Digital Commons Network^™

Children As Victims, Children As Clients Towards A Framework Of Best Practice In Services For Children Who Experience Domestic Violence, Emma Byrne-Macnamee

Dissertations

Historically, the core focus of domestic violence services in Ireland and elsewhere has been to support and empower women. Children’s needs have been seen as secondary to their mothers’, although services have generally provided opportunities for play and recreation. An increasing recognition of the direct effects of family violence on children and a growing trend in child and family provision towards monitoring progress and identifying outcomes has created a necessity for services working with children who experience domestic violence to examine and appraise the nature and scope of their work. Within this context, this study describes existing provision for children …

Financial Capability In Children: Effects Of Participation In A School-Based Financial Education And Savings Program, Margaret S. Sherraden, Lissa Johnson, Baorong Guo, William Elliott

Center for Social Development Research

A groundswell of interest in young people’s ability to understand and handle financial decisions has generated keen interest in financial knowledge and effectiveness of financial education. This study examines an innovative four-year school-based financial education and savings program, called “I Can Save” (ICS). Using a quasi-experimental design, the study examines quantitative and qualitative data to analyze program effects on financial knowledge. Children who participated in ICS scored significantly higher on a financial literacy test than comparison group students in the same school, regardless of parent education and income. Results suggest that children increase financial capability when they have access to …

An Exploratory Study Of Clinicians' Understanding Of Children's Non-Traditional Toy Choice And Parents' Concerns, Lindsay Britt Jamieson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory qualitative study investigated clinicians' understanding of children's non-traditional toy choices and parents' concerns. The study explored parents' concerns regarding toy choices, clinicians' understanding of non-traditional toy choices and parents' concerns, and clinicians' responses to parents who are concerned about toy choice. Ten clinicians with two or more year of experience were recruited through snowball sampling in New England. Participation involved semi-structured interviews with questions related to their clinical experiences, understandings, assessments, and personal opinions related to toy choice for children. Results indicated that clinicians had cases where non-traditional toy selection developed as an issue during session. Further findings …

Voices From The Parents Of Lesbian, Gay Or Bisexual Children : How Do Parents Adjust To Their Child's Lesbian, Gay Or Bisexuality?, Jillian Love Goldstein

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored the following question: How do parents adjust to the disclosure of their child's lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity? The purpose of this study was to focus on the parent of a LGB child in order to understand their reactions to their child's sexuality, their process of adjusting to their child's LGB identity, and to determine the impact it may have on the parents' relationship with their child. The study included two methodology components: an online anonymous survey and an in-person interview. The sample pool was comprised of sixty-one parents through the online survey and three parents who …

Assets And Child Well-Being In Developing Countries: A Research Review, Gina A. N. Chowa, David Ansong, Rainier Masa

Center for Social Development Research

The impact of assets on child well-being in developing countries has received considerable attention in the last decade. Increased recognition of the critical role played by assets in enhancing children’s well-being has spurred efforts to study the relationship between assets and a range of outcomes for children. This chapter reviews current studies (i.e., conducted within the past 10 years) that explore the relationship of asset ownership and a range of outcomes. The studies we have included in this review illustrate the impact that assets can have on children’s outcomes in the area of health, education, and child labor. Overall, the …

A Place At The Blackboard: Including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, & Queer/Questioning Issues In The Education Process, Todd A. Savage, Debra A. Harley

Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education Faculty Publications

We know from history that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have always existed in society (Campos, 2003; Sullivan, 2003). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexed, and queer/questioning (LGBTIQ) individuals, collectively known as sexual minorities, represent approximately 10% of the population. As many as nine students in every classroom of 30 are in some measure affected by sexual minority issues (e.g., having a gay or lesbian relative or being gay oneself) (AFSC Gay/Lesbian Youth Program, 1991). “Yet even with this substantial number, the code of silence in our nation’s school systems concerning homosexuality remains” (Fontaine, 1997, pp. 101-102).

Parental Assets And Children's Educational Outcomes, Vernon Loke, Paul Sacco

Center for Social Development Research

Several countries, including Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom, have enacted asset-based policies for children in recent years. The premise underlying these policies is that increases in assets lead to improvement in various child outcomes over time. But little existing research examines this premise from a dynamic perspective. Using data from the NLSY79 mother and child datasets, two parallel process latent growth curve models are estimated to examine the effects of parental asset accumulation on changes in children’s math and reading achievement over six years during middle childhood. Results indicate that the initial level of assets is positively associated with …

Library Services To Children, Teens And Families Experiencing Homelessness, Vikki C. Terrile

Urban Library Journal

Families with children are one of the fastest growing homeless populations in the United States, but are often left out of public library discussions of services to the homeless. This article will explore the demographics and educational issues surrounding children and teens who are experiencing homelessness in order to make the case that library services specifically for them are necessary. It will also look at the role library programs and services for their parents can play in improving literacy skills within the family unit. In addition, the article will examine model library services to children, teens and families experiencing homeless …

Implications For Child Welfare Teaching And Human Services Personnel Perspectives Experiences Of Children With Special Needs, Sarah Huesmann

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Kawasaki Syndrome In Texas, Alberto Coustasse, Julius J. Larry, Witold Migala, Cody Arvidson, Karan P. Singh

Management Faculty Research

The authors examined hospitalization rates of Kawasaki Syndrome (KS) among Texas children to isolate clusters, identify demographic disparities, and suggest possible causative factors. Using a retrospective cross-sectional study design, they studied 330 KS cases from 2,818,460 hospital discharges. The majority of the cases (61.5%) occurred within the 1-4-years-old category, representing the highest hospitalization rate (14.3 per 100,000 children). Almost 75% of the KS population was less than 5 years old, with hospitalization rates approximately 8 times higher than that of all other children (p < .05). KS diagnosis occurred for only 49.4% of all KS cases upon admission. Along with high-density clusters identified in major metropolitan areas, the authors found the highest rates of KS among Asian and Pacific Islander and non-Hispanic black children. Genetic predispositions and access to healthcare issues may explain the results. The authors recommend improving educational initiatives with healthcare providers and establishing KS as a reportable condition.

From Swarms To Summer Camps : A Theoretical Deconstruction Of Cohesion Among Groups Of Latency Aged Boys, Prairie Youn-Yuen Chiu

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This thesis is an interdisciplinary theoretical deconstruction of cohesion among groups of latency aged boys. Process research on the development of cohesion among informally organized groups of latency aged boys is lacking. Also, much of cohesion research is adult-oriented, rather than child-oriented. This project seeks to elucidate some of the hows of cohesion among this population by applying a biological theory examining cohesion among aggregates of animals to a social psychological theory considering cohesion among latency aged boys. It is the author's hope that such an approach will yield valuable insights into the mechanisms of cohesion and its facilitation, while …

Bring Mental Health Services Home: Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Adolescents And Their Families In Rural Minnesota, Laura Filzen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a program that addressed housing and therapeutic support to adolescents experiencing mental health issues, allowed adolescents to remain in the community, and promoted reunification with their families. “An important indicator of success for children in out-of-home care is a timely transition to reunification” (Park and Ryan, 2009). Based on the literature and practice, it is believed that intensive family therapy is needed to promote reunification and reduce recidivism of placement.

Parent Training, Support And Psychoeducational Groups As Evidence Based Practice In Children's Mental Health, Dorothy Wagner

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The evidence base for programs in children’s mental health has expanded significantly in the last decade (Burns, 2003), yet the implementation of these programs has lagged behind (Walrath, Sheehan, Holden, Hernandez & Blau, 2005). The purpose of this project is to research current evidence based practices and programs that could improve and/or update services that are provided to children and adolescents diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance (SED) in Steele County. Research and analysis of the feasibility of implementing a group intervention to provide support, psychoeducation and/or skills training to families was conducted.

Judicial Oversight Over The Interstate Placement Of Foster Children: The Missing Element In Current Efforts To Reform The Interstate Compact On The Placement Of Children, Vivek Sankaran

Articles

This article argues that current efforts to reform the Compact are flawed because they lack an essential element: judicial oversight of agency decision-making. The first section explores the important role that juvenile court judges play in making placement decisions for foster children. Next, an examination of the current problems in the interstate placement process demonstrates the vital need for judicial oversight of the system. Finally, a specific proposal is put forth on how best to incorporate judicial oversight without interfering with the sovereignty of states.

Improving Screening For Externalizing Behavior Problems In Very Young Children : Applications Of Item Response Theory To Evaluate Instruments In Pediatric Primary Care., Christina Ruth Studts 1971-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Externalizing behavior problems in very young children are associated with an array of negative and costly long-term outcomes. Pediatric primary care is a promising venue for implementing screening practices to improve early identification of this social and public health problem. In this setting, screening requires a brief, easily scored instrument which can detect sub-clinical to clinical levels of the latent construct within the context of early childhood development. Further, items used should perform consistently with children of all sociodemographic backgrounds. This study applied item response theory analyses to investigate the precision, utility, and differential item functioning (DIF) of items measuring …

Aids: The Tragedy Facing Children In Sub-Sahara Africa, Katherine Sipes

Senior Honors Theses

Few things affect the entire world, and HIV/AIDS is one of them. While the whole world is affected by this terrible disease, the area of sub-Sahara Africa has been affected the most with large quantities now suffering because of HIV/AIDS. Children have become major sufferers of HIV/AIDS, both from having the disease passed on to them and from being orphaned as parents die of AIDS. When numbers are combined, four countries alone in sub-Sahara Africa have together over 660,000 children with HIV/AIDS and over four million orphans. It is important to know what is being done to help the sufferers …

Keeping Families Together? Exploring Placement Of Children With Severe Emotional Disturbances In The Child Welfare And Juvenile Justice Systems, Angelique Day, Marya R. Sosulski

Social Work Faculty Publications

Mona, a parent of five children all diagnosed with several emotional disturbances (SED), describes the moment she made the decision to place her daughter (age 16) into the juvenile justice system:

“…her behaviors were so bad she was assaultive to her younger siblings…in order to protect them and to make sure that her medical needs were met, because she was eloping at the time. I had to take her to court, um, file charges against her…”

Mona’s name is a pseudonym, but her story is real. In this study, parents describe the circumstances preceding their decisions to voluntarily relinquish custody …

Supported Employment In Maine: Youth In Foster Care [Article], Alfred M. Sheehy Mppm, Amy Gieseke, Tamara Harden Herrick, Marty Zanghi Msw

Children, Youth, & Families

No abstract provided.

Our Opinions Matter: An Action Research Project With Parents And Children In The Canal Communities: Final Report, Noirin Hayes, Jonathan Ilan, Sinead Kelly

Reports

No abstract provided.

Protocol For Attorneys Representing Parents In Child Protective Proceedings, Frank E. Vandervort, Vivek S. Sankaran

Other Publications

This protocol is intended to guide attorneys through the strategic decisions they will need to make while representing parents in child protective cases. The protocol does not provide a comprehensive action-step checklist. Parents’ attorneys can find that kind of guidance in other resources, including the “How-To-Kit: Representing Parents in Child Protective Proceedings” by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education; “Guidelines for Achieving Permanency in Child Protection Proceedings” by Children’s Charter of the Courts of Michigan; and the American Bar Association’s “Standards of Practice for Attorneys Representing Parents in Abuse and Neglect Cases.”1 For its part, this protocol delves more substantively …

Why Children Still Need A Lawyer, Marcia Robinson Lowry, Sara Bartosz

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Every day approximately 500,000 children across the United States wake up in foster care, most in foster family homes, though many others in group homes and institutions. These children entered the state foster care system as innocent victims of abuse or neglect occurring in their birth homes. As wards of the state, they depend completely on the government to provide for their essential safety and wellbeing and to reconnect them with a permanent family, hopefully their own.

Though state child welfare agencies possess fundamental legal obligations under the United States Constitution and federal and state statutes to provide adequate care …

Troubled Children And Children In Trouble: Redefining The Role Of The Juvenile Court In The Lives Of Children, Ann Reyes Robbins

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

This Essay considers the emerging research in the area of dual-jurisdiction children, often referred to as "crossover kids "-those currently or previously involved in maltreatment proceedings who have also committed delinquent acts. Part I describes the development of the juvenile courts in the early twentieth century. Part II of this Essay questions the need to "track" children along one legal path or another and points to the pitfalls of providing services to some children through a criminal justice paradigm instead of treating all children through a social work paradigm. Finally, Part III advocates a redesign of the juvenile court- a …

Looking Ahead: The Future Of Child Welfare Law, Donald N. Duquette

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Introduction to a 2007 Symposium held to mark the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Child Advocacy Clinic.

The Multiethnic Placement Act: Threat To Foster Child Safety And Well-Being?, David J. Herring

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Despite the efforts of public officials to reduce the time children spend in foster care, many children live in foster homes for a substantial portion of their childhoods. In fact, a child placed in a foster home may remain in that home for an extended period, with a significant possibility of remaining there permanently. In light of this situation, the decision to place a child in a particular foster home is extremely important.

The federal Multiethnic Placement Act ("MEPA ") significantly affects foster care placement decisions. This law expressly prohibits public child welfare agencies from delaying or denying a child's …

Looking Ahead: A Personal Vision Of The Future Of Child Welfare Law, Donald N. Duquette

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

The participants in the Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration of the Child Advocacy Law Clinic were all challenged to envision the future of child welfare and to address these questions: What should the law and legal institutions governing children's rights and child and family welfare look like in thirty more years? What steps are necessary to achieve those goals? After setting out the historical and optimistic circumstance in which the Child Advocacy Law Clinic was founded, this Article responds to the organizing questions by presenting the author's vision of the future of child welfare law and practice. When families fail children, what …

Kidsvoice: A Multidisciplinary Approach To Child Advocacy, Scott Hollander, Jonathan Budd

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

There is growing recognition that effective child advocacy requires a broad range of knowledge that often goes well beyond the legal needs of the child. This Essay details the multidisciplinary approach to child advocacy that KidsVoice, a Pittsburgh legal services organization representing almost 5000 dependent children each year, has implemented to better develop uniquely tailored recommendations regarding which placement and services might create better possibilities of success for each child and family.

From Financial Literacy To Financial Capability Among Youth, Elizabeth Johnson, Margaret S. Sherraden

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Youth in the United States are facing an increasingly complex and perilous financial world. Economically disadvantaged youth, in particular, lack financial knowledge and access to mainstream financial institutions. Despite growing interest in youth financial literacy, we have not seen comparable efforts to improve access to financial policies and services, especially among disadvantaged youth. Instead of aiming for financial literacy, an approach widely promoted in the United States, we suggest aiming for financial capability, a concept grounded in the writing of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. Building on research in the United Kingdom, the paper proposes that financial capability results when …

College Expectations Among Young Children: The Potential Role Of Savings, William Elliott Iii, Margaret Sherrard Sherraden, Lissa Johnson, Suzanne Johnson, Signe Peterson

Center for Social Development Research

For many young people, especially minority and low-income children, attending college is a genuinely desired but elusive goal. This paper explores young children’s perceptions and expectations about attending college and potential influences on their formation. Conducted as part of a four-year study of a school-based saving for college program, this paper uses qualitative evidence from interviews with 60 children in second grade, and surveys with their parents. Findings suggest most of the young children in the study have a general understanding of college and have begun the process of choosing higher education. Further, the perception that saving is a way …

"Bad" Mothers And Spanish-Speaking Caregivers, Annette R. Appell

Nevada Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Students Who Experience Emotional Crises: How To Ensure That Learning Takes Place In The Classroom, Nancy Anderson

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Students Who Experience Emotional Crises: How to Ensure That Learning Takes Place in the Classroom The purpose of this project was to provide a resource for educators to use as a reference when a child in their classroom experiences crisis. After speaking with local teaching staff, this researcher concluded that: (a) many teachers are ill prepared to deal with students who have emotional crises, and (b) the majority of support for students comes from school psychiatrists or counselors. The crises chosen for this project were: (a) community violence, (b) separation/divorce, (c) death of a parent, (d) changing schools or moving, …