Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Heritage And Regional Development: An Indigenous Perspective, Robbie Collins, K. Mcmahon-Coleman

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) - Papers

Heritage is important to regional development in terms of promoting a sense of place and a sense of identity for those in the region. Heritage is often expressed through culture and the arts as a means of manifesting a community’s sense of what the community or region is about. For Indigenous communities this is particularly relevant given the lack of social capital as a result of colonialism and displacement. In these communities the value of the Indigenous way of viewing things and sense of place has been subjugated by hegemonic norms. There is a need for Indigenous peoples to find …

Shifting Currents In Media Awareness, Chris Boulton, Erica Scharrer

Communication Graduate Student Publication Series

This longitudinal qualitative research study examines how a group of parents and teachers sought to raise awareness in their community about harmful media effects. Initially condemning the influx of new digital media technologies such as violent video games, the group eventually shifted tactics in an effort to go beyond ‘preaching to the choir’ and bring other parents into the fold. Their experience suggests that we might reconsider media literacy as a form of social work.

Healthy Aging, Mary Walsh, Peggy Haynes, Chris Sady, Matt L'Italien

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

It has been scientifically proven that preventative measures such as regular physical activity and healthy eating are crucial in maintaining good health, reducing the impact of disease, delaying disability, and reducing the need for expensive long term care for older adults. Among individuals in Maine aged 65 or older, 43 percent are overweight, 18 percent are obese, and 36 percent do not do any leisure time physical activities. Most of these individuals suffer from one or more chronic health problems. This can be avoided by incorporating moderate physical activity, good nutrition, and no smoking, thus delaying disability by as much …

Civic Engagement, Paula Burnett, Andrew Matlins, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This report looks at civic engagement as volunteerism and community activism. It looks to analyze whether or not seniors will seek to become civically engaged, as well as the best methods for attracting, engaging, and retaining these individuals. By 2020, approximately one in six Americans will be 65 years of age or older. Maine’s population is now the oldest in the nation. These statistics are causing many nonprofit organizations across Maine and the nation to rethink how they can attract and retain volunteers, which are crucial assets to the agencies. Some suggest that we can expect a rise in volunteers …

The Epistemic Consumption Object And Postsocial Consumption: Expanding Consumer‐Object Theory In Consumer Research, Detlev Zwick, Nikhilesh Dholakia

College of Business Faculty Publications

We introduce the concept of the epistemic consumption object. Such consumption objects are characterized by two interrelated features. First, epistemic consumption objects reveal themselves progressively through interaction, observation, use, examination, and evaluation. Such layered revelation is accompanied by an increasing rather than a decline of the object’s complexity. Second, such objects demonstrate a propensity to change their “face‐in‐action” vis‐à‐vis consumers through the continuous addition or subtraction of properties. The epistemic consumption object is materially elusive and this lack of ontological stability turns the object into a continuous knowledge project for consumers. Via this ongoing cycle of revelation and discovery, consumers …

Hancock County Needs, Resources, And Readiness Assessment On Older Adult Alcohol Abuse, Lenard Kaye, Maine Office Of Substance Abuse

Maine Center on Aging Service and Consultation

This tip-sheet will provide you with key project recommendations and action steps to utilize within your community to implement project findings. It includes tips for many distinct groups, such as healthcare providers and administrators, advocates, local leaders and officials, researchers, program planners, administrators and policymakers, and practitioners. They include implementation of models for healthcare strategies, open discussions, system changes, funding, decision making, intervention, and education. Resources include the Office of Substance Abuse Information Resource Center, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, and the recovery community. It identifies key partners and crucial aspects of …

Mansfield Ct: Planning A New Village Center, Maggie Jones, Richard Barringer

Planning

The case follows the development of a plan for a new village center in Storrs, the central village of Mansfield, Connecticut. A process that was transparent and inclusive of the community members yielded a plan that gained the approval of the Town, the landowner (the University of Connecticut), and the citizenry. The process relied on the mending of fences, the leadership of key participants, and an innovative strategy that included development of a nonprofit corporation and creative use of grant money. While zoning changes are still in the works, the first stage of building goes forward.

Community Saves Farm From Jaws Of Development —Feeds Self Instead, Madeleine K. Charney

Madeleine K. Charney

Amherst, Massachusetts community members join forces to form a non-profit landtrust and launch the North Amherst Community Farm.

Functional Family Therapy: An Interview With Dr. James Alexander, Dr. Jill D. Duba

Counseling & Student Affairs Faculty Publications

This article presents the functional family therapy of James Alexander, focusing on his work with high risk youth who are high risk, delinquent, and who abuse substances. The interview addresses evidence-based interventions, indivudalizing treatment, and prevention of violence. Training efforts and recent developments in functional family therapy are discussed.

Acts 2:42 In 2006: Examining Small Group Discussion In An American Mega-Church, Sheri Guseman Edd

Dissertations

During the last century, Americans have become increasingly isolated from one another, resulting in feelings of loneliness and creating a void of community (Frazee, 2001). However, as attendance at mainline churches continues to decline (Stafford, 1998), attendance and participation in mega-churches, defined as those serving more than 2,500 individuals and offering a multiplicity of services, continues to increase (http://www.hirr.hartsem.edu/org ). One popular explanation for this phenomenon is that mega-churches are often characterized by an organized small group ministry---something absent in more traditional churches. Although this trend has clearly swept the nation (Gladwell, 2005), related research on the efficacy of the …

Land Of Opportunity: Immigrant Farmers Put Down Roots In Holyoke, Massachusetts, Madeleine K. Charney

Madeleine K. Charney

Author is Madeleine Charney. Correction published in following issue.

Valley Free Radio Program Takes Things ‘Farm To Fork’, Madeleine K. Charney

Madeleine K. Charney

Written by Amanda Cather, this article describes the radio show "Farm to Fork: The Pioneer Valley's Local Food and Agriculture" which airs every other Tuesday from 6:30-7:30pm EST on WXOJ-LP, 103.3fm, Valley Free Radio. Hosted by: Madeleine Charney, Kelly Coleman, Leslie Cox and Don Persons. Listen via live audiostream: www.valleyfreeradio.org

Conference Keynoter Defends Practices Buried In New England’S Agricultural History, Plans For Future, Madeleine K. Charney

Madeleine K. Charney

Brian Donahue, environmental historian, debunks the myths of early New England farming practices.

Conference Keynoter Defends Practices Buried In New England’S Agricultural History, Plans For Future, Madeleine K. Charney

University Libraries Publication Series

Brian Donahue, environmental historian, debunks the myths of early New England farming practices.

Valley Free Radio Program Takes Things ‘Farm To Fork’, Madeleine K. Charney

University Libraries Publication Series

Written by Amanda Cather, this article describes the radio show "Farm to Fork: The Pioneer Valley's Local Food and Agriculture" which airs every other Tuesday from 6:30-7:30pm EST on WXOJ-LP, 103.3fm, Valley Free Radio. Hosted by: Madeleine Charney, Kelly Coleman, Leslie Cox and Don Persons. Listen via live audiostream: www.valleyfreeradio.org

Commentary: Community Partnered Research: Driving Sensemaking, Managing Knowledge, And Moving Mental Health Care To New Heights, Junius J. Gonzales, Carmen Moten

Publications from Provost Junius J. Gonzales

No abstract provided.

From Interventions To Integration: Mine Risk Education And Community Liaison, Jo Durham

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mine risk education has become an integral part of humanitarian mine action, as emphasised by the recent adoption of the International Mine Action Standards on MRE. This article explores the development of MRE from the perspective of one HMA agency: the Mines Advisory Group. As with many other HMA operators, in MAG programmes, MRE and community liaison—alongside Technical Survey, explosive ordnance disposal and area clearance—have been part of MAG’s overall strategy to reduce risk in communities affected by the explosive remnants of war. This article looks at how MAG’s approach to MRE has developed and shifted in focus from MRE …

Promoting Low Impact Development In Your Community, New England Environmental Finance Center

Planning

Low Impact Development (LID) is an approach to stormwater management and site development that is gaining popularity throughout the country. Its attractiveness lies in its potential to lessen off-site stormwater impacts, reduce costs to municipalities and developers, and promote development that is “softer on the land” compared with typical traditional development. The approach, which is applicable to residential, commercial and industrial projects, and in urban, suburban and rural settings, often is linked with efforts by governments and citizens to foster more sustainable communities.

Two Year Follow-Up Of A Community Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program In An Aboriginal Community, Frank P. Deane, Kim Capp, Caroline Jones, Dawn De Ramirez, Gordon Lambert, Beth M. Marlow, A Rees, Edwina Sullivan

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Few studies report long term follow-up of community gatekeeper training programs that aim to facilitate help-seeking for suicide and there are none in Aboriginal communities. This study aimed to determine long term effects of the Shoalhaven Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Program (SASPP), which used community gatekeeper training as its primary strategy. Following consultation with the Aboriginal community, a brief questionnaire and semi-structured interview was completed by 40 participants who attended a community gatekeeper workshop 2 years earlier. Fifteen of the 40 participants stated that they had helped someone at risk of suicide over the 2-year follow-up period. Intentions to help and …

Stigma And Discrimination Related To Hiv/Aids: A Study Of The Iranian Community In The Sydney Metropolitan Area, Hassan Hosseinzadeh, Syeda Z. Hossain

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at the XVI International AIDS Conference, 13-18 August 2006, Toronto, Canada

Online Forum Discussion Interactions As An Indicator Of Student Community, Shane Dawson

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Given the current diversity of communication tools at an educator's disposal, what role (if any) does the discussion forum play in the development of a strong sense of community among students? This study sought to investigate the relationship between discussion forum interaction and perceived student sense of community. The results of the study demonstrate that while mere quantity of discussion forum postings is not an indicator of community development, a significant relationship is observed when contributions are codified into the various discussion interaction types (learner -learner; learner - content; system), An implication emerging from these findings is the ability for …

The Importance Of Family And Community Links For Children In The Out Of Home Care System, David Williams

Articles

Regardless of the exact setting in which the social care worker is involved, be it supporting clients in maintaining their position in the community or assisting clients in making a return to the general community, the maintenance of family and community links are key tools to the achievement of the above identified goals. The role of the parents, family and community in general must not be underestimated if we are to fully meet the needs of the vulnerable people with whom we work. In the following article we will discus the reasons why it is important for social care workers …

Recruitment Failure And Shifts In Community Structure Following Mass Mortality Limit Recovery Prospects Of Black Abalone, C. Melissa Miner, Jessica M. Altstatt, Peter T. Raimondi, Todd E. Minchinton

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Mass mortalities of species can fundamentally alter the structure of natural communities, which can in turn negatively impact species’ recovery. Beginning in 1994, some of the largest remaining populations of black abaloneHaliotis cracherodii on the mainland coast of California, experienced mass mortalities due to the fatal disease called ‘withering syndrome’, which led to its listing as a species of concern by the USA National Marine Fisheries Service. We have been monitoring black abalone populations along the coast of southern and central California since 1992, and detection of withering syndrome at our southernmost site prompted us to investigate how the …

Benchmarking Community Health Centers; Efficiency: Multivariate Analysis, Shriram Marathe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Community Health Centers (CHCs), designed to provide accessible and affordable health care services to low-income families, were first funded by the Federal Government as part of the War on Poverty in the mid-1960s. Improving healthcare organizational performance efficiency is paramount. It is an especially pressing need for CHCs' because they carry a disproportionate burden of caring for the uninsured within limited budgets. Prior studies suffer from conceptual and methodological limitations. A longitudinal multivariate analysis of factors influencing the performance of CHCs is needed. The purpose of this study is to benchmark CHC performance in terms of technical and cost efficiency, …

From Underground Cult To Public Policy For Citizens: Democratizing An Open Source Artifact At A Policy Level In South Korea, Kwang-Suk Lee

Faculty of Arts - Papers (Archive)

Purpose - This study explores the feasible use of free and open source software (FOSS) at a policy level in South Korea, which is reacting against being locked into only one technology company, Microsoft.

Methodology/Approach - Based on participatory democratic theory, this paper suggests that the normative role of the state is as a public mediator in the development of an IT infrastructure encouraging greater freedom of choice and the establishment of an electronic environment — such as the community-based use of software technology — for citizens to use easily and freely.

Findings - South Korean policymakers have explored FOSS …