Social Work Commons^™

Staying Ahead Of Substance Abuse: The Changing Landscape Of Marijuana Use, Jennifer Smith, Pamela Ashley, Jeanette Harder

Reports

In their comprehensive report, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) (2017) concludes that the United States is in a pivotal time in the world of cannabis policy and research one in which “Shifting public sentiment, conflicting and impeded scientific research, and legislative battles have fueled the debate about what, if any, harms or benefits can be attributed to the use of cannabis or its derivatives” (p. 2).

Proving Their Love: Violence And Gender Norms In Descriptions Of Relationships Among Rural Mexican Adolescents, Heidi Adams Rueda, Steven Hoffman, Kaitlin Grytza

Social Work Faculty Publications

Mexican youth from impoverished areas are at increased risk for experiencing relationship violence. Research in the United States has suggested that perpetration may be contextualized by culturally-influenced gender values, specifically performance of negative aspects of male masculinity (i.e., machismo) and its female counterpart (i.e., marianismo). This study utilized focus group methods to explore how middle school adolescents (N = 98) from a rural area of Central Mexico differentiate between healthy and unhealthy dating relationships.

We evoked a feminist developmental lens to interpret themes which centralized males as physical and sexual aggressors and to offer culturally-relevant program and practice recommendations.

Dop-Coroners’ Study 2019 Final Report: Assessing Coroners’ Needs, Brittany Willmore, B. Shine Cho, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) partnered with Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to assess the needs of Nebraska county coroners in conducting drug overdose death investigations.

To develop a clear understanding of the Nebraska county coroners’ needs, STEPs conducted an online survey of 91 county coroners who are serving 93 Nebraska counties, according to Nebraska DHHS’s internal data. STEPs administered the survey on July 23, 2019, and closed it on August 16, 2019. 28 people participated in the survey and 25 completed it, giving a …

Drug Use Behaviors: A Needs Assessment Of Treatment Providers, Rachel Lubischer, Jodi Gabel, Lynn Castrianno, Kristina Faimon, Dawne Frain, Jeanette Harder, Josie Schafer, Gaylene Armstrong

Reports

The goal of this needs assessment is to better understand individuals’ drug-use behaviors in Nebraska through the lens of treatment providers. The results of this study will aid the Drug Overdose Prevention (DOP) program in providing training and other resources to treatment centers, focusing prevention efforts, and informing the statewide crisis response plan and future studies. Ultimately, this study will support DOP’s efforts to reduce opioid-involved fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Nebraska.

Technology And Dating Among Pregnant And Parenting Youth In Residential Foster Care: A Mixed Qualitative Approach Comparing Staff And Adolescent Perspectives, Heidi Adams Rueda, Megan Lindsay Brown, Jennifer M. Geiger

Social Work Faculty Publications

The aim of this study was to explore the role of technology in the dating and sexual experiences of pregnant and parenting adolescent girls placed in residential foster care. Interviews with program staff (N = 12; 50% Hispanic) and focus groups with adolescent foster youth (N = 13; 46% Hispanic) were conducted to understand how technologies (e.g., cell phone, texting, and social media) influence youth’s dating lives, including how youth navigate conflict with a dating partner in technology spaces and their experiences with cyber abuse. Both staff and youth emphasized technology as providing an outlet from the home …

Drug Use Behaviors: A Review Of National And State Trends In The Literature, Dawne Frain, Rachel Lubischer, Lynn Castrianno, Jeanette Harder

Reports

Purpose
This report informs a needs assessment to gauge drug-use behaviors, treatment needs, and prevention efforts through the lens of treatment providers across Nebraska.

Methodology
After determining the scope of the literature review in collaboration with DHHS, researchers gathered relevant information from a variety of sources. The primary areas of interest include:

• National and Nebraska statistics.
• Prevention.
• Initiation to drug use.
• Treatment.

Data Sources Used
This literature review includes a combination of scholarly articles, federal and state agency documents, and key stakeholder publications. Local news sources were also reviewed to capture current information relevant to Nebraska.

Case Manager And Client Relationships For Hiv Related Care Services In Rural Areas, Evan Meduna, Amy West

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This article examines and evaluates client and case manager relationships of HIV related care in rural areas. Through the use of a literature review, the goal was to pinpoint discrepancies along the continuum of care in rural and non-rural communities. Linkage to care and retention in care were the focus of the literature review. In addition, a qualitative study of five rural case managers at the Nebraska AIDS Project was performed to identify barriers and best practices. The research provided evidence of the need for future research of strategies and interventions of increased testing and maintaining clients in care in …

Impact Of Hotel/Motel Trainings On Realizing, Recognizing, And Responding To Human Trafficking, Rachel Lubischer, Jodi Gabel, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The Coalition on Human Trafficking (CHT) is focused on bringing trafficking awareness and prevention to the Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, communities, as well as building coalitions regionally, nationally, and internationally. Because hotels and motels are a trafficking hotspot, CHT launched their “Realize, Recognize, and Respond” campaign in 2016 to train hotel-motel staff within a 50-mile radius of Omaha.

The Coalition on Human Trafficking (CHT) partnered with Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to conduct an assessment of CHT’s Hotel/Motel Training Program between April 1, 2018 and May 31, …

Drug Overdose Prevention: Needs Of Healthcare Professionals And First Responders, Jessica Groeneweg, Lynn Castrianno, Gaylene Armstrong, Jeanette Harder, Rachel Lubischer, Dawne Frain

Reports

Purpose and Background
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) partnered with Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Grace Abbott School of Social Work, to complete a statewide needs assessment between October 2018 and April 2019. The purpose of this needs assessment was to gauge the capacity of statewide systems in Nebraska to respond to surges or clusters of intentional, unintentional, and unknown drug overdoses, especially in high-burden areas and with a focus on opioids. The hope of the results from this needs assessment is to inform DHHS …

Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault: Research Practices For Protection Orders, Shelby Connett

Student Work

Mission Statement: “To be a source of help, hope, safety, and inspiration to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. We embrace and focus on the story of each individual with deep concern and care in order to understand, facilitate, advocate, and support.”

SASA has been in existence for 40 years serving individuals and families in many important ways. Their current set of service provisions can be found detailed below in an organizational chart.

Habitat For Humanity Omaha: Homeownership Program: Quantitative And Qualitative Report, Rachel Lubischer, Heather Carlson

Student Work

This report includes quantitative results, qualitative results, an overall summary, and recommendations. The Quantitative Introduction includes an demographic analysis of 2018 Quarter 3 applicants to the Homeownership Program. The Quantitative Data pages include an explanation of quantitative methodology, data collection, and analysis procedures. Additionally, a comparison of applicant demographic and outcome data, an overall summary, and research limitations are provided. The Qualitative Data pages include information on the data collection process, coding procedures, and primary themes identified. A concept map of qualitative themes and categories, an overall summary, and research limitations are also provided. The Summary provides an overall summary …

Sexual Violence Prevention Best Practices For Nebraska Rpe, December Lange Treacy, Claire Rynearson, Jeanette Harder

Reports

The purpose of this report is to provide sexual violence prevention advocates and practitioners in Nebraska with support in choosing evidence-based or evidence-informed programs for implementation in their communities.

The beginning sections of this report will provide you with background information and a foundation for selecting a model. This includes information on the socio-ecological model, CDC strategies and approaches, evidence-based programs, evidence-informed practices, fidelity, appropriate adaptations, and considerations for rural communities. Our hope is for this information to provide you with the resources you need to determine what type of evidence-based or evidence-informed practice will be the best fit for …

Youth Perspectives Of Healthcare In Central Mexico: An Application Of Massey’S Critical Health Literacy Framework, Steven Hoffman, Heidi Adams Rueda, Lauren Beasley

Social Work Faculty Publications

Attention to health literacy is essential more now than ever given the recognition, attention, and resources being dedicated to addressing health disparities throughout the world. Unfortunately, health literacy research is scarce in many parts of the world, particularly among youth. Using focus group discussions with junior high school students (N = 98) in a rural town of Central Mexico, we sought to learn about their experiences utilizing healthcare services at a local health clinic. The themes that naturally emerged from focus group discussions aligned with Massey’s framework on critical health literacy among US youth, and included problems navigating the health …

The Opioid Crisis: Exploring The Effects On First Responders And Healthcare Professionals, Rachel Lubischer, Dawne Frain

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

In 2017, the National Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency (The White House, 2018). Although Nebraska ranks among the states with the lowest number of drug overdose deaths, rising opioid use creates safety concerns for first responders and healthcare professionals, and leads to strained resources in many jurisdictions. We hope to increase our audience’s knowledge on the opioid crisis, how it effects first responders and healthcare professionals, and pertinent policies and initiatives in Nebraska. Our audience will leave this presentation better equipped to initiate discussions with friends, family, and community members about …

2019 Evaluation Report For Omaha Girls Rock–A Youth Empowerment Organization, Dawne Frain, Jessica Groeneweg, Jeanette Harder

Reports

Purpose of Evaluation
Omaha Girls Rock invited Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to assess processes and outcomes for the 2019 Girls Rock summer camp program. STEPs evaluators endeavored to discover the degree to which Girls Rock achieved program outcomes of growth mindset, confidence, skill development, teamwork, and future focus for participants in their 2019 summer camp. STEPs evaluators accomplished this by 1) observing and recording behaviors during a full day of camp programming, 2) analyzing camper survey data and demographics provided by Girls Rock, and 3) conducting post-camp phone …