Social Work Commons^™

Central Americans At A Crossroads: Asylum Seekers’ Testimonios Of Mental Health After Detention And Family Separation, Corie E. Schwabenland Garcia

Master's Theses

Though Central American asylum seekers are presently hypervisible in the U.S. consciousness, this population continues to be inadequately understood or cared for. Discussion of this population often presents them as a helpless and damaged population, in need of saving, fixing, or shelter -- beyond their trauma, they cease to exist. This qualitative study utilizes first-person testimonio methodology to understand the psychological experiences of Central American migrants seeking asylum in the United States, the stressors they face, and the mental health support that can and should be provided to them. Their stories speak to a space of sociopolitical precarity in the …

An Exploration Of Service Needs And Preferences Of Dementia Caregivers In Kentucky, Heehyul Moon, Sunshine Rote, Allison Kacmar, Amy Kostelic, Bari Lewis

The Journal of Extension

As Americans live longer, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will increase. Caregivers are critical to the care and life quality of people with dementia. Yet, dementia caregivers are at increased risk for health issues, social isolation, and financial challenges. To help educators with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service work with their local Alzheimer’s Association and the University of Louisville to better support dementia families, we explored caregiver needs and service utilization using an online survey. Our findings highlighted the need for counseling/support, care management skills, resource education, self-care strategies, and legal services. Extension Service Educators …

Perceptions And Practices In School Social Worker-Teacher Interprofessional Collaboration, Stacy A. Gherardi, Kimberly Knox, Allison Stoner, Bethany Garling-Spychala

International Journal of School Social Work

School social work requires significant skills for interprofessional collaboration, especially collaboration with teachers. While the value of such skills is increasingly recognized in fields such as healthcare, there has been limited attention to assessing or supporting interprofessional practice in education. This exploratory mixed-methods study analyzed survey data from 264 school social workers across the United States in order to understand their perceptions of teachers as collaborators and their practices relating to collaboration with teachers. Barriers to collaboration were also identified. Data suggested that school social workers had positive perceptions of teachers as collaborators generally, but saw limitations in the training …

Assessing Texas School Social Work Practice: Findings From The First Statewide Conference Survey, Xiao Ding, Monica Faulkner, Cynthia Franklin, Beth Gerlach, Mary Beer, Eboni Calbow, Swetha Nulu

International Journal of School Social Work

Abstract

Aims: To examine the characteristics, perceived barriers, special student populations, and school-based tasks performed by Texas's school social workers in comparison to other Specialized Instructional Services Providers (SISP) professionals in schools.

Methods: A convenience sample from a survey of 212 school social workers and school services providers from the Texas School Social Workers Conference. The survey was developed using previous surveys and practice knowledge and assessed (a) demographics, (b) characteristics of school social work practice, (c) types of tasks, (d) special population served, (e) types of barriers), and (f) the tools and training that are most needed. …

Navigating Food Affordability In The Two Bridges Neighborhood, Aina S. Izham

Capstones

This report examines a small neighborhood in Lower Manhattan of New York City called Two Bridges and how they're facing gentrification with a focus on food affordability. Ever since an affordable supermarket closed down in 2012, long-time residents have since struggled to get affordable groceries and are forced to face expensive supermarkets that have been on the rise in the area. Incorporating my journey to understand and listen to the community to find ways to support and work with the community, this report demonstrates that the neighborhood is rapidly gentrifying like most black and brown neighborhoods in New York City. …

Effectiveness Of Community Development Organizations In The St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Kyle Pitzer

Brown School Theses and Dissertations

Concentrated poverty has been a core issue in urban America for close to half of a century. The consequences of living in these neighborhoods are also dire. These "neighborhood effects" are defined as the effects of living in concentrated poverty over and above individual circumstances, which have been tied to a number of important life outcomes. One approach to addressing these issues is community development, and perhaps the most salient vehicle of community development is the community development corporation (CDC). This current study sought to address three aims: 1), understand the effects of CDCs on population-level outcomes; 2), understand the …

Finding Employment For Individuals With Disabilities Utilizing Interprofessional Collaboration, George G. Gaertner

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

This capstone is going to demonstrate my abilities to practice and apply all nine social work competencies. I will be conducting a case study on one of my clients that I have been able to assist during my time at my practicum placement. This capstone will begin by discussing my practicum placement and the agency's goals. The capstone will then thoroughly examine each competency as I describe how I have been able to utilize interprofessional social work practice and skills while working with my client. Lastly, this capstone will discuss the case outcome and how the outcomes were evaluated by …

Centering Racial Equity In A Bsw Program: What We’Ve Learned In Five Years, Stephanie A. Bryson, Gita Mehrotra, Jessica Rodriguez-Jenkins, Passion Ilea

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

In response to the 2016 election of Donald J. Trump and calls for antiracist action from activists and communities of color, our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program embarked on a process of curriculum revision. In this article, we describe our efforts to center critical and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) scholarship and to better align our curriculum with the experiences of students of color. While we have drawn from feminist and critical race theories, we have also borrowed concepts from literatures not typically associated with antiracism work, such as policy implementation and leadership/management. We present our ongoing …

Palestinian-Arabs Volunteering In State Institutions In Israel: Reconciliation And Peacebuilding Or Conflict And Suspicion?, Edith Blit Cohen, Mays Essa

Peace and Conflict Studies

Volunteering in government institutions by national minorities in conflict with the state raises fascinating issues. The identity of Palestinian-Arabs in Israel is divided, as they belong to the Palestinian people and Arab nation, as well as nominal citizens of Israel. This perception study explores the meaning of the volunteering experience for fifteen Palestinian-Arabs in various Israeli state institutions. Three themes arise from the interview analysis: motives for volunteering, challenges faced by the volunteers, and their coping strategies. The study contributes to the theory and practice of the meaning of volunteering in government institutions for minority members in conflict with the …

Personality Disorder Predisposing To Alcohol Dependence, Samarchitha S Ms., Venkatesh Babu Dr., Megha Sadashiv Dr., Sudeep Pk Mr.

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

The Experiences Of Children With Neurological Conditions And Families, Charmaine Alexis Pasion, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Fall 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with chronic neurological conditions and their families experience various challenges that impact their quality of life and occupational participation as they reintegrate back into their communities (Dumas & Grajo, 2021; Taib et al., 2021). However, rehabilitation for children with chronic neurological conditions focuses on addressing functional impairments and self-care activities rather than transitioning home (Diener et al., 2021). Therefore, children and their families are in need of resources and interventions to address their occupational impact as they return to their occupations (Diener et al., 2021). This capstone research study explored the lived experiences of children with chronic neurological conditions …

Capstone: Interprofessional Collaboration, Caleb Dobbs

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

Interprofessional collaboration is vital in the social work profession. Working with an interprofessional team consisting of various professions and backgrounds is both challenging and rewarding when done correctly. There are numerous models and theories out there for best practices for interprofessional collaboration. This paper evaluates different facets of interprofessional teamwork as a client case study rooted in the nine competencies set forth by the CSWE at the micro, mezzo, and macro level. Topics such as Michelle P. Waiver program, Model for Interdisciplinary Collaboration, ethical dilemmas and violation, how to be culturally responsive, how to handle client termination, and using self-care …

Qualitative Online Data Collection: Towards A Framework Of Ethical Decision-Making, Søren Kristiansen

The Qualitative Report

This paper offers an ethical framework to guide decision-making when using online methods to collect qualitative data. With the introduction of the internet, a range of new ways to collect data have emerged, each of which involves sets of ethical issues and concerns. From a review of these concerns, the paper presents a framework that may facilitate decision-making when faced with ethical challenges. The framework is based on reviews of three internet-mediated qualitative methods used to collect qualitative data on human life and behavior: online interviews, online focus groups, and online observation. Based on his review, a conceptual framework is …

Interprofessional Practice And Handling The First Break: A Case Study, Jalen D. Clemmons

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

Handling the first psychotic break can be a delicate process. In order to do so effectively, it is important to utilize the perspectives and disciplines offered within an inter-professional team. This paper is a case study revolving around the work done by an inter-professional treatment team at Eastern State Hospital.

Residential Case Management; Advanced Interprofessional Collaboration, Kaleia P. Spires

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

In the field of social work case management is an integrative process used by a social worker to meet a client’s complex needs by arranging for a client to get access to multiple services. Social workers in this role assess, make arrangements, coordinate, evaluate, collaborate, and advocate to ensure clients specific needs are met. Case management serves as an essential component of competent professional social work practice. Social workers in this role serve as members on an interprofessional team and may service a variety of settings such as hospitals, schools, healthcare facilities, shelters or residential setting, or even in private …

Utilizing Interprofessional Collaboration To Support And Broaden Perspectives Of First-Generation, Low-Income Students, Taylor Stratman

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

First-gen, low-income students face significant barriers when it comes to postsecondary education. In order to be successful, professionals working with this population has utilized value-led programming and provided expansions of their cultural perspectives.

The Development Of The Student Advisory Board In The Master’S Of Social Work Program At Eastern Kentucky University, Stephanie E. Burris

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

Over the past six months, a selection of Masters of Social Work (MSW) students at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) have been diving into program development mode through interprofessional collaboration to establish a firm foundation for the new Student Advisory Board (SAB). This capstone is an overview of the program planning from one student representative's perspective within the interprofessional team. This capstone will provide an overview of the program's development process, limitations, and suggestions for future directions. Attached is a copy of the SAB Handbook that was developed simultaneously with the capstone (see Appendix). Throughout the capstone, the SAB team will …

Application Of Cswe Competencies In Process Of Obtaining Carf Accreditation, Hannah L. Marquez-Hernandez

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

Alteri Behavioral Health achieved a 3-year CARF accreditation in July of 2022. This being the highest level of accreditation possible indicates that the agency demonstrated significant conformance to CARF standards and operates in a manner that is beneficial to clients served (CARF, 2022). The intention of this capstone is to demonstrate the application of CSWE competencies to the process undertaken by the interprofessional team to achieve the desired outcome of CARF accreditation. This process involved the development and implementation of agency policies and procedures. These policies and procedures were formulated based on input from the interprofessional team and application of …

Addressing The Information Gap About Gender Affirming Care, Leah Rousso

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

State legislatures across the country have made numerous attempts to pass bills that reflect a lack of understanding and empathy for transgender people (Branigin & Kirkpatrick, 2022). Social workers must be prepared to increase public awareness of the negative consequences for transgender people and society as a whole. One way to respond is to increase awareness. What the process of transitioning for a transgender person might look like, how to help someone who is looking for advice, and gain perspective of the emotional toll it may have on the individual. Therefore, this project will focus on addressing each of those …

Social Work In Mental Health And Interprofessional Collaboration, Keri L. Baker

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

No abstract available.

Clark/Floyd Crisis Intervention Team Capstone Project, Troy L. Mansfield

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Interprofessional Collaboration And The Use Of Social Work Competencies In Therapeutic Foster Care, Virginia Hall

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Training Transfer, Sarah Stepanek, Megan Paul

Umbrella Summaries

What is training transfer? Training transfer is formally defined as “the degree to which trainees effectively apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained in a training context to the job” (Baldwin & Ford, 1988, p. 63). Training transfer has been conceptualized based on three main factors, which are detailed further below. ► Maintenance versus generalization: Maintenance consists of the degree to which knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) from the learning environment are able to persist over time, whereas generalization consists of being able to take KSAs acquired from a learning environment and apply them to situations or settings that are …

International Mental Health Education, Service, And Research: Working Across Cultural Boundaries With Humility, Creativity, And Perseverance [Keynote], Yun Shi, Zachary Pietrantoni, Maha Y. See

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This keynote presentation addresses doing International mental health education, services, and research with humility, creativity, and perseverance.

Veterans Treatment Court: Outreach Specialist, Francisco Narewski

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Monterey Military and Veterans Affairs Office (MVAO) is a lifeline to Monterey County veterans who suffer from PTSD, substance abuse, and have fallen into the justice system due to service connected disabilities. The MVAO has a justice outreach program that includes peer mentorship. The project's purpose is to ensure that veterans comply with the rules and regulations of the Monterey County Veterans Court and graduate from the program. The current program manager is tasked with the huge responsibility of veteran advocate, court liaison, peer program manager, and Veterans Affairs subject matter expert. The next steps the agency can take …

Branding For Hope Services, Roberta Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Hope Services is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization located in Seaside, California. Hope Services was in need of a new marketing and branding plan in order to reach more people throughout the various communities that are being served. The first contributing factor is limited outreach throughout the community, the consequence to that is low client rates which brings less staff. The second contributing factor is limited caseworkers, the consequence is low levels of applications being accepted or seen. The last contributing factor is limited access to technology, the consequence is low levels of knowledge of resources for possible clients. The capstone …

Religiosity And Midwestern Lgbtq+ Homeless Youth, Alecia Keller, Nancy Kelley

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Previous investigations have focused on the intersections of LGBTQ+ youth and religion, homelessness and religion, or homeless LGBTQ+ youth, without recognizing the multiple intersections that make up each LGBTQ+ youth’s identity. The purpose of this study was to gain more insight into how being homeless, identifying as LGBTQ+, and growing up with some religion played a role in transitional-aged (ages eighteen to twenty-five) youths’ lives. After working with Youth Emergency Services (YES) in Omaha, Nebraska, and conducting interviews with LGBTQ+ youth who were previously homeless, similar topics emerged among participants. Three participants were evicted from their homes because of their …

“We’Ll Dance Harder And Love Deeper”: Lgbtqia+ Resilience And Resistance During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kristie L. Seelman, Brendon Holloway, Grace Macintyre, Elizabeth Mynatt

SW Publications

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. Two years into the pandemic, there have been over one million COVID-19 deaths in the United States alone. While the pandemic has impacted everyone, the most extreme impacts have been experienced by marginalized communities, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Although LGBTQIA+ people have faced the negative impacts of the pandemic, the LGBTQIA+ community may be well equipped to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic due to the historic and current societal oppression this community has endured. Using both a resilience and resistance framework, …

An Exploration Into The Design Of A Portable Music Player For People With Alzheimer’S And Dementia, Jaxon V. Silva

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

An exploration into the design of a portable music player for people with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Annual Report 2021-2022, Elizabeth Winchester, Jada Thomas-Smith, Harleen Sandhu, Aimee H. Moles, Judith L. F. Rhodes

Reports

Child abuse and neglect is a leading factor in the staggeringly high rates of child mortality in Louisiana. In 2017, Louisiana had 44,793 total referrals for child abuse and neglect of which 19,851 were investigated (CWLA, 2019). Child abuse and neglect can have multiple detrimental effects on a child’s physical, psychological, and behavioral health. Effective prevention efforts are critical to ensuring the immediate and long-term safety and well-being of children in Louisiana. Each year, LCTF selects high-quality proposals and funds a range of prevention efforts to protect children, strengthen family well-being, and educate the public about children’s safety. Local, national, …