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Leveling The Playing Field: Epitomizing Devolution Through Faith-Based Organizations, Robert J. Wineburg, Brian L. Coleman, Stephanie C. Boddie, Ram A. Cnaan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The original New-Federalism agenda that emerged with the Reagan administration weakened federal programs and transferred power to states and localities. While Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush's years were characterized by block grants and dismantling public assistance, the Clinton years will be remembered for the dismantling of AFDC. Recruiting faith-based organizations to provide social services epitomized the second Bush presidency. In this article, we demonstrate how the seeds for recruiting faith-based groups were planted before and during the Reagan years, and how two waves of devolution chipped away at our national commitment to welfare. These first two waves provided …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 35, No. 1 (March 2008)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SPECIAL ISSUE ON HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL POLICY

• INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE - Richard K. Caputo, Special Editor
• LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD: EPITOMIZING DEVOLUTION THROUGH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS - Robert J. Wineburg, Brian L. Coleman, Stephanie C. Boddie, and Ram A. Cnaan
• SOCIAL WORK IN THE WORKFARE REGIME: A COMPARISON OF THE U.S. AND AUSTRALIA - Catherine McDonald and Michael Reisch
• SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVATIZATION: AN IDEOLOGICALLY STRUCTURED MOVEMENT - Judie Svihula and Carroll L. Estes
• THE ILLUSION OF CHANGE, THE POLITICS OF ILLUSION: EVOLUTION OF THE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT OF 1988 - Luisa S. Deprez
• WHEN DOES …

Bullying: An Adult Perspective From Educators Who Work Predominately With African American Students, Rebecca A. Robles-Piña, Anthony Harris, Rachel Porias

Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice

A survey of 31 teachers and counselors who work predominantly with African American students about bullying revealed these findings: Analyses by individual questions indicated that participants (a) disagreed that bullies and victims were of any particular ethnic group, (b) were unsure about whether gender impacted bullying and whether bullying had decreased (c) agreed that pairing loners with other students was a good intervention and that victims tended to be students with special needs, and (d) strongly agreed that bullies have feelings of power and control. Analyses by categories and demographic characteristics indicated no statistically significant differences for gender and job …

Acculturation And Mental Health Among Mexican Immigrant Women, Monique Diana Castaneda

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between the independent variable of acculturation and the dependent variable of mental health. The sample was drawn from a group of Mexican immigrant women residing in San Bernardino, California.

Being Accountable: Overrepresentation Of Children Of Color In The Child Welfare System, Victoria Lee Scheele, Juliana Francesca Simixhi

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the ethnic composition of families enrolled in Voluntary Family Services (VFS) as well as service delivery and service completion rates among the various ethnic groups utilizing these services.

Leadership In Faith-Based Social Service Organizations, Veronica Esqueda

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to examine leadership in faith based social service organizations. The issue that this researcher addressed is leadership styles in faith-based social service organizations and character traits of spirit led servant leaders. This study addressed the issue of spiritual leadership because recent research implies that spirituality and leadership are important factors that contribute to the healthy human development of indviduals. Many social workers find the assumptions, beliefs, and values of the Christian faith helpful in providing a frame of reference for understanding and responding to both individual and societal problems. There were 35 self-assessment servant …

Rethinking Empowerment: Collective Action As Intervention With Women, Melissa Liberty Darnell

Theses Digitization Project

This study explores women's feelings of empowerment that result from participating in collective action events. The study contributes to the growing body of social work scholarship on empowerment practice by identifying and describing the specific variables that may contribute to or enhance empowerment feelings in women as a result of collective action participation.

Degree Of Privacy Afforded In Long-Term Care, Lynn Marie Givens, Jesse Ornelas

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of privacy among the elderly living in long-term nursing and communal facilities. The data was collected through a probability sampling at the Veterans Home of California in Barstow.

A Strength-Based Perspective On Group Homes, Liza Ana Fimbres, Rose Kathleen Solomon

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to promote a more positive perspective on group homes by raising awareness of their strengths. By identifying strengths, group homes can gain knowledge of and build upon assets to better meet the needs of children in the child welfare system.

Gang Activity In San Bernardino, California: A Needs Assessment For Operation Phoenix, Mario Leone Rogers

Theses Digitization Project

This research study examined an innovative gang approach in the city of San Bernardino called Operation Phoenix. The purpose of this study was to conduct a needs assessment for Operation Phoenix. This qualitative and quantitative study examined how effective Operation Phoenix was in the prevention, intervention, and suppression of gang activity in the city of San Bernardino. In addition it assessed the unique needs of this comprehensive gang program.

Intervention Outcome Differences For Adult Children Of Domestic Violence, Donna Jo Diamond, Geneva Naomi Hannigan

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to investigate intervention outcomes for domestic violence in families and adult children. This study targeted intervention outcomes of families and adult children from domestic violence homes for the purpose of comparing those self referred versus those who were mandated for intervention.

What Contributes To Academic Achievement Among Elementary Grade Students: A Needs Assessment, Adriana Chavez, Martha Tinehyn Glomah

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the needs of parents and teachers to identify factors that contributed to academic achievement among elementary grade students. Data was collected from a total of 65 parents and teachers of elementary grade students from Rowland Elementary School in Rowland Heights.

Housing Concerns And Subjective Well-Being Of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Erika Janet Perez

Theses Digitization Project

This study examines the relationship between housing concerns, ethnicity, and subjective well-being of grandparents raising grandchildren. 17 participants were recruited from the Kin-Care program of Riverside County, Ca. About 19% of families headed by grandparents are living in poverty. When looking at the type of services that would be beneficial for these families, the housing situation is an important matter to consider.

Attitudes And Views Of Older Gays And Lesbians, Neil Mikel Lomeli

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to understand the views and attitudes of aging gay men and lesbian women 60 years old and greater toward receving services from social welfare agencies. The hope is to give social and welfare agencies in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties a better understanding and awareness in the needs of older gay men and lesbian women that could result in better programs for them.

Social Support And Homeless Individuals 50 To 65 Years Of Age, Joseph William Staudt

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships homeless individuals have and their support systems. It analyzed what social supports an individual homeless person had in their life and how they utilized that support. This research was done due to lack of research being done on the elderly homeless population. The problem this study focuses on was homelessness among individuals between the ages of 50 and 65 years. Ten homeless people were interviewed at the Central City Lutheran Missions Cold Weather Shelter.

Social Workers' Views About Disproportionality Among African American Children In Child Welfare, Hortense Granderson

Theses Digitization Project

This study explored social workers' views (attitudes and perceptions) on reasons and causes for disproportionality among African American children in the child welfare system. This study contributed to social work practice, policy, and research because it is the first study of its kind for Riverside County where information is readily available to understand the reasons and causes for disproportionality among these children according to social workers.

The Life Experiences Of Women Ex-Offenders Of Domestic Violence, Hope Hermosillo Mora

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the life experiences of women ex-offenders in treatment programs for domestic violence. This study provided this population the opportunity to tell their stories, their perspectives about domestic violence, their concerns, and their perceived needs, if any. The study aimed to understand women's subjective experiences with domestic violence, the various forms it took, and the content to which it was expressed. Overall, the findings from this study indicated that women did not perceive mutual violence as symmetrical; the violence perpetrated by the participants towards their spouse or partner was less severe than the …

A Secondary Analysis Of The Rural Elderly Population In Twentynine Palms, Nicholas Rene Perez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to identify needs of the elderly population 65 years and older, who reside in the Twentynine Palms area by conducting secondary analyses of data collected from a needs assessment survey administered by the San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) from 2005. This study highlited the barriers that the residence of Twentynine Palms found to be most important. The barriers focused on in this paper will assist social workers in focusing on the urgent needs of these residents.

Depression Among The Elderly, Lynda Lee Omagari

Theses Digitization Project

This study will examine depression among the elderly in an assisted living facility. The main problem in depression in the elderly is the lack of diagnosis and treatment. Left untreated it affects the elderly person's overall well-being and may eventually lead to their mortality.

Obstacles And Aspirations Amongst Hispanics And African Americans In Pursuing A College Education, Monica Avina

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to identify the obstacles faced by African American and Hispanic students as well as the motivations that help them thrive in today's society through a college education. This is important for social workers who work with ethnic minorities because by learning about ways in which these two groups are still being oppressed, they can find ways of empowering them to overcome barriers to accessing higher education. 85 students from Hispanic and African American descent at California State University San Bernardino were surveyed.

An Exploratory Study Of Health Patterns Among Older Adults Attending Two Types Of Adult Day Programs, Kimberly Louise Robinson

Theses Digitization Project

The quality of life for an elderly person may greatly diminish if social support systems aren't intact. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of relationships between social support, self-reported health status, functional level as measured by activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activites of daily living (IADL), demographic variables, and depression among the elderly by the type of older adult program subjects attended. These two programs are a senior recreation center and an adult day health care center (ADHC). Sixty non-demented members from an Adult Day Health Care Center and Norco Senior Recreation Center located in …

Exploring The Perceptions Of Child Welfare Social Worker's Retention Rates For Five Years Or More Of Employment In San Bernardino County Department Of Children's Services Child Protection Units, Victoria Loren Hill, Kimberly Ann Kalloo-Violante

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to explore the reasons why child welfare social workers choose to stay working in child protection as their long-term professional career. Twenty-two career child welfare social workers' perceptions of their long-term employment were examined. If these reasons can be identified, child welfare agencies could possibly develop hiring processes, training systems, and other organizational processes that would target and nurture the right social worker for the job. Monies will be saved and families will be serviced by qualified social workers. The results of this study indicated the primary reason workers stayed in child welfare was …

Down Syndrome: Parental Strategies For Stress Among Cultures, Claudia Edith Campos, Lizbeth Anahi Corrales

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this research was to examine the perceptions of parents of different cultures on how to cope with stress in relation to caring for a child with Down syndrome. This study targeted parents that attend Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) support groups. DSALA has support groups all over Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The sample of participants consisted of nine Caucasian, eight Latino, and three multiethnic mothers for a total of twenty.

Life Domain Research Report Series: Youth And Parent Health And Well Being, Michele Preyde, Karen Frensch, Gary Cameron, Lirondel Hazineh

Partnerships for Children and Families Project

The Life Domain Series describes the community adaptation of children and youth graduating from residential and intensive family service children’s mental health programs in multiple life domains (education and work, social involvements, family and health). This full length report presents evidence from the first and second phases of longitudinal research about how children who were involved with residential and intensive family service mental health programs are doing in school and at work.

Life Domain Research Report Series: School And Employment, Karen Frensch, Lirondel Hazineh, Gary Cameron, Michele Preyde

Partnerships for Children and Families Project

The Life Domain Series describes the community adaptation of children and youth graduating from residential and intensive family service children’s mental health programs in multiple life domains (education and work, social involvements, family and health). This full length report presents evidence from the first and second phases of longitudinal research about how children who were involved with residential and intensive family service mental health programs are doing in school and at work.

Treating Suicidality In African American Adolescents With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Curtis E. Bryant, Jeanette Harder

Social Work Faculty Publications

Methods for preventing adolescent suicide are surveyed, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is explored as a method for serving suicidal African American adolescents. Strengths, limitations, and compatibility of CBT with social work values are examined. Although CBT shows much promise in helping suicidal African American adolescents, research on the efficacy and effectiveness of CBT with this population is lacking. Suicide risk and protective factors and social inequities are evaluated as they relate to African American adolescents generally. In addition to relieving suicidal symptoms, CBT potentially could facilitate social liberation for this population.

The Denial Of Emergency Protection: Factors Associated With Court Decision Making, Carol E. Jordan, Adam J. Pritchard, Pamela Wilcox, Danielle Duckett-Pritchard

Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women Publications

Despite the importance of civil orders of protection as a legal resource for victims of intimate partner violence, research is limited in this area, and most studies focus on the process following a court’s initial issuance of an emergency order. The purpose of this study is to address a major gap in the literature by examining cases where victims of intimate partner violence are denied access to temporary orders of protection. The study sample included a review of 2,205 petitions that had been denied by a Kentucky court during the 2003 fiscal year. The study offers important insights into the …

Life Domain Research Report Series: Social Connections And Community Conduct, Lirondel Hazineh, Karen Frensch, Michele Preyde, Gary Cameron

Partnerships for Children and Families Project

Integral to formulating a picture of youth overall well being is to understand how youth participate in social networks with peers and friends, engage in social or leisure activities, and more generally forge healthy relationships with others. Among a variety of emotional and behavioural challenges faced by children and youth involved with residential treatment or intensive family services may be their ability to negotiate relationships within social contexts (Cameron, de Boer, Frensch, & Adams, 2003).

Data was collected about youth who had been involved with children’s mental health residential treatment (RT) or intensive family service programs (IFS), designed as an …

Life Domain Research Report Series: Family, Gary Cameron, Lirondel Hazineh, Karen Frensch, Michele Preyde

Partnerships for Children and Families Project

The Life Domain Series describes the community adaptation of children and youth graduating from residential and intensive family service children’s mental health programs in multiple life domains (education and work, social involvements, family and health). This full length report presents evidence from the first and second phases of longitudinal research about how children who were involved with residential and intensive family service mental health programs are doing in school and at work.

Assessment Practices In Residential Treatment Facilities For Juvenile Offenders, Liz Marciniak, Diane T. Marsh

Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice

Given the high prevalence of mental disorders among juvenile offenders, as well as the link between untreated disorders and delinquent behavior, there is a critical need for standardized, cost-effective, and clinically effective procedures to identify youth with mental health problems. Surveys were sent to staff in juvenile residential facilities throughout Pennsylvania to examine statewide assessment practices, including the background and training of staff, the standard intake procedures used in these facilities, and the role of assessment in treatment planning. Although results provide evidence of some common statewide assess-ment practices, there was significant variability in the use of specific procedures. Suggestions …