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Quantifying Social Entities: An Historical-Sociological Critique, Julian Neylan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In formulating social policy the administrative arm of government relies heavily on number-based significations of knowledge, such as needs indicators and performance measures. Relying on numbers increases administrators' confidence in their decisions and shifts responsibility for error away from the decision-maker and towards the numbers. A close examination of the technology of social quantification reveals instability in many of the definitions and codes that needs analysts and program evaluators adopt when numerically inscribing social entities. To deal with these risks, bureaucracies must establish ways of explicitly assessing the uncertainty, imprecision and social construction that often lies behind the evidence presented …

Lone Mothers And Welfare-To-Work Policies In Japan And The United States: Towards An Alternative Perspective, Aya Ezawa, Chisa Fujiwara

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper compares recent efforts to reduce lone mothers' reliance on cash assistance and support their increased participation in the workforce and economic independence in Japan and the United States. Similar to reforms introduced in the U.S. in 1996, lone mother policies in Japan have been subject to a series of cuts leading to the introduction of time limits and work-related programs in 2002. In this paper, we examine the character of recent welfare reforms in both countries and their implications for lone mothers' welfare and economic independence. Based on Japan's experience and recent lessons from the U.S., we show …

Workfare In Toronto: More Of The Same?, Ernie Lightman, Andrew Mitchell, Dean Herd

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper uses a recent survey of welfare leavers in Toronto to examine Workfare, a uniquely American initiative introduced into Canada, with its different welfare state history and traditions. When classic American workfare was imported by an enthusiastic government in Ontario, its application led to employment outcomes remarkably similar to those in the US (reduced caseloads, insecure and contingent employment, high recidivism). Yet, Canada's earlier commitment to community and collective responsibility have not been entirely subsumed below the overarching American umbrella. Welfare programs in Canada-specifically, workfare-reflect both the difficulties of maintaining great difference, and also the possibilities of following an …

Language Barriers & Perceptions Of Bias: Ethnic Differences In Immigrant Encounters With The Welfare System, Philip Kretsedemas

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article demonstrates why research on immigrant language barriers should account for local variations in the way these barriers are experienced by different immigrant groups. It makes the argument that variations in language barriers experienced by immigrant groups are often reflective of differences in the local migration histories and socio-economic status of these groups. These themes are illustrated by discussing the findings of a comparative survey of welfare service barriers experienced by Haitian and Hispanic welfare clients in Miami-Dade county. Secondary data on South Florida migration patterns is also used to explain disparities in the bilingual fluency of welfare caseworkers, …

Review Of Handbook Of Social Work With Groups. Charles D. Garvin, Lorraine M. Gutierrez And Maeda J. Galinsky (Eds.). Reviewed By Steven Rose., Steven Rose

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Charles D. Garvin, Lorraine M. Gutierrez, and Maeda J. Galinsky (Eds.), Handbook of Social Work with Groups. New York: Guilford Publications, 2004. $70.00 hardcover.

Review Of Practice Issues In Hiv/Aids Services. Ronald J. Mancoske And James Donald Smith (Eds.). Reviewed By Vijayan K. Pillay., Vijayan K. Pillai

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review Ronald J. Mancoske and James Donald Smith (Eds.), Practice Issues in HIV/AIDS Services. Binghamton, NY, 2004. $39.95 hardcover, $24.95 papercover.

Review Of Insecurity And Welfare Regimes In Asia, Africa And Latin America. Ian Gough And Geof Wood With Armando Barrientos, Philipa Bevan, Peer Davis, And Graham Room. Reviewed By Kwong-Leung Tang., Kwong-Leung Tang

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Ian Gough and Geof Wood with Armando Barrientos, Philipa Bevan, Peer Davis and Graham Room, Insecurity and Welfare Regimes in Asia, Africa and Latin America. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2004. $75.00 hardcover.

Review Of Changing Welfare Services: Case Studies Of Local Welfare Reform Programs. Michael J. Austin (Ed.) And Welfare Reform In West Virginia. Robert Jay Dilger (Ed.). Reviewed By James Midgley., James Midgley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Michael J. Austin (Ed.), Changing Welfare Services: Case Studies of Local Welfare Reform Programs. New York: Haworth Press, 2004. $69.95 hardcover, $39.95 papercover Robert Jay Dilger et al, Welfare Reform in West Virginia. Mogantown, WV: University of West Virginia Press, 2004. $30.00 papercover.

On Their Own: What Happens To Kids When They Age Out Of The Foster Care System? Martha Shirk And Gary Strangler., Sarah Taylor

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Martha Shirk and Gary Strangler, On their Own: What Happens to Kids when they Age Out of the Foster Care System? Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2004. $24.95 hardcover.

Mobilizing An Asian American Community. Linda Trinh Vo., Julian Chun-Chung Chow

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Linda Trinh Vo, Mobilizing an Asian American Community. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press, 2004. $68.50 hardcover, $22.95 papercover.

Western News, Nov. 10, 2005, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: President Bailey to fund transformational ideas; Care packages brighten day for Broncos on active duty; Gift from Ruth and Robert Fink funds horn studio; On Campus with David Kotecki.

Inquiry, November 2005, Office Of Vice President For Research

Research and Discovery News

• Customer service initiative
• Congratulations - Dr. William Cobern
• New process for industrial contracts
• Grant submissions
• Research to commercialization seminar
• Grant awards
• Announcements
• Joining the CTA has benefits for WMU researchers

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session September 16, 2005, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Minutes of the WMU Board of Trustees meeting include appendices:

• WMU/AAUP Contract
• University Budget 2005-2006
• Enrollment Report
• Higher Learning Commission Visit
• Report - BRCC (Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center)
• Resolution re Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor Core Technology Alliance
• Revised Bylaws - Western Michigan University Foundation
• Resolution re Western Michigan University Research Foundation

Western News, Sept. 15, 2005, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: GEAR UP program could net more than $20 million; WMU community focuses on Katrina-relief efforts; Kynaston honored for teaching excellence; On Campus with Chris Carlson.

Prism #09, September 2005, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

Western News, Sept. 1, 2005, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: New HHS building opens; WMU earns high national marks; Mingus wins Fulbright; Four staff members get top Make a Difference awards; On Campus with Kristie Morin.

Education Problems With Urban Migratory Children In China, Fei Yan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In China, due to the Residence Registration System and Segmented Governmental Management of Education, the educatioal problems with urban migratory children have been overlooked for a long time. The results are, on one hand, these children have no access to Public-Funded School because they are not categorized as local residents; on the other hand the illegal Schools for Migrant Workers' Children exist in many cities. The satisfactory solution to the problem will be a win-win process: the promotion of migratory children's education will not only benefit this minority group and the communities in which they live, but also contribute to …

A Handbook Of Comparative Social Policy. Patricia Kennett (Ed.).

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Patricia Kennett (Ed.), A Handbook of Comparative Social Policy. Northampton, VT: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2004. $160.00 hardcover.

Is Inter-Organizational Collaboration Always A Good Thing?, Richard A. Longoria

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The human service literature suggests that the concept and outcomes of inter-organizational collaboration are not well understood. Nonetheless, inter-organizational collaboration has emerged as a statement of direction for social welfare policy and professional practice. In light of an unclear understanding of collaboration, this analysis suggests the concept has powerful symbolic qualities, which perpetuates its continued use. While the general notion of collaboration is promising, human service administrators and stakeholders must couple critical thinking and action to clarify the meaning, intent, application, and outcomes of inter-organizational collaboration. This article raises the question as to whether the popularity of inter-organization collaboration is …

Saving For Post-Secondary Education In Individual Development Accounts, Min Zhan, Mark Schreiner

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Low-income people have less access to opportunities for post-secondary education, and the welfare reform in 1996 further limited access for welfare recipients. Since welfare reform, there has been an increasing interest in strategies meant to enhance the well-being of low-income people through education and the development of human capital. In this study, we examine how low-income people saved for post-secondary education in Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) in a nationwide demonstration. IDAs provide matches for savings used primarily for home purchase, microenterprise, and post-secondary education. We examine how savings outcomes differed between participants who intended to use their savings for post-secondary …

Social Theory: The Multicultural And Classical Readings. Charles Lemert.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Charles Lemert, Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classical Readings. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2004. $35.00 papercover.

Implications Of Media Scrutiny For A Child Protection Agency, Lindsay D. Cooper

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study examines media impact on job efficacy in a child protection agency. The research uses inductive, holistic research methods to examine the effect of media scrutiny on changes in management dictates, worker duties and responsibilities, and agency services. Data were collected from media sources, interviews, archival materials, and participant observation, then analyzed via qualitative content analysis, providing a basis for rich ethnographic description of perceptions and behavior of diverse groups of people involved in child protection. The study reveals how contradictions in American national culture generate a need for increased communication, understanding, agreement, and support, between various groups of …

Social Policy Analysis And Practice. Thomas M. Meenaghan, Keith M. Kilty, And John G. Mcnutt.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book note for Thomas M. Meenaghan, Keith M. Kilty and John G. McNutt, Social Policy Analysis and Practice. Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books, 2004. $32.95. [January 31, 2005].

Culture As Deficit: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of The Concept Of Culture In Contemporary Social Work Discourse, Yoosun Park

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper is a critical discourse analysis of the usage of the concept of "culture" in social work discourse. The paper argues that "culture" is inscribed as a marker for difference which has largely replaced the categories of race and ethnicity as the preferred trope of minority status. "Culture" is conceived as an objectifiable body of knowledge constituting the legitimate foundationfor the building of interventions. But such interventions cannot be considered other than an instrument which reinforces the subjugating paradigm from which it is fashioned. The concept of culture, constructed from within an orthodoxic, hegemonic discursive paradigm, is deployed as …

Applying Rawlsian Social Justice To Welfare Reform: An Unexpected Finding For Social Work, Mahasweta M. Banerjee

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper sketches social workers' understanding of social justice and reliance on Rawls (1971), highlights findings about "hard to employ" welfare recipients facing welfare reform, and articulates the parameters of Rawlsian justice (Rawls, 1999a; 2001) with particular emphasis on people who have been on welfare for long. The paper shows that social workers do not have any space to maneuver in Rawlsian justice to uphold justice for long-term welfare recipients, and welfare reform's "work first" stipulation does not violate Rawlsian justice. The paper raises some questions about social workers' continued reliance on Rawls. It suggests social workers update the literature …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 32, No. 3 (September 2005)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• EDUCATION PROBLEMS WITH URBAN MIGRATORY CHILDREN IN CHINA - Fei Yan
• CULTURE AS DEFICIT: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL WORK DISCOURSE - Yoosun Park
• APPLYING RAWLSIAN SOCIAL JUSTICE TO WELFARE REFORM: AN UNEXPECTED FINDING FOR SOCIAL WORK - Mahasweta M. Banerjee
• ENGLISH NON-FLUENCY AND INCOME PENALTY FOR HISPANIC WORKERS - Song Yang
• REFORMING WELFARE REFORM POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION POLICY: TWO STATE CASE STUDIES IN POLITICAL CULTURE, ORGANIZING, AND ADVOCACY - Charles Price
• IMPLICATIONS OF MEDIA SCRUTINY FOR A CHILD PROTECTION AGENCY - Lindsay D. Cooper
• IS INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL COLLABORATION ALWAYS A GOOD …

English Non-Fluency And Income Penalty For Hispanic Workers, Song Yang

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Using the 2001-2002 California Workforce Survey, this paper examines the income gap between Hispanic and Caucasian workers. I attribute the income gap between Hispanic and Caucasian workers to differentials in their human capital. However, data analyses indicate that classical human capital indicators such as education,job training, and work experiences are not sufficient to account for the observed income gap between Hispanics and Caucasians. Instead, English fluency is a highly valuable aspect of human capital for Hispanic workers. English non-fluency, along with less education, job training, and work experiences explain why Hispanic workers earn less than Caucasian workers. However, variations in …

Reforming Welfare Reform Postsecondary Education Policy: Two State Case Studies In Political Culture, Organizing, And Advocacy, Charles Price

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Welfare reform had the unforeseen effect of causing large numbers of public assistance recipients to drop out of college, discouraging their pursuit and acquisition of postsecondary education (PSE) credentials. There is a growing body of research that shows the value of postsecondary education in getting public assistance recipients onto a path toward occupational and social mobility. The restrictions of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families PSE policy, coupled with the recognition that college participation should be an option for qualified welfare recipients, influenced the emergence of many successful state and county-level movements focused on reforming welfare reform PSE policy. Their work …

Welfare Recipients Attending College: The Interplay Of Oppression And Resistance, Karen Christopher

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This qualitative study uses Patricia Hill Collins' "both/and" conceptual framework to explore experiences of both oppression and resistance among welfare recipients attending college. It examines how children, social networks, integration into campus life, and interactions with caseworkers affect welfare recipients' college attendance and college persistence. As is well established in the sociological literature, having children complicates college attendance and persistence. But this research shows that children also provide the predominant incentive for poor mothers to attain higher education. Moreover, this study reveals complexities in welfare recipients' experiences with their social networks, work-study jobs, and caseworkers that are often overlooked by …

Review Of Social Work: Theory And Practice For A Changing Profession. Lena Dominelli. Reviewed By Mel Gray., Mel Gray

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Lena Dominelli, Social Work: Theory and Practice for a Changing Profession. Malden, MA: Polity Press, 2004. $69.95 hardcover.