Digital Commons Network^™

The Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index: Methodology Overview, Center For Social And Demographic Research On Aging, University Of Massachusetts Boston, Jan Mutchler, Nidya Velasco Roldan, Michelle Ward, Ceara Somerville, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

The Elder Index illustrates how living costs vary geographically (specifically, by county, metropolitan area, and state), and based on the characteristics of households. Costs are calculated based on household size (one person age 65 or older, two persons age 65 or older), housing tenure (owner with no mortgage, renter, owner with a mortgage), and health status (excellent, good, poor). The expenses included in the Elder Index cover basic needs of older households, including shelter, medical care, food, and transportation; the costs reflect average market costs and do not take into account any needs-based subsidies. The Elder Index helps answer important …

2025 Elder Indextm For Boston: Fact Sheet, Center For Social And Demographic Research On Aging, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

The Elder Index^_TM measures of the cost of living independently for older adults aged 65 or older. The Elder Index allows us to identify older people with incomes “in the gap” between the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPL) and what it takes to live with security. Older adults living “in the gap” have incomes too high to qualify for many means-tested public benefits programs, yet too low to achieve intermediate- or long-term economic stability. This fact sheet presents 2025 Elder Index for older adults living in Boston, Massachusetts.

Living Between The Lines: Economic Insecurity And Older Americans: Insecurity In The Massachusetts, 2025, Caitlin E. Coyle, Michelle Ward, Nidya Velasco Roldan, Ceara Somerville, Jan Mutchler

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

New estimates from the 2025 Elder Index^TM demonstrate that the cost of living in Massachusetts has increased substantially in recent years for older adults, especially for renters. The Elder Index measures the necessary costs faced by households made up of one or two older adults, calculated county by county for the entire United States. Estimated costs are higher in Massachusetts than in any other state in the nation. Within the Commonwealth, the Elder Index is lowest in Western Massachusetts, and highest in Metro Boston, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, with differences in the Elder Index across locations accounted for largely …

Mapping Child Care And Early Education Capacity To Needs In Massachusetts, Alan Clayton-Matthews, Christa M. Kelleher, Randy Albelda, Anne Douglass, Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

Massachusetts has made notable strides in expanding access to affordable, quality, licensed child care and early education in recent years. Ongoing robust state investment in the Commonwealth Cares for Children Grant Program, activities of the Healey-Driscoll Inter Agency Early Education and Child Care Task Force, and increased income eligibility for child care financial assistance to families with moderate incomes, among other initiatives, all help address persistent barriers to quality education and care at a price families can afford.

Yet the supply of licensed child care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children remains a formidable challenge to meeting the child care …

Substance Use Stigma: Examining The Role Of Social Work Education., Eboni Burton

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

This study explored the extent of substance use related stigma among social work students and professionals (i.e., BSW, MSW, PHD and DSW) and its relationship to specialized education/training in substance use and professional practice with people who use drugs (PWUD)/live with a substance use disorder (PWSUD). Stigma was measured using the Opening Minds Provider Attitudes Toward Opioid Use Scale and the Medical Condition Regard Scale. The final sample size was 263. Results indicate that current enrollment in a social work program, post degree or non-curriculum related substance use related training, and personal and professional experience with substance use specifically, mitigate …

Evolving U.S. And Chinese International Development Policy: Institutions, Strategies, And Global Impact, Julian Kai Lehto

Social Sciences

This paper is inspired by, and meant to understand, recent changes in global policy towards foreign aid and international development. 2025 saw one of the biggest changes to international development in decades, when President Donald Trump’s new administration made the decision to effectively shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). At the same time, China has been taking on a growing role in foreign aid and development over the last decade. Chinese projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have become globally significant. This paper will explore the changing impacts and influence of both the U.S. …

Post-Dobbs Realities: Ethical Imperatives For Data Transparency And Trust In Maternal Health Care, Faith E Fletcher, Sophie L Schott, Kelley Akhiemokhali, Kari White

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

2026 March, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for March of 2026.

Exploring The Personal Management Interview Program As A Burnout Prevention Strategy In Policing: A Qualitative Case Study, Lance C. Arnold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Police officers in the United States experience severe burnout at rates exceeding other service professions, with approximately 75% experiencing burnout symptoms. Current interventions predominantly focus on individual coping mechanisms rather than addressing organizational and leadership factors contributing to burnout. This qualitative single-case study explored the perceptions and experiences of police leaders and officers concerning the utility of a personal management interview program to foster positive leadership behaviors as a resource-oriented preventive strategy against burnout in a midsize municipal police department in Texas. The study employed semistructured virtual interviews with eight participants: four police leaders and four police officers who had …

Considering Barriers To Funding Fiscal Sponsorship: Insights From Sponsor And Project Leaders, Elliot M. Zettas, Todd L. Ely, Fredrik O. Andersson

The Foundation Review

This study explores barriers to funding fiscal sponsorship based on interviews with 68 leaders of sponsors and sponsored projects. Findings reveal that funders’ limited understanding and restrictive policies contribute to negative sentiment and reduced grant access for sponsored initiatives.

Despite fiscal sponsorship’s administrative efficiencies and mission-focused benefits, funders often perceive sponsored projects as less legitimate, misunderstand sponsor roles, and resist covering sponsor cost allocations when framed as fees. Structural complexities — such as shared EINs and geographic mismatches — further impede eligibility for funding.

This article concludes with actionable recommendations for funders and sponsors, including staff education, updated grant guidelines, …

Beyond Need: Exploring Readiness To Implement Change As A Predictor Of Nonprofit Capacity-Building Success, Bridget Y. Samuel

The Foundation Review

This mixed-methods exploratory study investigates whether organizational readiness to implement change predicts capacity-building success more reliably than the level of perceived need.

Using a six-factor readiness assessment measuring clear priorities, change management resources, time investment commitment, board engagement, systems infrastructure, and cash flow, data from 10 participating organizations reveal a significant correlation between readiness scores and early capacity-building outcomes.

The findings challenge three common field assumptions: that the greatest capacity-building need should drive selection, that capacity-building works uniformly across developmental stages, and that dysfunction can be addressed through “standard” capacity-building programming.

The Future Of Purpose-Driven Work: Evaluating A Case Study Of The Hybrid: Flexible Purpose Model At The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Jeff Williams, Melyssa Tsai O'Brien, Trish Abalo

The Foundation Review

This 15-month case study employed a comprehensive mixed-methods evaluation to document and assess the model across six key areas. Findings revealed the Hybrid: Flexible Purpose model preserved or improved grantmaking outcomes, enhanced staff well-being and autonomy, and expanded the diversity of the talent pool.

Challenges emerged regarding sustaining the organizational culture, fostering cross-team and informal relationships, and ensuring consistent policy implementation across teams, particularly in finding the optimal balance between stated goals and actual experiences during mandatory in-person gatherings.

Findings also documented a “hybrid coordination tax,” i.e., additional effort required to manage mixed in-person and virtual meetings and schedules.

These …

Using Ai To Redirect Donor Support To Smaller Organizations, Madeleine Alegria, Brandolon Barnett

The Foundation Review

Despite rising interest in supporting local causes, many donors continue to give to large, nationally recognized nonprofits. This reflects ongoing structural barriers such as limited nonprofit visibility, decision fatigue, and search environments that prioritize brand familiarity.

At the same time, small-dollar giving has declined for three consecutive years, highlighting the need for more transparent, accessible, and trustworthy tools to support donor decision-making (Childress, 2024; Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 2023).

In a 2024 evaluation study, 291 U.S. donors were randomly assigned to use either the Giving Compass Guide to Good platform or general internet tools to select a new nonprofit …

Moving Beyond Words To Action: A Practitioner’S Playbook For Achieving Collaboration Success, Tessa Lesage, Jonathan L. Romine, Jane Wei Skillern

The Foundation Review

This article argues that foundations must shift from acting as grantmakers alone to becoming active stewards of cross-sector collaborative networks.

Drawing from more than two decades of field experience and research each, the authors outline a framework for moving from collaborative rhetoric to action, identifying four essential and interconnected actions: fueling trust, elevating purpose, nurturing networks, and strengthening stewardship.

Through case examples, the article illustrates how authentic, trust-based relationships, shared goals, and relational network leadership can drive scalable, sustainable impact.

The article offers both a compelling critique of traditional philanthropic approaches and a strategic road map for how foundations can …

Beyond The Check: Lessons In Trust, Support, And Structure For Flexible Well-Being Grants, Martena Reed, Jennifer Marsack, Chelsey Hurt, Gladys Hairston, Karla Mendez, Tejaswini Vemuganti, Valerie Stewart, Cindy Alvarado

The Foundation Review

This article draws on a developmental evaluation of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation’s Well-Being Grants, which awarded over 100 small, flexible grants to support nonprofit staff and organizational well-being. Using surveys, interviews, focus groups, and document review, authors examined how organizations defined well-being, how they used the funds, and what factors shaped their choices.

Findings show that, while grantees valued flexibility, many relied on familiar approaches such as retreats, stipends, and team building. Long-standing compliance norms engendered caution about experimentation, even when funders encouraged it.

The authors argue that funders must pair flexible dollars with …

Diagnostic Trends And Service Enhancements In Deaf Mental Health: A Longitudinal Analysis, Kent Schafer, Steve Hamerdinger, Frank Wu, Rie Sakai Bizmark, Charlene Crump

JADARA

A longitudinal study investigated mental health diagnostic trends and patterns among Deaf and Hearing individuals using a comprehensive dataset from Alabama Department of Mental Health spanning 2004-2024 (Deaf=4,547; Hearing=2,056,188). Chi-square analysis revealed significant proportional differences in diagnoses between the groups. Deaf individuals showed significantly higher proportions of psychotic (12.93% vs. 8.33% Hearing), mood (20.76% vs. 18.84% Hearing), and personality (0.58% vs. 0.43% Hearing) disorders. These findings suggest that increased access to specialized and competent mental health services for individuals who are Deaf, particularly following the increase of staffing patterns for the Office of Deaf Services in 2015,contributed to more accurate …

Knowledge Of Lifespan And Healthspan And Interest In Healthy Longevity Medicine Among The General Population In Singapore: The Singapore Healthy Longevity (Helo) Survey, Jonas John Posko Amalaraj, Belinda Wang, Anna Szucs, Louis Island, Laureen Yi-Ting Wang, Liz J. Horberg, Paul A. O'Keefe, Sonny Rosenthal, Yap-Seng Chong, Johannes J. Meij, Andrea B. Maier

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Given the growing global interest in Healthy Longevity Medicine (HLM), the field lacks understanding about public knowledge and interest, which are crucial for any public health intervention relying on HLM. This study presents findings from the Healthy Longevity (HELO) survey conducted in Singapore, assessing public knowledge regarding lifespan (number of years a person is alive), healthspan (number of years a person spends in good health), and interest in HLM. This nationwide cross-sectional survey, conducted between June and August 2024, involved 3034 participants. Main domains including questions on demographics, living arrangements, medical information, health behaviours, income and financial status were tested …

The Role Of Gynecologic Oncologists In Improving Survival Outcomes Of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Widyorini Lh Hanafy, Bambang Dwipoyono, Asri C. Adisasmita, Yosephine E. Regina, Airine S. Lians, Oktaviani P. Rahayu, Jane G. Auwelia

Kesmas

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of gynecological cancer mortality and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in poor survival outcomes. Access to specialized gynecological oncology services has been associated with improved prognosis; however, data on its impact in Indonesia remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the association between gynecologic oncologist (GO) services and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with EOC. This retrospective cohort study included 76 patients with EOC who were treated at a national cancer hospital in Jakarta between 2015 and 2018. Patient data were obtained from medical records and followed for three …

Patterns Of Tobacco Marketing And User Engagement On Social Media In Indonesia: Challenges For Digital Public Health, Resti Yulianti Sutrisno, Nopryan Ekadinata, Sutantri Sutantri, Dinasti Pudang Binoriang, Enrico Aditjondro, Rachfiansyah Rachfiansyah, Yosef Rabindanata, Silvia Dini, Rebecca Perl, Riska Rachmawati, Bertha Tesma Wulandari, Dianita Sugiyo

Kesmas

Large-scale tobacco marketing on social media has resulted in widespread population-level exposure, particularly in Indonesia, which faces growing challenges in digital public health. This study aimed to assess the associations between platform type and marketing tactics and identify correlations of user engagement. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the Tobacco Enforcement and Reporting Movement (TERM), collected from January 2022 to August 2023. A total of 21,255 tobacco marketing posts from social media were analyzed. Platform–tactic associations were examined using Chi-square tests, and multivariable Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with user engagement. The findings …

Low-Dose Prophylaxis Versus On-Demand Treatment For Children With Severe Hemophilia A In Indonesia: A Conceptual Model, Levina Chandra Khoe, Nur Atika, Dhia Ticha Pertiwi, Septiara Putri

Kesmas

Hemophilia A is a rare bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of clotting factor VIII, leading to recurrent bleeds, joint damage, and disability. Low-dose prophylaxis has been shown to achieve better clinical outcomes than on-demand treatment in reducing bleeding frequency. However, in Indonesia, access and affordability remain key challenges. This study aimed to develop a conceptual model for conducting a health economic evaluation of low-dose prophylaxis treatment for children with severe hemophilia A in Indonesia. This study followed the ISPOR-SMDM Modeling guidelines, outlining two-stage processes: conceptualization of the clinical problem and model development. A systematic literature review was conducted to …

Managing State-Owned University Student Dormitories In The Philippines: The Role Of Service Quality, Marc Immanuel G. Isip

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

State-subsidized student housing is generally left undeveloped, and only a few efforts focus on evaluating and improving service quality and living accommodation satisfaction in state-owned/managed dormitories in a sustainable, strategic manner. These student housing services are threatened by limited government funding and the challenges posed by the post-pandemic period. Inflation has prompted an increase in dormitory fees, but services remain generally affordable; however, higher fees have raised expectations for service quality. This paper aims to investigate the role of service quality in state-owned/managed university student housing services and explore how it influences residents’ satisfaction with living accommodations. Using Partial Least …

Equity In Enhancing Family Planning Access In Rural Municipalities Of The Philippines, Jean Rachel D. Ang, Meljun R. Banogon, Teodoro Lloydon C. Bautista, Wendy D. Besa-Ang, Macario A. Felicen Ii, Jovine M. Martin, Hermie Alexander D. Sia, Jaeron Den D. Topinio

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

Fertility trends in the Philippines have decreased over the years, driven by improved implementation of family planning (FP) practices and programs. However, regional and urban-rural disparities remain evident. Based on the 2022 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the general fertility rate (GFR) in urban areas is 57 per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years, compared with 72 per 1,000 in rural areas. This study determined the factors affecting fertility rates in selected municipalities in the second to fourth-income classes, namely Candoni, Jamindan, Moalboal, Palapag, San Miguel, and Sibalom. It utilized a descriptive cross-sectional study design involving 180 women of …

Parents’ Lived Experiences With Competitive Integrated Employment For Children With Intellectual And Developmental Disability, Dr. Aisha J. Omar

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This phenomenological qualitative study explores the lived experiences of Kentucky parents seeking Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Guided by the research questions—How do parents experience this process, and what barriers or supports do they encounter?—the study highlights systemic challenges despite legislative efforts such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. In-depth interviews with five parents revealed three themes: (a) parental transformation and the pursuit of meaningful work, (b) systemic challenges in accessing CIE, and (c) overcoming protective instincts: navigating fear, independence, and self-advocacy. Findings suggest a …

The Impact Of Second-Tiered Leadership Behavior On Postmerger Experience In The Jamaica Constabulary Force, James Theophilus Golding

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Following the merger of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) in May 2014, complaints emerged about inequitable treatment of former ISCF members, raising questions about social justice and breaches of the moral contract. Although prior research highlighted the importance of leadership in mergers, it neglected to examine the role of second-tier leadership. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the potential role of second-tiered JCF leadership behavior in these perceived social justice breaches. A transformational leadership framework, which centers on leaders’ behavior and communication to motivate followers, underpinned the study. Purposeful …

Benefits And Challenges Of Rendering Justice During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Perspectives From Trinidad And Tobago, Wendell C. Wallace Dr., Timothy A. Affonso Dr.

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

No abstract provided.

An Archival Responsibility: A Scoping Review Of Literature Regarding The Documentary Burdens Of Refugees, Ana Roeschley, Kinza Alizai, Crystal Tharayil, Amy Lanier, Merrion D. Frederick, Homero R. Cuevas

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

Documented individuals who do not live in conflict zones can usually access and use their records to migrate, begin new careers, enroll their children in educational institutions, and gain access to healthcare through mostly routine record-related procedures. However, these standard processes become impossible obstacles for refugees when they lose access to their personal records as part of their forced displacement. Though ever-present for refugees, these documentary burdens are compounded in times of societal crises and political upheaval—times when documentation is most critical. If archivists and archival scholars are to address these issues, it is important to understand the scope of …

Building Sustainability Via Financial Resilience Among Nongovernmental Organizations In Cameroon, Ruthaford Bankufon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in unstable developing nations face major sustainability challenges. In Cameroon, an ongoing sociopolitical crisis has increased demand on NGOs, including VWXZY, which supports girls and women fleeing civil unrest. This study investigated sustainable strategies to strengthen VWZYZ’s financial stability. Drawing on financial resilience literature and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) framework, it addressed two questions: (a) How can VWXZY-Cameroon effectively leverage SWOT analysis to address financial challenges, improve financial oversight, diversify funding sources, and strengthen operational efficiency? (b)What strategies can VWXZY-Cameroon use to enhance its financial resilience and ensure sustainability amid sociopolitical and economic instability? …

The Ballot Question: Citizen Initiatives, Institutions, And The Policy Process, Ty Rhoads

Dissertations

State-level policymaking remains undertheorized relative to its federal counterpart, particularly in states where institutionalized direct democracy creates a parallel channel for policy change outside the legislature. This dissertation develops a novel theoretical framework for the state policy process by adapting punctuated equilibrium theory to American state politics, integrating it with party cartel theory and the concept of legislative policy monopolies. The central argument is that citizen initiatives and legislative referrals are structurally distinct policy venues whose ideological profiles, policy magnitudes, and electoral dynamics are systematically shaped by the partisan context of the legislature. Using Missouri as a case study spanning …

Analytical Review Of Current Educational Public Policy For California Department Of Education Common Core Curriculum Guidelines Pertaining To Law-Related Education For Grades K–12, Aubray Mcpherson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of a mandated statewide law-related education (LRE) requirement within the California K–12 curriculum. Existing research linked structured LRE exposure to greater civic knowledge, stronger legal understanding, increased social responsibility, and reduced delinquency risk among disadvantaged youth. However, a gap exists due to the absence of integrated qualitative analyses combining prior LRE research with stakeholder perceptions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the potential social, emotional, and economic implications associated with implementing a statewide LRE public policy. Guided by the conceptual framework consisting of new public administration and the …

Psychological Safety And Prosocial Rule Breaking Within Leader–Member Exchanges In A State Government Agency, Larry Standfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychological safety is often insufficiently supported in organizations, leading to strained leader-member exchanges (LMXs), reduced employee well-being, and diminished overall organizational performance. Government agency leaders need to understand this concern as a primary indicator of job satisfaction and organizational effectiveness. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how employees of a state government agency described leader support of psychological safety and prosocial rule breaking in their LMXs and how these LMX exchanges influenced their psychological safety and organizational performance. Psychosocial safety climate theory and LMX theory provided the grounding for this study. The participants consisted of 10 …