Digital Commons Network^™

Adults’ Lived Experiences With Placement In Child Protective Services During Adolescence, Michaela First Haynes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perceptions of safety and emotional support during involvement with child protective services (CPS) during adolescence may play a significant role in shaping attachment experiences and relationships in adulthood. Although researchers have examined the effects of child maltreatment and foster care involvement, limited research has explored how adolescents perceive emotional support and safety during CPS involvement and how those experiences influence attachment in adulthood. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of adults who experienced CPS involvement during adolescence and to understand how perceptions of safety and emotional support are reflected in their adult attachment relationships. …

Juvenile Justice Professionals’ Perceptions Of Prevention Programs In West Central Florida, Terry Rachelle Harmon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Licensed Professional Counselors’ Experiences Of Treating Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jazzmine Dallas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Justice-Involved Individual Experiences Accessing Community Reentry Services Postincarceration In Northern California, Pamela Michelle Kesee-Wyre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Voices From The Frontline: Mental Health Clinicians’ Experiences And Attitudes Toward Telehealth Modalities, Daisy Ann Auzenne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Improving Enrollment, Transfer, And Discharge Workflows In Integrated Behavioral Health And Primary Care Settings, Matthew Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploring Child Trafficking Survivors' Experiences: Support, Revictimization, And Justice Institutions, Max Lubin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Effective Resilience Of African American Adolescent Mothers In Urban Communities, Charlene Spicer-Harmon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Human Service Professionals’ Perceptions Culturally Competent Resources For Transracial Adoption, Rachelle Tau-Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transracial adoption continues to increase in the United States, particularly in states with predominantly White populations; yet, culturally competent preparation and postadoption resources remain limited. The lack of structured cultural socialization and race-responsive supports places transracially adopted youth at increased risk for identity disruption, mental health challenges, and experiences of racism and microaggressions. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to explore human service professionals’ perceptions of the services needed to provide culturally competent resources for transracial adoption in Washington State. Guided by the Transracial Adoption Parenting Series framework developed by the Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families, …

Exploring The Role Of Family Engagement In Youth Behavioral Health Programs, Jordon R. Washington-Trahan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The behavioral health leaders at Organization X do not have a clear and practical way to engage family members in youth behavioral health programs. When caregivers are not actively involved in youth behavioral health treatment, youth may disengage from missed appointments and discontinue treatment prematurely. The present case study focused on Organization X, a small behavioral health organization located in the Southeastern United States. The Baldrige Framework of Excellence was the conceptual framework for this study, with a focus on consumer engagement and workforce operations. Semi structured and structured interviews were conducted with three behavioral health leaders. Data were collected …

The Experiences Of Faith-Based Non-Profit Human Services Professionals In The Implementation Of Parental Resources For Homeless Mothers, Latasha Sublett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness is a worldwide, complex social problem that has impacted groups like women and children. In recent studies, researchers have demonstrated that homeless mothers can face mental health challenges and stressors related to parenting, while homeless children can experience emotional and physical difficulties. Parental resources have been cited as a tool to help homeless families address stress and development in distinct settings in current research; however, there was limited research on how faith-based non-profits utilize parental resources to help homeless mothers. The purpose of the generic qualitative study was to learn the perceptions and experiences of faith-based non-profit human services …

The Experiences Of Faith-Based Non-Profit Human Services Professionals In The Implementation Of Parental Resources For Homeless Mothers, Latasha Sublett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Human Services Administrators’ Perceptions Of Youth In Acute Crisis Needs, Carey Alvord

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of acute crisis services for youth in the United States. In San Luis Obispo County, California, there are no designated facilities with crisis stabilization services near family homes for children in acute crisis. Grounded in Stroul et al.’s system of care approach for children and families, the purpose of this qualitative force field analysis study was to explore human service administrators’ perceptions of the services youth in acute crisis need to stabilize within San Luis Obispo County. Directors at youth human services county departments and nonprofits were contacted to help recruit a purposeful sample of 11 …

Risk Awareness Of Alcohol Related Car Fatalities In Whatcom County, Tayler Wilson

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement

My goal to address alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Whatcom County is to reduce the prevalence of these fatalities by 20% over two years through preventative community education and targeted enforcement programs to decrease high-risk drinking behaviors in college-age youth.

Significant Findings

There has been a significant rise in alcohol-related traffic fatalities within Whatcom County, upwards of 50% of fatal car accidents in 2024 involving alcohol; 67.8% higher than the national average (CDC, 2024; Starks et al.,2025). The population most impacted by this public health risk is 21-24 year-olds, especially young men, who are four times more likely to …

Perceptions Of Juvenile Justice Professionals Regarding The Effectiveness Of Juvenile Reentry Programs And Recidivism In The Southwest Region, Lei Anne Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juvenile recidivism persists in the U.S. justice system, highlighting the need for effective reentry programs. However, limited research exists on juvenile justice professionals’ perceptions of program success. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore these professionals’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of juvenile reentry programs in reducing recidivism. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, the study examined how observation and modeling influence youth behavior during reentry. The research questions focused on professionals’ perceptions of program effectiveness and how these perceptions impact recidivism reduction efforts. A qualitative phenomenological design involved semi-structured interviews with 13 juvenile justice professionals in the southwest …

The Perceptions Of Foster Care Alumni Who Are Recipients Of Pandemic Aid, Ashley Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened challenges for young adults transitioning from foster care to independence. Research shows that foster care alumni faced barriers in education, employment, housing, and health due to limited support networks. Yet, little is known about how emergency policies, such as the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021, affected them. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of foster care alumni who received financial aid through the Act. The research question: What were the experiences and perceptions of foster care alumni (aged 18-26) who received funds via the CAA of 2021 during …

Clinicians’ Perceptions Of Restorative Justice And Community-Based Intervention Programs For Juvenile Offenders, Jacque Timberlake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The main goals of restorative justice and community-based intervention programs include reducing reoffending behavior, successful reintegration, and yielding greater satisfaction among participants. Although clinicians play a vital role in conducting rehabilitation methods for youth offenders, the problem was a lack of literature that explored clinicians’ perceptions of implementing more effective alternatives such as restorative justice and community-based intervention programs. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore clinicians’ perceptions of administering rehabilitative interventions for youth offenders, specifically in reducing recidivism, adequately addressing mental health concerns, and evaluating overall program effectiveness. The risk-need responsivity model and the good lives …

Improving Screening Of Social Drivers Of Health In A Subspecialty Pediatric Cardiology Clinic, Gloria Mlewa Okorley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

N/A

Identifying Motivators For Retention Of Service Workers In Youth Group Care Programs, Michelle Lynn Briegel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Residential group care programs in Calgary, Alberta, Canada face challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified human service workers. This workforce retention issue affects the quality of care provided to vulnerable children and youth, as well as the overall stability of residential group care. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to explore why service workers in front-line jobs choose to stay in their positions in youth-serving residential group care programs, guided by Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation. Nine participants were recruited through purposeful sampling via social media and email, with the criterion that they had been employed at …

School Counselors Lived Experiences With Executing Child-Centered Play Therapy In High-Diversity Elementary Schools, Ruth Devito

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Minority students are often omitted from social, economic, cultural, and political life due to ethnicity or poverty, which increases their risk of adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse or neglect, and increases their likelihood of discrimination that can obstruct their normal childhood development, including academic performance. Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is a multiculturally appropriate approach that creates a safe and nonjudgmental environment, supporting adjustment and coping. However, many school counselors are not using CCPT. The research question was as follows: What are the lived experiences of school counselors who use CCPT in their work at high-diversity elementary schools? This study …

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 …

Perceptions Of Adulthood Preparation Among Individuals Who Aged Out Of The Foster Care System, Victor Torrez Dawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This generic qualitative study was focused on the lived experiences of former foster care youth and their ability to acquire and retain self-sufficiency skills during their transition to adulthood. Using Bandura’s social learning theory as a framework, the research was focused on how interpersonal relationships with caregivers, mentors, and professionals influenced the development of these skills. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 10 former foster care youth. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, and three key themes and 13 subthemes emerged highlighting both support and barriers that youth encountered. The analysis of the data revealed that …

Msw Degree Completion: Foster Care Alumni’S Perceptions Of Barriers, Resilience, And Success, Christa Martinez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This capstone research project involved examining foster care alumni who successfully graduated from Master of Social Work (MSW) programs as full-time students. The purpose of this study was to address resilience factors and this population’s perceptions of barriers, resilience, and success in terms of completing full-time MSW programs and career outcomes. The resiliency theory and a strength-based-perspective were frameworks for this research. This basic qualitative research study involved using purposive sampling, and 11 foster care alumni were interviewed who graduated from full-time MSW graduate programs in the United States. Through thematic analysis, themes emerged were lack of economic resources impacting …

Parole/Probation Officers’ Perspective On Understanding Crime Among Liberian Immigrant Youths In Southwest Philadelphia, Jamil J. Morris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research explored challenges of crime and delinquency among Liberian immigrant youth in Southwest Philadelphia, focusing on the social and structural factors that influence their lived experiences. Utilizing qualitative in-depth interviews with 17 juvenile parole/probation officers of Liberian immigrant youths, the purpose of this study was to uncover the underlying reasons that lead Liberian immigrant youth to engage in crime and delinquency, and how they cope with the obstacles they encounter. Employing social disorganization theory, differential association theory, and subcultural theory, the study underscored the impact of neighborhood instability, peer influences, and differing value systems on understanding the youths’ criminal …

Non-Profit Mental Health Organization: Overcoming Employee Turnover With Retention Strategies, Navpreet Brar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This professional administrative study explored the root causes of employee turnover at a nonprofit mental health organization, where turnover had reduced treatment consistency, increased emotional distress among clients, and decreased staff morale. The purpose of this study was designed to develop effective strategies to enhance retention, improve employee engagement, and support high-quality patient care through an application of the social exchange theory. The study addressed four practice-focused questions: (a) What are the underlying causes of turnover at this organization? (b) How can effective strategies be developed and implemented to reduce turnover? (c) How can the organization enhance employee engagement to …

Efficacy Of New Jersey's Child Protection Policy Among Local Superior Courts, Nerissa G. Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the existence of New Jersey Department of Children and Family (NJDCF) policy guidelines, it remained unclear whether New Jersey superior courts consistently applied these principles and guidelines in Department of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) child abuse cases. Limited research had been conducted to examine how courts interpreted and adhered to these policies in legal rulings, leaving a gap in understanding how NJDCF principles influenced judicial decision-making. This gap in the literature made it difficult to assess whether policy guidelines effectively shaped court outcomes in ways that supported child protection and welfare. Child protective advocate attitudes and opinions concerning …

An Exploration Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Female Kinship Caregivers In Parenting Youth Aged 13-18, Tyla Wilder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how the intersection of identities related to race and gender shapes the lived experiences of Black female kinship caregivers raising youth aged 13–18. Drawing on Intersectionality Theory, the study sought to understand the caregiving challenges, emotional resilience, and systemic barriers encountered by this underrepresented population. Nine participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling and engaged in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that cultural norms and racialized gender expectations often compelled Black females to assume caregiving roles without institutional recognition or support. Participants described emotional isolation, financial instability, and limited access to legal and …

Behavioral Health Leadership’S Role In Enhancing Family Reunification Success In Residential Care., Porscha Profitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative case study examined the role of behavioral health leadership (BHL) in facilitating effective family reunification within residential treatment settings, focusing on Organization X in Northern California. The study addressed the persistent issue of high recidivism rates among youth with intellectual and co-occurring mental health disorders following discharge from therapeutic foster care. Using the Baldrige Excellence Framework as a guiding model, the research explored how BHLs assess reunification success, engage families, and navigate systemic and individual challenges that hinder sustainable transitions to home environments. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with administrators and supplemented by organizational documents and reports. Thematic …

Experiences Of Social And Emotional Learning And Resilience Among Young Adults From Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Communities, Aliyah Davis-Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transition from adolescence to early adulthood presents many unique challenges, particularly for individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. This study was conducted to explore how young adults (ages 18–30) who experienced socioeconomic hardship during their youth experience and apply the socioemotional skill of resilience as young adults. Data were collected through virtual interviews with 11 participants who were between the ages of 18 and 30, who were from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background and had participated in a social and emotional learning (SEL) program as a youth. Collected data were analyzed and themes emerged from this analysis. Despite facing systemic barriers, …

Solutions To Retaining Leaders In Behavioral Health Organizations, Kelly Murphy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Retaining qualified behavioral health leaders is critical to the success of the behavioral health organization. Continually exploring solutions and strategies helps the organization to assess and improve its effectiveness in meeting its mission, vision, and values. This study focused on the development and execution of the strategic plan as a tool for the organization to successfully meet its goals. The problem addressed in this study is the leadership turnover rate and how this change impacts progress toward achieving the mission, vision, and values of the organization. The Baldrige Excellence Framework was used in this study to evaluate processes of hiring, …