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Suicide Prevention Through The Reduction Of Counseling Stigma In Fort Riley, Kansas, Yanni Kagiwada-Moya

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this social change portfolio is to decrease the stigma of seeking mental help through addressing culture, norms, or systems within Fort Riley, Kansas, that contribute to stigma and suicide risk while using preventative measures to reduce suicide ideation and risk.

Significant Findings: This project focuses on reducing counseling stigma to prevent suicide among military personnel and veterans at Fort Riley, Kansas. Despite available mental health services, 44% of soldiers report fearing career impacts if they seek help, highlighting the need for cultural and systemic change (Irwin Army Community Hospital, 2024). Using the Social- Ecological Model …

Preventing Adverse Outcomes For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Rural Areas, Angela Osakoda

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this Social Change Portfolio is to prevent adverse outcomes for children at risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in rural communities who are unable to obtain a diagnosis or have limited access to services through parent coaching programs that connect caregivers with skills training, psychoeducation, and resources. Significant Findings: ASD impacts 4% of children nationwide (Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health, n.d.). In rural areas, these children often face long waitlists to receive a diagnosis and limited access to services, making it difficult for them to receive the recommended amount of interventions (Boydston …

Reduction And Prevention Of Intimate Partner Violence In King County, Wa, Leta Whitney

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of my social change project is to reduce and prevent intimate partner violence in King County, WA, through educational awareness, training, and supportive resources for victims and perpetrators, as well as the communities in which they reside. Significant Findings: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a preventable public health issue that affects millions of Americans and their communities, and it can occur across an entire lifespan. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) suggests that an estimated 8.5 million women and 4 million men in the United States have reported experiencing a level of IPV …

Identifying Coercion To Prevent Human Trafficking Of At-Risk Youth In Duval County, Florida, Maeve G. Coen

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: Preventing at-risk youth, adolescents, and teenagers from human trafficking victimization.

Significant Findings:Duval County faces the ongoing public health issue of human trafficking at-risk youth. At risk youth can be identified based on risk and protective factors identified through the social-ecological model. Individual risk factors may include child maltreatment, sexual abuse, and exposure to antisocial behaviors throughout childhood. Children with increased exposure to child abuse and maltreatment will escape their homes and engage in endangering behaviors with peers and adults exhibiting antisocial and coercive behaviors. Institutional, Community and Public Policy in Duval County has made advances in treating youth …

Alcoholism In Northampton County, Pa, Lauren Stack

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal is to reduce alcoholism rates in Northampton County, PA by addressing stigma associated with alcohol use, providing age-appropriate education about alcohol in schools targeting youth, and supporting the creation of public policies that facilitate these prevention efforts.

Significant Findings: In Northampton County, the percentage of the population who report excessive alcohol use is higher than the national average (Lehigh Valley Health Network, 2022). Risk factors to alcoholism can include childhood trauma, lack of economic opportunities, and societal norms (SAMHSA, n.d b). Prevention can begin within our youth by implementing strategies that target societal norms. Male adults …

Resilient Families, Thriving Communities, Melanie Phillips

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: My goal as a future marriage counselor is to reduce the number of marriages that end in divorce in my community. I aim to achieve this through preventative measures designed to increase relationship resilience and promote the overall well-being of families and the community. Significant Findings: This paper explores the rising divorce rates in Thatcher, Arizona, and highlights preventative measures to strengthen marriages in order to reduce marital dissolution. Key findings suggest that proactive interventions, such as marriage education programs and the passing of pro-marriage public policies, are more cost-effective than addressing the consequences of divorce (U.S. National …

Housing Instability And The Prevention Of Recidivism In Travis County, Helen Carter

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: To reduce and prevent homelessness for those individuals being released from incarceration to aid recidivism prevention, through the expansion and maximization of re-entry programs prior to release. Significant Findings: Both homelessness and recidivism are significant problems in the Travis County area. Data showed over 6,000 individuals were unhoused per day in 2024 (ECHO, n.d.), with recidivism costing the state of Texas almost $370 million per year. There is also a strong association between having been incarcerated, being unhoused, and subsequent recidivism, with a 10 times higher likelihood of being homeless (Couloute, 2018). In addition, this demographic faces many …

Implementing Support Groups For Young Adults With Chronic Illness In Paris, Tn, Jessica Pickel

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: To establish peer-led support groups for adults aged 18-35 with chronic illness in Paris, TN, preventing isolation and improving mental health outcomes through community connection. Significant Findings: Young adults (18-35) with chronic illness in Paris, TN, experience severe isolation (75% report disconnection), 60% lower treatment adherence, and higher ER visits due to unaddressed age-specific needs and cultural barriers for African American subgroups (Anderson & Williams, 2023; Williams & Hernandez, 2023; Taylor & Green, 2022). Evidence confirms peer support reduces loneliness by 70% within three months and delivers 4:1 healthcare savings (Harrison & Lopez, 2023; Johnson & Patel, 2023). …

Addressing Mental Health And Homelessness In The Lower Valley, Viere Arellano-Almazan

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: To reduce homelessness in the Lower Yakima Valley by implementing early intervention and culturally responsive mental health prevention strategies that enhance access to care, reduce stigma, and strengthen community resilience. Significant Findings: The Lower Yakima Valley faces significant challenges in addressing the intersection of mental health and homelessness due to limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care. Research indicates that rural residents particularly Hispanic immigrant and farmworker populations experience elevated levels of psychological distress, stigma, and barriers to accessing services (Armstrong et al., 2022). Applying the Social-Ecological Model has illuminated how multiple interconnected factors influence vulnerability, including …

From Exclusion To Inclusion: Employment As A Mental Health And Public Health Priority In Charlotte, Nc, Rozelle K. Gipson

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this Social Change Portfolio is to identify prevention-focused strategies that reduce unemployment among neurodivergent individuals with Autism, ADHD, and intellectual developmental delays by promoting inclusive hiring practices, creating access to vocational training and workplace accommodations, encouraging employers to adopt neuro-affirming practices, and equipping counselors to support clients in navigating employment challenges and advocating for workplace inclusion. Significant Findings: In Charlotte, North Carolina, many neurodivergent people, including those with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities, continue to face major challenges finding and keeping steady jobs. Across the country, about 85 percent of autistic adults are unemployed, one …

Supporting Youth Through Violence And Loss, Tiara Bolden

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this prevention portfolio is to strengthen protective factors for adolescents in Richmond, Virginia, who have experienced violence or loss. The focus is on reducing emotional distress, strengthening resilience, and promoting healthy development among youth who have been affected by community trauma. Significant Findings: Youth in Richmond are disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and exposure to loss, which contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. The City of Richmond Community Health Needs Assessment (2022) found that nearly 29% of youth live in poverty, while the Virginia Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2023) reported that …

Preventing Fentanyl Overdose Deaths In Akron, Ohio: A Community-Based Social Change Initiative, Cecil Mcnulty

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal for this Social Change Portfolio is to reduce the alarming number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Akron, Ohio, through prevention, education, and strengthened community support systems. Significant Findings: This paper examines the high rate of fentanyl overdoses in Akron, Ohio, and how communities are deeply impacted by the opioid crisis, with fentanyl-related overdoses emerging as the leading cause of preventable death. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin and morphine, has skyrocketed overdose fatalities both nationally and locally, with Summit County reporting overdose rates higher than national averages (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). …

Veteran Suicide Prevention In Central Florida, Michael Terkos

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this project is to reduce suicide rates among veterans in Central Florida by strengthening protective factors, increasing access to culturally competent, trauma- informed care, and fostering community-based resilience networks that connect veterans, families, and local agencies. Significant Findings: Veteran suicide remains a critical public health concern in Florida, which continues to rank among the states with the highest veteran suicide rates (Florida Department of Health, 2025). Research indicates that approximately 17 veterans die by suicide each day nationwide (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2022). Key risk factors include post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, …

Factors Impacting School Social Workers’ Trauma-Informed Support Of Students With Disabilities, La Kisha Miles-Sneed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children with disabilities in underserved New Jersey communities are disproportionately exposed to trauma due to compounding systemic inequities. This basic qualitative study explored how school social workers support these students through special education case management. Grounded in disability critical race theory, the trauma-informed schools framework, and ecological systems theory, the study addressed the primary needs of trauma-exposed students with disabilities and the supports and challenges school social workers face in meeting those needs. Semi-structured interviews with 9 school social workers revealed core student needs: emotional and relational safety, access to school-based mental health services, trauma-informed individualized education program (IEP) supports, …

Navigating Succession: Exploring Succession Planning Strategies In Polish Family Businesses, Jan M. Klaczak, Theresa M. Neal, Yvonne Doll

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Family businesses are the foundation of modern economies and societies, yet many encounter continuity challenges during succession. The purpose of this qualitative, multiple-case study grounded in Rothwell’s seven-step model for succession planning was to explore succession planning strategies Polish family business leaders used for ownership and leadership transfer to the next generation. Three family business leaders who executed succession planning in their firms participated in the study. Data were collected via semistructured interviews, researcher notes, and company document reviews. Using methodological triangulation and Yin’s five-step data analysis, four themes emerged: systematic succession, grooming the successor, communication with nonfamily stakeholders, and …

Stakeholder Value Creation Strategies For Small Financial Service Business Owners, David Sone Njumbe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small business owners who emphasize wealth creation to the detriment of sustainability may experience negative business outcomes. Small insurance agency owners are concerned because agency sustainability is a key to creating value for all stakeholder groups. Grounded in the stakeholder theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that some owners of small insurance agencies in the financial services industry use to create value for different stakeholder groups in order to remain sustainable in an evolving business environment. The participants were six financial professionals/advisors of the financial services industry. Data were collected using semistructured interview questions. …

The Lived Experiences Of Mothers Facing Phubbing From Their Adolescent Children, Mye Alexis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Widespread use of technology, particularly smartphones, introduced new challenges involving parent–adolescent attachment. Although existing literature primarily examines parental phubbing of adolescents, there is a significant gap in research exploring the experiences of mothers who are phubbed by their adolescent children. To address this gap, the central research question guiding this study was: What are the lived experiences of mothers who have been phubbed by their adolescent (ages 14-18) children? Grounded in Bowlby’s attachment theory, this phenomenological qualitative study aimed to deepen understanding of the emotional impacts of phubbing on mothers’ emotional wellbeing, emotional bonding, and mother–adolescent attachment. A homogeneous convenience …

Staff Education And Implementation Of Phq-9 And Gad-7 In An Adult Psychiatric Private Practice, Exta Oppong Tweneboa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 are short screening instruments used for the detection of depression and anxiety symptoms in various settings, including general and mental health care settings (Pranckeviciene, et al., 2022). The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to educate staff on the implementation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) into an adult psychiatric private practice to standardize screening, improve diagnostic accuracy, and support measurement-based care for depression and anxiety. A structured staff education program was conducted with five nurse practitioners, one psychiatrist, two therapists, and two front-end administrative staff. …

Staff Education For Health Care Providers On Improving Health Care Outcomes For Lgbtq+ Youth And Adolescent Patients, Sheila Shafer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was focused on the significant challenges faced by LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults, specifically those aged 12 to 25 years, who seek mental health care services. Research indicated that discrimination and stigma against this demographic contribute to disproportionately poorer mental health outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for culturally competent health care delivery. The purpose of this project was to educate professionals on the necessary skills and knowledge about the unique needs of LGBTQ+ patients. The question was the following: Would an educational intervention improve providers’ knowledge and confidence in diagnosing and treating the mental health needs of LGBTQ+ …

Implementing Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Screening In Adult Mental Health: A Staff Education Initiative, Precious Nmachi Adaso

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a staff education program aimed at the use of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as a universal depression screening instrument within a mental health facility. The project was conducted in an urban area of the United States at an outpatient behavioral health facility and was focused on addressing the stagnation in the staff’s correct use of evidence-based measures of depression screening that inhibits the prompt detection and treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The practice focused question was: Following participation in a staff education program, will staff demonstrate increased knowledge on depression screening and use of the …

Educating Correctional Nurses On The Use Of A Mindfulness Program To Reduce Work Stress, Victoria Ngozi Emelogu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Correctional nurses deliver care in environments marked by violent incidents, chronic understaffing, and moral distress. These conditions heighten occupational stress, jeopardize patient safety, and accelerate staff turnover, yet few U.S. jails provide evidence-based training in rapid self-regulation strategies. The purpose of this staff education project was to evaluate whether a 2-week curriculum could increase correctional nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported skills (KAS) for on-shift mindfulness use. Pender’s health promotion model framed the intervention, Bloom’s taxonomy and Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model informed learning objectives and outcome levels. Five correctional nurses at a large urban jail completed an anonymous 10‑item KAS survey before …

Strategies For Selecting Legacy It Systems For Cloud Adoption In An Sme, Rize A.Salih Salih

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) information technology (IT) managers are concerned about the struggle to select suitable legacy systems for cloud adoption, which can lead to costly delays and poor legacy system alignment. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry explored strategies SME IT managers used to select legacy systems for cloud adoption. The participants were five SME IT managers from SMEs in the Southeast United States. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and by reviewing public documents. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) cloud Strategy and planning, (b) cost, efficiency, and performance, (c) security, …

Staff Education To Increase Nursing Staff Knowledge On Handoff Tool Kit For Medication Reconciliation, Mode Hilaire

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to enhance medication safety by implementing a structured staff education initiative focused on standardized handoff communication using a medication reconciliation tool kit. Medication errors during transitions of care contribute to adverse drug events and patient harm. A lack of consistency in handoff processes was identified as a critical gap in practice. The practice-focused question guiding this project was: In an inpatient hospital setting, how does implementation of a standardized handoff tool kit affect nursing staff knowledge and communication practices related to medication reconciliation? The purpose was to educate nurses on utilizing a …

Women Clergy Members' Perceptions Of Mentorship Strategies For Leader Development, Linda Ann Brady

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to recent studies, women were underrepresented in senior leadership in the global Christian church, and leadership pathways for the development of women were often lacking. The local problem within the International Christian Church (ICC) was a lack of understanding of holistic mentoring strategies that support the development of women clergy members, which could help fill the current leadership gap. Guided by Dahlvig and Longman’s model of women’s leadership development, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of women clergy regarding holistic mentoring strategies that might increase the number of women in leadership within the …

Leading Through Times Of Financial Uncertainty In Nonprofit Organizations, Lakisha A. Dent-Gordon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This macro analysis examines the leadership effectiveness of a CEO within a nonprofit re-entry organization dedicated to reducing the 36% recidivism rate in a Southwestern U.S. state. The organization serves up to 50 clients recently released from the state prison system, offering housing and support services. The organizations leadership faced imminent closure due to a financial crisis driven by limited funding, high employee turnover, and a lack of community partnerships, allowing for an examination of the CEO’s response to the crisis. The quantitative study includes a review of peer-reviewed literature, assessments based on the Baldrige Framework of Excellence, and interviews …

Using Supply Chain Management Strategies To Create Competitive Advantages, Marlon Mitchell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, small and medium businesses (SMBs) can use effective supply chain management (SCM) to strengthen competitiveness. Supply chain stakeholders and SMB owners are concerned with maintaining resilient and innovative supply chains to sustain growth. Grounded in game theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies that small business leaders use to identify and implement supply chain innovation. Data were collected through Walden University and peer-reviewed studies. Through thematic analysis, nine themes were identified: supplier diversification, inventory management, cost evaluation, visibility systems, technology and automation, improved communication, risk management, changes …

Native Hawaiian Culturally Appropriate Substance Use Disorders Formative Program Evaluation, Kelly J. Penn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance use disorders (SUDs) disproportionately affects Native Hawaiians, yet conventional treatments often overlook the cultural, spiritual, and relational foundations of well-being for Native Hawaiians. This gap represents a human services problem, as it perpetuates health disparities, limits recovery, and slows social change within Native Hawaiian communities. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to identify culturally relevant components for an SUD treatment program tailored to Native Hawaiians. The research question guiding this study was, what are culturally appropriate components for a SUD program for Native Hawaiians. The Nā Pou Kihi framework grounded the exploration of Indigenous approaches to …

Teachers’ Perspectives Of Student Engagement In Online Learning Communities, Reynaldo Sanchez, Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that although current literature has highlighted the importance of student digital learning communities (DLCs), there was limited information about how middle school teachers provide guidance to students and successfully build and monitor DLCs to foster student engagement and academic success in online education settings. Framed by Mishra and Koehler’s technological pedagogical content knowledge model, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore middle school teachers' perspectives of their role in student DLCs and instructional elements needed to guide students, build and monitor DLCs, and foster engagement and academic success. Semistructured interviews were …

Caregiver Perspectives About Implementing Educational Goals For Children Of Incarcerated Parents In A Head Start Program, Alissa Jane Stark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study is that caregivers of children with incarcerated parents inconsistently implement the mandated educational goals developed through the Head Start program. Grounded in Bowen’s family systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore caregiver’s perspectives on implementing Head Start Educational goals for children of incarcerated parents and their views on the resources or training needed to support these goals. For this case study, 12 former caregivers from a Head Start program in a women’s correctional facility in Oregon were interviewed. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed thematically with the …

The Level Of Awareness Of County Services In Maryland Offered By A Local Care Team To Youth With Developmental Disabilities And Mental Illness, Wanna Nedgie Dare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental and developmental health challenges remained a significant concern in one Maryland county. The Maryland Governor’s Office for Children (GOC) funds and supports the Local Care Team (LCT). Participation remains low, indicating a lack of community awareness. The purpose of this study was to explore the awareness of LCT services and strategies to improve outreach, interagency coordination, and communication to increase service use. The research question was: What is the Level of Awareness of County Services in Maryland Offered by a Local Care Team to Youth with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness? Guided by the person-centered care (PCC) model, evidence …