Digital Commons Network^™

Addressing Mental Health And Homelessness In The Lower Valley, Viere Arellano-Almazan

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: To reduce homelessness in the Lower Yakima Valley by implementing early intervention and culturally responsive mental health prevention strategies that enhance access to care, reduce stigma, and strengthen community resilience. Significant Findings: The Lower Yakima Valley faces significant challenges in addressing the intersection of mental health and homelessness due to limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care. Research indicates that rural residents particularly Hispanic immigrant and farmworker populations experience elevated levels of psychological distress, stigma, and barriers to accessing services (Armstrong et al., 2022). Applying the Social-Ecological Model has illuminated how multiple interconnected factors influence vulnerability, including …

From Exclusion To Inclusion: Employment As A Mental Health And Public Health Priority In Charlotte, Nc, Rozelle K. Gipson

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this Social Change Portfolio is to identify prevention-focused strategies that reduce unemployment among neurodivergent individuals with Autism, ADHD, and intellectual developmental delays by promoting inclusive hiring practices, creating access to vocational training and workplace accommodations, encouraging employers to adopt neuro-affirming practices, and equipping counselors to support clients in navigating employment challenges and advocating for workplace inclusion. Significant Findings: In Charlotte, North Carolina, many neurodivergent people, including those with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disabilities, continue to face major challenges finding and keeping steady jobs. Across the country, about 85 percent of autistic adults are unemployed, one …

Supporting Youth Through Violence And Loss, Tiara Bolden

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this prevention portfolio is to strengthen protective factors for adolescents in Richmond, Virginia, who have experienced violence or loss. The focus is on reducing emotional distress, strengthening resilience, and promoting healthy development among youth who have been affected by community trauma. Significant Findings: Youth in Richmond are disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and exposure to loss, which contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. The City of Richmond Community Health Needs Assessment (2022) found that nearly 29% of youth live in poverty, while the Virginia Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2023) reported that …

Preventing Fentanyl Overdose Deaths In Akron, Ohio: A Community-Based Social Change Initiative, Cecil Mcnulty

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal for this Social Change Portfolio is to reduce the alarming number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Akron, Ohio, through prevention, education, and strengthened community support systems. Significant Findings: This paper examines the high rate of fentanyl overdoses in Akron, Ohio, and how communities are deeply impacted by the opioid crisis, with fentanyl-related overdoses emerging as the leading cause of preventable death. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin and morphine, has skyrocketed overdose fatalities both nationally and locally, with Summit County reporting overdose rates higher than national averages (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). …

Veteran Suicide Prevention In Central Florida, Michael Terkos

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this project is to reduce suicide rates among veterans in Central Florida by strengthening protective factors, increasing access to culturally competent, trauma- informed care, and fostering community-based resilience networks that connect veterans, families, and local agencies. Significant Findings: Veteran suicide remains a critical public health concern in Florida, which continues to rank among the states with the highest veteran suicide rates (Florida Department of Health, 2025). Research indicates that approximately 17 veterans die by suicide each day nationwide (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2022). Key risk factors include post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, …

Tutoring Online During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Use Of Critical Incidents To Improve Practice, A.E. Dreyfuss, Jose Armando Sanchez Diaz, Barakat Adigun, Helen Baraki, Thalyia Thompson

Publications and Research

Developing expertise in the practice of online tutoring is presented by peer tutors who provided support to students with synchronous sessions with the onset of COVID-19. The experiences and learning of peer tutors were probed through the use of critical incidents (Flanagan, 1954), and how weekly training meetings provided support to them, creating a collaboration among the tutors and the training manager.

Multilateral Organizations And Health Emergency Management During Crisis: The Case Study Of The World Health Organization During Covid-19 Pandemic, Aya Helmy Hamada

Theses and Dissertations

Multilateral organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), play a key role in managing health emergencies during crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO achieved significant progress by supporting countries with technical assistance, guidelines, and essential resources. As well as providing technical guidance, sharing information, and coordinating among member states. This experience highlighted the importance of WHO in tackling global public health problems and showed how multilateral collaboration can help address complex challenges. Moreover, risk and crisis communication proved to be a critical part of WHO’s response, ensuring that clear and timely information reached the public and stakeholders. Despite these …

Attribution As Architecture In The Digital Age, Laura A. Heymann

Faculty Publications

As technology changes, one thing remains constant: human creators seem to care about attribution, whether as creators or as audience members. Current U.S. law lacks the means for many creators to effectively address attributional interests, and experience has shown that top-down, imposed technological solutions can fail to gain the necessary buy-in and adoption. The best approach, examples suggest, is for platforms to think of attribution as part of the architecture of their systems, but to take their cues from user-developed, individualized solutions, which will not only be more responsive to user interests but also allow adaptation as interests change and …

The Importance Of Self-Care To Avoid Teacher Burnout, Lindsey Brittain

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Schools across the world are facing the increasingly significant issue of teacher burnout and the ability to retain good teachers. The problem is teachers are experiencing heightened levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and a lack of motivation in the classroom. Not only is this detrimental to their well-being but it also affects their students. Research has shown that self-care practices can help prevent burnout, but many teachers find it hard to implement these consistently for various reasons. This study aimed to find out how teachers experience burnout and the self-care practices they use to manage stress by using a mixed-methods …

Attachment Styles Connection To Teacher Burnout, Erica Jaeschke

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Teacher burnout has become a concern, as teachers are leaving the classroom more frequently than in the past. A teacher's attachment may be associated with the development and persistence of teacher burnout. The problem with this topic is that teachers are leaving the classroom at alarming rates, which is problematic because schools will not have the support they need to educate future generations. This study aims to determine whether teacher burnouts are associated with specific attachment theories. A quantitative method was employed through voluntary survey questions, and 18 teachers participated.

Impact Of Brain Breaks On Student Engagement In An Elementary Classroom, Kailey Hunt

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This capstone research project examines the relationship between scheduled brain breaks and student engagement in a third-grade classroom in Bondurant, Iowa. Since the return to in-person learning, classrooms have experienced notable declines in student engagement and motivation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether incorporating structured brain breaks could provide students with opportunities to reset and reengage during instructional time. Using daily field notes and weekly student surveys, the researcher implemented two brain breaks per day, four days a week, over a four-week period, with 22 students. Findings indicate that short, structured breaks positively influenced student engagement, and …

The Impact Of Play-Based Learning On Preschool Engagement And Goal Progress, Jennifer Martin

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This capstone research project explored the impact of play-based learning on preschool student engagement and progress toward individualized learning goals. Data points were collected using both quantitative and qualitative methods, including observational charts and anecdotal notes. Findings indicated that structured play opportunities increased peer interaction, persistence, and sustained engagement for students’ who initially demonstrated low participation with activities and with peers. The results suggest that intentional play-based learning environments provide natural opportunities for children to make measurable progress toward their developmental goals. Implications for practice, limitations of the study, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Cooperative Learning And The Impact On Student Engagement, Erin Pint

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Cooperative learning is an essential instructional approach that supports student engagement. There is limited implementation of this learning method in the classroom which leads to students lacking motivation and opportunities to collaborate with their peers. Research has shown that when teachers incorporate cooperative learning experiences, students demonstrate increased participation which leads to deeper understanding of the content. This inquiry-based research study aims to determine whether cooperative learning can improve student engagement. The study utilized a qualitative approach, using both student and educator surveys as well as field notes. Findings revealed that most students prefer learning alongside at least one peer …

Improving The Use Of Evidence To Support Historical Arguments In A Secondary Classroom, Dylan Vandyke

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The study of history is too often relegated to the basic skills of memorization and summarization. Teaching students history, however, should not be just memorization. Research has shown that the ability of students to take multiple perspectives, analyze cause and effect, and make well-reasons assertions is much more valuable than basic memorization. Tying all these skills together is the concept of being able to present an argument with specific supporting evidence that helps to prove the point. Many freshmen in entry-level high school history courses struggle to use this skill well. This inquiry-based research study aims to help understand why …

Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma Of Liver In A Child : A Case Report, Neha Devendra Bhongale, Sumeet Baheti, Poonam Wade, Omkar Khandkar, Meenakshi Balasbramanian

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of liver (UESL) is a rare malignancy of liver originating from primary mesenchymal tissue with overall poor prognosis. Around 220 pediatric cases of UESL have been reported in the literature. The lack of characteristic clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging studies pose a diagnostic challenge and the preoperative misdiagnosis rate is high. Historically, treatment was limited to surgical resection with poor survival rate. In recent times, combination of chemotherapy and surgical resection has improved survival.

Case Presentation: We report a case of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of liver in a 6 years old boy who presented …

Oer Financial Literacy Curriculum For Mathematics Educators And Georgia’S New Mandates, Marnie Phipps, Patty Condict, John Bragelman

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

In 2022, Georgia agencies added new financial literacy requirements for both high school students and teacher qualifications to enhance financial literacy across the state. In response, a group of faculty members in an education preparation program acquired funding and developed a financial literacy curriculum for secondary preservice teachers. The OER curriculum was implemented in a senior-level capstone course. This manuscript presents a pilot study of the curriculum, including data collection and analysis for the project.

Aadej Comm 11 3 2025

AADEJ - The Communicator

The Communicator is the Journal of the American Association of Dental Editors. It is published quarterly and distributed digitally via email to members and posted on the Association’s website aadej.org. This issue of The Communicator features articles focused on organizational strategy, publishing ethics, and critical issues in the profession. The Editor-in-Chief announces his intention to step down, reflecting on the organization's history. The President advocates for shifting the organizational focus from individual benefits to collective sustainability ("What’s in it for us?"). Organizational updates include the restructuring of the Publication Membership to allow three voting members for the same fee and …

The Public Health Cost Of Online Behavioral Targeting, Arthi Annadurai

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

Behavioral targeting is an increasingly popular marketing technique that utilizes users’ online activity to personalize advertisements aimed at consumers. However, since personalized advertisements aim to influence individual consumers, behavioral targeting can negatively impact vulnerable users. For instance, it may reinforce harmful behaviors—like showing alcohol advertisements to individuals with alcohol dependency—or worsen mental health struggles, such as prolonging grief by continuing to serve parenting advertisements to those mourning the loss of a child. These practices can perpetuate harmful behaviors, such as relapse or heightened psychological distress, and contribute to long-term health problems, such as addiction or other mental health problems, creating …

Dignity And Deepfakes, Michael Goodyear

Articles & Chapters

Today, we face a dangerous technosocial combination: AI-generated deepfakes and the Internet. Believable and accessible, these deepfakes have already spread sex, lies, and false advertisements across the Internet and targeted everyone from Taylor Swift to middle school students. Dissemination of deepfakes inflicts multifarious dignitary harms against their victims—especially women and LGBTQ+ persons—stripping them of control over their own identities, harming their reputations, and ostracizing them from society through shame.

Yet this is not the first time a new technology for capturing one’s likeness and a method for disseminating images threatened individuals’ dignity. In the late nineteenth century, the right of …

Chemistry And Biochemistry Affiliated Publications: Snapshot Of The Research Publications 2019-2024., Jeremy J. Smith, Lutishoor Salisbury

University Libraries Faculty Publications and Presentations

This report highlights the chemistry and biochemistry faculty publications for the period 2019-2024. It includes tables identifying the types of publications, the characteristics of the authors, inter-departmental and external cooperation, summary of the citations of the publications, and the JCR ranking of the journals in which they published.

Syllabus: Ssw Field Instruction 3, Katrina Hannan

Open Educational Resources

Designed to integrate social work knowledge, skills, and values, these courses utilize ecosystems and strengths perspectives alongside a cultural competence model to develop foundational practice competencies for entry-level social work practice. As core elements of the educational program, they bridge academic learning with practical application, enabling students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. The practicum experience emphasizes strategies for engaging with diverse populations, advocating for human rights, and promoting social and economic justice. This hands-on experience fosters the development of practice skills that enhance social well-being and prepare students for effective, ethical social work across micro, mezzo, and macro …

Comparison Of Combined Pulsed Dye Laser And Intralesional Triamcinolone Versus Intralesional Triamcinolone Alone In Treatment Of Keloid, Marwa Ali, Husam Salman, Ghassan Abdulqahar

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

ackgroundKeloids are benign dermal fibroproliferative growths causing cosmetic disfigurement and physical disability. Various treatments exist, but no gold standard has been established.ObjectivesTo compare the effectiveness of pulsed dye laser combined with intralesional triamcinolone versus Intralesional triamcinolone alone in keloid treatment.Patients and MethodThis interventional, prospective study was conducted at Dermatology and Venereology center, Medical City Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from August 2021 to September 2022. Twenty-five patients participated. Ten patients had two keloid scars: one received pulsed dye laser with intralesional triamcinolone (Group A) and the other received only intralesional triamcinolone (Group B). The remaining fifteen patients had a single lesion divided …

Violence Of Husbands Against Reproductive Age Wives During Covid-19 Pandemic, Zainab Aljoori, Mushtaq Hashim

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in domestic violence, affecting women's physical and mental health through direct and indirect means. A history of violence can increase the risk of various diseases, and severe abuse can persist even after the violence ceases.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey that included 500 women calculated according to Roasoft calculator based on previously published Iraqi studies , it was convenience sampling and was conducted between June and September among 15-49 year old Iraqi women, recruited via social media platforms, and completed until a sample size of 500 forms was collected.ResultsThe study found that psychological violence …

Alicia Alonso’S Giselle: A Cuban Dancer’S Journey Into Romantic Ballet And Modern Dramaturgy | La Giselle Di Alicia Alonso: Il Viaggio Di Una Ballerina Cubana Nel Balletto Romantico E Nella Drammaturgia Moderna, Lester Tomé

Dance: Faculty Books

This article examines the trajectory of Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso as both performer and restager of Giselle. After offering a historical overview of Romantic ballet in nineteenth-century Cuba, the study traces Alonso’s transformation into one of the most acclaimed figures in the performance history of Giselle. The text considers her interpretation of the eponymous role in the United States, Cuba and beyond, beginning with her 1943 debut as Giselle with Ballet Theatre in New York, and highlights the interplay between her performances and stagings of the piece. It charts the evolution of Alonso’s productions of Giselle from the first time …

Colaborate: A Mixed-Methods Approach To Enabling Inclusive Dialogue Of Emotional Regulation Resources For Young Autistic Children, Sarai E. Deese

Senior Theses

Emotion regulation (ER) is a critical developmental milestone and is often delayed or more difficult for autistic children. Publicly available resources for birth-5-year-olds with autism could benefit significantly by integrating the values of and information provided by autistic adults. However, existing resources may have poor accessibility, acceptability, and feasibility according to different groups within the autism community, creating a significant gap in effective support. This mixed-methods study investigated ER experiences, resource knowledge, and resource desire among autistic adults (N=4; Stage 1) and caregivers of young autistic children (N=4; Stage 2) to inform the development of acceptable ER supports. In Stage …

The Behavior Assessment System For Children Third Edition (Basc-3)’S Classification Accuracy For Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) In College Students, Angela Lucas, Luis E. Aguerrevere, Nina Harness

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that frequently persists symptoms into adolescence and adulthood. Diagnosing ADHD in college-aged individuals poses a challenge due to the lack of consistent strategies among clinicians for effectively evaluating adult ADHD. The purpose of this study was to determine the classification accuracy of the Behavior Assessment System for Children (Third Ed.; BASC-3) Inattention/Hyperactivity composite t-score in predicting the diagnosis of ADHD among college students. Results indicated that the BASC-3 Inattention/Hyperactivity composite demonstrated predictive power, high specificity (94%) and moderate-to-high sensitivity (70%), supporting its utility as a predictor of ADHD. Further analysis was conducted …

Assessing Cognitive Abilities In Students With Hearing Loss And Specific Learning Disabilities, Pooja Gupta, Corinna V. Cole, William H. Blackwell

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

This literature review synthesizes approximately 30 years of research on students from kindergarten through 12th grade with hearing impairments who are suspected of having a specific learning disability (SLD). Assessing SLDs in these students presents significant challenges, particularly when evaluating cognitive abilities using the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of intelligence. This theory encompasses seven broad cognitive domains that influence academic success in reading, mathematics, and writing, including crystallized intelligence, fluid and sequential reasoning, long-term and short-term memory, visual processing, auditory processing, and processing speed. Since auditory processing is inherently affected in students with hearing impairments, this review excludes it from discussion. …

Toward A Nuanced Understanding Of Health And Human Services Students' Perceptions Of Autism, Leslie A. Meskin, Annemarie Connor, Sarah Fabrizi, Ann Tilman, Joanna Salapska-Gelleri, Noelle Balsamo

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Continually increasing rates of autism necessitate research-informed preparation of pre-service professionals who will work with this population. This mixed-method study examined health and human services students’ autism knowledge, bias, and interaction to inform training and education needs. Results extend the extant literature suggesting autism knowledge and interaction are necessary but insufficient in mitigating bias. Specifically, the nature of prior interaction, positive or negative, shapes both bias and proclivity for additional interaction. Lastly, self-reflection was identified as a latent and potentially impactful factor in shaping a more nuanced and less biased understanding of autism. Recommendations for education and research are discussed.

Digital Learning And Healing: Impacts Of Ai In Art Therapy, Cassandra E. Buffington-Bates

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Art therapy, a creative approach to mental and emotional healing, is evolving with digital technologies to improve accessibility and care. This paper explores how artificial intelligence (AI) enhances art therapy by fostering emotional intelligence, collaboration, and personalized interventions. It highlights AI’s potential to support therapy while addressing challenges like empathy, data privacy, and training gaps. Through a literature review, the study offers insights into integrating AI with human-centered practices, providing innovative solutions for emotional and cognitive well-being.

Supporting Discharge Preparation For Children With Medical Complexity: A Scoping Review, Emily Moore, Mia Waldron, Darlene Acorda, Cara Gallegos, Barbie Giambra, Stacee M. Lerret, Christine R. Platt, Danielle A. Sarik, Zara Sajwani-Merchant, Nesibe Sumeyye Kutahyalioglu, Pamela Gampetro, Susan Groshong, Marianne Weiss, Teri L. Hernandez, Sandra Staveski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The transition from hospital to home is a critical period for children with medical complexity (CMC) and their caregivers, often associated with increased risks and stress. Both registered nurses and advanced practice nurses play a pivotal role in facilitating this transition through discharge preparation, including planning, coordination, and teaching. However, best practices for optimizing discharge processes for CMC remain unclear. The need for a comprehensive understanding of hospital discharge during this crucial time is apparent as adverse events following discharge are common and are often attributed to insufficient preparation and communication. This scoping review aims to identify key nursing …