Digital Commons Network^™

Developing Information On Mental Health And Counseling Services, Katherine Bustamante

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

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

Implementation Of The Drug Medi Cal Organized Delivery System In An Outpatient Sud Rehabilitation Agency, Casie Greene

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

A new funding strategy called the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) has been implemented in Santa Cruz County in efforts to combat the rising Substance Use Disorder (SUD) epidemic in the community. This system increases access to treatment services in hopes of decreasing the harmful effects of substance abuse in communities. The program aids in efforts to reduce barriers accessing care and show the people in the community the importance of and whole person care. This capstone project consisted of the implementation process of a system evaluation aligned with DMC-ODS at Sobriety Works, using data collection and analysis to …

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

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

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

Fine Arts Building Relationship Between Advocates And Youth In Casa Of Monterey, Lizbeth Cruz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Monterey County is a non-profit organization that provides services to foster children. Many of the children may feel alone and isolated due to being in the foster care system. CASA advocates are required to spend time and do activities with the child. Art classes and activities for advocates and youth were implemented to increase the support the youth needs once entering the foster care system. The project's purpose is to have foster youth know that they are not alone and that both the advocates and the agency are there to support them. The effectiveness …

Time, Space, And Reality, Hugo Patao

Graduate School of Art Theses

I am a mixed media artist working primarily within painting. I make layered, photo-based works that come from dreams and my own photographic archives. At the moment I am making oil paintings on board. What interests me the most is the nature of reality, including perception, memory, time, and dreams. I create environments that I like to call my own mindscapes; imagined places that have the potential to become real. I am engaged in creating worlds that are “in-between” reality and the imagined, dreams and waking life, conscious and unconscious.

My work engages and expands within the tradition of Western …

Ethnic Identity Development, Maria Gutierrez Chavez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Ethnic identity, or the set of self-ideas one has about one’s own ethnic group membership, is not seen as an area of development in K-12 classrooms, therefore, the researcher set to uncover benefits of aiding this development. Participants for the Capstone Project included 25 fifth-grade students in a public elementary classroom located on California’s Central Coast. The researcher found evidence suggesting students’ self-esteem is related to one’s ethnic backgrounds, as well as finding that students really enjoy learning about their own cultures and identities. The researcher believes this research is imperative in relation to her own personal career goals as …

Improving A Sense Of Belonging In Elementary Schools, Jordan Bandong

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project helps identify the issues that students can have when feeling isolated in the classroom. The participants for the Capstone Project included 32 third-grade students in a public elementary school located on California’s Southern Coast. This project identified the effects on students in the classroom when they feel isolated or not included. The project gave the students the opportunity to choose where they wanted to spend lunch and recess time in order to prevent them from feeling isolated in certain settings outside the classroom. The project also helped students share personal experiences with their peers in order to …

Napoleon Ricardo Miranda's Mexican American Diaspora, Napoleon Miranda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This a Senior Project on Mexican American Diaspora.

Technology In Education, Hannah Greenelsh

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper will examine how technology is useful in education and should be integrated into curriculum. The participants for the Capstone Project included 23 fifth-grade students in a public middle school on the Central Coast of California. This project focused on using a web-based art program called Canva to create infographics based on students’ knowledge and study of Ancient Egypt. The students also commented on their peers’ work on a blog page the researcher created. The researcher found that students had difficulty using a new application. They were also less creative than the researcher expected, which could be due to …

Multicultural Education Implemented In Elementary Schools, Angelica Villegas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

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

Diaspora: Bay Area Edition, Alexander Zarate

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The diaspora in the Bay Area and it's effect on the past, present, and future.

Analysis Of Social Services Available To Seniors In Monterey County, Marijeanne Santina

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

As America’s geriatric population increases due to the Baby Boomer generation getting older, it is crucial for sociologists to investigate the current social services available to the aging population. Increasing longevity of older adults means focusing promoting health, wellbeing and independence through different services and promoting a positive perspective of seniors by general society. The focus of this research is to examine the current geriatric resources available to seniors in Monterey County. My research question is: “To what extent are the current social services available to seniors fulfilling the needs of the community?” I would like to assess the current …

Implementing Social Activism Into An Elementary Classroom, Chelsea Riotutar

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Social Activism is a key aspect to educating and being educated. For this Capstone, the researcher discusses on the outcomes to implementing a social activism curriculum into an elementary classroom. The participants for the Capstone Project included fifth-grade students in a public elementary school located in a small agricultural city. Through a literature review and detailed lesson plan, the researcher has further discussed and described implementations through multiple subjects which serve and acknowledge all students in the classroom. As a result, the researcher has found a need for a social activism curriculum in this problem-solving elementary school. With an arrangement …

Racial Theory In Sports, Connor Caspersen

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This research paper examines several scholarly sources related to race and sport. This paper dives into the topic of sports in the African Diaspora and how star "black athletes" have used their podium to express social injustice. This paper will also explain how these athletes are helping better their communities. The paper will also explore the challenge athletes of color face against global white supremacy and Western sports media.

The Migrant Times, Jessenya Guerra

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone newspaper shows how the Mexican diaspora has become integrated into American culture.

Stranger In A Foreign Land, Yasmin Mays

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Three creative non-fiction pieces detailing a character's journey from the home land Philadelphia to another Lynwood California, and all the other foreign places he visits, mainly the Philippines.

Increasing Growth Mindsets In Rural Adolescents, Jessica Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Individuals who have fixed mindsets may be pessimistic, lack self-esteem, and have a poor self-image because they believe that their abilities are fixed and cannot be changed. Many adolescents who grow up in small, rural, isolated areas may develop a fixed mindset because of few opportunities in their immediate environment and little change or progress evident in their communities. In order to address the potential development of fixed mindsets, I created a two-day lesson on cultivating growth versus fixed mindsets for high school juniors at Needles High School in Needles, California.

"Name Her Reiko!": The Ikemiya Diaspora, Morgan Ikemiya

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This creative-nonfiction project encapsulates a Japanese family diaspora to America beginning in the late 1880s. Through short stories, poems, and monologues, the author expresses familial struggles such as living in a foreign land and being Japanese in White America. The author reflects on her grandparents' time in the Japanese internment camps where they faced hardship and hegemonic oppression as well as her father's experience of growing up Japanese-American in Los Angeles. The stories weave together history, hardship, and race to create a unique diaspora story.

Her Heart Is At Home: A Journey Into Three Generations Of Diaspora, Meghan Weston

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project discusses the concept of diaspora through a series of poems and analytical essays. The writing included in this project covers three generations of diaspora and includes discussions of White Guilt, White Passing, identity confusion, language barriers, and ethnic generation gaps.

Increasing Adolescent Girls’ Awareness Of Intimate Partner Violence, Kacie Cox

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Most girls often enter into their first romantic relationship during adolescence. Unfortunately, research indicates that some of these girls fall victim to abuse and violence from their romantic partners, known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). There is often little to no discussion regarding IPV until something serious occurs. To address this lack of awareness, I created a 2-session program for teenaged Girl Scouts from Central California Coast troops about what IPV is, why it happens, and how to prevent it.

Teaching 4th Grade Students About Nutrition, Raquel Gaytan

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Most children do not know how to make healthy food choices and understand why they have to have a good nutrition. It is important for children to know why having a good nutrition is important for their bodies and health. Without good understanding of nutrition, children are not able to care for their health. To address the children's’ lack of knowledge, I created a 3-day lesson on nutrition and delivered it to a 4th grade classroom in Del Rey Elementary in King City, California.

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

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

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

How To Decrease Bullying Among Elementary School Students?, Baltazar Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Students in primary education may experience bullying and not know how to identify and prevent it. According to Stopbullying.gov, “Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance” (“What Is Bullying?“n.d). To address this, I will create a presentation to inform students about bullying, identifying bullying, and the different types of bullying that might be occurring in public schools for fifth grade students at Sacred Heart School in Salinas, California. I will follow up three days after the initial presentation to assess the students learning.

Educating Children On The Benefits Of Physical Activity, Nancy Recinos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The increased use of technology has lead to a decrease in physical activity engagement by elementary aged children, and children are often unaware of how a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of childhood diseases and illnesses, such as obesity and diabetes. In order to increase understanding about the importance of physical activity, I designed a two-day curriculum on the benefits of physical activity and presented it to a class of third grade students at Natividad Elementary School in Salinas, California.

Applying Parental Involvement In Early Literacy, Luis Moya

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Early literacy for young children has been linked with academic achievement, reduced grade retention, higher graduation rates, and enhanced productivity in adult life (Monterey County First 5, 2016). Parents may not always know how to engage in literacy development strategies or how they can participate in literacy exposure. Bringing awareness about early literacy parents is a key component to enhancing young children’s development. To address this need,my project will consist of providing an informative presentation about the importance of early literacy with families who attend the Library and Read, Grow, Play program for families with children 0 to 5 at …

Stressful Music: A Look Into The Challenges Of Life As A Career Musician, Andrew Derek Heinzman

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper will discuss various aspects of life as a career musician and the challenges faced while working in this field. It will refer to different levels of fame and how certain challenges are present within those levels. Oftentimes the general public is not aware of the degree to which musicians face stress from their line of work. Conflict with bandmates, record labels, and sometimes the public often compound other issues musicians are already dealing with. The pressures of touring and low income can be emotionally draining for many. On top of all that, there is a culture of partying …

Increasing Awareness Of Legal Services And Tenant Rights In Watsonville, Ana Laura Partida Lopez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

California Rural Legal Assistance is a non-profit that works with marginalized communities such as people who are of low income, farm workers, and those with disabilities, school children, seniors, and those are a part of the LGBT community. Marginalized people most often get taken advantage of and are afraid to ask for help. The housing crisis in the Santa Cruz County has led many to endure harsh living conditions despite this; CRLA has a stagnant rate of people going into the office for consultations. The outreach project was about conducting a survey in the community to find out how aware …

Promoting Social And Emotional Competency In Toddlers, Giana Hamilton

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The lack of social and emotional competence in preschoolers needs to be emphasized and more structured in the classroom, as they are not prepared to handle kindergarten readiness within this development. This project will consist of teaching preschoolers emotional and social competence by means of activities that focus on promoting emotion recognition and social supportive skills with their peers. This lesson plan will take place over a 2-days at the Child Care Center located at California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA.

Integrating Art Into A Math Curriculum, Jessica Jeronimo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many schools follow a specific curriculum to teach state standards and expect students to grasp all information taught in a traditional manner. Art integration is an approach of teaching students and providing subject matter content (e.g., math) demonstrating through an art form. Given the range of how children learn, art may be a method of teaching content that is more motivational than a traditional approach. To address this, I will be conducting a 2-day curriculum teaching math while using art integration to a first-grade class at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Seaside, California.

Disability Awareness In Young Children, Guadalupe Y. Espinoza

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Young children who attend schools nowadays are likely exposed to many more types of diversity ranging from race, ethnicity, religion, and social class to name a few in comparison to the past. One area of diversity in specific is the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, and because children are so young in age, they may not be aware of disabilities or even identify when a peer or a surrounding adult has a disability. In schools the idea of raising disability awareness to an extent where students not only understand but recognize disabilities, perhaps, is one of the most challenging aspects …