Digital Commons Network^™

Occupational Therapy Group Programming For Adolescents With Developmental And Learning Disabilities: A Retrospective Documentation Review, Jennifer A. Merz, Bonnie Nakasuji, Kimberly S. Mollo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Individuals with learning disabilities have higher rates of unemployment, are less likely to live independently, and have lower rates of college graduation. Occupational therapists who serve this population need to capture outcomes for programming effectively to determine best practice to address these needs. A retrospective documentation review of occupational therapy transition group programming was completed to identify themes and to assess fieldwork student documentation clarity.

Method: Analysis of 162 de-identified treatment notes from the years 2014–2018 was completed for six high school students (HSS) (13 to 20 years of age) who previously participated in a high school …

Western Michigan University Magazine, Spring/Summer 2020, Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Magazine (1997-present)

• University News
• Uncharted Waters: Campus community navigates unprecedented shift to distance learning
• Unique Collection: University Libraries acquires David Small and Sarah Stewart archive
• Alumni Profiles
• Product design students envisioning future of mobility with Eaton partnership
• For the birds: Avian adventures at Asylum Lake Preserve
• Student aviation opportunities take off with launch of Aviate partnership
• Community Collaborations
• Renewable energy researchers at WMU receive $9.6 million grant
• Figures of speech: Instructor helps Kalamazoo TV anchor recover his voice
• Taboo topics course uses dialogue to break through barriers
• Classnotes
• In Memoriam

White Supremacy Culture And Capitalism As Co-Dependent Systems Of Oppression, Allegra Kistler Ellis

Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to discuss questions surrounding the intricacies and intertwining narratives of white supremacy culture and capitalism, and other systems of oppression that they fuel. For my research, I intentionally used anecdotes, essays, poems, books, and social media posts by primarily queer, trans, Black and Indigenous women and femmes. In doing so, I delve into the inherent relationship between whiteness, white exploitative institutions, and power. I discuss the history of the two systems of oppression in the United States through analyzing pillars and characteristics of white supremacy culture and capitalism, western colonized science and research, sexism, white feminism, fatphobia, …

Stampede June 2, 2020, Western Michigan University

Stampede: E-newsletter for students

• WMU will return to campus fall semester, creating health and safety protocols
• Critically needed online cybersecurity degree program launches this fall
• Mentorship and externship opportunities remain available in the COVID-19 era
• Professor unites health care heroes, Broadway stars to raise spirits and funds
• Digital photo students excel at adapting to distance learning through art
• Broncos giving back
• Broncos tapped to help address racial disparity in COVID-19 outcomes
• Life-saving innovation crafted by engineering alum
• Luggage for Love: Grad students pioneer project to help foster children
• Fraternity raises money to operate restaurant for college students in need
• A Moment of Magic Foundation …

Tiny Homes As A Method To Increase Equitable Housing: Tiny Homes Detroit And Kalamazoo, Katie Kozlowski

Honors Theses

This thesis assesses the relative merits of housing programs such as Tiny Homes Detroit for other places where equitable and affordable housing is in short supply such as Kalamazoo, MI. For context, prior to information on Tiny Homes, and Tiny Homes in Detroit, information about the forces that shaped the contemporary housing crisis in both Detroit and Kalamazoo are provided. Topics in these preliminary sections include information on Redlining, Subprime Mortgages, Equitable Development, and Gentrification. For a variety of factors summarized in the thesis, Tiny Home Communities are a possible solution that, on a micro scale, can provide the most …

Faculty Retirement Dinner 2020, Western Michigan University

Faculty Recognition

Faculty Retirement Recognition Dinner

May 2020

Honored Guests:

• Dr. Sisay Asefa
• Dr. William J. Charland
• Ms. E. Bryce Dickey
• Dr. Alyce M. Dickinson
• Dr. Howard J. Dooley
• Ms. Janette Gabel-Goes
• Mr. Edward L. Harkness
• Ms. Tricia Hennessy
• Mrs. Kathryn L. Hillenbrand
• Dr. Alan J. Hovestadt
• Dr. Mitch A. Kachun
• Dr. Pairin Katerattanakul
• Dr. James A. Leja
• Dr. Gary R. Matthews
• Dr. Yirong Mo
• Dr. James M. Murray
• Dr. Dennis. D. Pence
• Ms. Maria A. Perez-Stable
• Dr. Mary E. Peterson
• Dr. Lewis R. Pyenson
• Ms. Judity A. Rypma
• Dr. Robert A. Wertkin
• Ms. Jo Wiley
• Mr. Bradley Wong
• Dr. Jay A. …

Examining Occupational Therapy Students’ Responses To Integrative Seminars, Robyn Wu, Chi-Kwan Shea

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The integrative seminar is an innovative teaching-learning approach that focuses on active learning and peer collaboration, characteristics that align with millennial learners’ preferences. The use of integrative seminars has been reported by various health professions with positive outcomes. Course feedback survey data from the first cohort of occupational therapy students who participated in a new four-course integrative seminar series were analyzed. Findings suggest that the format of the courses was engaging for the learners. The students particularly valued the small class; the opportunities for peer collaboration; and the variety of active learning opportunities, including simulations. The students also indicated that …

Exploring How Older People Living At Home Alone Occupy Their Time – A Time-Geographic Study, Alison Wicks, Megan Blanchard, Ingeborg Nilsson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Knowing what older people choose to do with their time informs occupational therapists in their everyday practice. This study explored how sixteen older Australians living at home alone without support occupied their time.

Method: People aged 70 years and older living alone in one’s home and receiving no support services were voluntary recruited. The participants completed time-use diaries for 5 days and recorded how, with whom, and where they spent time. Data were coded and analyzed using the software program Vardagen.

Results: The participants reported 217 different daily activities. While patterns of daily participation varied, all …

Social Work Students' Attitudes Towards Using Yoga, Alexis Freed

Honors Theses

Current social work students are in the position of becoming future professionals who will be providing treatment and referrals to clients. It is crucial that social workers are aware of effective treatments and utilize evidence-based practices. The present study aimed to assess opinions and knowledge of social work students towards using yoga in general and as a therapeutic intervention, which is known as trauma sensitive yoga (TSY). An anonymous survey was created in order to determine this. Participants in this study were male and female students at Western Michigan University within the College of Health and Human Services who were …

Students Learn About Trauma And Black Adolescents: Integrating Evidence-Based Instruction, Bridget Weller, Winifred Wilson

Assessment Grants

The purpose of this student learning assessment project was to evaluate the impact of integrating evidence-based instructional strategies in a graduate-level course on trauma and black adolescents. We addressed the following questions: (a) How well did the teaching strategies achieve the intended student learning outcomes? And, (b) what particular teaching strategies made a positive impact on student learning? Paired-sample t-test results suggested improvements in student learning outcomes. Results from qualitative analyses indicated students found a workshop approach to integrating evidence-based instructional approaches (e.g., guided notes, concept mapping, group work, in-the-moment feedback, and mini-lectures incorporating research and personal experiences) beneficial.

Parent And Guardian Perspectives Regarding Attendance: Evidence From A Governmental Early Childhood Education And Care Program, Rita L. Cruz Santelises

Dissertations

In 2013, the Dominican government began the implementation of a national plan called Quisqueya Empieza Contigo (QEC) (Exec. Order No. 102, 2013), aimed to fulfill the needs of children zero to five years old holistically. The National Institute of Comprehensive Care (INAIPI, acronym in Spanish) carries two of the most ambitious programs embedded in this national plan. Early Childhood is the governmental institution authorized to carry out this recent intervention. The intervention has increased coverage of early childhood services through two programs: Programmed Comprehensive Family Care centered on the community (Centro de Atención Familiar e Infancia, [CAFI]) and the Comprehensive …

Adverse Childhood Experience Scores Of Social Work Students Vs. Non-Social Work Students At Western Michigan University, Grace Conrad

Honors Theses

This project researched the differences in Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scores among Social Work students compared to other majors at a Midwest University. The purpose of the study was to research the ACE scores within fields of study and various demographics to target the most at-risk populations on campus. The sample was composed of 185 undergraduate students studying social work and other fields of study. The sample included various grade levels, races, genders, and environments participants were raised. The participants were given a 16 question on-line survey including demographic questions and questions from the ACE score test. The research concluded …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session March 12, 2020, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

1. Acceptance of the Agenda
2. Approval of the Minutes (January 23, 2020 Meeting)
3. Remarks by the Chair
4. Remarks by the President
5. Comments by the Western Student Association President
6. Comments by the Graduate Student Association President
7. Presentation - Holographic Education and Assessment: The Next Generation Classroom
8. Accelerating Success Through United Airline Aviate Program
9. Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items
10. Western Michigan University Public Event Policy
11. Consent Items
A. Personnel Report
B. Curriculum Proposals
C. Guizhou University of Finance and Economics 4+0 Agreement
D. Extended University Programs Unit Name Change to …

The Intersections Of Art And Activism, Marisa Weller

Honors Theses

No abstract available.

Stampede January 28, 2020, Western Michigan University

Stampede: E-newsletter for students

• Graduate success reaches all-time high
• Be advised: WMU monitoring emergent coronavirus, CDC guidance
• Wellness matters
• Bronco pitch competition open to aspiring entrepreneurs
• Team claims top spot in national digital marketing competition
• Sustainability office awards $41,000 in grants for green projects

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Linking Motor And Process Skills, Sensory Patterns, And Psychiatric Symptoms, Lola Halperin, Janet Falk-Kessler

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Consistent evidence suggests sensory abnormalities and skill deficits in people with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder (SSD). Further exploration of their sensory patterns and performance skills is warranted to promote community participation among these individuals.

Method: This study examined sensory patterns and motor and process skills in relationship to psychiatric symptoms in adult patients with SSD. Participants were evaluated using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.

Results: Of the 18 participants, the majority showed sensory differences, deficits in motor and process skills, and the presence of moderate …

College Of Arts And Sciences: January 2020, College Of Arts And Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences news

• Bringing Social Issues to Light
• NSF Awards Two Faculty Members for STEM Advancement Ideas
• A Year of Number 1S at Western
• WMU Professor's Research Paves the Way to Improving Pedestrian Safety Nationwide
• Alumni Spotlight: From Waldo Library to the Library of Congress
• The Fund for Western
• On the Frontlines of Combating Human Trafficking Nationwide
• Geography Professor Recognized for Watershed Hydrology Work

Albert E. Copolillo, Phd, Otr/L, Faota

OJOT Sponsor Profiles

No abstract provided.

Staff Under New Market Rules: A Case Study Of A Group Home For People With Intellectual Disabilities In Sweden, Sven Trygged

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The Swedish caring services have transformed from a public ­operated to a market inspired contract system. This pilot case study of a group home explores what the shifts of contractor entail for staff concerning work regulation, work content and job satisfaction, personal development, relationships with colleagues, and consequences for service users. Procurement documents were studied and interviews performed with four experienced staff members. Results show that manager turnover, administrative changes, and terms of employment contracts increased conflicts and staff vulnerability. Staff responses are discussed in terms of exit, voice and loyalty.

Daily Labors: Marketing Identity And Bodies On A New York City Street Corner, By Carolyn Pinedo-Turnovsky, Kimberly Hogan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Carolyn Pinedo-Turnovsky, Daily Labors: Marketing Identity and Bodies on a New York City Street Corner. Temple University Press (2019), 212 pages, $24.42 (softcover).

Social Empathy: The Art Of Understanding Others, By Elizabeth A. Segal, Melanie Reyes

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Elizabeth A. Segal, Social Empathy: The Art of Understanding Others. Columbia University Press (2018). 239 pages, $32.50 (hardcover).

Parental Practices And Maternal Warmth As Protective Factors For Problem Behaviors In Mexican Preadolescents, Jaime Fuentes-Balderrama, Cinthia Cruz Del Castillo, Jose Ruben Parra-Cardona, Bernardo Turnbull Plaza, Angélica Ojeda García, Rolando Díaz-Loving

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Epidemiological estimates indicate that approximately 12% of children and adolescents in Mexico are in clinical ranges for psychological disorders. Low-income families in need of psychological support generally encounter understaffed and sometimes inefficient public health services and thus, families frequently constitute the primary source of support for individuals affected by mental health disorders. Empirical studies in the Mexican context have demonstrated that positive parental practices are associated with positive developmental outcomes and low levels of problem behaviors for both children and adolescents. This study aims to identify if such practices act as protective factors for problem behaviors in 306 Mexican students …

Moving Beyond Race, Gender, And Education: Exploring The Relationship Between Disability, Depressive Symptoms And Long-Term Financial Outcomes, Mellissa K. Wright, Clifford L. Broman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Data on poverty status reveals that there is a distinct sub-population of individuals who are at a significantly greater risk of being chronically poor. Although many researchers have examined the demographic characteristics of individuals who are the most likely to be persistently poor, the emphasis has been on race, sex, and education. Little attention has been paid to the role that disability might play in long-term poverty. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to utilize longitudinal Add Health data in order to explore whether or not the presence of a disability might also affect an individual’s likelihood of experiencing …

Review Of Research On Long-Term Care Insurance In Qingdao, China By Mi Hong, Ji Min, And Liu Weiguo, Lingxue Sun

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of Research on Long-Term Care Insurance in Qingdao, China by Mi Hong, Ji Min, and Liu Weiguo, China Labour & Social Security Publishing House (2019).

Review Of Elder Suicide: Durkheim’S Vision By Stephen M. Marson, Daniel Liechty

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of Elder Suicide: Durkheim’s Vision by. Stephen M. Marson, NASW Press (2019),

Young Adult Drinking And Depression: The Long-Term Consequences Of Poverty, Maternal Depression, And Childhood Behavioral Problems, Rachel Mckane, Molly K. Richard

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The objective of this research is to investigate the relationships among childhood poverty, maternal depressive symptoms, internalizing and externalizing childhood behavioral problems, and depressive symptoms and alcohol use in young adulthood. Using longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample and path analysis, a special case of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the results indicate that both childhood poverty and maternal depressive symptoms are associated with negative behavioral outcomes in childhood and young adulthood. This study also examines mediating effects of maternal depressive symptoms, and both externalizing and internalizing childhood behavioral problems. The findings indicate that the relationship between childhood poverty and …

Review Of Motherlands: How States Push Mothers Out Of Employment By Leah Ruppanner, Hana Liechty

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of Motherlands: How States Push Mothers Out of Employment.

Using A Contextual Effects Measurement Approach To Understand The Influence Of Community On Individual Behavior, Bridget E. Weller, Sinaida Cherubin, Shelby D. Leverett, Alexandria Taylor

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A social organization perspective identifies processes operating in the community that may influence an individual’s behavior. To understand such processes, researchers can apply a contextual effects measurement approach, which is used to assess the influence of group-level effects on lower level outcomes. However, few community studies employ this approach. The purpose of this article is to present and evaluate the merits of the contextual effects measurement approach.

Western Michigan University Magazine, Fall/Winter 2019-2020, Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Magazine (1997-present)

• University News
• Finding Common Ground
• WMU-A Place to Become
• Protecting Pedestrians
• A Pioneer of Pride
• Driving Driverless Technology
• Learning and Leading
• Bridging Barriers
• From Heartbreak to Hope
• Expert Insights
• Alumni Profile
• Classnotes
• In Print
• In Memoriam

Dr. Tatjana Tina Savich

OJOT Sponsor Profiles

No abstract provided.