Digital Commons Network^™

Identifying Factors That Predict Policy Practice Among Social Workers, Dawn R. Broers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The social work profession has long touted a dual focus on service within micro and macro realms of practice, preparing social workers to serve marginalized populations at the boundary between the powerful and the powerless. Research, however, has shown that macro social work, or policy practice, has diminished. Current research has been inconsistent in identifying predictive factors of increased policy practice. With recent efforts by the profession to bolster waning policy practice among social workers, it is vital to identify factors that predict higher engagement. Theoretical frameworks suggest that professional socialization in policy practice as a group norm, having resources …

Canine-Assisted Therapy: The Impact Of Service Dog Partnership On Symptoms Of Ptsd In Veterans, Katherine Ankenbauer

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This literature review will seek to review and analyze the efficacy of Canine-Assisted Therapy as a complementary method for combat veterans suffering symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress .Disorder (PTSD), with a particular focus on those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and/or Operation New Dawn (ONO). In recent years, many programs, agencies and therapists have more frequently incorporated the use of service dogs into therapy for post-deployment veterans. In past decades, some studies' results were deemed inconclusive by accredited authorities due to their low level of generalizability and lack of quantitative methodology and analysis. However, …

Uk Cerh Social Work Programs: History & Employment Outlook, Jessica Williamson, Dana Hays, Melissa Slone, Frances J. Feltner

Center of Excellence in Rural Health Workforce Reports

The University of Kentucky (UK) began to offer off-campus programs to the Commonwealth in 1975 under Ronda Connaway, the second dean of the College of Social Professions (COSP)—which became the College of Social Work (COSW) in 1980 (UK COSW, 2016). Dean Connaway’s vision was to expand the program to provide advance-degreed social workers based on student, employer and community demand (College History, 2016).

Burnout In Social Work Case Managers In Urban Northeast Ohio, Daniel Claude Colegrove

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout in case managers is a social problem affecting the field of social work. This research project explored the causes and effects of burnout on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. The research study focused on how social work case workers coped with stress in urban northeastern Ohio, and how case work managers addressed burnout. The Maslach multidimensional theory on burnout was applied to gain an understanding of the causes and effects of social work case manager burnout. The qualitative research study involved interviewing 8 Ohio social work case managers working in community mental health who …

Conceptualizing The Prevention Of Human Trafficking: Survivors Perspectives, Jessica James Donohue-Dioh

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

The following study seeks to conceptualize the prevention of human trafficking from the perspective of survivors. The study design was informed through a Public Health Framework and the application of Postmodernism, Social Constructionist Theory, Ecological Perspective and Empowerment Perspective. An integrative mixed-method, participatory research design was applied, namely Concept Mapping. Data was collected over approximately two-months, and included 35 survivors of human trafficking from 4 different states. Data collected from survivors resulted in a statement set (N = 108) and a 10-Cluster Final solution depicting the ways in which survivors conceptualized prevention. Additional outputs provide insight as to survivors’ perspectives …

Increasing Employee Retention Within The Georgia Division Of Family And Children Services, Santoria Lushell Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Santoria Lushell Williams

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,

and that any and all revisions required by

the review committee have been made.

Review Committee

Dr. Hilda Shepeard, Committee Chairperson,

Public Policy and Administration Faculty

Dr. Clarence Williamson, Committee Member,

Public Policy and Administration Faculty

Dr. Anne Hacker, University Reviewer,

Public Policy and Administration Faculty

Chief Academic Officer

Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University

2018

In Fulton County, Georgia, the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) child-welfare workers …

Beyond The Tipping Point: Modifying The Five C'S To Empower Transgender And Gender Expansive Youth, Jonah De Chants, Heather Kennedy, Yolanda Anyon

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Transgender people have entered an unprecedented moment of visibility in American society and across the globe. However, transgender and gender expansive youth remain vulnerable to family rejection, harassment at school, and discrimination in healthcare and employment. Positive Youth Development (PYD) is an established framework for strengths-based practice with young people that is focused on helping youth develop the skills they need to become healthy, productive adults. In this manuscript, we reconceptualize the 5 C's of PYD to address the unique needs and experiences of transgender and gender expansive youth. We also provide specific guidance for empowering service providers to help …

Effectiveness Of Social Work Reentry Programs At Preventing Recidivism, Daniel C. Grijalva

Publications and Research

Each year in the United States, thousands of individuals are released from prisons and must reintegrate into society. Ensuring these individuals obtain adequate employment upon release is key to keeping them from returning to the penal system. This paper examines different social work programs that attempt to secure employment for ex-offenders. This paper reviews the obstacles these programs face and considers how social workers can improve the effectiveness of these programs at preventing recidivism. This paper acknowledges that some of these programs have achieved moderate success in preventing recidivism but recognizes the need to research current programs’ methodologies so that …

Identifying Problems And Solutions In Changing State Legislation Regarding Licensed Clinical Social Workers Providing Private Independent Mental Health Services, Dianna Cooper-Bolinskey

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

State regulated social work practice began in the 1960s; by the mid-1990s, all of the states within the United States regulated the profession through licensure. The purpose of licensure was ostensibly to protect the public and the profession; however, legislation defining social work practice varied vastly from state to state. The variation existed not only between states, but also within licensure categories with regard to the scope of practice of the social work profession. Licensed clinical social workers in some states could practice relatively independently, as they had the ability to diagnose, provide psychotherapy, and bill Medicaid, Medicare, and third …

Ihss My Source, Daisy Meza

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

IHSS My Source is a smartphone application intended for a field research project as well as an evaluation process with the purpose of tracking and connecting clients to community resources. As a result, it is difficult for Social Workers to follow up with all clients regarding unmet needs. Implementation method began with gathering client data. IHSS My Source, a smartphone application implemented by the Monterey County Department of Social Services, division of Aging and Adult Services, department of In Home Supportive Services to have all community resources listed in one organized and easy to access smartphone app. Expected outcomes are …

Waitzkin, Rich, Kristen Cates, Emma Donnelly

Querying the Past: LGBTQ Maine Oral History Project Collection

Rich Waitzkin is a 69-year-old social worker originally from Akron, Ohio residing in Portland, ME. Waitzkin came out as a gay man in his late twenties after moving to Maine. He holds two Masters degrees in both education and social work. Waitzkin has years of experience working both in administration and in the home health care field providing therapy to the LGBTQ community. During the AIDS epidemic, Waitzkin worked as a social worker helping to guide clients on resources and even preparing some for death. Waitzkin also helped establish Portland’s first LGBTQ community center known as the Equality Community Center. …

The Social, Economic, And Public Health Consequences Of Global Population Aging: Implications For Social Work Practice And Public Policy, Mitchell A. Kaplan, Marian M. Inguanzo

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Human populations around the world are growing older at the most astounding rate in the history of humanity. Advances in technology are enabling health care providers to deliver the latest innovations in treatment and prevention services to a broader spectrum of adult populations across the lifespan making longevity increasingly more commonplace rather than the exception to the rule in most of the industrialized world. This article provides an overview of the key social, economic, and public health costs and consequences that aging populations will exact upon international communities in the years ahead. It also examines the most significant social challenges …

Brooks, Frank, Rachel Spigel, Elizabeth Wise Horan

Querying the Past: LGBTQ Maine Oral History Project Collection

Frank Brooks is a 64 year old Social Worker and Social Work educator born and raised in Maine. He when came out as gay in 1976, he was in a heterosexual marriage and he has a son from that marriage. He was involved in an LGBT parent's group, LGBT social worker's group, volunteered for the AIDS project, worked on referenda and political campaigns, and was a board member of both the MLGPA (now Equality Maine) and the MCLU (now ACLU of Maine). His life's work has been serving the LGBTQ community through both activism and social work. …

Aiding Neocolonialism? Moroccan Ngos, International Actors, And Questions Of Autonomy In Human Rights Advocacy, Neha Patel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As development studies have challenged the traditional narrative of Western “humanitarian work” developing the Global South, concerns have been raised about the shifting roles of NGOs as they are incentivized to depoliticize and professionalize in a market dominated by foreign aid. Given the legacy of colonialism and the emergence of systems of domination such as the non-profit industrial complex, NGOs have been explored as a potential avenue of neocolonialism. Based on background research, general observations and interviews with representatives of local non-governmental organizations based in Rabat, this project examines how local organizations advocating for their communities view their relationships with …

Equine-Facilitated Therapy And Trauma: Current Knowledge, Future Needs., Marlys Staudt, Donna J. Cherry

ETSU Faculty Works

Equine-facilitated therapy (EFT) is a relatively new treatment for trauma and PTSD. EFT as well as animal assisted interventions in general have been introduced and implemented in mental health treatment for children and adults, though the research in support of these interventions has not kept up with practice. The purpose of this review is to examine the use of EFT for clients suffering from trauma/PTSD. Studies were included if PTSD/trauma was assessed and/or was measured as an outcome. A search of relevant databases resulted in nine peer-reviewed studies that met criteria. Studies are summarized and implications for future research are …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing The Efficacy Of A Brief Online Alcohol Intervention For High School Seniors, Diana M. Doumas, Susan Esp, Brian Flay, Laura Bond

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to examine the efficacy of a brief, web-based personalized feedback intervention (the eCHECKUP TO GO) on alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences among high school seniors. Method: Participants (N = 221) were high school seniors randomized by class period to either a brief, web-based personalized feedback intervention (the eCHECKUP TO GO) or an assessment-only control group. Participants completed online surveys at baseline and at a 6-week follow-up. Results: Students participating in the eCHECKUP TO GO intervention reported a significant reduction in weekly drinking quantity, peak drinking quantity, and frequency of …

The Impact Of Brief Intervention Workshops On Addiction Provider Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes Toward Evidence-Based Practices, Diana M. Doumas, Susan Esp, Raissa Miller

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study evaluated the impact of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) workshops on post-training knowledge, skills, negative attitudes, and interest in implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs). Participants (N = 70) were primarily mental health counselor (41.4%), social workers (20.0%), substance abuse counselors (15.7%), school counselors (5.7%) and nursing professionals (4.3%) who selected the one or two day workshop for continuing education credit. Participants attended either a Basic MI training workshop (one day) or a Basic MI training plus an Advanced MI/SBIRT training workshop (two day) to assess if exposure to two EBPs would improve …

A Study On Church Growth Through Social Work As A Contact Point Of Community, Young Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objectives of this study is to provide a vision for developing the churches in South Korea and to develop a method to recover the missional function of churches through non-profit organizations. Although Korean churches have achieved a remarkable growth both quantitatively and qualitatively, they have been busy maintaining their status in an immature fashion, resulting in the loss of their influence around the rapidly diversifying world. This study aims to provide a direction and an alternative for the church to recover its mission and approach to the world by studying the ministry associated with non-profit organizations. In order to …

Master Of Social Work Students' Attitudes Towards Transracial Adoptions, Luis Flores, Matthew Ford

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explored Master of Social Work students’ attitudes towards transracial adoptions (TRA). The literature suggests that when children of color are transracially adopted, they are often deprived of the opportunity to learn and express their birth culture, and to develop a strong sense of self. The researchers decided to survey this population because MSW students are future foster and adoptive professionals. As such, they will have the opportunity to directly influence macro policies around TRA and adoptive families in micro practice. The researchers utilized a quantitative self-administered survey, with thirty-three questions to ascertain the attitudes of a diverse pool …

Contributing Factors To Burnout Development In The Mental Health Field: A Systematic Review, Ashley D. Newman

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

A significant amount of previous research has addressed burnout among mental health professionals who work with individuals with severe and persistent mental disorders. Multiple issues can contribute to burnout including organizational factors, severity of client diagnosis, and low quality supervision (Lasalvia et al., 2009, Ballenger-Browning et al., 2011, Kozlawska, Nunn, & Cousens, 1997). The purpose of this study is to identify the most critical elements of burnout among public mental health professionals. This study is a systematic review, using 10 key articles, of existing literature on elements of burnout and contributing factors to developing burnout in public mental health professionals. …

Book Review: Christie, A., Featherstone, B., Quinn, S., & Walsh, T. (Eds.). (2015). Social Work In Ireland: Changes And Continuities. London: Palgrave Publishing., Colm O'Doherty

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

No abstract provided.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration To Ensure The Well-Being Of Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students With Complex Needs, Deb S. Guthmann Ed.D, Kim Mathos D.O., M.P.H.,, Jessica Richter M.S.

JADARA

Compared to their hearing counterparts, students who are deaf or hard of hearing face unique challenges as they transition from high school to post high school activities. Students who have co-occurring physical, behavioral health, intellectual or autism related challenges may be at higher risk of destabilization in placement or service access when they are no longer eligible for special education services. In this exploratory study, we aim to begin to quantify how transition coordinators and schools that serve deaf or hard of hearing students collaborate with behavioral health care providers, social service, or developmental disability providers when children they serve …

Telemental Health Services As A Targeted Intervention For Individuals Who Are Deaf And Hard Of Hearing, Teresa Crowe

JADARA

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals who have chronic mental illness are a population that is underserved. Like their hearing counterparts with mental illness, individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing often face medical and treatment disparities. The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of telemental health (TMH) services, or services provided via videoconferencing technology, as a targeted intervention that may provide relief to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals with mental health problems. This paper addresses several areas that are important when considering service provision to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, including a working …

Letter From The Editor

JADARA

A note from your new Senior Editor, Caroline M. Kobek Pezzarossi, Ph.D and Denise Thew Hackett, Ph.D., MSCI, CRC.

A Systems Approach To Revenue Fluctuation In Nonprofit Human Service Organizations, Joshua James Hunter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nonprofit Human Services Organizations (NPO) are normally considered to do all they can to work toward providing clients with optimal services (Bowman, 2011). What has not been considered is the possibility that NPOs sometimes allocate more revenue toward accumulating profit than toward generating services. This study used IRS 990 Forms of 150 private nonprofits from 2009 to 2010 to investigate whether NPOs did this at the peak of the recent recession, a time when there was a strong need for NPOs to increase their level of services. Results showed revenue increased 56%, services increased 1.4%, profit increased 43%, operating margin …

Invest In Your Librarians: An Open Thesis To Nypl President Tony Marx, Wilfredo Rivera-Scotti

Publications and Research

An exploration of the resources required to address the issues New York City public libraries – particularly those in underserved, low-income communities – face in dealing with patrons afflicted by homelessness, mental illness and addictions.

Using a New York Public Library branch in the Bronx as a case study, there will be ample evidence indicating a lack of resources for both employees and patrons alike.

Guide To Ms637 Amelia Mendez Castillo Papers, Andres Lucero

Finding Aids

Born in 1934, Amelia (Amy) Mendez Castillo was a social worker in El Paso. Her papers date 1964 – 2009, bulk 1970s – 1990s. Types of records include publications, correspondence, reports, photographs, and notes. The papers help document Castillo’s activities as a social worker.

Age Of Language Acquisition And Prevalence Of Suicidal Behavior In A Deaf Population With Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder, Jared A. Embree, Nicole R. Kinzeler, Susan Fraker, Sandra Castle, Josephine F. Wilson

JADARA

If language is delayed through developmental milestones in childhood, individuals may have less access to the resiliency tools necessary to build social support and positive social identity. Suicide attempts may represent a maladaptive form of communication stemming from delayed ability to express unmet emotional needs. To evaluate the relationship between age of language acquisition and suicidality, analysis was conducted on self-reported data from prelingual deaf adults in substance use disorder treatment. Suicidal ideation was reported by 50.5% of consumers, and lifetime suicide attempts were reported by 42.1%. Individuals with significantly delayed language acquisition presented with the highest rates (61.1%) of …

Vinyl, Brian Kelly

Social Work: School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Other Works

Brian Kelly talks about Vinyl in Social Work in 42 Objects.

Classism In The Therapeutic Alliance : Implications For Clinical Social Work Practice, Taylor Millard

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study was an exploration of the impact of classism in the therapeutic alliance, specifically from a power, privilege, and oppression framework, and with attention to participants’ salient intersecting identities. Twelve clinicians, who identified with working class backgrounds and who had engaged in therapy as both clinicians and clients, engaged in semistructured qualitative interviews. The findings indicated that classism was salient to participants’ intersectional subjectivities and to their experiences in the field. Significantly, participants all named experiences in which a systemic lack of attention to classism and/or social class identities led them to feel alienated and silenced as students, …