Social Work Commons^™

The Implications Of Ace Science: A Call To Respond, Valerie Norcross

The Diana McDonald Writer's Challenge

In “The Implications of ACE Science: A Call to Respond,” Valerie Norcross employs a professional format for writing in the field of psychology. Her essay cites studies linking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with higher mortality rates due to a range of causes. Norcross explains some of the scientific theories for why childhood traumas contribute to shorter life expectancies. She describes efforts to screen children for ACEs and interventions for diminishing the long-term detrimental health effects of ACEs.

Unheard Warriors: Creating An Effective Child Welfare Workforce, Yina Cordero

Community Engagement Student Work

As child abuse and neglect cases continue to increase in the United States, child welfare workers continue to experience challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to adequately care for the children and families in the child welfare system. Unfortunately, this has led to increased turnover rates among child welfare workers. Policy surrounding the child welfare workforce have pushed for changes that do not appropriately address issues such as the lack of education, training, and unsafe organizational environment that child welfare workers experience daily. An extensive overview of the current state of the child welfare workforce, has demonstrated a need …

Youth Perceptions Of A School-Based Mentoring Program, Samantha Weiss, Jeanette Harder, Christiana Bratiotis, Emily Nguyen

Jeanette Harder

Academic mentoring programs promote high school completion for at-risk youth. The purpose of this study was to hear the voice of youth in order to inform program services and develop best practices for meeting their academic needs. Using a grounded theory approach, we conducted 14 focus groups to examine high school students’ perceptions and experiences in the Avenue Scholars Foundation program. This study supported previous findings: students’ comments reflected on the importance of the relationships built in the program, the knowledge they gained, and their experiences regarding higher education and careers. The students shared that these experiences were increasingly meaningful …

Social Care Graduates’ Judgements Of Their Readiness And Preparedness For Practice, Fiona Mcsweeney, David Williams

Articles

While research has been conducted on social work graduates’ views of their readiness and preparedness for practice, the views of social care workers have not been specifically researched. This paper reports on the views of social care graduates in Ireland of how ready they are to join the workforce and how their educational programme has prepared them. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with the same participants. The first was at the end of their final year in college and the second between 9 and 12 months later when they were in employment. Findings indicate that participants, while apprehensive, felt ready …

Law Students' Perspectives On Interdisciplinary Education: A Qualitative Study, Kellie Lockemer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore law school students’ perspectives on interdisciplinary social work education. For this qualitative study, a purposive sample of current law students (n = 11) were invited to participate in a survey to give their perspectives on their current education and thoughts on interdisciplinary education. The results showed that, although the clinic work was helpful, most law students did not think traditional law classes helped prepare them for client interactions. The students also expressed an openness and desire for more trainings on client interactions. This study’s findings suggest a need for interdisciplinary trainings to …

The State Of Substance Use Education In Master Of Social Work Programs : A Content Analysis Of Msw Curricula & Survey Of Msw Program Leaders, Dane Minnick

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Substance use is currently a pervasive problem among a large proportion of populations served by the social work profession. Several studies have indicated that social workers routinely provide services to clients with direct and indirect substance use needs, making knowledge of substance use interventions and public policies a necessity for most social workers to operate effectively in the field. However, despite the regularity of interaction with substance using clients, a large body of research has suggested that social work students are ill-prepared to deliver substance use services upon completing their academic training, and that a significant deficit of substance use …

School Of Social Work (University Of Maine) Records, 1966-1998, Special Collections, Raymond H. Fogler Library, University Of Maine

Finding Aids

The University of Maine has provided undergraduate education in social work and social welfare since the 1950's and began offering the BA degree in Social Work in 1972. The BSW program was granted initial accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 1979. The graduate program leading to the Master of Social Work degree was approved by the Board of Trustees in 1987. The University of Maine's School of Social Work (formerly Department of Social Work) was formed on July 1, 1989. The School is based in Annex C on the Orono campus and offers fully accredited BSW …

Does Childhood Psychological Abuse Strengthen Or Weaken Msw Social Workers And Allied Professionals’ Compassion Fatigue And Compassion Satisfaction?, Andy S. C. Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors of social worker and allied professional’s professional quality of life, particularly the impact of the professional’s childhood psychological abuse on compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction scores. Variables such as perceived resilience, social support, childhood psychological abuse, evidence-based practice training, years of experience, percentage of clients with trauma narratives, and case-load number are explored both conceptually and as risk or protective factors to social worker and allied professional’s compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. A conceptual model is provided to visually show the direction of the proposed research.

The sample to be …

School Social Work In Northern Uganda In A Post-Conflict Context: A Case Of Anaka Foundation, Julius Omona

International Journal of School Social Work

Anaka Foundation is an indigenous NGO that is operating in northern Uganda in response to the post-war development challenges. Anaka recently concluded a school social work project, a specialization which is common in Western countries, to attempt to improve the learning environment of vulnerable children selected from nine government aided primary schools. This school social work pilot project was supported with a grant from AfriCarinthia, an organization from Austria. Relevant social work theories were applied and significant systems in the learning environment of the children were targeted through different interventions. A mixed before-and-after evaluation approach was used to arrive at …

A Sexual Assault Prevention Program Proposal For Abilene Christian University, Ammie Brooks, Ammie Kae Brooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to develop the most effective sexual assault prevention

program for Abilene Christian University. The program will meet the federal regulation requiring Universities to participate in sexual assault prevention and education. Additionally, the program will be made to fit the audience at Abilene Christian University. The proposed program is designed to encompass all undergraduate students at Abilene Christian University and use a pretest and posttest to measure the effectives of the program to meet its eight predetermined goals. The following paper presents the program proposal, methodology and evaluation tools needed for its future implementation.

Describing The Education Reform Landscape: A Typology Of State Charter School Laws, William Flanary Dabney Jr.

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Since 2014, 42 states have adopted charter school legislation. Research has been conducted on charter school effectiveness and legislative adoption. However, limitations in the research exist regarding school choice in that studies address inequalities and outcomes at the school level, with limited attention to the state-level policy environment. Additionally, research does not consider variations in state school choice policy nor does it link policy differences to equitable educational outcomes.

This descriptive study described and categorized the variation of state charter school polices and explored differences in state level education finance, student demographics and academic outcomes, and school type characteristics. A …

Trauma-Informed Care: Training And Implementation In The Foster Care System, Danielle Norgren

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

In 2015, there were 14,680 children in out of home care, which was a 9% increase from 2014 (Minnesota Department of Human Services, 2016). All of the youth in the foster care system have experienced an Adverse Childhood Experience (Garcia et al., 2017), which makes them vulnerable to mental health illnesses and many different medical conditions. If a youth presents with behavioral issues and/or mental health illnesses, the common forms of interventions that they receive are medications and psychotherapy. Trauma-informed care (TIC) has been proven to be a beneficial approach when working with the youth in the foster care system. …

Spiritual Practices And Education Of End-Of-Life Care Professionals, Olivia C. Seay 7391550

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Faculty Perspectives On Financial Capability And Asset Building In Social Work Education: A Research Report, Margaret S. Sherraden, Jin Huang, Lissa Johnson, Peter Dore, Julie Birkenmaier, Vernon Loke, Sally Hageman

Center for Social Development Research

This report is based on a study conducted in collaboration with the Council on Social Work Education. The report presents findings from a national online survey of social work faculty. Results identify financial and economic (F&E) content taught in the current curriculum, gaps in coverage, and strategies for improving the academic preparation of social workers in these areas. Findings will inform financial capability and asset-building curriculum and improve the academic preparation of social workers.

Changing The Music: Understanding Educational Obstacles For Youth In Foster Care, Amie J. Stearns, Iyc

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

Due to increased tendency of children in foster care placements to perform poorly in school and to become involved with the juvenile justice system, there is a dire need for school districts to improve support systems for this vulnerable student group. This presentation may be of most interest to conference attendees as it explores the specific barriers which may hinder educational success for youth in foster care.

Kansas City, Missouri, Inner City Schools' Parent Involvement Policy, Practices, And Accreditation Problems, Gena L. Ross

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2012, the Missouri Board of Education took away Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) accreditation status. For over 40 years, KCPS has struggled with poor academic achievement, decreased enrollment and budget, and numerous leadership turnovers. Although KCPS regained provisional accreditation in 2014 and earned enough points on the annual performance report for consideration to become a fully accredited school system, state education officials first want to ensure that the district can sustain its new performance level before granting full accreditation. The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to explore parents' perceptions about how the KCPS' parent involvement policy and …

Social Work Education And Mental Health Stigma, Dana K. Prisloe

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Diversity Of School Social Work In Germany: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Kathrin F. Beck

International Journal of School Social Work

Children in Germany are confronted with an increasing societal inequality and disorientation that makes it difficult for them to cope with life. School social work in Germany is an intensive form of cooperation between the institutionally divided systems of child and youth welfare and education. The aim of this article is threefold: to present (1) relevant aspects of both systems, (2) the diversity of terms being used to describe this specific form of cooperation and (3) an exemplary selection of concepts of school social work. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was done, taking publications between 2000 and 2016 …

Effectiveness Of Social Work Reentry Programs At Preventing Recidivism, Daniel C. Grijalva

Publications and Research

Each year in the United States, thousands of individuals are released from prisons and must reintegrate into society. Ensuring these individuals obtain adequate employment upon release is key to keeping them from returning to the penal system. This paper examines different social work programs that attempt to secure employment for ex-offenders. This paper reviews the obstacles these programs face and considers how social workers can improve the effectiveness of these programs at preventing recidivism. This paper acknowledges that some of these programs have achieved moderate success in preventing recidivism but recognizes the need to research current programs’ methodologies so that …

Reflections From The Road: Vincentian Hospitality Principles In Healthcare Education For The Indigent, John M. Conry

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

Hospitality and health care are clearly connected, both etymologically and practically. Health care has traditionally been delivered in hospitals. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac developed the concept and practice of Vincentian health care, demonstrating a preferential option for the poor. It is important that those who work in healthcare understand and remain committed to Vincentian and hospitality based health care, particularly for the indigent and marginalized. The need for Vincentian and hospitality-based health care remains relevant and necessary in contemporary society, as there remains health inequity, particularly for the poor.

Mentorship Matters: A Case Study Of A Pembroke Farming Cooperative, Julia C. Swanson, Jessica L. Carara, Alejandra Zamudio, Emily A. Vankuren

Student Scholarship – Social Work

The researchers have identified the creation of a successful farming cooperative as a goal for the Pembroke Farming Family Association (PFFA), and have examined the literature to determine the components of such cooperatives. A literature review revealed that increased education in many areas is strongly correlated with successful farming cooperatives. The researchers determined that education through mentorship is an evidence based practice which could be implemented as an intervention. Then, the researchers located the measurement instrument of seasonal pre-test and post-test surveys, which would require additional questions related to specifics of farming in Pembroke. Finally, the researchers found that dependent …

Education Access For Unaccompanied Immigrant Children, Deidra Coleman, Adam Avrushin

Center for the Human Rights of Children

No abstract provided.

Youth Perceptions Of A School-Based Mentoring Program, Samantha Weiss, Jeanette Harder, Christiana Bratiotis, Emily Nguyen

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Academic mentoring programs promote high school completion for at-risk youth. The purpose of this study was to hear the voice of youth in order to inform program services and develop best practices for meeting their academic needs. Using a grounded theory approach, we conducted 14 focus groups to examine high school students’ perceptions and experiences in the Avenue Scholars Foundation program. This study supported previous findings: students’ comments reflected on the importance of the relationships built in the program, the knowledge they gained, and their experiences regarding higher education and careers. The students shared that these experiences were increasingly meaningful …

Knowledge Versus Perception: Social Workers' View Of Sex Offenders, Terisa M. Berger

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social workers comprise one of the leading professions who interact with sex offenders through means of treatment, as well as unexpected life events. The purpose of this study is to evaluate social workers’ knowledge of sex offender laws and how their knowledge impacts their thoughts and feelings about working with sex offenders. Through a survey, social workers registered with the National Association of Social Work (NASW) in Southern California were asked to complete a questionnaire, in which addressed laws and thoughts in regards to sex offenders. One hundred surveys at random were evaluated. The study findings show a relationship between …

Psycho-Social Variables Contributing To Disparities Of Hmong Students In Postsecondary Education, Mai Yang Moua

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Statistics show that only 14.4% of Hmong students age 25 and older held bachelor’s degrees ( US Census Bureau, 2012) and 27% of Hmong live in poverty in the United States (UNPO, 2014). These are alarming statistics when compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The following systematic review was conducted to answer the research question: What psycho-social variables contributing to disparities of Hmong students in postsecondary education? Previous research articles included peer reviews and dissertations that were published after the year 2000. The databases used to collect relevant research were EBSCOhost (Academic Search Premier), Google Scholars, and JSTOR using …

Creation Of The Myth The Lived Experience Of Native Americans In Schools, Michael Olson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Native Americans are one of the lowest preforming racial groups in the United States public education system. Native Americans have among the lowest graduation rates, low post-secondary attendance, and are overly represented in special education. A review of the literature provides insights on the dynamics of academic oppression. This research attempts to add to a great deal of quantitative research on different forces of oppression by providing the daily lived experience of Native American youth attending public schools in the United States, which has not been fully researched. The purpose of this study was to answer the question: what is …

View Of Self And Its Effects On Higher Educational Goals In Mexican-American Youth, Rebekah Simpson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The Latino population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, with 276,000 people identifying as Hispanics in Minnesota (Gonzalez-Barrera & Lopez, 2013). As the population continues to grow in number, more Latino students will continue to fill classrooms across the state. However, in 2012, only 53% of Hispanic students in Minnesota graduated high school, in comparison to 84% of white students (Race, 2012). The Latino population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, with 276,000 people identifying as Latino in Minnesota (Gonzalez-Barrera & Lopez, 2013). As the population continues to grow in number, more …

Are Students Competent? Methods Of Assessing Bachelor Of Social Work Student Competence, Amber L. Bailey-Residori

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Author Abstract:

Higher educational institutions must demonstrate that their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students are competent prior to graduation. There are conflicting studies regarding the reliability of field instructor, faculty, and students’ self-assessment. The purpose of this study was to examine the consistency of how field instructors, faculty, and students assessed social work students' competence across three academic years. This quantitative research study examined historical data from one Midwestern University where students, faculty, and field instructors rated students’ competence in the last semester of their senior year using the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 13 core competencies (2.1.1-2.1.10d). …

Increasing Global Context In Social Work Education: Role Of Internationally Experienced Faculty, Sarah Dababnah Phd, Mph, Msw, Sara Goodkind Phd, Msw, Caren J. Frost Phd, Mph, Jody K. Olsen Phd, Msw

Interdisciplinary Journal of Best Practices in Global Development

The infusion of global social work concepts into social work curricula enhances the educational experience and understanding of practice, policy, and research for students at all levels. Having faculty members who participated in global work augments the presentation of these concepts in ways that connect to student learning. Yet, no known research has investigated the role of internationally experienced faculty in promoting a global perspective in social work education and practice. One mechanism for obtaining global experience is through service in the U.S. Peace Corps, an organization that has been available for U.S. citizens to serve their country since the …

The Cyclical Relationship Between Generational Poverty And Poor Education: Breaking The Barrier In Haiti, Jesse A. Childress, Ashley Hand, Lauren Pullins, Emily Rutherford, Michelle Tye

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Research demonstrates that generational poverty and poor education are cyclical in nature. In Haiti, poverty diminishes the quality of education due to the fact it hampers access to education, lacks parental involvement, and has inadequate health care. Conversely, poor education traps Haitians in the cycle of generational poverty by inhibiting them from developing life skills and adequate literacy; in turn, this disables them from participating in higher paying jobs. Based on the repetitive correspondence between the two, our goals are: to educate individuals on the cyclical relationship between poor education and generational poverty, expose and examine the barriers to receiving …