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Social Theory: Central Issues In Sociology. John Scott.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for John Scott, Social Theory: Central Issues in Sociology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2006. $ 99.95 hardcover, $ 37.95 papercover.

Two Decades After Mcmartin: A Follow-Up Of 22 Convicted Day Care Employees, Mary Deyoung

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

It has been more that two decades since the notorious McMartin Preschool case created a day care ritual abuse master-narrative that recruited many social workers into becoming involved in case-finding, investigations, interviewing and advocacy. The purpose of this article is threefold: it introduces a sample of 22 day care employees who were convicted in day care ritual abuse cases; it updates their current legal status; and it discusses the relevance of these cases to social workers who currently are being recruited by today's new master narratives about extrafamilial sexual threats to children, whether from neighborhood pedophiles, child pornographers, parish priests …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 34, No. 4 (December 2007)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• TWO DECADES AFTER MCMARTIN: A FOLLOW-UP OF 22 CONVICTED DAY CARE EMPLOYEES - Mary deYoung
• NEGOTIATING 'PROFESSIONAL AGENCY': SOCIAL WORK AND DECISION-MAKING WITHIN THE ONTARIO CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM - Henry Parada, Lisa Barnoff, and Brienne Coleman
• A CRITIQUE OF THE GLOBAL TRAFFICKING DISCOURSE AND U.S. POLICY - Moshoula Capous Desyllas
• A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF LETTERS TO PRESIDENT KENNEDY FROM PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND THEIR FAMILIES:USING THE RESEARCH POEM IN POLICY ORIENTED RESEARCH - Rich Furman and Allison Shukraft
• THE RESEARCH PRACTICES AND NEEDS OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN AN URBAN CENTER - Randy Stoecker
• PUBLIC AND PRIVATE …

A Qualitative Study Of Letters To President Kennedy From Persons With Mental Illness And Their Families: Using The Research Poem In Policy Oriented Research, Rich Furman, Allison Shukraft

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Using the research poem as a tool of data representation, this paper presentsfindingsfrom an analysis of letters sent to President John F. Kennedy regarding the formulation of mental health policy during the early 1960s. The article presents the experiences of consumers of mental health services and their families-shapers and receivers of mentalhealthprovisionsth atareinfrequentlygivenv oice. Traditional thematic analysis was conducted, and data subsequently were represented in three poetic forms:free verse, the pantoum, and the tanka.

Review Of International Social Work Research: Issues And Prospects. Tony Tripodi And Miriam Potoky-Tripodi. Reviewed By Teresa Morris., Teresa Morris

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Tony Tripodi and Miriam Potocky-Tripodi, International Social Work Research: Issues and Prospects. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. $ 55.00 hardcover, $ 24.95 papercover.

Social Functioning: A Sociological Common Base For Social Work Practice, Thomas J. Blakely, Gregory M. Dziadosz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article describes the experience of a social work mental health agency with Social Role Theory (SRT), that is an organizing concept for the delivery of its assessment and treatment program. SRT has been called the process variable of the program, meaning how services are delivered. Social functioning, a concept taken from SRT, is a treatment outcome. The overall purposes of the article are to describe the contribution of sociology to social work practice, and to advance the argument that social functioning is a common base for social work practice generally.

Review Of The Relationship Rights Of Children. James G. Dwyer. Reviewed By Mary Ann Mason., Mary Ann Mason

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of James G. Dwyer, The Relationship Rights of Children. Cambridge University Press, 2006, $ 55.00 hardcover.

Humanitarian Aid Work: A Critical Approach. Carlos Martin Beristain., David K. Androff

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Carlos Martin Beristain, Humanitarian Aid Work: A Critical Approach. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006. $ 59.95 hardcover.

Executive Summary: Midwest Evaluation Of The Adult Functioning Of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes At Age 21, Mark E. Courtney, Amy Lynn Dworsky, Gretchen Ruth Cusick, Judy Havlicek, Alfred Perez, Thomas E. Keller

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (Midwest Study) is a longitudinal study that has been following a sample of young people from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois as they transition out of foster care into adulthood. It is a collaborative effort involving Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago; the University of Wisconsin Survey Center; and the public child welfare agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. This executive summary report concentrates on the outcomes of 21 year old youth as they "age out" of the child welfare system and transition to adulthood.

Midwest Evaluation Of The Adult Functioning Of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes At Age 21, Mark E. Courtney, Amy Lynn Dworsky, Gretchen Ruth Cusick, Judy Havlicek, Alfred Perez, Thomas E. Keller

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (Midwest Study) is a longitudinal study that has been following a sample of young people from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois as they transition out of foster care into adulthood. It is a collaborative effort involving Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago; the University of Wisconsin Survey Center; and the public child welfare agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. This report concentrates on the outcomes of 21 year old youth as they "age out" of the child welfare system and transition to adulthood.

Optimism Associations With Well-Being Indicators Among Older People In The U.S., Danny Hudson Vandergriff

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Introduction This study is an analysis of associations between optimism and other psychological well-being indicators among people over age 65 in the U.S. The analysis is based on a stratified random sample collected in 2001 (Wave 1) with a 2004 follow up (Wave 2). The original survey was restricted to African American and Caucasian respondents who were "Christian." The purpose of this study is to provide social workers a better understanding of the function of well-being, particularly optimism, among older people. Literature Review Literature comparing well-being indicators to optimism among older populations is very limited. There are a few studies …

"Creative Interpretation And Fluidity In A Rights Framework": The Intersection Of Domestic Violence And Human Rights In The United States, Karen Lynn Morgaine

Dissertations and Theses

This study explores the manner in which leaders working in the domestic violence field in the US have or have not adopted a human rights framework and what impact this has had on domestic violence policy and intervention. Participants included leaders from national domestic violence and human rights organizations. These organizations are instrumental in developing policy and in framing the issues of domestic violence and human rights, many of which also work with specific racial and ethnic populations. Some of the primary research questions included: If the human rights discourse is being put to practical use within the US, how …

Which Sexual Abuse Victims Receive A Forensic Medical Examination? : The Impact Of Children's Advocacy Centers, Wendy A. Walsh, Theodore P. Cross, Lisa M. Jones, Monique Simone, David Kolko

Sociology

Abstract

Objective

This study examines the impact of Children's Advocacy Centers (CAC) and other factors, such as the child's age, alleged penetration, and injury on the use of forensic medical examinations as part of the response to reported child sexual abuse.

Methods

This analysis is part of a quasi-experimental study, the Multi-Site Evaluation of Children's Advocacy Centers, which evaluated four CACs relative to within-state non-CAC comparison communities. Case abstractors collected data on forensic medical exams in 1,220 child sexual abuse cases through review of case records.

Results

Suspected sexual abuse victims at CACs were two times more likely to have …

Circumstances And Suggestions Of Youth Who Run From Out-Of-Home Care, Angelique Day, Joanne Riebschleger

Social Work Faculty Publications

Th is study examined the preceding circumstances of youth that ran from out-of-home care. Youth off ered suggestions for preventing future running episodes. Data was drawn from 111 case records of three county courts in southeastern Lower Michigan. Data were also drawn from four focus groups of youth living in out-of-home care (n=24). Circumstances that preceded youth running included female gender, African- American ethnicity, more restrictive placements, prior running episodes, and separations from siblings and children. Focus group youth expressed concerns about placement disruptions, rules, chores, diff erential treatment, loss of control, safety, and especially, feeling that “no one cares …

How Does Michigan Fare In The Fight To Improve Outcomes For Youth Aging Out Of Foster Care? A Response From The State And One Of Its Communities, Angelique Day, Deboraha Watson

Social Work Faculty Publications

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one-half-million children are in foster care at any given time, some of whom are over the age of 16. Every year, typically at the age of 18, approximately 20,000 of these children will age out of the foster care system. Many of these youths fi nd themselves making an abrupt transition to adulthood and independence with little or no assistance from their caregivers, biological families, or the child welfare system. Unlike their same-age peers in the general population, they have no safety net if they fail to succeed at navigating …

Advice And Help-Seeking Intentions Among Youth In Israel: Ethnic And Gender Differences, Moshe Sherer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study addresses intentions to seek advice and help among Jewish and Arab youths in Israel. The sample included 805 Jewish, 159 Moslem, 42 Christian, and 43 Druze youths. Two instruments were used: a demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire on help-seeking intentions. Results indicated that members of the ethnic groups preferred using different sources for advice and help. Compared to Moslem and Druze youths, Jewish youths preferred to turn to fathers, siblings, school counselors, and social workers; Compared to Arab youths, Jewish youths expressed less intention to seek assistancef rom their mothers; and compared to Moslem youths, Jewish youths expressed …

Greek-Letter Membership And College Graduation: Does Race Matter?, Ronald E. Severtis Jr., C. Andre Christie-Mizell

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Research, utilizing a nationally representative sample of 3,712 Americans, revealed that Greek-letter membership increases the probability of college graduation more for African Americans than for European Americans. Conversely, father's education is a more robust predictor of educational outcomes for European Americans compared to their African American counterparts

From Financial Literacy To Financial Capability Among Youth, Elizabeth Johnson, Margaret S. Sherraden

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Youth in the United States are facing an increasingly complex and perilous financial world. Economically disadvantaged youth, in particular, lack financial knowledge and access to mainstream financial institutions. Despite growing interest in youth financial literacy, we have not seen comparable efforts to improve access to financial policies and services, especially among disadvantaged youth. Instead of aiming for financial literacy, an approach widely promoted in the United States, we suggest aiming for financial capability, a concept grounded in the writing of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. Building on research in the United Kingdom, the paper proposes that financial capability results when …

Review Of The Quest For Environmental Justice: Human Rights And The Politics Of Pollution. Robert D. Bullard (Ed.). Reviewed By John G. Mcnutt., John G. Mcnutt

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Robert Bullard (Ed.), The Quest for Environmental Justice: Human Rights and the Politics of Pollution. San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books, 2005. $18.95 papercover.

The Role Of Informal Social Networks In Micro-Savings Mobilization, Margaret Lombe, Fred M. Ssewamala

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The influence of informal institutions on economic outcomes for low income individuals and households has received little attention in the United States. Yet, drawing on social capital theory and existing studies from developing countries where informal institutions have been widely used in promoting economic opportunities offamilies in poverty, one would expect these institutions to have positive effects on the economic outcomes of low income individuals in the context of an IDA program. Using a sample of 840 respondents who were enrolled in a community action program, this study assesses the effects of informal networks of social support on performance in …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 34, No. 3 (September 2007)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: LESSONS FROM A CASE STUDY IN THE ARKANSAS DELTA - Valerie H. Hunt
• THE ROLE OF INFORMAL SOCIAL NETWORKS IN MICRO-SAVINGS MOBILIZATION - Margaret Lombe and Fred M. Ssewamala
• ADVICE AND HELP-SEEKING INTENTIONS AMONG YOUTH IN ISRAEL: ETHNIC AND GENDER DIFFERENCES - Moshe Sherer
• INCARCERATION AND UNWED FATHERS IN FRAGILE FAMILIES - Charles E. Lewis, Jr., Irwin Garfinkel and Qin Gao
• GREEK-LETTER MEMBERSHIP AND COLLEGE GRADUATION: DOES RACE MATTER? - Ronald E. Severtis, Jr. and C. Andrg Christie-Mizell
• FROM FINANCIAL LITERACY TO FINANCIAL CAPABILITY AMONG YOUTH - Elizabeth Johnson and Margaret …

Interpersonal Violence And Animals: Mandated Cross-Sector Reporting, Dennis D. Long, Joan H. Long, Shanti J. Kulkarni

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Research indicates an association between interpersonal violence and animal cruelty. This article examine the virtues and limitations of creating statutory authority requiring professionals to report substantiated abuse, neglect, and cruelty across service delivery systems (e.g. child and adult protect services and humane societies). Such a legislative approach authorizes and legitimizes "mandated crosssector reporting." The probative and research value of this type of initiative is examined as well as ethical and political considerations.

Review Of A Right To Housing: Foundations For A New Social Agenda. Rachel G. Bratt, Michael E. Stone, And Chester Hartman. Reviewed By John Q. Hodges., John Q. Hodges

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Rachel G. Bratt, Michael E. Stone and Chester Hartman, A Right to Housing: Foundations for a New Social Agenda. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press, 2006. $40.00 papercover.

Review Of Foundations Of Evidence Based Social Work Practice. Albert R. Roberts And Kenneth R. Yeager. Reviewed By Daniel Coleman., Daniel Coleman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Albert R. Roberts and Kenneth R. Yeager, Foundations of Evidence Based Social Work Practice. New York: Oxford University Press. $35.00 hardcover.

Crawling Out Of Poverty: Recollections From Women Who Succeeded Against The Odds, Crystale M. Marsh

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A multiple-case-qualitative approach was used to examine the lives of women who overcame lives of poverty. Participants were chosen from a pool of students in the Midwestern portion of the United States who previously participated in the Educational Talent Search program, a division of Upward Bound, that assists low income and at-risk students in attending college. Numerous themes were obtained from the data; however, the overarching theme for this study included the process of change. Specifically, the women spoke about the decisions they made to overcome poverty and thus begin referring to themselves as "successful." In order to provide further …

Focal Point, Volume 21 Number 02, Portland State University. Regional Research Institute

Research and Training Center - Focal Point

Evidence–based programs produce positive outcomes for consumers, providers, and the greater public. However, not all evidence–based programs have been proven to work with diverse groups. This issue of Focal Point features programs that have been developed specifically to meet the needs of underserved youth such as immigrants, rural or homeless youth, and those from racial or sexual minority groups.

Global Savings, Assets And Financial Inclusion: Lessons, Challenges, And Directions, Jamie M. Zimmerman, Ray Boshara, Michael Sherraden, Li Zou, Kate Mckee, Leslie Meek-Wohl, Amy Feldman

Center for Social Development Research

Global Savings, Assets and Financial Inclusion: Lessons, Challenges, and Directions

Increasing Parent Educational Expectations For Children In Sub-Saharan Africa: The Potential Role Of Assets, Gina Chowa, William Elliott Iii

Center for Social Development Research

It is commonly held in the education literature that parent expectations are an important factor in predicting children’s achievement in school. However, little research has been conducted on educational expectations of parents living in developing countries. In this study of Ugandans we examine whether parents save more when they are given access to Asset Development Accounts (ADAs) and financial training than parents receiving financial training but no ADAs, and/or parents with no ADA or financial training. We find that Ugandan parents who receive both an ADA and financial training experience an increase in mean wealth of US$77.4 over a two …

Under-Utilized Contributions By International Students: Case Study For Education And Research, Gina Chowa, Kofi Danso, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

International social work education in the United States focuses on globalization and international practicum for American students. a readily available resource, international social work graduate students, is rarely utilized. This article discusses a case study of five African students who engage in a process of realigning their academic knowledge to respond to local social development challenges in their home countries. These processes result in profound innovations that are based on theory, indigenous experience, and culturally competent practice.

Inclusion And Effectiveness In International Volunteering And Service, Amanda Moore Mcbride, Margaret S. Sherraden, Benjamin J. Lough

Center for Social Development Research

Inclusion and Effectiveness in International Volunteering and Service