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Rural Social Work: Recruitment, Job Satisfaction, Burnout, And Turnover, Aaron Raymond Brown, Jayme Walters, Aubrey Jones, Omotola Akinsola

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Rural agencies have unique challenges related to recruitment and retention of social workers. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine job satisfaction, burnout and turnover among rural social workers. Based on 28 included articles, results indicate: (a) rural social workers tend to be from rural areas or have completed training in rural settings; (b) poor job satisfaction predicts turnover among rural social workers; (c) rural vs. urban differences for satisfaction, burnout, intention to leave, and turnover are mixed; and (d) greater work-life balance and supervisory support increase retention among rural social workers. This study provides recommendations for informing education, …

Social Workers’ Evidence-Based Practice Use And Challenges In Rural Environments: A Systematic Review, Mingun Lee

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Over the past decade, the demand for Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in the social work field has increased. Previous studies indicate that EBP promotes clinical decision making based on current best evidence and decreases the use of ineffective interventions. However, social workers still face a variety of barriers to become evidence-based practitioners. Particularly, social workers practicing in rural areas face increased barriers to make use of evidence in practice. This study conducted a systematic review of current literature to find evidence related to social workers’ use of EBP and their barriers in rural settings. Reviews were limited to social work studies …

Use Of Evidence-Based Practice To Enhance Decision-Making In Rural Child Welfare Practiceuse Of Evidence-Based Practice To Enhance Decision-Making In Rural Child Welfare Practice, Karen Rice

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Child welfare practitioners need to ensure they employ effective decision-making when implementing services to families at risk for abuse and/or neglect of their children. Utilizing a structured decision making process, specifically an evidence-based process, may enhance case outcomes (Hagermoser-Sanetti, & Kratochwill, 2009). Evidence-based practice is an attempt to bridge the gap between research and practice (Hagell, & Spencer, 2004). Evidence-based practice (EBP) is defined as a “process that blends current best evidence, community values and preferences, and agency, societal, and political considerations in order to establish programs and policies that are effective and contextualized” (Regehr, Stern, & Shlonsky, 2007, p. …

Working With Latinos In Rural Communities: “Nuts And Bolts”, Wilma Cordova, Aparecida De Fátima Cordeiro Dutra

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Latinos currently compromise 16% of the entire U.S. population and 9.3% live in rural areas ((U.S. Census, 2010). These current percentages indicate that most social workers will work with this population at least once during their careers. Therefore, it is important that social workers develop skills and knowledge to work effectively with Latinos. Working with Latinos in our current sociopolitical climate poses many challenges for social workers working in rural areas. However, if social workers adhere to the guidelines and standards initially established by the profession and implement best practices many of their efforts will be successful. This chapter aims …

An Assessment Of The Strengths And Needs Of Rural Social Workers In The Northwestern United States, Jon William Talebreza-May, Rachel Jensen, Nathan Shay

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Although rural social work continues to be on the fringe of social work practice in the United States, a committed group of practitioners work to update and expand upon current knowledge (Lohmann & Lohmann, 2005). Studies have been carried out across the country as to the state of rural social work practice, the unique barriers and strengths that come from this line of work, as well as the problems that lead social work to be necessary in rural areas (Daley, 2015; Lohman & Lohmann, 2005; Mackie et al., 2016). Though well-researched in the United States, examination of rural social work …

Childhood Obesity: A Survey Of The Nutrition And Physical Activity Components Of The Coordinated School Health (Csh) Program In Rural Tennessee, Courtney Nichole Haun, Zachary Mahafza, Aj Good, Victor Nettey

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

With the rise in childhood overweight and obesity rates in the United States, understanding the issue has become of mainstay importance. This study provides insight into the nutritional knowledge and related health perceptions of parents’ whose children have participated in a Coordinated School Health (CSH) program in rural Tennessee. Surveys were distributed between two elementary grade level school systems in Washington County, Tennessee, to serve the need of interpreting the knowledge, values, and ideas on childhood health regarding CSH program effectiveness. While our findings across both schools revealed moderate levels of parental knowledge on health and nutritional issues, we also …

Don’T Get The Epizootus! Challenges And Promises Of Modern Rural Health Care, Michael Daley

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Rural communities face a crisis in terms of access, funding for health care, and the overall health needs of these communities. There are also shortages of health care professionals in rural areas. As national priorities shift away from health care to border security, small towns may be hard pressed to meet their residents’ health care needs. Professional advocacy for rural people to address these issues is recommended.

From The Editor, Peg Munke

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

No abstract provided.

Gullah Geechee Families: Land And Culture, Lisa Moore

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

The legacy of Black land ownership and cultural autonomy is not a well-known narrative of Black history in the United States, which is reflected in the dearth of material addressing these legacies. This history presents a narrative of Black rural life in the United States that offers rural social work professionals another framework to understand the legacies of fictive kin and collective values often overlooked when engaging Black families and communities. Gullah/Geechee families represent a narrative of Black life in the United States that reflects the power of being left with opportunities to develop a culture and tradition of collective …

In Memoriam: Rip Barry Lane Locke, Peg Munke

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

No abstract provided.

Maneuverability Experiences Faced By Individuals Who Use Wheelchairs In Rural Settings: A Qualitative Analysis, Kaycee Lynn Bills

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

People who have never been in a wheelchair do not understand how difficult simple tasks such as going to work, school, or completely daily living tasks can be. Many studies have discussed the experiences of those who use wheelchairs for mobility. This study qualitatively examines the daily experiences those who use wheelchairs face, despite the advances in policies to accommodate for people who have disabilities. The purpose of this study was to address this social problem by interviewing those who use wheelchairs in order to identify the day-to-day challenges that these individuals face. The sample derived from young adults living …

Sex Trafficking And Rural Communities: A Review Of The Literature, Ruby Aguirre, Katelyn Harris, Molly Rose Hilgenberg, Melody Soper, Pamela H. Bowers

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Sex trafficking is a pervasive threat across the globe and all fifty states of the United States, especially for underage female youth. However, there is a dearth of literature and awareness in domestic rural areas. Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking that threatens all communities, including rural areas. This extended literature review looks closely at recent studies, and the grey literature to garner a better understanding of the implications for rural social work practice. The review concludes with recommendations and implications for future research, policy, and practice.

Guardians Of Knowledge: Redefining Libraries, Carlee Cash, Libby Hagan, Maddie Klumb, Heyna Suit, Spencer Thompson, Crystal Williams

GSP at Murray State University

Since their founding in ancient times, libraries have been a cornerstone of society, playing a key role in creating informed citizens that participate in and uphold societal values. In Kentucky, libraries serve to increase literacy rates, strengthen community ties, and provide resources to the public. However the traditional library is facing difficulties staying relevant in the modern, technological age. In order to survive, libraries in the future need to evolve and return to their beginnings as centers of learning and innovation.

The Future Of Libraries, Eli Best, Lauren Cravens, Mia Derks, Lillian Eells, Kelly Mattingly, Johnathan Tobbe

GSP at Murray State University

In the past decade, research has repeatedly shown a decrease in state funding for libraries and consequently a lowered interest in preserving libraries as a part of society. This has caused a lack of emphasis on community outreach and education as a whole. In order to remedy these problems, our class has spent the past few weeks brainstorming multiple ideas such as programs that should be included in libraries, more appealing library decor, and an architectural design that would enhance the opportunity for growth and discussion while still preserving the sense peace and tranquility that a library should provide. To …

Book Review: Kentucky And The Great War: World War I On The Home Front

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Book Review

Kentucky and the Great War: World War I on the Home Front

George Humphreys

Book Review: The Flood Year 1927: A Cultural History

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Book Review

The Flood Year 1927: A Cultural History

Matthew Himel

Technical Training And Readiness University For The Disabled, Wyatt Wells, Robby Draper, Claire Kleum, Zach Farrell, Dahra Lambert, Vishaal Balamurugan

GSP at Murray State University

Technical Training and Readiness University (TTRUD) is a school for the disabled that would equip them with the 21st century skills needed for them to excel in the workforce. Skills include those such as technical skills, how to handle social encounters in the workplace, and basic training to be prepared to function for the job field they want to enter. To qualify, the applicant must be on disability, and would go through a thorough application process. TTRUD would be a non-profit organization and would rely mostly on donations, grants, and other government funding. We also plan to collaborate with any …

Paws-Abilities, Taylor Davis, Madelyn Day, Kendall Dulaney, Jordanne Howard, Cierra Monroe, Jordan Tapp

GSP at Murray State University

PAWS-abilities is our non-profit business idea. Our goal for PAWS-abilities is to provide a safe environment for local stray dogs and rehabilitate them to become service or therapy dogs in the future. The trainers will be local inmates who have passed a strict screening process to ensure the safety of all who are involved. The inmates will be supervised by licensed, professional dog trainers who specialize in service and therapy training. We plan to partner with several local organizations, businesses, and veterinarians to place the service dogs with their new families and to promote the health of the dogs at …

Editor's Remarks

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Editor's Remarks

James S. Humphreys

Friends Of Humanity, Enemies Of Bondage: Kentucky's Antislavery Evangelicals And Their Legacy

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Friends of Humanity, Enemies of Bondage: Kentucky's Antislavery Evangelicals and Their Legacy

Andrew Landreth

The Historical Context Of The Mexican Expedition Of 1916

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

The Historical Context of the Mexican Expedition of 1916

William Schell, Jr.

Memories Of Mayfield, Kentucky During World War Ii: An Interview With Mrs. Frances Bennett

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Memories of Mayfield, Kentucky during World War II: An Interview with Mrs. Frances Bennett

Megan Dobrose

Book Review: Bushwhackers: Guerrilla Warfare, Manhood, And The Household In Civil War Missouri

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Book Review

Bushwhackers: Guerrilla Warfare, Manhood, and the Household in Civil War Missouri

Melony Schemberger

Book Review: Forrest: On The Way To Fort Pillow

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Book Review

Forrest: On the Way to Fort Pillow

Marvin Downing

President's Remarks

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

President's Remarks

William H. Mulligan, Jr.

Book Review: The Rivers Ran Backward: The Civil War And The Remaking Of The American Middle Border

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Book Review

The Rivers Ran Backward: The Civil War and the Remaking of the American Middle Border

Carl C. Creason

Book Review: Paducah And The Civil War

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Book Review

Paducah and the Civil War

Brent Taylor

2016-17 Meetings Of The Jackson Purchase Historical Society

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

2016-17 Meetings of the Jackson Purchase Historical Society

William H. Mulligan, Jr.

Does Quilting Matter?

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Does Quilting Matter?

Bobbie Smith Bryant

Book Review: Andrew Jackson, Southerner

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Book Review

Andrew Jackson, Southerner

John R. Burrow