Digital Commons Network^™

Substance Use Disorder: Parent Support Group, Alexandra Superson

Capstone Projects

The focus of this 14-week capstone project revolved around program development and implementation of a parent support group through Wedgwood Christian Services for parents who are raising adolescents who were struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Very little is known regarding interventions available to support affected parents to cope with the high stress that comes with navigating the waters of raising a teenager with SUD. The purpose of this project was to improve mental health, family dynamics, and overall quality of life for the affected parents who attended the support group once a week for four weeks. Evidence of stress …

Evaluation Of Soft Employability Skills In Students With Disabilities Attending A Vocational Training Program, David Gasser

Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to create a customized assessment tool that evaluates soft employability skills and quantifiably measures progress made over time. This project was completed at the Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI). MCTI is a post-secondary vocational and technical training center for adults with disabilities. This project was completed as current literature regarding vocational rehabilitation evaluation and soft employability skills is underdeveloped and requires further research. Also, existing vocational rehabilitation assessments are heavily focused on an individual's physical capabilities. Existing assessments that address soft skills also do not meet demands of MCTI and assessment customization …

Entry Level Ota Module Content: Sexual Activity As An Adl, Peightyn Larson

Capstone Projects

Sexuality is a “state of mind that represents how individuals feels about themselves, relate to other people, establish relationships, and express themselves” (AOTA, 2013). Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants have the skill set necessary to address sexuality in practice, however, it is neglected in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs throughout the United States of America (Lohman et al., 2017). The absence of sexuality in curriculum stems from lack of time, low priority, and various client factors including age, marital status, therapist safety, personal beliefs, and fear of offending the client (Lohman et al., 2017; McGarth …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Medication Management With The Corewell Health System, Anthony Genna

Capstone Projects

Gap: Corewell Health lacked a competency program to assess their occupational therapist ability to provide medication management services. The occupational therapist required an educational resource to support the use of the Pill-Box Test. Additional resources were needed to identify evidence-based interventions and documentation tips to aid with reimbursement of services. The patient education library required a resource to highlight strategies to support clients in reaching their medication management goals.

Objective: To standardize practice of medication management services including evaluation, intervention, and documentation of outcomes for occupational therapy patients at Corewell health.

Outcomes: The health system was equipped with a medication …

Exploration Of Driving Rehabilitation Best Practices To Sustain An Occupation Focused Driver Rehabilitation Program, Kelsey East

Capstone Projects

In the United States driving dominates as the primary mode of transportation connecting people to resources including work, school, stores, and hospitals. Driving enables individuals to participate in the occupations they need or want to do, which is why it is a critical Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL). Because driving falls within an occupational therapist’s scope of community mobility, many driving rehabilitation specialists have a background in occupational therapy. Driving rehabilitation is an expanding practice area, with emerging evidence supporting the use of an IADL based assessment for determining fitness to drive. Therefore, the main goal of this doctoral …

Advocacy Efforts For The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, Caitlin Cornish

Capstone Projects

Advocacy efforts for the occupational therapy profession are critical in order to promote the scope of practice and what benefits occupational therapy can provide to consumers. However, many occupational therapists and occupational therapy students find there are many barriers to becoming involved in advocacy efforts. The barriers to advocacy decrease the amount of individuals involved in advocacy efforts that allow forward progress within our profession. Clinicians and students need to be involved in the advocacy efforts at the policy level and engage in conversations with legislators. There are pieces of legislation that exist at the state-policy level that would advance …

Outcome Measures At A Private Outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapy Clinic, Kelly Alter

Capstone Projects

My Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) focused on outcome measurements and better understanding business related elements within a private outpatient occupational therapy clinic. As described in the paper below, outcome measurements are important for a variety of reasons but can be difficult to implement in everyday practice for clinicians. Thus, I aimed to improve the ways that this clinic collected outcome measures so that it would be more manageable for the clinicians. For my DCE, I also sought to improve the physical environment at Sensory Systems Clinic West (SSCW) which was indicated as a barrier during the needs assessment by staff. …

Expanding Trauma Treatment With Sensory Based Occupational Therapy, Domonique Chambers

Capstone Projects

Sensory based occupational therapy is bridging the gap between the brain and body for individuals who have experienced complex trauma or have a barrier within their functional skills due to the integration of their sensory system. This can include individuals who have experienced complex trauma or individuals who are neurodivergent experiencing barriers to function in their lives. My objectives throughout my capstone experience is to support these clients seeking occupational therapy through educational handouts and videos on the what and why, pursuing grant information, and advancing my clinical skills within this outpatient clinic. These have resulted in increased resources for …

Occupational Therapy Integration In Psychosocial Rehabilitation: The Clubhouse Model, Kenzie Callahan

Capstone Projects

There is a growing need for individuals with any mental illness to receive services in community-based settings. The profession of occupational therapy uses occupation-based practice to engage people in daily activities of living, identify individualized goals, promote health, wellness, and quality of life. These practitioners are a component of the interdisciplinary care that complements holistic mental health treatment. The capstone project was designed to integrate occupational therapy practice into the clubhouse model setting. Primary modes of capstone project and experience included participating in the work-ordered day alongside members, informal assessments, lunch and learn educations, advocation for occupational therapy integration in …

Ins And Outs Of Running A Successful Non-Profit Organization At Northern Michigan Equine Therapy, Megan Morrill

Capstone Projects

My capstone experience took place at Northern Michigan Equine Therapy (NMET) and focused on leadership, administration, advocacy, education, and clinical practice skills. NMETs equine- assisted occupational therapy and HorseSense® self-development programs play an integral role in the northern Michigan community, yet insurance will not cover these services since they are flagged as “alternative” therapies due to utilizing a horse as a therapeutic tool. Because of this NMET relies on donations, grants, and fundraisers for program income. During a SWAT analysis NMET stated their biggest weakness and threat is not having enough program income to hire an additional part-time or full-time …

Improving Efficiency Of Referrals And Documentation At Drive Well Michigan Driver Rehabilitation Clinic, Paige Norgan

Capstone Projects

The doctoral capstone project focused on developing a current website for Drive Well Michigan driver rehabilitation clinic that incorporated web content accessibility strategies and increased patient autonomy by allowing them to initiate referrals, schedule appointments online, and pay online. This mechanism was concurrently developed to decrease the amount of time that occupational therapists on site previously dedicated towards completing the entire referral, scheduling and payment process over the phone. Additionally, two electronic record systems were researched, demonstrated, and presented to site mentor, and two documentation summary templates were designed to be integrated into the chosen future system. Lastly, practice management …

Communities Helping Communities: Identify Impact Through Surveys, Sarah D. Farrar

Capstone Projects

Renew Mobility started it humbles beginnings in 1993 with the intention to serve those in need of mobility equipment within Western Michigan. Since Renew Mobility opened 30 years ago it has undergone restructuring, including opening a second office to further its impact. In essence Renew Mobility aids in helping all ages and abilities of the population who need devices to increase their independence. Renew Mobility accepts donated equipment from the community, refurbishes the equipment/ recycles it, and donates it back to those in need. A hindrance of growth for our organization has been tracking outcomes. Renew Mobility has started to …

Assessing The Total Economic Value Of Parks In Kalamazoo County, Samuel Herman Ayivi

Masters Theses

Urban parks and green spaces have become an important part of the urban ecosystems in recent years, and there is growing evidence on the positive relationship between having green spaces and good health. Indeed, access to urban parks is part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development goals (Goal 11 target 7). In recent years, these parks and green spaces have become a subject of development pressures because of the inability of planners and researchers to clearly articulate the value of these parks. The Total Economic Value Framework (TEVF) situates resources (Parks and green spaces in this case) in the minds …

Improving Future Vehicle Fuel Economy And Operational Design Domain Through Novel Data Pipelines, Kyle James Carow

Masters Theses

Modern automobiles have greatly advanced in recent years, with technological developments that enhance performance, safety, and comfort. However, there is still much room for improvement. Today’s vehicles are heavily reliant on the combustion of fossil fuels, proven to be harmful for the environment on both a local and global scale. In addition, the safety benefits of autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems are not yet fully realized due to the limited operational design domain of these technologies. In this research, these needs are addressed through the development of two novel data pipelines. In the first study, a novel methodology …

Equity Audits For Schools Within Restrictive Settings, Matthew Phillp Milanowski

Masters Theses

This project creates a framework and process for conducting facility wide equity audits for schools within juvenile justice and restrictive settings. To accomplish this, an extensive review of existing literature in both the field of education and the field of juvenile justice and existing frameworks and processes were reviewed to create the new framework, Milanowski’s (2023) Facility Wide – Equity Audit Framework, suitable for juvenile justice and restrictive settings. The new framework was then used to guide the development of a process, data collection tool, improvement planning tool, and fidelity instrument to evaluate the implementation of the overall process. This …

Concept Validation: Collecting Composite Samples To Understand The Presence Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) In Michigan Forested Areas, Nicole Renee Sanabria

Masters Theses

This research discusses the results of a state-wide study conducted by The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to assess the presence of PFAS in shallow soils of state-owned forested areas in Michigan utilizing a composite sampling method. One sample collected from each of Michigan’s 83 counties reveals the presence of PFAS in all but one sample, with total PFAS concentrations ranging from non-detect to 2.016 μg/kg (dry weight). PFOS is generally detected at the highest concentrations, ranging from non-detect to 0.88 μg/kg, followed by PFBA, with concentrations ranging from non-detect to 0.69 μg/kg, and PFOA, with concentrations …

2023-03-31_Michiganoverview_Covidbedppe, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Hospital Data

Contains the tables Statewide Hospital Capacity Report for COVID-19, COVID-19 Metrics, Statewide Hospital Available PPE Tracking for COVID-19, as well as the tables PPE Days On Hand and Patient Census.

2023-03-30 Michiganoverview_Covidoutbreak, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Outbreak Reports

The Outbreak Data page was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 data page: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats/outbreak-reporting.

This report is created by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services from data self-reported by local health departments. Data is updated every week.

COVID-19 outbreaks are generally defined as two or more cases with a link by place and time indicating a shared exposure outside of a household. Local health departments report the number of new and ongoing outbreaks they are investigating by the setting of the outbreak. New outbreaks are those outbreaks that were first identified during the current reporting week. Ongoing outbreaks are …

2023-03-29_Michiganoverview_Covidbedppe, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Hospital Data

Contains the tables Statewide Hospital Capacity Report for COVID-19, COVID-19 Metrics, Statewide Hospital Available PPE Tracking for COVID-19, as well as the tables PPE Days On Hand and Patient Census.

2023-03-29_Michiganoverview_Covidvaccinestats, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Data

The COVID Vaccine Dashboard page was obtained from Michigan's main COVID-19 page: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/resources/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-dashboard.

First-dose tracker above is for entire Michigan Population. Coverage maps below are for age 5+.

Previously reported numbers of administered vaccine doses may change as new data are received. A possible lag in reporting vaccine doses will result in increases in numbers previously reported.

This report is created by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Immunization from data reported to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).

The dashboard contained the tabs Primary Series Doses Administered, Primary Series Doses by Vaccine, …

2023-03-28_Michiganoverview_Covidlongtermcare, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Long Term Care Data

The COVID Long Term Care Facilities page was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 data page: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats/data-about-places/long-term-care-data.

This report is created by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services from data self-reported by long-term care facilities into EMResource. Data for all reporting facilities is posted weekly each Monday.

The information below represents COVID-19 data reported directly to MDHHS by licensed and operating Skilled Nursing, Home for the Aged and Adult Foster Care facilities (licensed to serve 13 or more individuals) in Michigan from January 1, 2020. All long-term care facilities additionally have an obligation to report COVID-positive residents and/or staff …

2023-03-28_Michiganoverview_Covidstats, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Cumulative Michigan COVID-19 Data

The COVID Overview page was obtained from Michigan's main COVID-19 page: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats.

The State of Michigan is working around the clock to test and treat COVID-19 patients. Below is the most recent data healthcare experts across the state have compiled. COVID case and testing data will be posted once a week on Tuesdays.

This report is provisional and subject to change. City of Detroit and Wayne County are reported separately. MDHHS began tracking probable cases April 5, 2020. FCI indicates federal correctional institute. MDOC indicates Michigan Department of Corrections. Diagnostic tests, including nucleic acid amplification/real-time polymerase chain reaction (NAAT/RT-PCR) …

2023-03-28_Michiganoverview_Isdreporting, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Outbreak Reports

The K-12 Aged ISD Reporting page was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 data page: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats/k-to-12-aged-isd-reporting.

This report is created from data reported by the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS) the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' web-based communicable disease reporting system. Data is updated every week.

The purpose of the dashboard is to report the 7 day average of COVID-19 cases in Michigan school students aged 5 through 18 at the intermediate school district and school district levels, as well as display trends over time to better illustrate the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases are attributed to …

2023-03-28_Michiganoverview_Covidcounts, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Confirmed Cases by Date of Onset Data

Data was downloaded as an Excel spreadsheet which appeared in the Public Use Datasets section under the Cumulative Data link of Michigan's Coronavirus webpage, under the url https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats.

Cases are aggregated by the date of onset of COVID-19 symptoms, if known, otherwise by laboratory specimen date if known, otherwise by case referral date. Deaths are aggregated by the date of death if known, otherwise by the last date of a change to the case status.

2023-03-27_Michiganoverview_Covidbedppe, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Hospital Data

Contains the tables Statewide Hospital Capacity Report for COVID-19, COVID-19 Metrics, Statewide Hospital Available PPE Tracking for COVID-19, as well as the tables PPE Days On Hand and Patient Census.

2023-03-24_Michiganoverview_Covidbedppe, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Hospital Data

Contains the tables Statewide Hospital Capacity Report for COVID-19, COVID-19 Metrics, Statewide Hospital Available PPE Tracking for COVID-19, as well as the tables PPE Days On Hand and Patient Census.

2023-03-23 Michiganoverview_Covidoutbreak, Michigan Department Of Health & Human Services

Michigan COVID-19 Outbreak Reports

The Outbreak Data page was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 data page: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats/outbreak-reporting.

This report is created by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services from data self-reported by local health departments. Data is updated every week.

COVID-19 outbreaks are generally defined as two or more cases with a link by place and time indicating a shared exposure outside of a household. Local health departments report the number of new and ongoing outbreaks they are investigating by the setting of the outbreak. New outbreaks are those outbreaks that were first identified during the current reporting week. Ongoing outbreaks are …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session March 23, 2023, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda

Approval of the Minutes (January 26, 2023 Meeting)

Remarks by the Chair

Remarks by the President

Updates by the Faculty Senate President

Updates by the Western Student Association President

Celebrating Regional Student Achievement

Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

• Resolution Celebrating Men's Basketball 25-Year Anniversary 1998 MAC Championship Team
• Purchase of Aircraft, College of Aviation with Investment from WMU Foundation

Consent Items

• Curriculum Proposals
• Personnel Report
• One-Day Liquor License Applications, International Congress on Medieval Studies
• WMU Valley Dining Center, May 11-12, 2023
• Annuity and Life Income Funds Performance Report
• Operating Cash Investment Performance Report

General …

Interventions To Improve Teacher Self-Efficacy Beliefs About Writing And Writing Instruction: Lessons Learned And Areas For Exploration, Jadelyn Abbott, Tracey Hodges, Sherry Dismuke, Katherine Landau Wright, Claire Schweiker

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

The present study explores the findings of a systematic literature review of research about teachers’ self-efficacy for writing and writing instruction to demystify what is known and what remains unknown. We analyzed the pool of research on self-efficacy for writing and writing instruction from January 1992 to August 2020. Our final inclusion of articles resulted in 22 articles that examine teacher self-efficacy for writing and writing instruction while meeting our standards of examining changes in self-efficacy. We examined how shifts in self-efficacy are measured, specific interventions that increase teachers’ self-efficacy for writing and writing instruction as well as interventions that …

Unpacking Writer Identity: How Beliefs And Practices Inform Writing Instruction, David Premont

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

Although identity research is common in educational studies, little research explores the connections between identity and pedagogy, and far fewer specifically examine how writer identity influences writing pedagogy. Additional research exploring the connection between writer identity and writing pedagogy is necessary to offer nuanced teaching strategies to strengthen writing pedagogy. The present study explores the connections between writer identity and writing pedagogy for three preservice English teachers with strong writer identities during their respective student teaching experiences. Interview data were utilized to explore writer identity and analyse connections to writing pedagogy through In Vivo coding in this narrative inquiry. Findings …