Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Placing Children In Need With Gay & Lesbian Couples: Influences On Placement Decisions, Gayle Mallinger

Social Work Faculty Publications

Thousands of children throughout the United States are currently awaiting placement with adoptive families. The literature indicates that gay- and lesbian-headed households can well meet the needs of these children. Research suggests that sexual prejudice, religious fundamentalism and attitudes about gay and lesbian adoption may influence practice decisions regarding placement. This dissertation study examined the influences of religious fundamentalism, sexual prejudice, contact with sexually diverse individuals, and attitudes towards gay men and lesbians as adoptive parents on intent to place children in need with gay and lesbian couples. A random sample of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) members was …

Siblings Of Children With Autism: An Exploratory Study Of Sibling Concerns And Coping Strategies, Mary Canha

Undergraduate Review

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests (NINDS, NIH, 2009). Other ASDs include Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females. (NINDS, NIH, 2009)

The rise …

Toward Evidence-Informed Policy And Practice In Child Welfare, Julia H. Littell, Aron Shlonsky

Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research Faculty Research and Scholarship

Drawing on the authors’ experience in the international Campbell Collaboration, this essay presents a principled and pragmatic approach to evidence-informed decisions about child welfare. This approach takes into account the growing body of empirical evidence on the reliability and validity of various methods of research synthesis. It also considers wide variations in the cultural, economic, and political contexts in which policy and practice decisions are made—and the contexts in which children live and die. This essay illustrates the use of Campbell and Cochrane systematic reviews to inform child welfare decisions in the diverse contexts that exist around the globe.

Development And Vulnerability Factors In Adolescent Alcohol Use, Karen G. Chartier, Michie N. Hesselbrock, Victor M. Hesselbrock

Social Work Publications

This article provides an overview of the characteristics of adolescent alcohol use, normative and subgroup variations in drinking behavior, and important factors associated with an increased risk for developing alcohol problems in later adolescence and young adulthood. A parental/family history of alcoholism, temperament traits, conduct problems, cognitive functioning, alcohol expectancies, and peer and other social relations are identified as influencing an adolescent’s susceptibility for initiating a variety of alcohol use behaviors. The Deviance Prone Model, proposed by Sher (1991), is presented as an important tool for testing possible relationships among the various risk factors and their sequencing that leads to …

Developing Emotional Security Among Children Who Have Been Adopted, Kate Trujillo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the development of emotional security among 6-10 year old children who have been adopted by exposing them to an experimental condition during which they could engage with either a live dog or a robotic dog. The live dog was a certified therapy dog; the robotic dog was a FurReal® toy marketed by Hasbro as "Biscuit." Utilizing a mixed-method embedded experimental design, the experimental condition was intentionally structured to promote engagement between the participant and the dog or robot. 43 children who had been adopted from the child welfare system were randomly assigned to one of two groups. …

Relationships: The Heart Of Language And Literacy .G1987, Janet S. Hanna, Kayla M. Hinrichs, Carla J. Mahar, John Defrain, Tonia Renee Durden

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

StoryQUEST’s Vision: High-quality early relationships and experiences throughout their daily routines provide each infant and toddler with the tools and skills to build a strong foundation for future school readiness. Families, caregivers, and communities as a whole collaborate to enable all children to become highly competent in language and literacy. This series was developed as part of a national research project — StoryQUEST — through the California Institute on Human Services, Sonoma State University.

Learn communication strategies that will help your infant and toddler develop language and literacy skills. This is the fourth publication in a series of nine.

Infants …

Car — A Strategy For Learning .G1988, Janet S. Hanna, Kayla M. Hinrichs, Carla J. Mahar, John Defrain, Tonia Renee Durden

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

StoryQUEST’s Vision: High-quality early relationships and experiences throughout their daily routines provide each infant and toddler with the tools and skills to build a strong foundation for future school readiness. Families, caregivers, and communities as a whole collaborate to enable all children to become highly competent in language and literacy. This series was developed as part of a national research project — StoryQUEST — through the California Institute on Human Services, Sonoma State University.

Use the CAR (Comment, Ask, Respond) strategy for learning to help your child’s literacy development. This is the fifth publication in a series of nine.

Infants And Toddlers —Developing More Than One Language .G1989, Janet S. Hanna, Kayla M. Hinrichs, Carla J. Mahar, John Defrain, Tonia Renee Durden

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

StoryQUEST’s Vision: High-quality early relationships and experiences throughout their daily routines provide each infant and toddler with the tools and skills to build a strong foundation for future school readiness. Families, caregivers, and communities as a whole collaborate to enable all children to become highly competent in language and literacy. This series was developed as part of a national research project — StoryQUEST — through the California Institute on Human Services, Sonoma State University.

Toddlers who are learning more than one language benefit from having supportive adults helping them. Learn strategies to assist them in this NebGuide, the sixth in …

The Power Of Family Literacy. G1985, Janet S. Hanna, Kayla M. Hinrichs, Carla J. Mahar, John Defrain, Tonia Renee Durden

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

StoryQUEST’s Vision: High-quality early relationships and experiences throughout their daily routines provide each infant and toddler with the tools and skills to build a strong foundation for future school readiness. Families, caregivers, and communities as a whole collaborate to enable all children to become highly competent in language and literacy. This series was developed as part of a national research project — StoryQUEST — through the California Institute on Human Services, Sonoma State University.

Children exposed to reading and storytelling at home have greater success in school. Second in a series of nine, this NebGuide suggests language- and literacy-related activities. …

Symbols In Literacy Development .G1990, Janet S. Hanna, Kayla M. Hinrichs, Carla J. Mahar, John Defrain, Tonia R. Durden

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

StoryQUEST’s Vision: High-quality early relationships and experiences throughout their daily routines provide each infant and toddler with the tools and skills to build a strong foundation for future school readiness. Families, caregivers, and communities as a whole collaborate to enable all children to become highly competent in language and literacy. This series was developed as part of a national research project — StoryQUEST — through the California Institute on Human Services, Sonoma State University.

This NebGuide describes physical and social features of home environments that encourage the development of literacy in young children. It is the seventh of nine NebGuides …

Communicating With Families: Communicating With Families Of Infants .G2005, Marjorie Kostelnik, Debra E. Schroeder, Sarah Effken Purcell, Mary E. Nelson, Eileen M. Krumbach, Janet S. Hanna, Tonia Renee Durden, John Defrain, Kathy R. Bosch

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Families have many issues when it comes to child care and what's best for their child. Learning to communicate effectively with the families of infants in child care benefits the provider, the family and the child.

Families have many adjustments to make as they transition to parenthood. Parenting is a lonely endeavor sometimes. Often families rely more on outside child care, and with that comes the need, particularly for families of infants, to keep the communication lines open between themselves and their child care providers. A variety of techniques can be used to help families and child care providers communicate …

Helping Children Resolve Conflict: Pitfalls To Avoid During Conflict Mediation .G2015, Marjorie Kostelnik, Mary E. Nelson, Debra E. Schroeder, Sarah Effken Purcell, Eileen M. Krumbach, Janet S. Hanna, Tonia Renee Durden, John Defrain, Kathy R. Bosch

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

When using conflict mediation, children learn skills necessary to reach peaceful solutions. These skills include communication, compromise, the ability to see how different aspects of a dispute are related, and the ability to consider their own perspective as well as that of another person. At first, children need a great deal of support to proceed all the way to a negotiated settlement. As mediator, provide this support, serving as a model and instructor. As children learn problem-solving words and procedures, they become increasingly capable of solving problems by themselves. There is evidence that these childhood learnings are maintained throughout the …

Helping Children Resolve Conflict: Aggressive Behavior Of Children .G2016, Marjorie Kostelnik, Sarah Effken Purcell, Debra E. Schroeder, Mary E. Nelson, Eileen M. Krumbach, Janet S. Hanna, Tonia Renee Durden, John Defrain, Kathy R. Bosch

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

When using conflict mediation, children learn skills necessary to reach peaceful solutions. These skills include communication, compromise, the ability to see how different aspects of a dispute are related, and the ability to consider their own perspective as well as that of another person. At first, children need a great deal of support to proceed all the way to a negotiated settlement. You, as mediator, provide this support, serving as a model and instructor. As children learn problem-solving words and procedures they become increasingly capable of solving problems by themselves. There is evidence that these childhood learnings are maintained throughout …

Communicating With Families: Communication Techniques .G2004, Marjorie Kostelnik, Debra E. Schroeder, Sarah Effken Purcell, Mary E. Nelson, Eileen M. Krumbach, Janet S. Hanna, Tonia Renee Durden, John Defrain, Kathy Bosch

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Communicating effectively with the families of children in child care can help the family, the caregiver and the child.

In the best child care settings, providers and families work as a team. Each brings a unique point of view, and each shows concern for the child’s growth and development. As a child care professional, one of your roles in this partnership is to promote effective communication with families. It is important for child care providers to develop and practice effective communication skills and implement them when communicating with families about their children and their care.

Substance Abuse: A Chronic Care Perspective, Michael James Sweitzer

Theses Digitization Project

This study provides an examination of the Chronic Care Model and its application to the treatment of substance abuse disorders. The hypothesis of the study was that elements of the Chronic Care Model are not being utilized within San Bernardino County's system of care. The study was conducted by having Alcohol and other Drug Counselors throughout San Bernardino County complete the study's 24-question quantitative survey. The purpose of this study is to add to the sparse literature related to the Chronic Care Model and its application to the alcohol and other drug (AOD) field. At this time the AOD field …

Educational Paraprofessionals' Knowledge About And Barriers To Reporting Child Abuse, Randi Sherrill Furman, Audrey Anne Lipskey

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to evaluate mandated reporters' knowledge about the reporting process, attitudes, and beliefs towards the mandated reporting laws, and their resistances and barriers to reporting suspected child abuse.

A Social Worker's Perception Of The Medically At-Risk (Mar) Program, Corina Chavez, Lilia Razo

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to evaluate social workers perception of the Medically at Risk (MAR) program that has been implemented in San Bernardino County. To examine whether social workers receive adequate training in providing services for the special needs population.

Characteristics Of Foster Children Who Graduate High School And Those Who Do Not, Veronica Jacques Haro

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics which impede foster youth from achieving academic success in high school. Several of the characteristics which impede them from attaining their high school diploma are dependent on how many times they have changed placements. Moving to a new placement not only affects a foster youth's academic records and grades but it also affects their emotional stability.

Children's Exposure To Domestic Violence And Aggressive Behavior, Mariah Deidra Kafka

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project is to examine the effects of "The Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence Scale" (CEDV) on an adolescent's own externalizing behaviors. Although internalizing behaviors such as depression are prevalent among children exposed to violence, this study will only focus on externalizing behaviors including their own risks for aggressive behavior.

Exploring Acculturation Stress On Mexican Americans, Daniel Anthony Lopez

Theses Digitization Project

The focus of this study was how common acculturation stress is among Mexican Americans, what the demographics of this demonstrate, and how this is related to mental health services. Acculturation is the process of adapting to the social norms, customs, and values of another culture. When a Mexican American reaches his limit of what he is able to cope with, then that person is in danger of being afflicted with acculturtion stress. Even when faced with this prospect, few Mexican Americans seek out mental health services.

Exploring Social Workers Beliefs And Practices When Working With Gay And Lesbian Youth, Ethan Brian Michaels

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine child welfare workers' beliefs and practices while working with gay and lesbian youth. This study surveyed forty-one children's social workers and their supervisors in Los Angeles County's Department of Children and Family Services.

Impacts Of The Caregiving Experience On The Caregiver, Nayeli Corona

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of the primary caregivers who have provided care to someone who is terminally ill.

Characteristics Of Families Who Succeed From Wraparound Services And Those Who Do Not, Jonas Caleb Nava

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of families who successfully completed wraparound services to those families who did not through the Riverside County Children's Services Division.

Clinician Perceptions Of Eating Disorders And Treatment Practices, Katrina Kay Bullard

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences, conclusions, and ideas of clinicians who facilitate recovery with patients who are in treatment for an eating disorder.

Juvenile Probation Officers' Pereceptions Of The Efficacy Of Functional Family Therapy, Kathy Lynn Jaffee

Theses Digitization Project

This study sought to examine the perceptions that juvenile probation officers have regarding their experience with Functional Family Therapy (FFT). The study highlighted the importance of communication between the probation officers and the FFT staff as well as strong support from the supervising staff.

Independent Living Program Participants' Perceptions Of Permanency And Their Services Needs, Kimberly Margaret Stark

Theses Digitization Project

As youth emancipate out of the child welfare system, they face many challenges. This study investigated whether or not having a permanent connection was beneficial to young adults after they left foster care. It showed that even with the presence of an identified mentor to guide youth post-emancipation, these youth were still facing serious difficulties.

Social Workers Perceptions Of Concurrent Planning, Kelsey Marie Karr, Summer Renee Randall

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine how social workers perceive concurrent planning at Children and Families Services of San Bernardino County. Concurrent planning is the practice of working with families to reunify while also pursuing alternative plans for permanency should reunification fail, is an integral part of child welfare.

Through The Eyes Of The Homeless: A Study On Service Utilization, Cecelia Denise Hernandez

Theses Digitization Project

This study examined the causes and reasons for not using services, and needs among people experiencing homelessness in the city of Riverside. In addressing the initial causes and immediate needs of the homeless, current knowledge about services offered from the homeless perspective is very limited.

Reunification Outcomes Of Hispanic Families In Riverside County Child Protective Services, Christy Quniterol Sabsook

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the reunification outcomes of hispanic families within Riverside County Child Protective Services. It has been found that for this population, the reunification takes longer than other ethnic groups. Social worker's need to be provided valuable information about the Hispanic population and to increase social worker's cultural sensitivity related to the special needs of Hispanic families.

Paying The Price For Black Masculinity: Investigating Sexual Behaviors Contributing To Hiv/Aids Infection And Death Of Black Women, Porsche Monic Terry

Theses Digitization Project

According to the Center for Disease Control (2005), African American women account for 64% of the nearly 127,000 women living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. The author conducted qualitative interviews with 30 adult Black males with a history of practicing Down Low (DL) sexual behavior-- engaging in homoerotic activities with their female partners. The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the DL subculture and to obtain useful information that is crucial to understanding how the DL male's personal struggles with sexuality and masculinity contribute to the disporportionate amount of Black women contracting HIV/AIDS.