Social Work Commons^™

Educational Outcomes For Youth That Participated In Extended Foster Care: A Systematic Review, Kassandra Mayorga, Roxana Sanchez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Transitioning to adulthood poses significant obstacles for foster youth adults, who encounter disproportionately elevated rates of homelessness, school underperformance, unemployment, and mental health concerns in comparison to their peers. Extended Foster Care (EFC) programs seek to tackle these difficulties by offering assistance in housing, employment, and education. However, there have been few systematic efforts to review the effectiveness of the EFC program. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the empirical evidence on the educational outcomes of foster youth who have participated in EFC. Methods: This review was conducted during …

Stress And Help-Seeking In Farmworkers In The Coachella Valley, Alexis Garcia, Daniela Mejia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

California farmworkers are a vulnerable population who face unique stressors that may increase their risk for mental health problems. The study’s purpose is: (1) to quantitatively investigate the relationship between stress and help-seeking attitudes among Coachella Valley farmworkers and (2) to qualitatively explore the factors affecting the utilization of mental health services. Data came from 28 participants recruited through the snowball sampling method. Quantitative data from the Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory (MFWSI) and the Mental Health Seeking Attitudes Scale (MHSAS) suggests no relationship between help-seeking attitudes and stress levels. Qualitative data analysis revealed themes that reflected cultural views. Results show …

Child Maltreatment Primary Prevention Methods In The U.S.: A Systematic Review Of Recent Studies, Maria Godoy-Murillo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Child maltreatment remains a widespread issue in the United States of America, (U.S.). Identifying effective methods of preventing child maltreatment is key to reducing the prevalence of this issue. Objective: This systematic review provides an overview of contemporary primary child maltreatment prevention methods in the U.S. to investigate their effectiveness. Methods: Using the OneSearch database, the following keywords were included: (“prevention methods” and “child maltreatment”), (“parental leave” and “child maltreatment”), (“primary prevention” and “child maltreatment”), (WIC and “child maltreatment”), (“home visit” and “child maltreatment”), (“child abuse and neglect” and “primary prevention”), (“affordable housing” and prevention and “child maltreatment”), (“early …

Is A Social Support Based Model Better For Treating Alcoholism? A Systematic Review, Jordan Anthony Contreras

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Alcoholism continues to persist as a significant health issue in the United States and impacts individuals and families across race, gender, and age. While much work has been made in the field of substance abuse treatment, there remains a substantial need for additional research to formulate effective strategies for treating alcoholism and related unhealthy drinking behaviors. The existing literature suggests that mutual support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are the standard for achieving successful recovery among those seeking help. Simultaneously, there exists a growing amount of research proposing a range of other interventions that may prove effective in treating alcoholism. …

Justice-Involved Students: Effects Of Using Support Services To Overcome Barriers, Gabby Walker, Sofia Alvarenga

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study investigated formerly incarcerated students' perspectives on the effectiveness of re-entry programs in alleviating barriers to higher education. The study focused on six barriers: parole and probation, collateral consequences, admission, housing, and stigma, aiming to provide insights into program effectiveness. Using an exploratory, quantitative approach, data was collected through surveys distributed via social media and online platforms. Parole and probation were not perceived as significant barriers by participants. Challenges related to collateral consequences, such as limited access to housing and employment opportunities, were highlighted as barriers. Participants did not view recidivism as a significant obstacle to pursuing higher education. …

Factors That Impact Foster Youths’ High School Graduation, Esther Thomas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines the factors that influence foster youth high school graduation rates. Over 50% of foster youth do not graduate high school and even fewer enroll in higher education. The study analyzes social workers’ belief about foster youth high school graduation. Social workers have direct contact with and influence on foster youth, so understanding the extent to which there, beliefs and actions factor into foster youth graduation rates seems important.

This study utilized a quantitative, online survey designed by the researcher to collect exploratory data. The researcher posted invitations to participate in the study on social media sites used …

Implementation Of Mental Health Services And Curriculum For Elementary-Aged Children, Indra Flores Silva, Jason Kwan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study’s purpose was to describe elementary school teachers’perceptions about mental health services, curriculum, and their effect on the mental health of elementary-aged children. Our research addressed the question: What are elementary school teachers’ perceptions of mental healthservices and mental health curriculum and their effect on the mental health of elementary-aged children? It is crucial that we study this because many young children struggle with their mental health which can lead to poor outcomes leading into adulthood. This study utilized quantitative data on 28 participants that was collected through Qualtrics. Data was analyzed using SPSS by conducting univariate analysis. Our …

How Did The Covid-19 Pandemic Impact Extended Foster Care Social Workers While Providing Social Services, Omar Ramirez, Victoria Lopez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study used ten interviews with Extended Foster Care (EFC) workers about their experiences with EFC youth from a county agency before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic using a qualitative research design. The purpose of the research was to learn from EFC social workers how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their ability to provide services to the EFC youth, negatively or positively, and how supported they felt in delivering these services. Data was collected by interviewing the ten participants via Zoom. Data was analyzed by categorizing the responses with different colors based on the responses. Significant findings were identified regarding agency …

Resilience In Fatherhood: Exploring The Impact Of Absent Fathers On Black American Men's Parenting Narratives And Practices, Ericah Thomas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the role of Black American fathers and how they parent in the absence of their fathers growing up. Though a common narrative frames Black fathers as largely absent in the lives of their children, recent literature has aimed to demystify societal factors that may lead to this judgment. Influences such as media representation, welfare policies, and child support laws may contribute to the preservation of this trope (Rambert, 2021). Considering this misconception, it is important to advance the knowledge regarding Black fatherhood through their lived experiences despite circumstances that may perpetuate this myth.

The primary goal of …

Investigating The Level Of Evidence Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Parenting Practices: A Systematic Review, Eloisa Deshazer

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with mental and physical health outcomes of children, but less is known about how ACEs impact parenting. Objective: This study systematically reviewed the evidence of the association between parental adverse childhood experiences and parenting behaviors. Methods: The study employed a rigorous methodology, including searching several electronic databases, such as the CSUSB search engine, EBSCOhost Academic Search Premiere, PsycINFO, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The keywords used for the search process included Adverse Childhood Experiences, ACEs, Maltreatment, Adverse Experiences, Traumatic Experiences, and Parenting or Childrearing. Inclusion criteria were restricted to studies published between 2014 and …

Mandated Reporters’ Knowledge And Reporting Of Child Abuse, Alexis Reilly Warye

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Individuals working with children should have the ability to identify and report child abuse based off their knowledge as a mandated reporter. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of individuals working with children on their ability to identify and report child abuse. The literature suggests that some mandated reporters lack adequate training and display little knowledge of what to do in a situation where a child shows signs of abuse. This study incorporates the Systems Theory Approach and the Psychosocial Development Theory.

This study uses a cross-sectional quantitative research design using an online questionnaire designed by …

Why Do We Serve?: Motivators And Barriers To Volunteering Among Undergraduate Students., Adam Bellis, Geneva Ferro, Kyla Slaughter

Campus Research Day

Volunteerism during an individual’s college years can potentially influence a lifetime of service. This research focuses on the motivators and barriers undergraduate students at a private Christian university face, focusing on differences between helping and non-helping majors. Data is gathered through convenience sampling via surveys administered to current undergraduate students at Southern Adventist University. With the importance universities place on service learning, this research will show ways in which students can be motivated to engage in service opportunities. It will additionally showcase potential barriers that can be addressed to further service engagement among students leading to a lifetime of service.

Wealth-Building For All Children: Convergence And Evidence To Support A Nationwide Policy, Jin Huang, Trina R. Shanks, Margaret M. Clancy, William Elliott Iii, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

Amid growing concern about wealth inequality in the United States, many policymakers and researchers have come to see early-life wealth-building policies as potential remedies. This brief discusses convergence in the policy community around a shared vision and principles for such policy, and it connects that vision to research. Child Development Account research, much of it conducted through CSD’s SEED for Oklahoma Kids experiment, suggests the parameters for an inclusive, efficient, and effective policy that would express the community’s shared vision.

Racial Trauma And The Impact On Black Girls In Canada, Keisha Evans

Social Work Publications

The purpose of this article seeks to reveal a practice gap in the field of Social Work as it relates to the unique lived experiences of Black girls and the impact of racial trauma on their wellbeing. As a consequence of anti-Black racism, racial trauma represents an under researched area of study with limited data on how to deploy best trauma-informed practices in a culturally-safe space. By adopting a theoretical foundation grounded in critical race theory (CRT) and Black feminist theory (BFT), we are situating Black girls at the center of this discourse with an intersectional sensibility. In closing, we …

Health Care Professionals’ Stigma Toward People With An Opioid Use Disorder: Preliminary Findings On The Effect Of Amount Of Contact Has On Stigma, Gabriela Murza, Cris Meier, Lily Ward, Sydney O'Shay, Rachel Myrer

Transforming Communities

Opioid-related deaths are the leading cause of injury deaths in Utah. Individuals who seek treatment for opioid misuse report stigma from healthcare professionals as the leading barrier to accessing treatment. Health professionals provide a variety of treatment options in efforts of combating high rates of opioid misuse. However, these professionals may not be properly trained in stigma reduction strategies, thus leading to poor client care and outcomes. The current study examined the association between contact with individuals who misuse opioids and stigma perceptions among healthcare professionals. A one-time survey was administered to healthcare professionals who practice in Utah using convenience …

Foster Parents’ Views Regarding Lack Of Attachment In Children In Foster Care, Ronease Yvette Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Take A Closer Look: Combating Ageism Through The Use Of Children's Literature, Janice Buehrer

Honors Projects

This project was completed as my final honors project for Bowling Green State University in the spring of 2024. I wrote and illustrated the children's book, "Take a Closer Look," designed for kindergarten through second-grade children. The goal of the book is to be used as a value-socialization device to instill positive perspectives on aging within younger generations. The book itself is meant to be an intergenerational tool as adults read the book about older adults to children, reaching the entire lifespan.

2024-06: Disability Wage Justice: Ending Subminimum Wages And Advancing Equality For People With Disabilities, Samantha Koenigs, Stephanie Almanza, Christy Dauner, Rachel Murphy

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Subminimum wages are being paid to people with disabilities in Minnesota at a rate of almost 4 times higher than the rest of the nation, with some individuals making as little as .07 cents per hour. The subminimum wage is a discriminatory practice that violates peoples civil rights and contributes to disabled people being disproportionately poor. It is time for Minnesota to join the other 13 states that already ended paying people with disabilities a subminimum wage.

2024-01: Rethinking Educational Neglect: Supporting And Investing In Families To Thrive, Meghan Lutz, Alexis Ewanga, Cole Rauchman, Madori Scholten

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

School attendance challenges are often rooted in systemic issues related to poverty, a lack of access to needed services and support, and biased reporting. These processes have disproportionately impacted Black/African American children, children of two or more races, and American Indian children in Minnesota. Minnesota demonstrates one of the highest disproportionality rates within child welfare in the United States. This is especially important as children of color most often fact systemic issues which disrupt their education. The punitive child protection response to educational neglect in Minnesota does not improve school attendance. Instead, responses that focus on meeting the family's basic …

2024-05: A Place To Call Home: Source Of Income Protection, Farhiya Dini, Ally Petersen, Olivia Rivers, Sierra Wieneke

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

In 2010, the Court of Appeals wrongly applied the Minnesota Human Rights Act when it allowed landlords to discriminate against someone who is a recipient of a federal public assistance program. Minnesota should clarify what has been the law in Minnesota for 50+ years: Refusing to rent to someone because they are a recipient of federal, state, or local public assistance, including housing voucher programs (such as Section 8), and VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing), is a violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act, it is discrimination, and it is illegal. Freedom from discrimination in housing must be the public …