Social Work Commons^™

Extending The Capability Paradigm To Address The Complexity Of Disability, Jean-Luc Dubois, Jean-Francois Trani

Brown School Faculty Publications

Amartya Sen looks at people’s well-being in terms of functioning and freedom, rather than in terms of the amount of goods or services consumed. The capability approach developed by Sen deals with what people are able to achieve by using these commodities. Concerning disability, he wrote: “We must take note that a disabled person may not be able to do the many things that an able-bodied individual can, with the same bundle of commodities” (Sen, 1985 p.7). The capability approach makes it possible to analyse the economic situation of people with disabilities in a different way. What becomes important is …

Parental Assets And Children's Educational Outcomes, Vernon Loke, Paul Sacco

Center for Social Development Research

Several countries, including Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom, have enacted asset-based policies for children in recent years. The premise underlying these policies is that increases in assets lead to improvement in various child outcomes over time. But little existing research examines this premise from a dynamic perspective. Using data from the NLSY79 mother and child datasets, two parallel process latent growth curve models are estimated to examine the effects of parental asset accumulation on changes in children’s math and reading achievement over six years during middle childhood. Results indicate that the initial level of assets is positively associated with …

College Savings Plans: Investment Options, Safety, And Policy Implications, Margaret M. Clancy, Joe Jovanovich

Center for Social Development Research

With recent stock market decline, balances in many college savings (529) plans have also declined. Investment options such as money market funds or FDIC-insured CDs are gaining attention, and questions are being raised about the safety of 529 savings plan investments. This brief provides information on 529 savings plan investment options and safety as well as policy implications.

Food Insecurity And Disability: Do Economic Resources Matter?, Jin Huang, Baorong Guo, Youngmi Kim

Center for Social Development Research

This research examines the relationship between work disability and food insecurity, and tests whether the positive association between disability and food insecurity is accounted for by two mechanisms: economic resources and/or competing consumption needs. a sample (N=6,997) is chosen from the 1999 Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) with over 1,200 households headed by people with disabilities. Findings support both mechanisms but depending on the levels of food insecurity and the types of family economic resources, their success at explaining the relationship of disability with food insecurity varies. In addition, we find that household assets are more effective than income …

Five Low-Cost Ideas To Help Families Save For College, Margaret M. Clancy, David Newville

Center for Social Development Research

Improvements to the 529 platform could increase the number of low- and moderate-income families saving in 529s and make it easier for these families to build assets for education. These reforms include large initiatives, such as coordinating existing higher education tax credits and financial aid with 529s, as well as small initiatives to increase savings. This document contains several low-cost, simple reforms for 529s at the federal level. These would be important first steps for enabling more low- and moderate-income students to complete higher education.

Seed Account Monitoring Research, Lisa Reyes Mason, Yunju Nam, Margaret Clancy, Vernon Loke, Youngmi Kim

Center for Social Development Research

SEED Account Monitoring Research

Seed Deposit, Match Cap, And Net Savings Patterns: An Assessment Of Institutional Incentives In The I Can Save Program, Baorong Guo, Margaret S. Sherraden, Lissa Johnson

Center for Social Development Research

Incentive structures are key to the success of asset-building programs. a review of the existing literature reveals a lack of knowledge regarding the time dimension of incentive structures embedded in the asset-building programs. It is not clear how saving performance may change even when institutional settings stay the same over time. Using cash flow data from I Can Save, a small-scale Child Development Account demonstration project, this study closely examines how two institutional components, seed deposit and match cap, affect net savings over the four-year observation period. Results from the descriptive and multivariate analyses show that saving performance is a …

Perceived Effects Of International Volunteering: Reports From Alumni, Benjamin Lough, Amanda Moore Mcbride, Margaret S. Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

Perceived Effects of International Volunteering: Reports From Alumni

Experience Corps: Effects On Student Reading, Nancy Morrow-Howell, Stacey Mccrary, Yung Soo Lee, Ed Spitznagel, Melissa Jonson-Reid

Center for Social Development Research

Experience Corps: Effects on Student Reading

Evaluation Of Experience Corps: Student Reading Outcomes, Nancy Morrow-Howell, Melissa Jonson-Reid, Stacey Mccrary, Yungsoo Lee, Ed Spitznagel

Center for Social Development Research

Evaluation of Experience Corps: Student Reading Outcomes

Beliefs And Behaviors Regarding Substance Use And Hiv Risk Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (Msm) In A Mid-Sized U.S. Community, David A. Patterson Silver Wolf (Adelv Unegv Waya) Phd, Martin Hall Mssw, Seana Golder Phd

Brown School Faculty Publications

This paper explores the beliefs and behaviors surrounding substance use and HIV risk among a convenience sample of 98 MSM in a mid-size community located in the central U.S. Several interesting patterns were identified in the descriptive analyses. Multivariate analysis identified two variables, belief that recreational drug use made sexual experiences better and reports that most MSM friends drank alcohol or took recreational drugs that were significant predictors of engagement in substance using behavior. Models accounted for 24% of the variance in drinking behavior and 15% of the variance in drug using behavior. Suggestions for HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention and …

A Case For Stipends In Volunteer Service, Amanda Moore Mcbride, Ernest Gonzalez, Nancy Morrow-Howell, Stacey Mccrary

Center for Social Development Research

Long-term, intensive volunteer roles in civic service programs are often stipended, meaning volunteers receive monetary support for their time commitment that is considerably below market wages. The effect of stipends on role uptake, performance, and perceived benefits is not known. In this study, we seek to understand the role of stipends as an institutional facilitator. Using data from a longitudinal study of older adults serving in the national service program Experience Corps (N=263), we assess stipend status relative to volunteer socio-demographic characteristics, characteristics of the service experience, and volunteers’ perceived benefits. Overall, we find that stipends may promote participant diversity. …

Experience Corps: Health Outcomes Of Participation, Nancy Morrow-Howell, Song-Iee Hong, Stacey Mccrary, Wayne Blinne

Center for Social Development Research

Experience Corps: Health Outcomes of Participation

Seed Account Monitoring Research: Participants, Savings, And Accumulation, Lisa Reyes Mason, Yunju Reyes Mason, Margaret Clancy, Vernon Loke, Youngmi Kim

Center for Social Development Research

SEED Account Monitoring Research: Participants, Savings, and Accumulation

Youth Service In Comparative Perspective, Amanda Moore Mcbride, Leila Patel, Maud Simonet, Gesa Birnkraut, Tserendorjiin Erdenechimeg, Tumurbaatariin Bulganzaya, Radnaagiin Gantumur, Danielle M. Vogenbeck Varda, Wale Adebanwi, Alvino E. Fantini

Center for Social Development Research

Youth Service in Comparative Perspective

Asset-Based Policy In Hong Kong: Child Development Fund, Michael Sherraden, Li Zou

Center for Social Development Research

The government of Hong Kong officially launched the HK$300 million Child Development Fund (CDF) in November 2008. In the words of Hong Kong’s Secretary for Labor and Welfare, Mr. Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, the CDF’s purpose was to “capitalize on the strengths of various sectors in the community to help our disadvantaged children.” The Hong Kong government drew upon the asset-building research and experience of the Center for Social Development (CSD) at Washington University in St. Louis. In November 2006, Michael Sherraden of CSD delivered a keynote address at the Child Development Forum organized by the Hong Kong Government’s Commission on …

A New Approach To Promote Economic Independence Among At-Risk Children: Child Development Accounts (Cdas) In Korea, Yunju Nam, Chang-Keun Han

Center for Social Development Research

This case study investigates the adoption and implementation of Child Development Accounts (CDAs) in South Korea, using information collected from in-depth interviews and existing documents. The design of the program, an asset-building program for children in the child welfare system, reflects unique needs and conditions of the target population and promotes strong collaboration among governmental and private entities. Issue framing emerges as an important strategy for the CDA policy’s adoption. Institutional and organizational factors, such as sponsorship and well-developed collaboration among multiple partners, may explain the successful implementation of the program.

Active Partnerships: Working Together And Working For The Field, Jennifer Heffern, Gena Gun, Karen Edwards

Center for Social Development Research

The State Assets Policy Project (SAPP), an initiative of the Center for Social Development (CSD) at Washington University in St. Louis, hosted its 6th asset-building policy conference November 7-9, 2007, in St. Louis, Missouri. Titled, Partnerships: Working Together and Working for the Field, the conference had three purposes: 1) to share information about current asset-building policies, and the existing or potential universality of these policies; 2) to facilitate collaboration between participating organizations; and 3) to consider the potential for universality of proposed assets policies, strategies, and systems. This document provides a summary of conference activities geared to assist conference participants …

Ida Evaluation Handbook: A Practical Guide And Tools For Evaluation Of Pioneering Ida Projects, Michael Sherraden, Deborah Page-Adams, Shirley Emerson, Sondra Beverly, Edward Scanlon, Li-Chen Cheng, Margaret S. Sherraden, Lissa Johnson

Center for Social Development Research

This IDA Evaluation Handbook is designed as a practical guide with tools for emergent, pioneering IDA (Individual Development Accounts) projects. The goal of this Handbook is to promote early evaluations of IDAs and learn as much as possible from each project.

The History And Status Of Children's Allowances: Policy Background For Children's Savings Accounts, Curley Jami, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

The history and status of children's allowances: Policy background for Children's Savings Accounts

Social Security In The 21st Century, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

Social Security in the 21st Century

Investment In Human Development As A Social Development Strategy, Sondra Beverly, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

Social development refers to the integration of improvements in human welfare with economic development and widespread participation in the process and benefits of development. While the notion of social development provides a useful complement to economic-oriented development, it has been criticized as utopian, wide-ranging, and theoretically underdeveloped. After summarizing major conceptualizations of social development, this paper focuses on a particular social development issue -- investment in human development. Specifically, investment in human development refers to investments in basic needs such as nutrition, primary health care, and basic housing; and investments in human capital in the form of primary education and …

Policy Brief: Pursuing 529 College Savings Plan Exclusion From Oklahoma Asset Limit Tests, Lisa Reyes Mason, Soda Lo, Margaret M. Clancy

Center for Social Development Research

Pursuing 529 College Savings Plan Exclusion from Oklahoma Asset Limit Tests

Social Impact, Edward F. Lawler, Ellen Rostand, Michelle Kassman, Julie Kennedy, Jessica Martin, Toky Branding + Design, Donna Boyd, A.J. Agee

Social Impact

From the Dean: Our Work in this Economy.;

Interview: Q&A with Paul C. Brophy;

Bookshelf: Understanding Assets: Two new books explore the impact of ownership and assets on individuals and communities;

Perspectives with Matthew Kreuter: Communication Connections;

Building a New Paradigm: Transdisciplinary Research Comes to the Forefront;

A Sense of Place: Place-Based Initiatives Help Communities and Students;

Notebook: Research: Tutoring Produces Big Gains in Student Learning;

Notebook: Research: Free Exercise and Nutrition Program in Brazil Could Serve as Model in United States;

Notebook: Research: Growing Problem for Veterans-Domestic Violence;

Notebook: Message of Service Drives Surge in Peace Corps Applications;

Notebook: …

Lack Of A Will Or Of A Way? Taking A Capability Approach For Analysing Disability Policy Shortcomings And Ensuring Programme Impact In Afghanistan, Jean-Francois Trani, Parul Bakhshi, Ayan A. Noor, Ashraf Mashkoor

Brown School Faculty Publications

The present paper attempts to analyse some of the shortcomings that have impeded efforts in the field of disability in Afghanistan. After an overview of recent disability initiatives, this article presents elements that have contributed to the limited impact. The context of a Conflict Affected Fragile State (CAFS) makes particularly intricate the development of state-capacity as well as the delivery of basic services for the population. To overcome identified gaps, it is argued that Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach (CA) constitutes a relevant framework for designing disability policy and implementation. While the definition of human development has evolved considerably over the …