Social Work Commons^™

An Evaluation Model For A Children's Shelter, Brian Fruchtman

Theses and Graduate Projects

Millions of children spend time each year in children’s shelters, residential treatment centers, and other noncorrectional placements (Pelton, 1989). There is no record in the literature of a client satisfaction questionnaire measuring satisfaction of children in a shelter or treatment center with program components. This thesis is a proposal for an evaluation for a children’s shelter in Minneapolis called Booth Brown House. The proposal includes a specially designed questionnaire. The research in all stages of the evaluation process. The thesis also includes a discussion of the relative advantages and disadvantages of an oral interview format. The proposal also describes articles …

Personal Conservatorship Services For The Elderly: A Needs Assessment With Program, Linda Keintz Hickman

Theses and Graduate Projects

Elderly persons who have difficulty making and carrying out decisions because of decreased decision-making capacities are at risk of decreased physical and emotional well-being. Because the number and proportion of elderly persons in the United States is growing, there is increasing concern regarding the rights to autonomy and the need for protection for this population. Personal conservatorship services are a form of surrogate decision-making in which a person is legally appointed to make decisions for another. After review of current literature, this research examines the nature and extent of personal conservatorship services for the elderly in two Minnesota counties. Findings …

Elementary School Teaching Staffs' Responses To Children Who Act Out Disruptive, Defiant Or Aggressive Behaviors, Bonnie Beckel

Theses and Graduate Projects

A written survey of teachers and educational assistants in the Minneapolis Public Schools explored teaching staffs' awareness of their own emotional and behavioral responses to children with acting out behaviors and how such responses impact their effectiveness at helping children resolve their acting out behavior problems. The major findings of the study were: 1) the 18 teacher staff respondents were aware of experiencing a broad range of emotional and behavioral reactions to children with acting out behaviors and 2) most reported that they were working to modify an individually unique aspect of how their emotional responses interfered with their effectiveness …

Training, Guidelines, And Use Of Anatomically Correct Dolls In The Investigation And Assessment Of Children Who May Have Been Sexually Abused, Evelyn Jean Rondeau Thompson

Theses and Graduate Projects

In the past ten to fifteen years the general knowledge about sexual abuse and the number of persons abused has greatly increased. Many of the victims are young children who may have difficulty verbalizing the incident. As a result, various tool have been developed. One of these is anatomically correct dolls.

The purpose of this research was to explore the use of anatomically correct dolls by child protection workers, law enforcement offices, and psychologists who work with sexually abused children. They were asked if they used the dolls, features of the dolls, training they had, and guidelines that were available …

A Policy Analysis Of The Continuing Education For Pregnant And Parenting Students Of The Minneapolis Public Schools, Cheryl Rose Zurek

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nationwide, pregnant and parenting adolescents are at tremendous medical, social, economic, and educational risk. Pregnancy is the greatest single reason why girls drop out of school. Unemployment and welfare dependency are high for adolescent mothers. Current law mandates that Minnesota schools cooperate with human service agencies in the education planning process and with the needs of pregnant and parenting students.

This research study is an analysis of the Minneapolis Public Schools adolescent pregnant and parenting policy in regards to continuing education. The analysis includes history of the problem, definitions of the issue, underlying values, strengths and limitations of the policy, …

Spirituality In Social Work Practice, Barbara J. Schmidt

Theses and Graduate Projects

Spirituality is an integral part of human experience. Personal belief systems impact the client as well as the professional social worker. Literature in the last 10 years reflects the growing interest in the influence of spirituality in people's lives both personally and professionally. Some people are searching for, and others have found, a set of beliefs that give them hope, strength, and guidance.

Social workers actively seek ways to understand and accept diversity with regard to a variety of human conditions. Spirituality remains a frontier to be explored as a means to further understand cultures as well as individuals.

This …

Cambodian Refugee Experience History Of Genocide Implications For Social Workers, Mark Cavanaugh

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to provide social workers and other human service professionals with an understanding of the Cambodian refugee experience. Understanding the history of the Genocide and the horrific impact it has had upon the Khmer is an important dynamic in understanding the Khmer experience.Cambodian civilians who survived the Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge regime experienced massive trauma. As a result, Khmer refugees in the United States face a special challenge in the areas of social and psychological adjustment.This research examines the historical and political events which led to the communist take over of Cambodia. It also …

Bringing Violence Out Of The Closet: An Exploration Of Domestic Violence In Gay And Bisexual Male Intimate Relationships, Anthony D. Weeks

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis explores the type and frequency of domestic violence among gay and bisexual men. The thesis also addresses the willingness of gay and bisexual men to seek intervention services for domestic violence-related issues. Respondents to the written, self-report survey questionnaire were clients at a gay-affirmative chemical dependency treatment center and a community-based mental health/social service agency in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Research findings indicated that most respondents had experienced some form of abuse from an intimate partner. Fewer, but still a considerable number, of respondents had been abusive to an intimate partner at least once. Although the sample …

Lesbian Battering: An Exploratory Study, Raquel Volaco Simoes

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this research study was to examine the incidence of same-sex female battering. An overview of the existing material on lesbian abusive relationships confirmed the need to further validate and clarify this problem. The Conflict Tactics Scales, Couple Form R, was used to gather data. Fifty percent of the sample reported having perpetuated or experienced physical abuse in current or past relationships. Due to the sample size, the results from this study may not be generalized to the larger lesbian/bisexual community.

Adolescents' Perceptions Of Long-Term Hospitalization And Post-Hospitalization Experience, Mary J. Kacvinsky

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to provide a description of adolescents' perceptions of their long-term hospitalization and post-hospitalization experience. The study sample included ten previously hospitalized adolescents (aged 13-18) who had been hospitalized long-term (6+ weeks) at Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Twin Cities Unit, a pediatric orthopedic hospital. They were interviewed by telephone to get their perceptions of past hospital experiences. Study findings indicate that adolescent patients become very knowledgeable about life in the hospital and what is allowed and expected of them. Findings are consistent with the review of the literature which indicated that, giving up independence …

Socio-Economic And Political Implications Of The Termination Of General Assistance Benefits For Undocumented Victims Of Torture In Minnesota, Evelyn C. Lennon

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Minnesota State Legislature amended the General Assistance benefits statutes, effective October 1, 1993, to exclude undocumented persons. This research project attempts to define the socio-economic and political issues as they impact victims of political torture who reside in Minnesota without legal status. The history of public assistance, its underlying social problem, and its judicial context reveals the controversy over entitlements versus rights. Social program and policy systems analysis highlights the linkage between the goals and objectives of the legislation and the message that is inherent in the delivery of services. An examination of the files of four clients of …

A Short-Term Group Model For Female Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Linda M. Pavic

Theses and Graduate Projects

The current changes in the health care system require mental health professionals to provide short-term, cost-effective services that are accessible to a broader population. Chrysalis Mental Health Clinic is meeting this challenge. The clinic has designed and implemented a short-term psycho educational group model for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This thesis is an evaluation of the group model's effectiveness from the members' perspective. The evaluation examines the following three research questions: 1) From the group members' perspective, how helpful is the psycho educational approach of the short-term group model at Chrysalis Mental Health Clinic?; 2) Was a feeling …

Services For Homeless Youth: A Needs Assessment And Program Design, Noya J. Woodrich

Theses and Graduate Projects

Homelessness among youth is a problem that is growing in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The purpose of this study was to examine the services currently available for this population and to assess whether or not they are sufficient enough to serve the population of young homeless adults. Research for the study was done by looking at existing records such as studies done by the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Minnesota Department of Education. A local study done by the Wilder Research Center on homeless youth and a program evaluation done by the Bridge Inc., was also used to …

Case Evaluation Of The Student Leader Program At Tanglen Elementary School, Renee E. Ward

Theses and Graduate Projects

It is apparent that the educational system is very influential upon children's learning abilities. Therefore, schools may be a key place to teach problem-solving skills at an elementary level. These skills wilt be needed to confront societal conflicts that await them as adolescents and adults. This thesis identifies a student leader program in an elementary school that trains sixth grade students to become leaders and mediate conflicts with kindergarten through fourth grade students. The evaluation of this program finds that student leaders successfully attain leadership roles as peer mediators, and also role model problem-solving skills as well as positive behavior …

The Evaluation Of Organizational Structure In The Rape Crisis Movement In Minnesota From 1970-1990, Cheryl A. Champion

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study documents the changes in the organizational structure of the rape crisis centers (RCC) in Minnesota. It compares the organizational types of similar alternative agencies with those organizational types that emerged in RCC. It considers a framework that predicts at what period in the natural history of a social movement changes in organizational structure and personnel occur. It determines how the evolution of RCC reflects this framework. Finally, it assesses the relationship between feminist ideology and organizational functioning. Several findings emerge from this study. Over time, RCC evolved from grassroot collectives into programs of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. …

Same-Sex Marriage Legislation And The Extension Of Rights To People Who Are Homosexual, Quin Ripley Buchtel

Theses and Graduate Projects

Many of the rights and privileges that heterosexual couples experience in their daily lives are not provided to couples who are gay and lesbian. Even if gays and lesbians choose to form a committed permanent relationship, there are no legal validations or endorsements to insure protection for these unions. The instrument used for this study was an opinion survey. Polled were 41 employees, of a small rural social service agency, who routinely provide a variety of services to diverse populations. The findings suggest that there is resistance to supporting the legalization of same-sex marriages to legitimize these domestic partnerships.

Training Foster Parents And Birth Families In Caring For American Indian Children Who Have Experienced Both Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Or Effects And Sexual Abuse, Vi E. Rocek

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis examines the effects of both child sexual abuse and fetal alcohol syndrome or effects on American Indian children in foster care. These children manifest a variety of particular behaviors and mental incapabilities causing them to be exceptionally difficult to parent. Using a conceptual framework based on the perspectives of ecology, competence, human development, and permanency planning, the author develops a training program for foster parents, birth parents and extended family. The training provides concrete, workable and easy to apply strategies for caregivers to address the special needs and demands of these children. The rationale for joining foster parents …

Preserving Families: Does It Work? A Policy Analysis, Karen L. Peterson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Beginning with a look at the historical background of child welfare services in the United States, this policy analysis examines issues surrounding the use of out-of home placement of children as an intervention strategy with families in crisis. In response to the increasing demand for the limited dollars available to provide social services, the high cost of out-of-home placement and concern for the large number of children who experienced lengthy or multiple foster care placements policy makers and service providers are now focusing upon efforts to preserve families and prevent unnecessary out-of-home placement of children. Family preservation services are examined …

Special Needs Adoption: Characteristics Of Children Who Wait, Sandra K. Taylor Nelson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Children who have been removed from their birth parent(s)' care,

due to abuse, neglect, or other maltreatment are generally placed in

one of several out-of home placement arrangements. The birth parents

of many of these children subsequently have their parental rights

terminated, and these children then become wards of the State. For

this thesis, case records of seventy children who are wards of the

State of Minnesota receiving services from the Hennepin County

Children and Family Services Department Adoption Program' were

reviewed for the purpose of gathering descriptive information about

this population. This study found that number of placements, Iength …

The Efficacy Of Residential Treatment Services For A Child Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: A Case Study, Roxanne F. O'Connor

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examines the effectiveness of residential treatment services for a child diagnosed with schizophrenia. The literature review completed indicates that fewer than 200 cases of childhood schizophrenia have been described in the world literature. Children with this rare disease are served a number of ways in l{Minnesota, one of those ways being residential treatment services. In studying the effectiveness of this treatment modality for a child with schizophrenia, f have completed an intensive ease study of a child who is diagnosed with schizophrenia and has completed residential treatment services. Records were reviewed and interviews conducted with the identified child, …

Exploration Of Human And Social Service Needs Of The Transgender Community: Guidelines For Social Workers, Lori A. Stark

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this research is to assist the author in developing guidelines for social workers who work with the transgender community, or may come in contact with a transgender client at some point. Although upon completion, this thesis will not be in guideline form, the thesis, as well as the guidelines to follow, will contain definitions and explanations of different areas of the transgendered community, and a list of resource and referral sources that may be useful when working with a transgendered client. The following research questions will be explored in this study : l) What are all of …

An Historic Review Of Special Education And The Effects Of Segregation On Educational Service Provision, Leslie E. Green

Theses and Graduate Projects

Millions of Americans sincerely believe that children who have special needs are entitled to individualized educational programming. Without this commitment, children who have special needs cannot attain their rightful, productive places in society. The purpose of this thesis will be to trace the origin and the historical development of Special Education. It will also consider and attempt to draw conclusions as to the level of segregation of services provided for students.

Assessing Satisfaction Among Clients Of A Probation Service Center, Iris B. Burlock

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Probation Service Center offers supervision to those probationers who are assessed as posing only a minimal risk to the community-at-large. It was started in Dakota County in April, 1992 as a viable means of monitoring this low-risk offender population by using a group supervision format. The initiation of this program was spurred by the immediate need posed by burgeoning caseloads of those providing traditional one-to-one probation. This need became more dramatic in the face of dwindling financial and human resources.

This research looks at the operations of the Probation Service Center from the client's perspective. A client satisfaction survey …

Ageism: An Exploration Of Social Workers' Attitudes Toward Psychological Services For Elders, Anita L. Raymond-Wrage

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study sought to explore the value placed on psychological services for elders by social workers. Previous research indicates that psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians and other professionals are biased against the effectiveness of psychological services for older people. Because social workers for elders are often the source of referrals for other types of service provision to meet the needs of older adults, the social worker's ability to recognize depression and to understand the appropriateness of services such as psychotherapy, couple$, group, and family therapy is necessary to ensure all the needs of the older adult are met. By responding to a …

It's Time To Prepare: Death Education For Social Workers, Leah Walton

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop a training program for social workers on death and dying. Data was collected by reviewing the literature, conducting interviews with professionals in the field of death and dying, and the participation in a seminar entitled "The Ticking of the Clock and The Tolling of the Bells". The information collected was combined and developed into a training program for social workers in long term care or hospital settings. The training program can also be adapted for use in the class room setting at the undergraduate or graduate level. The training program outlined five …

Respite Care For Children With Emotional / Behavioral Disorders In A Foster Care Setting, Marcia L. Bolte

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Time Apart respite program provides short-term, temporary care, outside the home of the primary caregiver. In the evaluation process, questionnaires were given to social workers and case managers whose clients have used the program and to liscensed, specially trained, foster parents who provided respite services. The study was designed to answer the following seven questions: 1) What are the characteristics of the consumers of this program?; 2) Does the respite provider training address the needs of respite providers in serving the children in their care?; 3) Does the child information packet given to providers supply the information they need …

Implementation Of The Indian Child Welfare Act, Daniel G. Dierfeldt

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Indian Child Welfare Act (I.C.W.A.), P.L. 95-608, became federal law in 1978. Its purpose was to protect Native American children, families and culture. Prior to the passage of the I.C.W.A. Native American children were being placed in substitute care in statistically high numbers The law mandates a system which provides for tribal participation whenever permanent or temporary care is required for Native American children. The I.C.W.A. encourages family preservation and establishes legal protections when children must be separated from their families.

To date little study has been done related to the implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act at …

The Impact Of Whole Family Foster Care On Social Support Networks, Sheri A. Olson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study examined the impact of a whole family foster care program on the social support networks of parents placed in care. Comparisons of networks of five parents before and during placement were made. The results suggest that a possible relationship exists on the amount of support received. Increases in network size, concrete, informational and emotional support, reciprocity of help, and the amount of contacts were reported by parents during placement in the program. The overall percentage of criticalness decreased during placement. This suggests an improvement in the quality of social support networks during placement in whole family foster …

The Definition Of Stalking: Its Historical Context And Current Status, Christine M. Freund

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the historical context of stalking to determine i ts current status as a social problem. in the past 30 years stalking has increased in both reported extent and severity. The study tracked stalking through history from the Roman era to the present. Data was collected through the examination of legal testimonials, popular Literature and articles by those currently working with stalking victims and stalkers. The study found, evidence that stalking is gradually becoming recognized as a social problem.

Community Based Mental Mental Health Services: Perspectives Of Clients With Mental Illness And Of Case Managers, Taylor Jones Jr

Theses and Graduate Projects

Mental illness is a disease of the brain that affects how a person feels, thinks and acts. It is caused by a variety of genetic disorders, environmental and personal stressors. Prior to the establishment of community based mental health treatment, persons with mental illness were usually institutionalized in state mental health institutions. The treatment purpose was to lock people up away from public view and to keep them behind locked doors with very little effort towards treatment rehabilitation. The purpose of this research study is to find out what kind of community resource services best help clients to live more …