Social Work Commons^™

Fostering Strengths: Using Testimonios To Identify Community Cultural Wealth In Foster Youth, Katherine Mullin

Master's Projects and Capstones

Foster youth voices have been silenced in schools, work environments, and many other settings.There is very little research around what works well for foster youth and what their assets are. Foster youth have many skills and resources that they use to navigate systems that continually marginalize them. But these are often ignored or overlooked. This project uses youth voices through Testimonios and Community Cultural Wealth to create a training for group home staff.

Foster The Future, Gabriela Zuno

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Thousands of foster children are moving on to becoming adults without the needed life skills education to be successful in life. Chamberlain’s Children Center is a non-profit organization that provides services and housing for foster children. The administration department is the division in the organization that is implementing the life skills course for the teen girls. The project is an educational workshop series addressed to meet the need of daily living skills education for the future success of foster youth. The course consisted of weekly two-and-a-half-hour lessons prepared by community professionals and volunteers for a total of six weeks during …

San Benito County Parents Learning About Drugs And Alcohol In Spanish, Nancy Zermeno

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Hispanic or Latino non-speaking English Parents are not familiarized with the different types of drugs in the community. Various studies have indicated that San Benito County teenager that suffer from drug and alcohol are at-risk of being truant, dropping school, or becoming criminals. This project aimed to address a Drug prevention intervention class in Spanish to target the population of non-speaking English parents. The majority of non-speaking English parents are not familiarized with the culture or laws in the United States. The project was implemented by the Juvenile Division of San Benito County Probation Department in collaboration with Youth Alliance. …

The Visiting Nurses Association And Hospice Connection Program Binder Update: A Need For Current Community Resources, Melina Correa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Residents in Monterey and San Benito county need up-to-date information on resources and services in their communities to enhance their quality of life. In partnership with the Central Coast Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, the Connection Program has helped to implement an update of their 2014 Connection Program Resource Binder to address this need. The 2017 Connection Program Resource Binder is a research and needs-based project that will supply staff members with information and applications necessary to help their patients and, in turn, for the community to become more aware of what resources are available to them. The project was …

Preschoolers And Pandas Making Friends: A Journey About Healing From Brain Injury, Barbara Anne Doucette

Museum Studies Projects

Preschoolers that have obtained Non-Accidental Injury (NAI) from familial child abuse are in need of having a unique place for neurorehabilitation in correlation with traditional therapies. My thesis project suggests adding an exhibit annex to an existing giant panda exhibit that will give preschoolers an opportunity to help develop new neuropathways when exposed to mediation and creative activities. Meditation and creative activities are being examined by neuroscientists as an aid in neuroplasticity after brain injury. This thesis reviews the neurotypical preschooler’s milestones and the playful means by which they are achieved. Conjoining the contemporary museums’ and zoological gardens’ outreach to …

Mediation And Moderation Of Intergenerational Epigenetic Effects Of Trauma, Stefanie Renee Pilkay

Doctoral Dissertations

Trauma and early-life stress have been linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes. In fact, research has identified trauma and stress can influence epigenetic marks on genes that can alter gene activity. It is suspected that epigenetically altered gene activity is involved in behavior and mental health. This may help explain why some individuals don’t experience great benefit from treatment for the effects of stress, and severe mental health symptoms can be chronic for decades or a lifetime. Moreover, some trauma-related mental health symptoms have shown generational patterns that appear linked to epigenetic marks. Therefore, this study sought to …

Learning To Heal: The Impact Of A Restorative Justice Program On Crime Victims, Jacquelyn P. Poplawsky

Theses & Dissertations

In the United States, someone is murdered, raped, robbed, or assaulted every 26 seconds (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2015). Violent victimization is a uniquely disorienting dilemma because it is the result of harm from another human being. Extensive research has shown that crime victims’ complex emotional and psychological needs are not adequately fulfilled by the dominant retributive system of justice. The other paradigm of justice that has received extensive consideration from theorists and scholars, with research that now covers multiple continents and 3 decades, is restorative justice.

Restorative justice theory and practice have become effective complementary, and at times, alternative …

"Si No Estuviera Conmigo, Yo Seria Muda En Este País": A Systematic Literature Review Of Language Brokering Among Latinx Youth, Manuela Gonzalez

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study reviews the literature on language brokering among first and second-generation Latinx youth. Language brokering is a commonplace occurrence among bilingual Latinx children and takes place in many locations from public institutions to the family home. Language brokering consists of translating and interpreting oral and written information as well as the cultural nuances that come with many social interactions. The impact of language brokering on the emotional and social well-being, acculturation process and parent-child relationships of Latinx youth is mixed. Further research addressing the impact of language brokering on parents and siblings as well as the importance of familial …

Best Practices For Engaging Birth Mothers In Post-Adoptive Grief Work, Melanie Dejong

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Birth mothers who have placed one or more children for adoption experience a variety of difficult emotions both during and after the placement of the child. The literature reveals the idea that there needs to be an increase in the support available to birth mothers following placement. The literature also discusses the grief that birth mothers experience post placement and the importance of addressing and helping birth mothers grieve. However, there was a lack of research suggesting the best ways to engage birth mothers in post-adoptive grief work. This systematic review aims to examine past research to reveal the best …

Functional Isolation: Understanding Isolation In Trafficking Survivors, Liz Mahan

Student Theses

This study examined how traffickers used different elements of isolation and how such tactics may have contributed to the traffickers’ success in maintaining control over the victim. I examined in-depth narratives from 14 women between the ages of 20-53, primarily immigrants, who were recruited from an agency serving victims of sex trafficking in a large metropolitan city. The tactics used by traffickers varied and included not only the commonly defined structural isolation in which victims are restricted physically and socially, but also included a shrinking of safe social space and an elimination of privacy and social support. The latter is …

Mapping Social Justice: A Case Study Of A School Of Social Work Student-Led Social Justice Initiative, Lauren Abdill

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Throughout the history of social work, two different branches – micro social work and macro social work – have emerged. Micro social work is largely focused on treating mental and behavioral health problems in individuals, couples and groups. Macro social work, meanwhile, focuses on making systemic changes through advocacy like lobbying and community organizing. Despite their differences, a key principle unites these branches: social justice. Although the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) identify social justice as a guiding principle of social work, there is little consensus in the field of what …

The Role Of Social Work On College Campuses: A Systematic Narrative Review Of Social Work Roles And Values, Ryan Sheats

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

On college campuses, both mental health and systematic issues are apparent for students. The role of social work needs to be more present on college campuses. This paper will serve to explore the role of social work on college campuses. A narrative systematic review was done in order to answer the question “What is the role of social workers on college campuses”. The databases that were used were PsycNet, SOCINDEX, Social Work abstracts, and the Journal of College Counseling. The following search terms were used: Colleges AND Social Casework, College Counseling AND Higher Education, Social Work Practice AND Universities & …

Identity And Belonging: Documentation Status And Mexican-Origin Children: A Systematic Review, Alicia Bauers

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

There is a growing body of literature on the ways in which legal status affects the lives of undocumented Mexican immigrants, yet very little is known about how their status impacts the well-being of their children. This systematic review was conducted to answer the research question, “According to the literature, how do the children of undocumented Mexican immigrants describe the impact of parental documentation status on their identity and sense of belonging?” Studies utilizing qualitative methods were emphasized to gain insight directly from the voices of the children themselves. Results from the review included perspectives from the 1.5 generation, second-generation …

Systematic Review: Considerations For Women With Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder And Ptsd, Brittany Feller

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Statistics demonstrate the prevalence of co-occurring substance use disorder and PTSD among women, and the need for integrated mental health treatment. The researcher of this systematic literature review sought out to explore the following research question: “In what ways do helping professionals intervene with women with co-occurring substance use disorder and PTSD?” A systematic review was conducted using the following databases, SocINDEX, Social Work Abstracts, PsychINFO, and SAMSHA and searched variations of the terms, “Social Work,” “Helping Professionals,” “Women,” “Co-occurring Substance Use Disorder,” “PTSD,” and “Treatment.” All articles were peer-reviewed and involved some aspect of women with co-occurring substance use …

Best Practices Of Building Therapeutic Alliances With Clients Living With Psychotic Disorders, Nicole Rominski

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This systematic narrative review examined best practices for developing therapeutic alliances with clients living with psychotic disorders. A systematic narrative literature review resulted in eight articles included in this research. A narrative review of the articles presented three main findings: practitioner’s utilization of psychotherapeutic theories in order to conceptualize psychotic symptoms and build relationships, recovery-focused collaborative models of care, and what clients say they want in relationships from practitioners. Results indicated that there may be a disconnect between theory and practice, as data speaking to the process of building a therapeutic alliance with this population was limited. Further implications recommend …

Intervention Effectiveness Following Gender-Based Violence And Forced Migration: A Critical Systematic Literature Review And Synthesis Of Qualitative Studies From The Voice Of The Client, Malory Giraldo

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Aim. This systematic review aims to understand effective therapeutic interventions from the voice of the client; female forced migrants, post-migration who have endured and survived gender-based violence.

Background. Professionals are implementing therapeutic interventions for this population whose experiences convey both vulnerabilities and resiliencies, yet a common understanding of what effective interventions are has not yet been established in the literature.

Design. Systematic narrative review and synthesis of literature.

Data sources. Electronic database search sources included ScienceDirect, SAGE, PubMed, and Scopus. Professionals in the field, think tanks, and research organizations were also consulted to locate texts which could contribute to the …

Social Work Perspectives On Working With Pregnant Women With Opioid Use Disorder, Ann Schroeder

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The incidence of addiction to opioids, more formally known as opioid use disorder (OUD), has skyrocketed in the U.S. in the last 25 years. Opioids are a class of narcotic drugs that include a range of synthetic prescription opioid pain relievers, including fentanyl. The number of pregnant women in the United States experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD) related to nonmedical use of prescription opioids has increased dramatically. Between 2000 and 2009, the number of child-bearing women with an OUD increased five-fold. Nonmedical prescription OUD affects vulnerable, young, low-income or poor women and their children, including White, African American, and Hispanic …

Aging Americans: Family Factors And Satisfaction With Life And Aging, Miranda Eastham

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Successful aging has been explored and defined in research as a particularly desirous state of being as one approaches older age. Operational definitions of successful aging often include measures of physical health, internal and external resources, proactivity levels, and wellbeing. Additional research on later life has included the study of family and support factors on the aging experience. In light of these topics, the current research sought to explore successful aging within a family context by comparing family demographics to older Americans’ satisfaction with life and aging. This inquiry was conducted using a secondary data analysis design on the public …

Changing The Narrative: How People With Disabilities Overcome Discrimination In Employment Settings, Gabrielle Holloway

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This research assessed the research question of how people with disabilities overcome barriers of discrimination in employment settings. The introduction focused on the overall impact of societal discrimination towards people with disabilities. The literature review narrowed the discrimination focus to how that discrimination arises in employment settings for people with disabilities and how it negatively impacts their opportunity to find work, and advance in competitive career settings. The literature also discussed the benefits of hiring people with disabilities which included factors related to reliable, hardworking, and unique perspective to use for workplace collaboration and discussion. A conceptual framework of the …

The Social Work Perspective: A Systematic Review Of Best Practices For Social Workers In Healthcare Teams, Sarah Kirschbaum

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Social workers are involved in a variety of multidisciplinary teams in different settings, but the role social workers play in a multidisciplinary healthcare teams lacks clarity and consistency in research. The literature solidifies the notion that social workers utilize a broad perspective and are heavily relied upon to be a voice of reason in multidisciplinary teams (Patterson, 2004). In addition, the literature isolates role ambiguity and mistrust as the most common factors weakening teams in the work place. (Patterson & Pennefather, 2015); however, there is minimal qualitative research on how a social worker self-identifies as part of a multidisciplinary team …

Disability Accommodations In Postsecondary Education A Systematic Review, Kaitlyn Gartner

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

More students with disabilities, both visible and nonvisible, are attending postsecondary institutions. In order for these students to be successful, there needs to be collaboration between students, professors, and disability support services. Engaging students with disabilities and helping them succeed is an integral part of the postsecondary experience. Students with disabilities face challenges in postsecondary education that students without disabilities won’t face. This systematic review aims to identify the best practices of accommodating students with disabilities. A total of 12 articles were reviewed, including both qualitative and quantitative studies. Some of the studies suggested that a caring environment and a …

Privlineage: A Conceptual Model For Exploring A Legacy Of Privilege, Derek Otte

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Peggy McIntosh likens white privilege within American culture to an “invisible package of unearned assets that [one] can count on cashing in each day” (McIntosh, 2008, p 1). Majorities of people entering the social work profession are white and hold advanced degrees, while many of their clients come from minority, marginalized populations with a high percentage of people of color (Whitaker, Weismiller, & Clark, 2006). Without a healthy amount of awareness on the part of a social worker regarding his or her privilege, clients with disadvantage may become further alienated and marginalized by unwittingly discriminatory actions and decisions. Due to …

Developing A Platform For Integrating Disability Issues Into City Municipality Decisions; Case Study: City Of Knoxville, Sravanthi Pamu

Masters Theses

The People with Disabilities (PWD) & Senior Citizen (SC) are isolated from the mainstream society, and they face several barriers in everyday life. There is no communication platform for them to express their concerns, in turn, participate in the city municipality policy decisions related to PWD- & SC-friendly city development. The purpose of this research is to integrate disability and senior citizen issues in the city of Knoxville to the city council decisions. The comprehensive literature search is done to identify the frequently mentioned disability and age-friendly city factors. An effective survey was designed to identify the issues in collaboration …

Addressing Social Issues Affecting Vulnerable Populations In San Benito County Through Community Events, Lucila Alvarez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In San Benito County there is a high concentration of Triqui community members. They originate from the state of Oaxaca in Mexico and flee their homeland due to political prosecution and violence. Many times, Triqui community members arrive in the United States speaking and understanding only their native Triqui language. Their customs and traditions clash with those of the United States and due to fear they isolate themselves and do not seek any community services. Community Solutions addressed these issues by organizing the first ever Indigenous Cultures Day in Hollister, CA on May 21, 2017. The event consisted of a …

Interns Matter: Maximizing Integration Of Interns Into Community Agencies, Valerie Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Hope Services is a non-profit agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities in six counties. Over the years, there have been many agencies that have formed connections with Hope Services. One of these collaborative partnerships has been with CSU Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) integration of interns through their field placement program. However, recently former Hope Services South District Manager, Greg Dinsmore, witnessed a lack of utilization and integration of interns across all Hope Services agencies. Through firsthand experience as a mentor, he witnessed the benefits of utilizing interns and saw the need for further advocacy and support for the integration of interns …

Monterey County Behavioral Health - "Transition To Integrated Care", Jose Francisco Barajas Chavez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The rate of clients discharging from acute mental health services in Monterey County is low. According to Monterey County Behavioral Health Services Act (2017), “the demand for services has greatly increased with the ACCESS programs serving 90% more individuals in the past two years [2015-2016], and a 168% increase in the last 5 years [2011-2016].” The increase in demand for services has impacted staff psychiatrist and social workers in providing quality treatment services.

The Monterey County Behavioral Health Bureau (MCBH), a division of Monterey County Health Department, has identified clients who’ve shown improvement in their mental health recovery and are …

An Exploration Of Dementia Friendly Communities From The Perspective Of Persons Living With Dementia, Catherine Hebert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing global prevalence of dementia coupled with a shift in public perception from a hopeless disease to the possibility of living well with dementia has led to the formation of dementia friendly communities (DFC). DFCs are a new phenomenon in the United States, with a gap in knowledge on input from people living with dementia (PLWD). This study investigated DFCs from the perspective of PLWD in Western North Carolina, with the following research questions:

1. How are interactions and relationships experienced by persons living with dementia in the community?
2. How is community engagement experienced by PLWD?
3. To what extent and …

Solution Focused Creativity In Social Work, Emilie R. Kenneally

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Solution Focused Brief Therapy is a well-known method of therapy used by many clinicians and social workers. There are similarities between this therapy and the creative problem solving process. Creating a workbook that adapts creative problem solving tools to include solution focused language and concepts can make social workers’ jobs easier and also help them work more effectively. When social workers are able to do their jobs in a more creative way, they will have less stress and create better outcomes for their clients. Using a framework that already exists (i.e. Solution Focused Brief Therapy) and comparing it to creative …

El Derecho A La Tierra Y Al Territorio En El Alto Ariari – Meta Aportes Al Proceso De Reparación Colectiva De Las Comunidades Campesinas, Jennifer Alarcón Salamanca, Denisse Huffington Archbold, Diana Catalina Mosquera Paniagua, Diana Carolina Bermúdez Aponte

Trabajo Social

Colombia ha vivido cerca de 60 años en medio de un conflicto armado, social y político cuyo eje ha sido la disputa por la tierra y el territorio. La concentración de la tierra, el despojo, el desarraigo, los terrenos baldíos, la titulación de la tierra y el control territorial por parte de diversos actores armados y no armados (terratenientes, comerciantes, empresarios, políticos, paramilitares, guerrillas, etc.) han generado daños individuales con impactos colectivos y también ha ocasionado daños a las comunidades. De manera particular los campesinos han sido las principales víctimas este conflicto y como parte de las respuestas a los …

Proceso De Sistematización Al Proyecto. Apoyo A La Fase 3 De Proyectos Productivos De Los Egresados Del Programa De Ingeniería Agronómica Del Proyecto Utopía De La Universidad, Que Incluyan Y Ofrezcan Oportunidades Productivas En El Campo A Personas Con Discapacidad, Adultos Mayores O Cuidadores, Mayté Irina Montoya Cabezas, Sharon Helein Giraldo Oliveros

Trabajo Social

El presente documento es el resultado de la tesis de investigación ligado a la modalidad de grado “participación activa en proyectos de investigación disciplinar o interdisciplinar”, en el marco del convenio interinstitucional entre la Fundación Saldarriaga Concha y la Universidad de La Salle dentro de proyecto: “Apoyo a la fase 3 de proyectos productivos de los egresados del Programa de Ingeniería Agronómica del Proyecto Utopía de la Universidad, que incluya y ofrezcan oportunidades productivas en el campo a personas con discapacidad, adultos mayores o cuidadores” desarrollado en el municipio de granada meta” para el desarrollo del mismo se cuenta con …