Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Racial And Ethnic Diversity In Undergraduate Social Work Programs: How Are Programs In Rural Areas Faring?, David L. Beimers Ph.D., Brian Warner Msw, Paul Force-Emery Mackie Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Social work programs have a long-standing commitment to recruiting and educating racially and ethnically diverse students. However, some programs in rural areas have greater difficulty meeting this commitment. This study examined racial and ethnic diversity within baccalaureate social work (BSW) programs, focusing primarily on student enrollment, faculty, perceptions of diversity, and interventions to attract students. Program directors of BSW programs from 10 Midwestern states were surveyed. Forty-two programs responded. The results indicate that as a whole, social work programs differ in their levels of racial and ethnic diversity. However, BSW programs in rural areas tend to have fewer students and …

Rural Social Workers’ Perceptions Of Training Needs For Working With Lgbtq-Identified Youth In The Foster Care System, Jean Toner Msw, Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

The article reports on findings from an exploratory qualitative study with rural child welfare professionals concerning their perceptions of services and training needs for working effectively with LGBTQ-identified youth in rural out-of-home care. The study employed focus group methodology with workers from one region of a Midwestern state. Emergent themes corroborated extant research findings, and the three types were (a) an analysis of the current reality of knowledge, services, and training; (b) specific challenges to expanding and/or improving training for rural workers; and (c) recommendations for improving services and climate for LGBTQ-identified youth in rural areas. Implications for rural social …

Stigma Of Help-Seeking Behavior Following The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Chris R. Locke, Danilea Werner

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

In 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused multiple complications for the environment and people living in the rural regions of coastal Alabama. This study seeks to better understand the role of stigma related to help-seeking behavior of those living in the rural communities. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted one year after the oil spill with 21 mental health professionals and staff focused primarily in Gulf Shores and Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Participants described their interactions with clients needing a wide range of services after the disaster. Constant comparative analyses of the qualitative data yielded …

Cultural Practice Considerations: The Coming Out Process For Mexican-Americans Along The Rural Mexico-Us Border, Dalton Connally Lisw, Rose Wedemeyer Lpc, Scott J. Smith Oakland University

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

As the nation’s Latino and Mexican-American population continues to rise, social workers must consider the unique experiences of these groups. The decision to reveal a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity is often difficult and painful. This decision can be compounded for Mexican-American individuals as Latino heterosexual attitudes about sexuality continue to act as a barrier for Mexican-American LGB individuals and their families who live along the rural Mexico-United States (US) border. This article reviews the implications of lesbian, gay, or bisexual disclosure within Mexican-American families residing in rural communities along the Mexico-US border. The authors review the traditional Mexican-American …

Improving The Mental Health Functioning Of Youth In Rural Communities, Matthew A. Moore Msw, Ph.D., Betty A. Walton Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Disparities in mental health outcomes for youth are often found between rural and urban areas. As part of an overarching question about under what circumstances and for whom, the wraparound process is beneficial (Suter & Bruns, 2009), this study specifically examined whether high fidelity to the wraparound model helped bridge the gap between outcomes in urban and rural areas for youth with complex behavioral health challenges. Youth participating in Indiana’s Community Alternatives to Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities Medicaid demonstration grant between 2008 and 2011 (n = 811) resided in urban (n = 615) or rural (n = 196) communities. Logistic …

Rural Food Pantry Users’ Stigma And Safety Net Food Programs, Lori L. Nooney, Elisabetta Giomo-James, Peter A. Kindle, Debra S. Norris, Ryan R. Myers, Alyssa Tucker, Robert Jon Stanley

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Increasing numbers of individuals in our community have been seeking local food pantry assistance. Previous studies of food pantries found that users show low rates of governmental aid receipt, especially in rural areas. We assessed evidence that suggests that post-recession need has mitigated rural reluctance to pursue government assistance. The inadequacy of government and local food assistance to address the problem of food insecurity in our community is discussed.

From The Editor, Peggy Pittman-Munke Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Journal of Contemporary Rural Social Work

Volume 5, Number 1

2013

From the Editor: Peggy Pittman-Munke, Murray State University

Promising Practices In Service-Learning With Grant Writing In Rural Communities, Lillian Wichinsky Ph.D., Barbara Thomlison Ph.D.

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

This paper describes the teaching practices in a community practice course that was designed for using a grant writing project with a service-learning component in a rural community. The course and assignments are outlined. Four critical success factors are: commitment to a service-learning pedagogy, flexibility regarding course objectives, engaged students, and committed agencies. Strategic partnerships and successful grant applications are the best evidence that enhanced the experience for the students and agencies.

Book Review: Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement For Addiction, Stress, And Pain, Jay Memmott Msw, Ph.D., Lcsw-Pip

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Book Review: Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Addiction, Stress, and Pain Eric L. Garland 2013 Washington, DC: NASW Press 206 pages Softcover: $39.99 ISBN-13: 978-0871014450

Book Review: Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior And The Golden Retriever Who Saved Him, Diane Dacosta

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Book Review: Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him Montalván, Luis Carlos 2011 New York: Hyperion 288 pages Hardcover: $22.99 ISBN-13: 978-1401310752

Contemporary Rural Social Work - 2013 (Volume 5, Number 1)

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Contemporary Rural Social Work - 2013 (Volume 5, Number 1)

Full issue

Group Interventions In Rural Schools To Assist With A Community Trauma, Linda Leek Openshaw

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Rural communities and school districts often face traumatic events. These can be the result of accidents, suicides, school bullying, and shootings. This paper documents a group crisis intervention at a rural high school after a horrific traffic accident where a vehicle struck and killed three students. When a crisis takes place in rural schools and communities, group work is an effective tool to offset the effects of grief and distress that students often experience. School personnel must create support groups within a short time following a traumatic event. Interventions are most effective when schools have a pre-determined action plan, have …