For Social Work Practice, Marion Murray, Simon Funge, Jay Gabbard

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Promoting Socially Just Healthcare Systems: Social Work’S Contribution To Patient Navigation, Patricia Desrosiers, Gayle Mallinger, Tonya Bragg-Underwood

Social Work Faculty Publications

Patient navigation is an emerging area of healthcare practice that uses an interdisciplinary and integrated care model designed to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes. The authors define patient navigation, delineate the alignment of social work competencies with patient navigator requirements, and argue for a clear social work role and presence as patient navigators in interdisciplinary healthcare delivery. Social workers are well-equipped to carry out a variety of patient navigator responsibilities due to their unique skill of social justice advocacy as a macro-level intervention. Through involvement in patient navigation, social work leaders can promote the development of socially just …

Promoting Positive Family Interactions: Evaluating A Free Early Childhood Book Distribution Program, Simon P. Funge, Dana Sullivan, Kirsten Tarter

Social Work Faculty Publications

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program encourages reading among families of preschool children by mailing age-appropriate books, once per month, until the age of five. An evaluation of a DPIL program in a southern state in the U.S. was conducted to assess the impact on enrolled children. Focus groups were conducted and a survey was administered to over 100 parents of children in the program to determine parents’ satisfaction with – and assessment of – the program relative to its activities and stated outcomes. To what extent the program promoted reading in the family, and children’s enjoyment of reading …

Child Sexual Abuse And The Impact Of Rurality On Foster Care Outcomes: An Exploratory Analysis, Austin G. Griffiths, April L. Murphy, Whitney Harper

Social Work Faculty Publications

Given the cost of long-term foster care placement in both human and economic terms, few studies have specifically explored if any factors help to predict why this vulnerable population spends significantly more time in foster care. The overarching goal of this exploratory study was to use binary logistic regression to investigate whether any child demographic or environmental characteristics predicted the discharge of a child placed in Kentucky's foster care system for child sexual abuse. Results indicated that children in the most rural areas of the state were over 10 times more likely to be discharged from foster care during the …

Reflections On Community Macro Practice, Rashida Crutchfield, Simon Funge, Lisa Jennings

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Managing Microaggressions In The College Classroom, Gayle Mallinger, Jay Gabbard, Saundra Starks

Social Work Faculty Publications

C

ollege students are increasingly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religious/spiritual beliefs, immigration status, social and economic class, veterans’ status, and the intersections therein. However, microaggressions— subtle forms of prejudice and discrimination— continue to occur inside our classrooms. Although most faculty members are mindful of overt biases in the classroom setting, the recognition and management of microaggressions present more of a challenge. This article adds to the nascent literature on microaggressions in higher education by defining the multifaceted nature of microaggressions, discussing the damaging consequences of microaggressions for faculty and students, and …

Best Practices For Teaching Effective Social Work Writing Skills Online, Patricia Desrosiers, W. Gabbard, Emily Funk

Social Work Faculty Publications

A number of research studies have documented problematic issues with student writing inundergraduate and graduate programs in the United States. Some discipline-specific writing courseshave been developed to address these deficiencies, including some all online offerings. This papercritically synthesizes the latest available research on best practices in teaching effective writing in anonline format, with a focus on social work graduate students. However, the teaching modalitiesexamined herein can be applied in online writing courses in all human services professions and at alllevels.

United Way Of Southern Kentucky's Dolly Parton Imagination Library: A Program Evaluation, Simon Funge, Dana Sullivan

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Show Me: Effectively Collaborating With Community Partners To Develop Students' Macro-Practice Skills, Rashida Crutchfield, Simon Funge

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Bes Model: Student Support And Gatekeeping Tool, Patricia Desrosiers, Amy Cappiccie

Social Work Faculty Publications

Universities are ill equipped to handle the specialized nature of students with psychiatric disabilities. Dueto the increasing numbers of students with both identified and unidentified psychiatric disabilities, thiscase study provides guidance through a description and application of the Behavioral EcologicalStrengths-Focused (BES) Model. Use of the BES Model assists administrators and faculty tosimultaneously support students with psychiatric disabilities while maintaining standards for gatekeepingrequired in master’s level programs.

2013kvaaannualreport10.8.2013.Pdf, Patricia Desrosiers, Christopher James

Social Work Faculty Publications

The second year of the Kentucky State Victim’s Assistance Academy is nearing its end. We set out with several goals in mind including developing a curriculum and materials, recruiting instructors and students, and choosing a site for the inaugural Academy. This Annual Report documents the activities of the past year in detail.

Improving Self-Esteem Through Art For Incarcerated Youth, April Murphy, Jeff Beaty, James Minnick

Social Work Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

2012kvaaannualreport.Docx, Patricia Desrosiers, Erica Thompson

Social Work Faculty Publications

The first year of the Kentucky State Victim’s Assistance Academy is nearing its end. We set out with several goals in mind including developing a Steering Committee for oversight of the process, completing a Needs Assessment to guide our plan, and forming subcommittees to begin planning the actual inaugural academy. This Annual Report documents the activities of the past year in detail.

Kvaa Finalneeds Assessment.Pdf, Patricia Desrosiers, Lynde Revert

Social Work Faculty Publications

The Grants Management Branch of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet received funding from theOffice of Victims of Crime to explore establishment of a Victim Assistance Academy in Kentucky.Victim Assistance Academies are comprised of education and skill-based classroom training for thosewho assist victims of crime. The Kentucky Victim Assistance Academy will be developed through apartnership between Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Kentucky Crime Victims CompensationBoard, Western Kentucky University, and a practitioners’ Steering Committee. The first Academy isanticipated in mid-2013, with details to be disseminated in early-2013.In order to build the foundation of instructor curriculum and workshops offered by the …

Lessons Learned From Using Adobe Connect In The Social Work Classroom, Amy Cappiccie, Patricia Desrosiers

Social Work Faculty Publications

Adobe Connect is synchronous web conferencing software availableto colleges and universities. This pilot study sought to understandstudent and faculty participation in use of this software aspart of an already established hybrid master’s level social work curriculum.This software was utilized in two courses: concentrationyear field practicum and advanced social work practice. Studentfeedback and satisfaction are presented. Lessons learned for usingsuch software are explored.

Placing Children In Need With Gay & Lesbian Couples: Influences On Placement Decisions, Gayle Mallinger

Social Work Faculty Publications

Thousands of children throughout the United States are currently awaiting placement with adoptive families. The literature indicates that gay- and lesbian-headed households can well meet the needs of these children. Research suggests that sexual prejudice, religious fundamentalism and attitudes about gay and lesbian adoption may influence practice decisions regarding placement. This dissertation study examined the influences of religious fundamentalism, sexual prejudice, contact with sexually diverse individuals, and attitudes towards gay men and lesbians as adoptive parents on intent to place children in need with gay and lesbian couples. A random sample of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) members was …