Digital Commons Network^™

Using Picturebooks In Elementary School To Support Discussion, Connection, And Community Action, Polly Parkinson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Children are in school to acquire knowledge, so the books they read are a significant influence on how they see themselves and others. School curricula often lack diverse voices, which may limit students’ views of themselves and how they relate to their communities. The research objective of this study was to examine the potential for fostering empathy in students, to encourage societal benefits of positive community behaviors, deepen understanding of history, and future contributions to an engaged democratic society.

The problem identified was that although much research exists discussing children’s literature and empathy, little explores whether that empathy leads to …

“It’S Hard To Look At All Our Trauma All At Once”: What Personal Narratives Reveal About The Triple Burden Of Intimate Partner Violence, Substance Use, And Homelessness, Céline E. Guedj

All Student Scholarship

Scope of the Problem

Intimate partner violence constitutes a pervasive public health issue, impacting nearly half of all women in the United States, about 61.7 million, over the course of their lifetime (Leemis et al., 2022). For Black, Latina, Indigenous and Asian Women, these rates are even higher. The majority of women of color will experience intimate partner violence, including nearly 2 out of 3 mutiracial women, demonstrating a grave overrepresentation amongst victims (Leemis et al., 2022). A study of college students found that LGBTQ women are even more likely to be targeted by abusive partners than their cis and …

Attitudes Toward Harm Reduction Among Criminal Legal Staff, Diamond Meadows

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are prevalent among individuals interacting with the criminal legal system (Moore et al., 2019). Despite the high rates of individuals with SUDs interacting with the criminal legal system, there continue to be barriers to integrating harm reduction approaches within the system. Harm reduction approaches (i.e., medication assisted treatment) are effective in reducing the negative consequences associated with substance use and the pathway to recovery for many. The purposes of this study are to: 1. examine the psychometric properties of the Harm Reduction Acceptability Scale (HRAS) among criminal legal staff, 2. explore individual differences in staff attitudes …

Improving Citizenship Preparation At Santa Cruz County Immigration Project, Destiny C. Castrejon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Community-based organizations that serve low-income immigrant clients often deal with challenges like language barriers and limited access to materials that are easy to use. The goal of this internship project was to support citizenship preparation by creating simple and user-friendly study tools for immigrant clients. The project took place at the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project in Watsonville and mainly served Spanish-speaking, low-income adults. The main activities included creating large-print bilingual flashcards based on the 128 citizenship test questions, printing and laminating them, and sharing them with staff and clients for use. Informal feedback was gathered from one client and …

From Service To Support: Empowering Aging Veterans, Priscilla A. Mireles

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project was designed to assist aging veterans in Monterey County who face challenges staying safely in their homes long-term. It describes the Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs Office, an agency dedicated to helping former service members and their families navigate the complexities of the federal benefits system to access essential support. The project focused on a small-scale community resource fair aimed at bridging the gap between aging veterans and local services including caregiving, healthcare, and transportation. By centralizing diverse organizations, the intervention aimed to increase awareness of available resources among this population. Most intended outcomes were met; …

Chit-Chat With Hats: Addressing Mental Health Decline Through Art Therapy And Community Engagement, Zoe G. Mendez-Sosa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone addresses the prominent social issue of mental health decline in Central Pacific California driven by lack of support systems for individuals. In partnership with Health Advocacy Team Support (HATS), “Chit-Chat with HATS was developed as a peer to peer group with art therapy techniques to promote emotional resilience and community connection. The primary objective of the program was to provide individuals struggling with mental health with tools to help them manage their feelings and thoughts.

The program was structured with check-ins, mindfulness techniques, and opportunities of creative expression through art therapy techniques to help participants with processing complex …

Improving Fafsa Completion For High School Graduates, Haylee B. Padilla

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many students at Learning For Life Charter School graduate without a clear understanding of social mobility and are unprepared for the academic and practical demands of college. This project addressed the need for increased FAFSA completion and college and career readiness among 11th and 12th grade high school students graduating in the 2026 school year. The purpose of this project was to provide support to help students get federal student aid by walking them through filling out the FAFSA form and giving clear steps so they could apply without stress. Key activities included workshops, one-on-one support guiding students through …

Reducing Vulnerability To Burnout Among Family Caregivers, Stephen J. Alvarado

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Family caregivers experience high levels of burnout and stress, which can negatively affect their well-being and the quality of care they provide. This capstone project was implemented at Health Projects Center in Salinas within the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center program. Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center serves a diverse community of family caregivers, predominantly Caucasian, Hispanic, and Latino individuals caring for loved ones with a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or memory impairment. The purpose of this project was to improve caregivers’ knowledge, confidence, awareness, and intention regarding self-care strategies to reduce their vulnerability to burnout related to caregiving. The project …

Increasing Ageism Awareness Among College Students, Mya Melendez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college students are unaware of their participation in ageist behaviors against elders. When college students are unaware of their ageist behaviors, they create an environment that excludes elders based on stereotypes and prejudiced ideas and may engage in other exclusionary behaviors towards other groups. Making college students aware of discriminatory behaviors against elders may increase positive attitudes towards elders, protect elders from vulnerability, and decrease the stigma of aging. To address these issues, I will conduct a one-hour workshop addressing ageism to a class of Human Development and Family Science students at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Addressing Jail Recidivism In California: A Comparison Of Holistic Defense Models In Two Public Defenders' Offices, Karissa Castrejon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project addressed the issue of jail recidivism rates in California. The project consisted of a comparative analysis of Holistic Defense models implemented in two different Counties’ Public Defenders Offices. A qualitative approach that included interviews with key informants was used to understand how social work teams operate in Monterey and Santa Clara Counties. These two counties were selected because both use Proposition 47 funds to implement programs intended to reduce recidivism. The interviews took place at the Public Defender’s Office and courts in Salinas, as well as in Santa Clara County. Key activities included court observations, a site …

Improving Language Access And Communication In Behavioral Health Intake For Spanish-Speaking Families, Mabel I. Collins

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Language barriers in behavioral health settings can limit caregiver understanding, reduce engagement, and contribute to disparities in access to care for Spanish-speaking families. This capstone project was conducted at Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, specifically within its intake and evaluation processes, serving primarily Spanish-speaking caregivers from diverse and underserved backgrounds. The project aimed to improve language access and communication by identifying gaps and developing practical tools to support both staff and families. Qualitative methods, including observation, staff consultation, and document review, revealed consistent barriers, including inconsistent interpreter use, reliance on technical or formal language, limited strategies to …

Community Engagement Newsletter, May 2026, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Community Engagement.

Community Engagement Newsletter

Contents:

--- UNI's Day of Service - Thank You
--- A Snapshot of Our Collective Impact
--- Online Engaged Department Institute

From Innovation To Interaction: Processes Shaping Animal Assisted Therapy Implementation In Outpatient Settings In The United States, Rachel Rachlinski

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is an emerging mental health specialty marked by rapid growth, inconsistent training pathways, and the absence of regulatory oversight. Although professional organizations have published competencies and guidelines, no regulatory body ensures that educational programs or licensed practitioners adhere to these standards, leading to wide variability in practice and potential risks to clients and animals. This constructivist grounded theory study examined the processes shaping how licensed mental health providers understand and implement AAT in outpatient settings across the United States, with attention to the influence of training, supervision, and prior clinical experience.

Guided by the Consolidated Framework …

Burnout Among Oncology Social Workers, Evelyn Camacho

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Burnout among oncology social workers has become an important issue within healthcare because of the emotional intensity and demands that come with working closely with cancer patients and their families. Oncology social workers often provide emotional support, counseling, and guidance to patients throughout difficult stages of treatment, recurrence, and end-of-life care, which can place a heavy strain on their own mental and emotional well-being. Over time, constant exposure to grief, trauma, and high workloads can contribute to emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and difficulties maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Although oncology social workers play a major role in patient care, their …

Supporting Reentry In Higher Education: A Case Management Model For Justice-Impacted Students, Yefry S. Mata Diaz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Formerly incarcerated students in Monterey County face real barriers like housing instability, lack of basic needs, and limited coordinated support, which makes it harder to stay in school and increases the risk of recidivism. This capstone project, implemented through Project Rebound at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) in partnership with Bridges Community Services, focused on improving reentry outcomes for justice-impacted students. The project introduced a liaison-based case management model that included outreach, intake assessments, warm referrals, and ongoing mentorship to connect students to campus and community resources. The project served formerly incarcerated and system-impacted CSUMB students dealing with challenges …

Youth Programs Social Media Awareness Campaign, Noelia Fernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness often lack awareness of available support services, limiting their ability to access needed resources. This capstone project was completed at Community Action Board’s Youth Homeless Response Team (YHRT), a program that provides outreach, case management, and support services to youth in Santa Cruz County. The project focused on youth and young adults who engage with or could benefit from YHRT services. The purpose of the project was to increase awareness and engagement through a targeted social media awareness campaign. Implementation included planning and designing youth-friendly content, developing promotional materials, and collecting both quantitative …

Transportation Support As A Preventive Strategy For Family Stability: A Community-Based Intervention In Monterey And Santa Cruz Counties, Synthia Moreno

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Families in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties face transportation barriers that limit access to essential services and increase the risk of family instability and child welfare involvement. This capstone project was completed at Safe Families for Children Monterey Bay, a nonprofit organization that provides preventive, community-based support to families in crisis. The organization serves diverse, primarily low-income families, including many Hispanic/Latino households, across urban and rural communities. The project developed a Transportation Support Program using trained volunteers to provide reliable rides for families and interns to attend medical, legal, and social service appointments. The purpose was to improve access to …

Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes 2026-05-01, Bowling Green State University

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

The official meeting minutes of Bowling Green State University's Board of Trustees.

Kroc Ipj Border Fellows Report 2024 — English, Rebeca Cázares Adame

Kroc IPJ Research and Resources

The Kroc Border Fellows Program brings together change agents from academia, civil society, the public sector, and the private sector to build a more inclusive and peaceful Mexico-U.S. border region through action-oriented research and meaningful community partnerships.

The non-residential fellowship spans 10 months and provides financial and technical support for Fellow-designed and -implemented projects. This model reflects a core belief that those closest to border communities' challenges are best positioned to develop effective solutions — and that lasting change must be built on existing community assets and strengths.

Throughout the fellowship, cohort members meet regularly to foster collaboration, mutual learning, …

Examining The Relationships Among Child Care Providers’ Knowledge Of Child Development, Burnout, Organizational Climate, And Expulsion Risk: A Brief Report, Juan Wang, Cheri Shapiro Ph.D., Tristan Collier, Jessica Sharp

Publications

Expulsion poses a significant barrier to high-quality and inclusive early care and education (ECE), leading to both immediate and long-term negative con-sequences for children and their families. This descriptive, exploratory study examined whether ECE providers’ knowledge of child development, burnout, and organizational climate was associated with their attitudes and perceptions related to expulsion risk. A total of 309 ECE providers in one state in the South-eastern region of the United States taking part in a program evaluation completed an online survey prior to program implementation. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess associations among providers’ knowledge of child development, …

Parental Socialization Practices As Protective Factors Of Lgbtq+ Youth Well-Being And Sexual Health, Melissa M. Ferguson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

LGBTQ+ teens face challenges like discrimination and exclusion from school-based sex education. Support from parents is crucial for helping LGBTQ+ teens feel safe and confident. Most research has only looked at how parents react when their child comes out, and less about how parents support their child in everyday life. This two-study dissertation explored how parents help support and protect their LGBTQ+ teens’ well-being over time.

The first study looked for patterns of protective parenting across interviews with LGBTQ+ teens and their parents from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Teens and parents shared their experiences of open communication, building community, …

Factors Affecting Mathematics Teachers’ Instructional Decision-Making: An Ecological Systems Theory Multiple-Case Study, Camille M. Lund

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Though research on effective mathematics instructional strategies is robust, there remains a gap between research and the instruction that takes place in mathematics classrooms. One such effective instructional practice—mathematical student discourse (MSD)—has been extensively researched, but little research has looked holistically at the ecological factors that interact to influence teacher decision-making for this practice. In this qualitative multiple-case dissertation study using Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as a theoretical lens, I conducted semi-structured interviews with three elementary teachers who teach mathematics in districts across northern Utah. These interviews utilized the researcher-created Ecological Factors Map to explore how teachers described the …

Staying Safe, Smart, And Well Online: Empowering Older Adults In The Digital Age Conference Summary, Minzhi Ye, Rebecca Cole

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Summary of the two-day, bilingual community conference that brought older adults, caregivers, service providers, researchers, and local organizations together to build digital confidence and prevent fraud.

Filling The Gaps: Rural-Remote High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Training In Student Mental Health Preparedness, Angela N. Muhs

Theses and Dissertations

Rural-remote high school teachers are frequently the first to notice and respond to student mental health concerns, yet they operate within communities characterized by significant shortages in mental health providers. Access to professional mental health services in these settings remains persistently limited, placing considerable responsibility on teachers who may lack adequate preparation. This study employed an interpretive case study design to qualitatively examine how rural-remote high school teachers in North Dakota perceive their professional training and overall preparedness in addressing student mental health concerns. Twelve licensed teachers, whose experience ranged from six months to 33 years, participated in in-depth interviews. …

Stigma Is Committing: Public Perceptions Of Race, Substance Use, And Civil Commitment, Meliyah Anderson-Tryon

Theses and Dissertations

Civil commitment in the United States is a legal process through which individuals experiencing severe mental illness may be involuntarily admitted for psychological treatment. Despite its far-reaching consequences, public knowledge and perceptions of civil commitment remain largely underexamined. These gaps may contribute to increased stigma toward individuals with severe mental illness or those who engage in substance use. This study used a vignette-based experimental design manipulating a hypothetical individual’s race and presence or absence of past substance use. The hypothetical individual was portraying symptoms related to schizophrenia, subsequently leading to being civilly committed. Participants (N = 208) evaluated perceived dangerousness …

Identifying Diet Quality Of Ultra-Processed Foods Among Student Health Professionals, Claudia Julianne Promschmidt

Theses and Dissertations

Disagreement exists in literature and media on definitions and classification ofultra-processed food (UPF) making interpretation for policy makers, consumers, and health professionals confusing. As health professionals have a large role in nutrition education, this study looked at how students enrolled in a health professional program at the University of North Dakota determine nutrient density of UPFs and non-UPFs. Researchers calculated nutrient density to classify foods into a survey. Students completing the survey had access to both the ingredient list and Nutrition Facts Panel before selecting the food as choose often, sometimes, or rarely, and then indicated which tool was used …

Role Of Allied Health Professions In Falls Prevention For Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review, Amy Lawton, Nicholas Tripodi, Rebecca Wospil, Breanna M. Wright, Hylton B. Menz, Suzanne Martin, Daniel R. Bonanno, Corey Linton, Andisheh Bastani, Andrew Ross, Rees Thomas, Daniel Corcoran, Timothy Mcnamara, Danielle Baxter, Brett Vaughan, Rebecca Lane, Jack Feehan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Falls among community-dwelling older adults are prevalent and have serious individual, societal and economic consequences. Allied health professionals provide key falls prevention interventions yet their representation in current clinical practice guidelines is inconsistent. Increased recognition of allied health roles and delivering context-specific guidelines for falls care could help to address workforce gaps and optimise care approaches. This scoping review explored the roles of the allied health professions in falls prevention screening, assessment and intervention for community-dwelling older adults. Design: Scoping review, using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science …

Fiesta De Día De Muertos: Integrating Visual Arts, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, And Cultural Heritage In An Elementary School Celebration, Mayra Urbina, Linda Judith Palafox

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This field note documents a transdisciplinary Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) festival organized at Colegio México, an elementary school, in La colonia El Tapatío, San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara, Mexico. The event integrated visual arts through decorative tomb-building and altar construction, literary arts through student-authored calaveritas literarias, and performing arts through dance choreography and theatrical performance, all in connection with social studies content on Mexican cultural heritage. Approximately 30 students across grades 1–6 (ages 6–12) participated as performers, writers, and artists, while parents and community members also actively contributed, including through participation in a theatrical skit, …

The Unsmart Home: A Steam Approach To Coding Though Drama And Creative Play, Jennifer R. Roberts

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This article examines how integrating drama and coding can enhance computational thinking, creativity, and inclusivity in children. Grounded in constructivist and embodied learning theories, it presents The UnSmart Home, a drama-based coding experience. In this immersive project, children interact with a mal-functioning smart home through character-led, narrative challenges that require basic coding to solve problems. This approach reframes programming as creative play, making abstract concepts tangible through storytelling and physical engagement. Positioned within the STEAM education framework, the article argues that drama offers a powerful entry point into technical learning. It supports multimodal learning, encourages collaboration, and challenges stereotypes about …

Lost In The Fine Print: A Phenomenological Inquiry Of Adhd, Student Loans, And Scarcity, Gaurav R. Sinha, Lakshya Kadiyan, Leon Banks, Kannappa V. Shetty

Journal of Student Financial Aid

The primary objective of this phenomenological study was to explore the cognitive and affective challenges faced by individuals experiencing ADHD and their student loans, particularly through the lens of “scarcity theory”. We analyzed 250 posts (~86 pages/67,000 words) from an online community on Reddit, where individuals experiencing ADHD shared experiences related to student debt. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes in these posts. Four key themes emerged: (1) ADHD and baseline mental bandwidth, highlighting preexisting executive functioning challenges that limit cognitive and affective capacity; (2) demands of student loan debt, which intensify stress through complex repayment systems and …