Digital Commons Network^™

Vital Data : Writing And Circulating Data In Non-Profits., Patrick Danner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the results of an ethnographically-informed workplace observation study of a single non-profit referred to throughout as “the Metro Data Coalition” (MDC). It begins with an overview of the organization, its institutional history, the technical and technological scenes of composing, and the demands placed on the writing process by each of these variables. It considers usability studies, activity theory, and rhetorical ecologies in coming to terms with how MDC writers shape the numerical data they work with daily. The latter half of the dissertation considers how MDC writers approach their work as “storytellers,” a self-concept that is threaded …

Progressive City In The Progressive Era : Child Welfare Reform In Louisville Kentucky., Mary K. Marlatt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Louisville, Kentucky has a unique character, never more apparent than during the period between 1890 and 1920, as the city attempted to balance traditional southern cultural ideals with northern progress. During this period, social reformers attempted to alleviate social ills exacerbated by the industrial revolution and urban crowding by advocating for social reform. This study concentrates on specific social reforms – settlement houses and missions, free kindergartens, child labor, juvenile justice, and pure milk depots – benefiting children in Louisville, and explores how those endeavors differed from those of their counterparts in the north and south. Child welfare reformers in …

Wounds And Writing : Building Trauma-Informed Approaches To Writing Pedagogy., Michelle L. Day

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation builds a trauma-informed approach to writing pedagogy informed by writing studies scholarship about trauma and inclusive pedagogy, clinical social work literature on trauma-informed care, and interviews with nine current University of Louisville writing faculty about their experiences academically supporting distressed students. I identify three central touchstones—“students are coddled,” “teacher’s aren’t therapists,” and “institutions don’t support trauma-informed teaching”—in scholarly and public debates regarding what to do about student trauma/distress in higher education. After exploring the valid concerns and misconceptions underpinning these touchstones, I illustrate how clinical research offers a way forward to help writing instructors develop more complex understandings …

The Role Of Social Supports On The Financial Toxicity Of Cancer., Lisa C. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although literature exists on the impact of cancer-related financial burden and its effects on quality of life, we do not have a full understanding of the nature of the financial burden on individuals and their families. Likewise, research on social support has concentrated on social, emotional, functional, and physical well-being but not on the financial well-being of individuals with cancer. The purpose of this study is to understand the role of social support in the relationship between financial toxicity and quality of life of individuals living with cancer. This research used a multiple method approach composed of two studies. Study …

Investigating Predictive Relationships Between Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students' Sense Of Classroom Community, Perceived Learning, And Perceived Anxiety., Emily B. Schantz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mental health is an all-encompassing term that focuses on a person’s ability to achieve work-life balance inclusive of positive mental health and mental ill-health. Current trends suggest an overall increase in mental ill-health for undergraduate and graduate students. McMillan and Chavis’ sense of community theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. This study aimed to examine whether speech-language pathology graduate students’ sense of classroom community and perceived learning predict anxiety levels while controlling for demographic variables. Three-hundred-sixteen master’s level speech-language pathology students completed an online survey containing the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, Perceived Learning Scale, and Classroom Community Scale. …

"Model And Patriarch" Of Southern Settlements : Neighborhood House In Louisville, Kentucky, 1896-1939., Kalie Ann Gipson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the workings of Neighborhood House, a social settlement in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1896 to 1939. It argues that Neighborhood House represented a typical settlement house that operated during the Progressive Era in the United States. From its beginnings under its founder, Archibald A. Hill, through the tenure of Frances Ingram, Neighborhood House served as an Americanizing institution for urban, European immigrants in Louisville by offering clubs and classes to both immigrant children and adults. Neighborhood House residents also mitigated between immigrant children and parents, pushed for child labor reform, and battled vice in the area. Furthermore, this …

Doing Place : A Framework For Interpreting Young Adults' Commitments To Appalachian Kentucky., Jeanelle Susanne Sears

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Confronted with negative consequences of rural youth outmigration, many rural communities are interested in how to recruit and retain young adults. Yet, attention has largely been focused on those who leave. This study thus explores the experiences of young adults who make conscious commitments to improving the communities of Appalachian Kentucky despite many obstacles and pressures to leave. Two aims were established in this pursuit: 1) Understand and provide deep description of young adults’ experience of committing to stay and work in Appalachian Kentucky and the meaning they make of these decisions and 2) Develop a context specific framework for …

Relationship Among School Counselors' Perceptions Of Poverty, Color-Blind Racial Attitudes, And Multicultural Counseling Competencies : A Formula For Change Makers., Shaun M. Sowell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relationship among school counselors’ attribution of poverty, color-blind racial attitudes, and self-perceived multicultural competence (knowledge and awareness) were examined in this dissertation. Additionally, the researcher reviewed the impact of having lived in low-income environments had on school counselors’ beliefs of poverty attribution. Lastly, the impact graduating from a CACREP accredited program had on poverty attribution was explored. Results, implications, and limitations are addressed.

We Have A Gospel : A Critique Of Salvation Narratives In The Salvation Army In Australia, Laithe J. Greenaway

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Organizational Culture In Christian Organizations For Job Satisfaction And Staff Retention With Special Reference To Bharat Susamachar Samiti, Kuriakose Madathil Iype

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

2019 May, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications And Marketing

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for May of 2019.

The Implementation Fidelity Of The Family Finding Intervention Through The Lens Of Permanency Specialists, Liat L. Shklarski

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The Family Finding intervention is a six-stage intervention that aims to improve the well-being of youth lingering in foster care by searching for and engaging adults who can provide them with permanent relational connections (Campbell, 2010). Preliminary research on fidelity to the Family Finding intervention indicated gaps in its implementation (Malm, Vandivere, Allen, Williams, & McKlindon, 2014; Vandivere & Malam, 2015). This study sought to explore how implementation fidelity occurs in real-world settings and the factors that promote implementation fidelity for the intervention.

An explanatory sequential mixed methods inquiry was employed to examine permanency specialists’ perceptions of the implementation of …

Exploring Narratives Of Adolescent-To-Parent Abuse, Sofia Oviedo

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Adolescent-to-parent abuse (APA) is an often hidden form of family abuse that evidences a breakdown in the parent-child relationship with damaging effects on the physical and emotional well-being of parents and youth. This study aimed to examine the experiences of parents affected by APA, the effects on the parent-child relationship, and on parent identity. It also explored how APA influenced the relationship dynamics during conflicts, how parents managed these conflicts, and how parents viewed their power within these interactions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 parents who resided in two major cities in the US (Seattle, WA and New York …

Navigating Colorism And Racial Identity In Dominican Women, Christine Hernandez

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Colorism has been perpetuated in Dominican culture across generations. That along with a colonial mentality has shaped the racial identity and ideologies of their people. I explore what historical and societal factors play into identity in Dominican women. Additionally, I delve into the history of blackness on the island of Hispañola and how it has led to the perpetuation of colorism. I show how this perpetuation influences the racial self-identity of Dominican women through different forms of media and culture.

The Moving On Program And Supportive Housing Residents With Histories Of Homelessness, Kimberly Livingstone

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Supportive housing is the main strategy assisting formerly homeless people to live in the least restrictive settings and as independently as possible. There has been a greater focus on efforts towards homelessness prevention and remedies to minimize the experience of homelessness, which have been further fueled by the demand for supportive housing and a drive for cost effectiveness. Meanwhile, there have been attempts to ensure that those living in supportive housing are only those who continue to need comprehensive long-term support to live independently in the community. To accomplish this, and in line with the Recovery Movement, programs assist people …

Captives Of A New Alcatraz: The New York City Department Of Correction From 1954 To 1990, Jarrod Shanahan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines the New York City Department of Correction (DOC) from 1954 to 1990—a period that began with an audacious program, led by progressive penologist and DOC Commissioner Anna M. Kross, to replace “custodial” prisoner warehousing with a rehabilitative model directed by civilian experts. As part of this plan the political legitimacy, executive strength, and most importantly, the institutional capacity of DOC were expanded, while the department’s plant facilities were increasingly concentrated on Rikers Island. The previously remote penal island was connected by bridge to mainland Queens amid plans for dazzling new jails and a university-affiliated research institute, to …

Adults Formerly In Foster Care Narrate Schooling Experiences, Danielle Walker

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Roughly 400,000 children are in foster care in the United States (Lash, 2017, p. 5). These youth are less likely to graduate high school than their non-foster peers (Barnow et al., 2015). While several barriers contribute to the poor educational outcomes for children in foster care, research has noted that the label “foster child” is associated with negative connotations and differential teacher treatment (Altshuler, 2003; Finkelstein, Wamsley, & Miranda, 2002). In spite of such observations, little research has emphasized the perspectives of those in foster care. To fill this gap, this qualitative study posed the following question: How do adults …

Increasing Awareness Of Romantic Behaviors In Former Foster Youth, Kimberly Beardshear

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Because of their inexperience, emerging adults often have a difficult time navigating healthy romantic relationships. For many, the skills necessary for quality relationships are usually learned through parents, friends, or mentors. Foster youth, in particular, may struggle more in developing and sustaining romantic relationships due to the lack of or inconsistent parental guidance or mentoring. To address this, I have created a two-hour lesson for emerging adult foster youth attending Hartnell College in Salinas, California. The content will be comprised of the characteristics of a healthy relationship, role-play scenarios, identifying unhealthy relationship behaviors, and how to use healthy relationship behaviors.

Abriendo Puertas/ Opening Doors Curriculum Evaluation, Josclynn Morales

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Encompass Community Services is a nonprofit agency that serves families and their children from pregnancy to age five through their Head Start programs. The majority of low-income families being served are challenged with being fully engaged in their child’s education due to economic factors. As a result, many children Child of low income families are less likely to achieve academic success at an early age. Abriendo Puertas curriculum was designed for peer to peer education on parenting skills. The curriculum evaluation was created to assess the effectiveness of the parenting skills being taught. The expected outcomes of the evaluation was …

Increasing Retention Of Foster Resource Families, Bianca Kristal Estrada

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Family and Children’s Services at Monterey County Department of Social Services (MCDSS) works to ensure that children and youth can have permanent homes by returning to birth parents if safe to do so and/ or becoming adopted. Although, MCDSS: Family and Children’s Services attempts to reunify and secure stability, too many children are aging out of the foster system without being reunified or adopted. Additionally, the MCDSS has faced challenges with retention of Resource Families (previously known as Foster Parents) in the FR process. This capstone consisted of an exploratory research project to understand barriers and opportunities in the …

California Rural Legal Assistance Employment Education Outreach Project, Daisy Leon Melendrez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

California Rural Legal Assistance is a nonprofit law firm that provides no cost legal services to low-income individuals in Santa Cruz County. The social problem is that too many workers face employment rights violations. The agency problem is a reduction in the number of people seeking employment legal services from CRLA. This outreach project focused on spreading awareness of CRLA’s employment legal services by attending local grocery stores and farmer’s market, with the purpose of promoting agency’s services to the community. Agency materials were distrusted and a questionnaire was used to determine why people are not seeking CRLA legal services. …

Developing Information On Mental Health And Counseling Services, Katherine Bustamante

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Taylor Farms Center for Learning (TFCFL) is an afterschool program, which is located in East Salinas, serving primarily 76% of Hispanic and Latino children and families. Providing various programs to break down barriers for children to experience success. Every year in the United States, up to 20% of children and youth experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder but nearly half of all children receive no mental health services. Due to this few agency-sponsored services address this health issue and TFCFL wants to make sure they are offering the right kind of services for their community. This research project will …

Bridge To Inclusion: Honoring Insight From Families With Lived Experience Of Homelessness, Lindsay Peterson

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Historically, impoverished families face ridicule and stigma. There is a tendency to blame those who are disadvantage rather than considering the socio-economic inequalities impacting the affordability of stable housing. Thus resulting in a lack of opportunities for meaningful input from those with lived experience. Rebele Family Shelter (RFS) provides emergency shelter for Santa Cruz County residents. RFS staff provide support and coordination of resources toward permanent stable housing. Families at RFS have limited opportunities to contribute to program strategies or voice opinions on policies. Implementing a family satisfaction survey with RFS clients creates an opportunity for families with lived experience …

Multicultural Education Implemented In Elementary Schools, Angelica Villegas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper analyzes the importance of having multicultural education being implemented in elementary schools. The participants for the Capstone Project included twenty two first-grade students in a public elementary school located in California’ Central Coast. In this project the participants go to hear a picture book being read to them that focused on the understanding of multiculturalism what multiculturalism is and how it can be seen. The participants go to hear about two different cultures from two different location from the world and the focus point of their diversity. The participants go to see this through the art interpretation that …

Start The Conversation: Teaching High School Students Mental Illness And Stigma, Maria Espinoza

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There is an information gap among adolescents regarding mental health knowledge. In order to reduce stigma of mental illness and promote help seeking, there is a need to inform adolescents about mental health as part of overall health, maintaining their mental health, and what to do for themselves and for others who may be affected by issues of depression and anxiety. I created a two-day lesson on mental health that consists of mental illness information, what is stigma, how to reduce mental health stigma, and methods to advocate for better mental health for 11 high school participants from San Benito …

Educating Advocates About The Commercial Sexual Exploitation Of Children (Csec), Anna M. Neibel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, over the last six years, 2,300 children have been commercially sexually exploited annually (2018). Identified risk factors include: homelessness, previous abuse, sexual orientation and foster care. Consequences are: loss of life, poor sexual health, rape, abuse, drug addiction and incarceration. Approximately 80% of commercially sexual exploited children (CSEC) were in direct contact with the Department of Family Services (DFCS) sometime during their exploitation. Until recently, CASA of Santa Cruz County didn’t offer extended educational training (EET) for advocates on CSEC. In June of 2018 CASA piloted its first CSEC 101 training. After completing …

Evaluating Father Involvement In The Voluntary Family Maintenance And Reunification Process, Elizabeth Crescencio-Garduno

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

ACTION’s Community Case Management program works collaboratively with Monterey County Department of Social Services’ Family and Children Services’ Voluntary Family Maintenance and Voluntary Family Reunification unit, to keep children safe at home and out of the court system. Recurrent child maltreatment rates are too high in voluntary and court-ordered child protective services. Various factors contribute to father involvement and engagement in family stabilization efforts. This capstone was an exploratory research project that assessed father involvement in parent education services for families that were referred to voluntary child protective services in Monterey County. This project aimed to increase awareness on the …

A Data-Driven Approach To Increasing Male Advocacy At Casa Of Monterey County, Andrea Ledesma

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a non-profit organization focused on advocating for abused and neglected children in the foster system. CASA trains and supports community volunteers who become advocates. For every 50 male children there are only 15 male advocates. Those other 35 boys are left with female advocates. More than half of the youth who age out of foster care are incarcerated at some point by their mid-20s. Many boys decline into the world of drugs, violence, even incarceration. Advocates who connect with the male children at a crucial age, establish a bond and resemblance on another level. …

Community Development & Engaging Clients At Omni, Christopher Lizaola

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The OMNI Resource Center is a wellness Center in Salinas; OMNI handles workshops and activities for adults who suffer mental health and who are homeless. Too many people with mental health issues don’t have community support. In addition, there has not been any sufficient advocacy for this population. The project will focus on developing connections with OMNI and other local agencies. It shall be preceded by doing surveys to the clients to see what other resource OMNI can provide to its clients. This research project which will contain data collection interviews will allow me to see if all the resources …

Exploring Transitions Back And Into College: Stories Of Adult Women, Laura Bennett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Women are juggling multiple roles such as mother, wife, partner and employee that could

intensify a complex transition process to a new role of college student (Lin, 2016; Noll, Reichlin, & Gualt, 2017; Veney, O’Green & Kowalik, 2012). The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe a transition process of women to a role of college student a to understand why they might not graduate. Sociocultural theory embedded within Schlossberg’s transition model assisted with understanding the transition process of moving-in, moving-through, and moving-out. A qualitative research design was employed to describe this complex transition process and to answer the …