Public Policy Commons^™

Long-Term Impact Of Welfare Reform: Biopsychosocial Barriers To Successful Transition Away From Welfare Reliance Among Rural Women In Louisiana, Jake Jerome Guidry

LSU Master's Theses

The discussion regarding government benefits and reliance on welfare benefits is one that takes place in arenas of policymaking and academia alike. These discussions often focus on poverty that exists in densely populated metropolitan areas, resulting in a scarcity of research regarding unique characteristics of rural poverty. Eighty-four rural Louisiana women participated in a longitudinal study of the impacts of welfare reform in their lives. Twenty years later, two (N = 2) rural Louisiana women, each former welfare recipients, participated in an in-depth qualitative case study examining their transition away from welfare programs. Data show that neither woman was …

The Effects Of Ageing On Colombian 'Shoe Polish' Mines, Colin King

Global CWD Repository

This study examines the failure mechanisms that might occur within the so-called ‘Shoe Polish’ mine, which was improvised by the FARC insurgents in Colombia. Since this device shares many of its characteristics with other mines (both manufactured and improvised), the principles are likely to be far more broadly applicable. In fact, many elements of the analysis are likely to apply to all forms of mechanically-fuzed ammunition.

A Review Of Web-Based Special Education Resources Provided To Parents By State Departments Of Education, Jennifer Farley, Jacqueline N. Huscroft-D'Angelo, Alexandra L. Trout, Kristin Duppong-Hurley

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

Parents who are knowledgeable of special education are more likely to engage in their child’s education. Parents seek information about special education from a number of sources including State Departments of Education (SDEs). However, little is known about the web-based special education resources SDEs provide to parents. We sought to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive review of SDE websites and special education resources. Two-thirds of SDEs provided special education resources in a parent-designated section of their website. The number of resources provided varied greatly by state and the majority of resources were specific to conflict/dispute resolution. Future research …

Improving Knowledge In A Prison Without Walls Analysing The Effectiveness Of The Mine Risk Education Activities Of [Organisation X] In Syria, Arnaud Loman

Global CWD Repository

The extensive use of mines and explosives in Syria pose a threat on all the lives of the conflict-affected population. To ensure that the population has the necessary knowledge and skills to protect themselves from this existing threat, diverse humanitarian mine action organisations, including [organisation X], design and implement mine risk education (MRE) activities. However, the number of beneficiaries reached with MRE alone does not adequately reflect the impact of the activities. There is a lack of data whether these achievements enhance the well-being of the people in communities that are affected by explosive hazards, especially in the ongoing conflict …

Mechanical Improvised Explosive Device Removal In The Urban Environment, David Parry

Global CWD Repository

The safe removal and disposal of conventional weapons from civilian populated areas in a post conflict scenario is fraught with dangerous, complex and wide-ranging challenges. The worldwide proliferation of improvised explosive devices has added to the existing burden of landmine clearance already being undertaken by various organizations. Part of the solution to these challenges is to remove improvised explosive devices using mechanical methods to reduce the likelihood and consequence of the risks that personnel face when carrying out this extremely hazardous task.

The mechanical removal of improvised explosive devices is an emerging methodology that is based on an established model …

Patterns Of Participation In Multilateral Disarmament Forums, Npa

Global CWD Repository

Who participates in multilateral disarmament meetings? Building on recent studies, this report investigates patterns of participation in disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control forums. In addition to overall levels of participation, we look at two indicators in particular – the gender balance of meeting delegations and the development status of the states these diplomats represent. We also examine the link between those two indicators: to what extent gender balance of diplomatic forums is associated with the socioeconomic composition of the group.

Rural Poverty And Urban Proximity In Sabah, Malaysia, Joseph Jeron

Student Works (2020-2029)

One of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to eradicate extreme poverty globally by 2030 in all countries including Malaysia. While Malaysia is close to achieving this target, poverty still persists in the state of Sabah. Therefore, this study examines the determinants of household poverty in rural Sabah with a focus on urban proximity. A purposefully designed survey instrument was used to gather primary data on a total of 407 rural households in 78 villages, spread across 16 poorest districts of Sabah. In addition, Geographic Information System (GIS) data on sample households and villages was collected to construct …

Policy Making In The Nevada Legislature: How Interest Groups Make The Difference, Madison Frazee

Student Research

This paper examines the structure of the Nevada legislature and how interest groups influence the policy making process. In particular, this paper aims to answer the questions of how interest groups are able to make a difference in the legislative process and how those groups are able to gain access to the political environment in the state. By understanding how interest groups advocate for certain policies, the best methods to engage citizens in the political process can be understood. By utilizing SB179 as the case study for this analysis, the processes of the legislature can be examined. Through moving to …

What Can Future Social Worker Do Differently Than Recent Social Workers, Hannah Stavros-Mccauley

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

When college students first go into the social work field, they must take Intro to Social Work which introduces the NASW Code of Ethics. The NASW Code of Ethics introduces six core values and these purposes explain what social workers are shooting for when working with clients. The six core values are services, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. When it comes to service the social workers, the main goal is to help their clients in need. The main goal that social workers focus on social justice is poverty, unemployment, discrimination, …

Online Learning's Impact On Mental Health, Alexandria Palmieri

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Due to the global pandemic education has evolved and started online learning. While online learning is helping it brings its own set of problems and impacts. This paper will talk about 3 aspects of online learning, social interaction, motivation, and participation and how students’ mental health is being impacted. The paper includes a research study done by giving a number of college aged students a survey. The survey asked questions about the 3 aspects of online learning and how each of them impact students’ mental health as well as ways to relieve the stress and lessen the impact of online …

Parental Report Of Outcomes From A Randomized Trial Of In-Home Family Services, Kristin Duppong-Hurley, Matthew Lambert, Irina Patwardhan, Jay L. Ringle, Ronald W. Thompson, Jennifer Farley

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

This study conducted a randomized trial to examine the efficacy of the Boys Town In-Home Family Services (IHFS) program for families of high-risk youth. Participants were recruited from a state helpline for families struggling with poor family functioning and child emotional or behavioral issues. Consent was obtained for 300 of which 152 were randomly assigned to participate in IHFS for 3–4 months and 148 were assigned to the services as usual comparison group. For the families in the treatment group, 18% did not participant in the intervention, and 66% of families received 20 or more service hours. Parent report data …

The Wickedness Of Obesity, Justin C. Epps

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

“The Wickedness of Obesity” is written by myself, Justin Epps. This study evaluates the problems and causes of obesity. It has taken the lives of all different types of people. Being overweight can also affect what a person can do on a daily basis, as their weight can prevent them from participating in activities. Lab results show typical percentages of obesity among men and women along with other factors. This analysis shows that obesity is a major concern throughout the population within different groups. I conclude that obesity is a large issue in the world today.

Examining How Rural Ecological Contexts Influence Children's Early Learning Opportunities, Iheoma U. Iruka, Mark Dekraai, Janell Walther, Susan M. Sheridan, Tarik Abdel-Monem

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

According to Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory (Bronfenbrenner & Evans, 2000), children’s early development and learning are influenced by multiple systems, including the microsystem (e.g., family poverty level), mesosystem (e.g., home-school partnership), exosystem (e.g., community type, early education policies), and macrosystem (e.g., rural culture). Given the lack of early education studies focused on rural communities, we sought to explore how these ecological systems are linked to children’s early learning experiences, with a particular focus on educators’ perceptions of how these ecosystems influence children’s learning environments and opportunities. Based on interviews and focus groups with school leaders, educators, and parents in 10 rural …

Solidarity In Action: Norwegian People's Aid Annual Report 2019, Npa

Global CWD Repository

Norwegian People’s Aid is an important agency in terms of global efforts for a mine-free world, carrying out humanitarian clearance of mines and explosives in 24 countries in 2019.

In the autumn of 2019, many countries around the world, including those in Latin America and the Middle East,

were witness to mass popular demonstrations. In many places, Norwegian People’s Aid partner organisations

played a leading role. We had 221 partner organisations in 19 countries in 2019 and it becomes clearer each

day how important our partners are as agents of social change. They are at the forefront of popular mobilisation, …

A Persistent Danger: Unexploded Ordnance In Populated Areas, Npa, Mines Advisory Group, Humanity And Inclusion

Global CWD Repository

The United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the International Network on Explosive Weapons have convincingly documented that the use of explosive weapons (especially those with wide area effects) in populated areas (EWIPA) creates an unacceptably high risk of indiscriminate harm. As humanitarian mine action organizations working in urban environments, we see this harm being done in numerous conflict zones every day.

Discussion of the harm caused by EWIPA typically focuses on the immediate effects of these weapons when they explode, as well as reverberating effects leading to displacement; damage to vital services such as healthcare, water, …

Unmas Annual Report 2020, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

UNMAS colleagues in the field and at Headquarters drew on their reserves of resilience and empathy to deliver life-saving programmes with innovative approaches - such as the early inclusion of COVID messaging in risk education campaigns. We relied on and deepened our partnerships. Working closely with national authorities, donors and implementing partners we managed to maintain and eventually resume operations and serve communities that live with the constant threat of explosive ordnance.

Allow me to highlight some of our accomplishments of 2020:

UNMAS responded to a request from the Ethiopian government to assess the threat in parts of that country, …

Judicial Elections, Public Opinion, And Their Impact On State Criminal Justice Policy, Travis N. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Political Science

This dissertation explores whether and how the re-election prospects faced by trial court judges in many American states influence criminal justice policy, specifically, state levels of incarceration, as well as the disparity in rates of incarceration for Whites and Blacks. Do states where trial court judges must worry about facing reelection tend to encourage judicial behavior that results in higher incarceration rates? And are levels of incarceration and racial disparities in the states influenced by the proportion of the state publics who want more punitive policies? These are clearly important questions because they speak directly to several normative and empirical …

Using Input From Landlords Participating In The Dothan Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher Program (Hcvp) To Streamline Operations And Increase Retention, Michael C. Threatt

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) is a public-private partnership between a landlord, voucher holder, and a Public Housing Authority (PHA). However, this public-private partnership appears to be a two-sided partnership instead of a three-way partnership as the HCVP was designed. Over 110,000 landlords have withdrawn from the HCVP since 2009, which has negatively affected housing choices for voucher holders. This phenomenon of landlords leaving the HCVP is a catastrophe problem for the rental housing crisis that is a part of the larger affordable housing crisis. The perception of institutional bureaucracy for landlords is their reality, and the unintended consequence …

Battle Of The Sexes: A History Of Social Change And A Solution For Maintaining A Child’S Best Interest In Light Of The #Metoo Movement, Jackie Calvert

Indiana Journal of Law and Social Equality

No abstract provided.

Nebraska School Violence Prevention Toolkit For K-12 School Threat Assessment Teams, Tarik Abdel-Monem, Denise Bulling

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

Introduction

This toolkit provides guidance for school threat assessment teams to encourage the reporting of concerning behavior that may threaten safety and security of schools. Part I (“Reporting School Violence Before it Happens”) provides an overview of the importance of reporting school violence, and outlines specific barriers to reporting among youth, school staff, and parents/guardians. Part II (“Developing and Implementing a Reporting Process”) provides guidance on important features of a reporting process for potential or actual violence and other safety concerns. Part III (“Special Considerations”) discusses three particular problems affecting school youth: suicide, bullying/cyberbullying, and dating- related violence and abusive …

Healthy And Unhealthy Responses To American Democratic Institutional Failure, Thomas D'Anieri

CMC Senior Theses

I have set out on the hunch that politics in America “feels different,” that we are frustrated both with our institutions as well as with one another. First, I will seek to empirically verify this claim beyond mere “feelings.” If it can be shown that these kinds of discontent genuinely exist to the extent that I believe they do, I will then explain why people feel this way and why things are different this time from the economic, political, and social points of view. Next, I will examine two potential responses, what I will call the populist and the institutional …

Iraq Programme Report 2020, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

In 2020, UNMAS Iraq prioritised the following areas of support:

• Support government and national mine action entities with managing, regulating, and coordinating a mine action response through Technical Support (TS) initiatives;
• Deliver Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) at the community and national level; and
• Provide Explosive Hazard Management (EHM) response in support of humanitarian and stabilization efforts.

Due to the nature of threats posed by EO, UNMAS and its implementing partners are among the first responders allowing the humanitarian community and local authorities to intervene quickly and efficiently to help civilians.

A significant mine action capacity gap remains in Iraq. …

Palestine Programme Eore Portfolion 2019-2020, Unmas

Global CWD Repository

The persistent conflict faced by the Palestinian population has resulted in large areas of the Palestine being contaminated by various ERW. The key threats differ regionally between Gaza and the West Bank Areas A, B and C. Whereas Gaza has been continually exposed to ERW including Israeli Aerial Bombs; the West Bank is contaminated with a mixture of mines. ERW and Riot Control Agents such as tear gas.

The UNMAS Palestine programme has worked hard to mitigate the impact of the Palestine Israel conflict in Gaza. Unfortunately, the presence of ERW is indiscriminate in Gaza and there is a possibility …

Landmine Monitor 2020, Icbl-Cmc

Global CWD Repository

This is the 22nd annual Landmine Monitor report. It is the sister publication to the Cluster Munition Monitor report, first published in November 2010.

Landmine Monitor 2020 provides a global overview of the landmine situation. Chapters on developments in specific countries and other areas are available in online Country Profiles at www.the-monitor.org/cp.

Landmine Monitor covers mine ban policy, use, production, trade, and stockpiling; includes information on developments and challenges in assessing and addressing the impact of mine contamination and casualties through clearance, risk education, and victim assistance; and documents international and national support for mine action. This report focuses on …

From The Legal Literature: Automating Police, Francesca Laguardia

Department of Justice Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

From The Legal Literature: If The Fetus Is A Person—Is It Relevant? An Argument On The Rights Of Pregnant Women, Francesca Laguardia

Department of Justice Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Food Policy For A Healthy, Sustainable, And Equitable Local Food System: Recommendations For Missoula, Erika Berglund

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Over the last several decades, food policy councils (FPCs) have led the effort to place food on local government policy agendas. While FPCs continue to make progress in supporting local food systems, they also face institutional and organizational challenges. In recent years, a handful of cities and counties have endeavored to further food system reform with the establishment of full-time food policy staff positions. Currently, there are 19 confirmed food policy positions housed in local governments across the U.S. While there is considerable literature on FPCs, little research has been published regarding governmental food policy staff positions. This study uses …

The Racist Impact Of Redistributive Public Policies: Handout Versus Hand-Up, Mittie Davis Jones

Cultural Encounters, Conflicts, and Resolutions

Federal government policies, while benefitting some urban areas, have historically been detrimental to African-American people. Years of welfare and housing policies have placed central city residents, especially African-Americans, at a disadvantage which they have not overcome. Policies that once denied benefits to Black people, such as public welfare and federally-insured mortgages, morphed into stigmatized policies which, when available to Blacks, became obstacles to their advancement. These same policies enabled the majority White population to do what they were initially designed to do – provide a toehold during a period of temporary economic decline after which personal advancement was possible.

The …

The Impact Of Career Experiences On Generativity And Postretirement Choices For Intelligence Community Baby Boomers, Marianne Victoria Kramer

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study focused on baby boomers and explored how a career with a mission-focus in the Intelligence Community influenced boomer generativity and subsequent choices after retirement. Baby boomers make-up the majority of the population that is retirement eligible today and have the benefit of a longer life expectancy commensurate with improvements in health care over the past century. Current retirement literature covers a range of options that redefine what retirement means today. This study employed a two-phase mixed method approach to investigate the characteristics and impacts of a mission-focused career, and to understand how such experiences impact postretirement opportunities and …

The Experience Of Children's Mental Health Leaders During Times Of Constraint: A Narrative Study, Jody Levison-Johnson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Across the United States, each state has a public mental health system that is designed to support children and youth with emotional and behavioral challenges. This is critically important as recent estimates show that one in six children in the United States has a diagnosed mental health condition (Whitney & Peterson, 2019). The design and structure of these systems vary by state, but consistent across them is the presence of a state-designated leader who is faced with an array of constraining factors that influence their behavior and shape the resulting system. This study describes the experience of leaders in children’s …