Social Work Commons^™

State Agency Promising Practice: Community Employment Training By And For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In Tennessee, Jean Winsor, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

ThinkWork! Publications

Project Income was a joint venture between the Tennessee Microboards Association (statewide organization that supports individual microboards, which procure and oversee supports and services) and People First of Tennessee (a statewide selfadvocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities). The focus of the project was to educate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and their families about the benefits of and opportunities for community employment.

State Agency Promising Practices: Using Employment Data To Create Area-Specific Employment Goals In Massachusetts, Allison C. Hall, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

ThinkWork! Publications

In 2002, the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) developed a contractual requirement that employment service provider performance be tracked through outcome measures. As a result, DDS shaped its employment data collection system to focus on what it viewed as key outcomes for measuring success around employment. A confluence of factors including participation in the National Core Indicator project, a new Request for Responses (RFR) for Employment Support Services that emphasized performance measurement, and DDS’s intrinsic commitment to greater community employment supported the development of an employment data system that focused on individual outcomes. Data from this effort is now …

State Agency Promising Practice: Working Together - Collaboration Between Colorado’S Developmental Disabilities Division And Division Of Vocational Rehabilitation, Allison C. Hall, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

ThinkWork! Publications

In Colorado, counselors from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation are housed on-site in Community Centered Board1 offices so they can provide direct services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). The goal of the project was to serve 240 customers with ID/DD and provide 134 successful employment outcomes over a two-year period2. Streamlined services and enhanced communication emerged through a unique collaborative effort between the two entities.

The Lived Experiences Of Older African Americans Residing In Urban Nursing Homes, Marilynn Gail Byrd Knall

Wayne State University Theses

As huge numbers of baby boomers reach old age, an increased need for nursing home care in the future is inevitable. Older people face more complex health issues that often lead to debilitation or disability and thus the need for long-term care. The numbers of consumers needing long-term care services will more than triple during the next 30 years.

African Americans compose less than 10% of nursing home residents and even at age 84 and older, when the likelihood of nursing home placement is higher, proportionately fewer African Americans live in nursing homes. The underrepresentation of ethnic minorities groups in …

Best Practices For Increasing Pro-Social Behavior In Adolescents With Mental Health And Behavioral Disorders, Danielle Armbrust-Malone

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Approximately 2 to 16 percent of the general population has a disruptive behavior disorder such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD) (Corcoran & Walsh, 2006). In a school setting, youth with these disorders may engage in acts such as disrespecting teachers, swearing at others, threatening others, assaulting staff or students, stealing, or vandalizing property and may benefit from a day treatment program which provides mental health services in a school setting. (Whitfield, 1999). Micro intervention strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management and mezzo interventions such as family therapy have been used to treat disruptive …

Minnesota Health Care Programs: Renville County Human Servics Outreach Project, Bethany Leindecker

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Purpose:

To develop an outreach program for use by Renville County Human Services staff to educate potential service recipients and other community residents about Minnesota health care programs.

To assist outreach staff in gaining skills and knowledge necessary to effectively conduct the outreach.

Llmhs Elderly Services Outreach Program: Lincoln, Lyon & Murray Human Services, Jamie Olson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Right now there is a lack of professional and community knowledge regarding the services LLMHS provides to those over age 65. Thus, there are elderly who are in need of help who are not getting connected to a county long term care social worker. The elderly may need help to simply get connected to resources, have questions answered, correct misconceptions about long term care, get recommendations, or assistance paying for home and community based services. There are also many providers and professionals with questions about what LLMHS does and does not do as well as what the assistance programs can …

Best Practices For Vulnerable Adult Investigation Policies And Procedures At Blue Earth County, Anna Stindt

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to update the policies and procedures for conducting vulnerable adult investigations in Blue Earth County to reflect changes in the statute and to incorporate current best practices for conducting investigations.

Frequent Users Of The Emergency Department: A Policy Proposal, Tina Ann Olson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research has extensively documented that a small number of Emergency Department (ED) patients make disproportionate use of emergency services (Okin et al., 2000). The term “Frequent Users” is used to describe patients who utilize ED services more than four times per year (Byrne et al., 2003). Frequent Users are often times patients with chronic medical, mental health, alcohol and drug problems, as well as other psychosocial issues (Fulde & Duffy, 2006). Homeless people also appear to have significantly higher ED rates than the general population (Pope et al., 2000). Immanuel St. Joseph’s-Mayo Health System (ISJ) ED appears to have many …

Personal And Professional Spirituality: Muslim Social Workers' Perspectives, Cheryl W. El-Amin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research in the area of religion and spirituality in social work practice is lacking minority practitioner representation. This phenomenological study explored the questions of how American Muslim social workers define and experience the religious/spiritual, and perceive the propriety of integrating either, in practice. Ibn Khaldun and Durkheim, early social theorists, suggested that group feeling and affiliation impact personal and professional perception and decision making. American societal views of Muslims are often negative and uninformed. A group of 15 Muslim practitioners with bachelor's or more advanced degrees in social work were recruited through a survey administered via an Internet survey site. …

Developing Evidenced Based Practice For Social Emotional Screenings In Schools, Kim Anderson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The social problem being addressed through this project includes several challenges faced by our nation's schools, namely increasing numbers of disciplinary referrals, suspensions, and expulsions (Marchant, Anderson, Caldarella, Fisher, Young,Young, 2009). Further research states that "more and more children entering school are unprepared to learn, unable to cope with the social tasks involved in making friends and getting along with others, and unaware of their negative social effect on others," (Marchant et al., 2009, p.131). Only about 20% of children and adolescents with a psychiatric disorder in the United States receive any kind of mental health services (Fritz, 2007). Yet …

School Improvement Programs, Kimberly Barry

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Teachers face a growing number behavior challenges that effect the delivery of classroom instruction (Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice , n.d). This affects how the teacher teaches and how the other students learn. Disruptions in the classroom force teachers to direct their attention to that student resulting in less time teaching. School wide programs help school staff develop expectations for behavior and allows for a common language amongst all staff and students. There are many school wide programs that claim to make behaviors decrease. It can be very cumbersome and time consuming for schools to go through all of …

Acute Psychiatric Group Therapy For Hospitalized Individuals With Serious And Persistent Mental Illness, Lindsey Bednar

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify group therapy interventions to be provided during a time limited acute psychiatric hospitalization for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) derived from evidenced-based research.

Research Question: What skills deficits and theory of practice are most efficacious with individuals with SPMI diagnosis served by ISJ Behavioral Health Unit?

Mental Health Relapse Prevention: What Does The Research Say?, Robin Bode

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project researches evidenced-based literature in the area of mental health relapse prevention planning. The literature review explored best practices in providing mental health relapse prevention interventions and identified research study outcomes. The South Central Crisis Center of Mankato provides residential sub-acute care, crisis assessment, intervention, education and psychiatric urgent care to individuals that identify mental health issues as their primary concern (South Central Crisis Center, 2003). Within the 10 bed facility, clients participate in psycho-social educational groups and receive individual clinical services. Prior to discharge clients meet with the mental health professional to complete an In Home Treatment …

In Step With Our Parents: 3-Part Educational Series, Kate Boisen-Macdonald

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project is to educate adult children caring for their parents, so they can identify as caregivers so they can better cope with, identify with, and/or navigate the role of care giving, and be aware of the resources available to them.

Social Work Involvement In Supporting Survivors Of An Unexpected Death In An Emergency Department, Jennifer E. Buchanan

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

People occasionally present to a hospital’s emergency department (ED) after an event such as a heart attack or a motor vehicle accident that results in their sudden and unexpected death. Although members of the ED attempt to support the survivors as much as possible, due to the fast pace of the environment and responsibilities to other patients, the survivors may not always be provided with the necessary resources and support. This can leave survivors feeling isolated and confused about the appropriate course of action after this type of experience. A planned, organized approach delivered by educated and sensitive staff can …

Bring Mental Health Services Home: Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Adolescents And Their Families In Rural Minnesota, Laura Filzen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a program that addressed housing and therapeutic support to adolescents experiencing mental health issues, allowed adolescents to remain in the community, and promoted reunification with their families. “An important indicator of success for children in out-of-home care is a timely transition to reunification” (Park and Ryan, 2009). Based on the literature and practice, it is believed that intensive family therapy is needed to promote reunification and reduce recidivism of placement.

Assessment Of Parenting Skills Of Mothers In Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment, Barb Pieske

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Objective of this project was for me to search for an assessment tool that gives an understanding of mothers who are court ordered to substance abuse treatment. Methods: Search scholarly literature and consult with field supervisor. Results: Adoption of an assessment tool that identifies the strengths and weakness of parenting skills. Conclusion: A structured interview assessment allows the therapist to gather data on the parent with a person centered perspective with a holistic approach.

Implementation And Data Tracking Of School-Linked Mental Health Services At A Rural Mental Health Agency, Jim Redmond

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In late December of 2007 Tom McNeely, the clinical director for the Sioux Trails Mental Health Center, received a Request for Proposals (RFP) from the Minnesota Department of Human Services soliciting grant applications for a new school-linked mental health program. The school-linked program would provide students (K-12) attending public schools full therapeutic services in an effort to reduce mental health issues as a barrier to learning. This approach mirrored Sioux Trails’ belief that a holistic philosophy incorporating prevention and early intervention is the most effective healthcare service. Since the RTF seemed a good fit for the agency, Mr. McNeely, along …

Social Work Ethics Computer-Based Training Minnesota State University, Mankato Department Of Social Work, Rebecca Robinson-Wargelin

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

At the Community Behavioral Health Hospital, St.Peter (CBHH),a discussion was held regarding Ethics Continuing Education Hours(CEUs). The Minnesota Board of Social Work(MNBSW)and Minnesota State Statute 148D.130 require that Licensed Social Workers receive two hours of ethics-specific CEUsper licensure renewal. Through this discussion,it appeared that it would be beneficial to create an ethics computer-based training(CBT), which would be of no expense to State Operated Services(SOS)Social Workers.This option would also provide convenience for social workers, who as a majority,reside within rural areas.The CBT created is in accordance to requirements of the MNBSW and has an emphasis to include the National Association of …

From A Consumer’S Perspective: What Is Helpful For Residents Of Four Bed Group Homes To Maintain Good Mental Health, Ronna R. Severson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The population with mental illness has faced many changes in the services provided to them throughout the years. And fortunately, in recent years there has been many progressions in the field that have made the services even better. This transformation all began with the gradual process of closing mental health hospitals and the opening of community based alternatives, otherwise known as deinstitutionalization (Brunt & Hansson, 2002, p. 611). The main objective of the deinstitutionalization movement was to create more humane services for the individuals with mental illness (Searight& Handal, 1987, p. 8). Through this process one of the community based …

Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Electric Training Modules, Jennifer Stuehrenberg

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The South Central Crisis Center is a State Operated Services mental health facility in Mankato, Minnesota. The center is designed to offer people suffering an acute mental health episode, such as suicidal thoughts, or who need a medication adjustment or other psychiatric services, up to a few days in a safe, secure environment. The center accepts referrals from law enforcement, county or health care professionals in these participating counties: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Rice, Sibley and Watonwan. Recently, the program has been serving a larger amount of clients who have a diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder …

Parent Training, Support And Psychoeducational Groups As Evidence Based Practice In Children's Mental Health, Dorothy Wagner

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The evidence base for programs in children’s mental health has expanded significantly in the last decade (Burns, 2003), yet the implementation of these programs has lagged behind (Walrath, Sheehan, Holden, Hernandez & Blau, 2005). The purpose of this project is to research current evidence based practices and programs that could improve and/or update services that are provided to children and adolescents diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance (SED) in Steele County. Research and analysis of the feasibility of implementing a group intervention to provide support, psychoeducation and/or skills training to families was conducted.

"I'M Glad You Asked": Homeless Clients With Severe Mental Illness Evaluate Their Residential Care, Katherine Tyson Mccrea, Lesa Spravka

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Homeless clients with severe mental illness can offer considerable insight about their residential care, but there are significant methodological challenges in eliciting their service evaluations: maximizing participation, facilitating self-expression, and preserving clients' natural meanings. This study addresses those challenges and presents qualitative data residential care staff obtained from 210 clients. While clients prioritized meeting their subsistence needs, they emphasized attaining inner well-being and mutually respectful relationships, and that group services needed to reduce confrontational interactions in order to be helpful. For after-care services, clients sought sustained relationships with staff grounded in client initiative, combining respect for their autonomy with psychosocial …

Using Social Construction Theory As A Foundation For Macro-Level Interventions In Communities Impacted By Hiv And Addictions, David Allen Patterson, Robert H. Keefe

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Many professionals working with people living with HIV and alcohol and other drug addictions rely heavily on micro and mezzo-level interventions. The authors argue that although these approaches are effective for helping people living with some social problems they are too narrow for working effectively with HIV-positive and alcohol and other drug-addicted individuals. The authors use social construction theory to analyze the social problems of HIV/AIDS and addictions and make recommendations for macro-level interventions that may help curtail the dual problems of HIV and addictions.

The Mercury Connection: Autism And Childhood Vaccines, Sarah Rossi

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

A literature survey of government and private studies have found that Thimerosal not to be a cause of auism. The reliance on limited, flawed and outdated studies on the effect of ethyl-mercury suggest that more research is needed to understand the effects of ethyl-mercury and particularly Thimerosal. In the meantime efforts should be increased to remove Thimerosal from vaccines world-wide.

Gambaran Korban Dalam Menghadapi Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga, Farida Hayati Tobri, Dini Widinarsih

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

Domestic violence is a social problem which has multiple causes and complex This research has founds that there are variety of domestic violence backgrounds, the intent of violence, the form of domestic violence, the impact of violence for women, and also the effort to ends domestic violence

Program Mitigasi Bagi Anak Terpapar Hiv/Aids, Fentiny Nugroho

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

Mitigation services for children living with HIV/ AIDS who have done such as health and psychosocial services for children and also training and financial assistance for economic improvement for the child's parent Especially psychosocial services for children, not all agencies provide this service, so it's a service aspect that still needs to be developed. Mitigation model that has been done in general is family-based care, while community-based have limitations because there still exists the stigma from society. In implementation, the mitigation program experienced a number of obstacles, besides there is also a supporting factor

Types And Measurement Of Poverty In Australia, Isbandi Rukminto Adi

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

During Millennium Summit 2000 the United Nations (UN) has declared the Millennium Development Goals. The UN acknowledges the importance of poverty problems. The first goal of MDGs is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger The declaration also mentioned that proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day and people who suffer from hunger should decrease by half in 25 years (from 1990 to 2015) Related to poverty problems The 8th goal of MDGs is to develop a global partnership for development Global Partnership, in this case, could be seen by giving opportunities for people from developing …

Kebijakan Hiv/Aids Dan Prevention Mother To Child Transmision (Pmtct) Di Indonesia, Triyanti Anugrahini

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

The various policies which related to HIV/AIDS in Indonesia is continue to be developed in line with the increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia since the cases were first found in 1987 By using the framework of a retrospective policy analysis (analysis of policy), this paper will review the formulation of the policy and its contents, seen from several dimensions that are interconnected with one another, ie the contents of the policy (content), national and international contextual conditions (context), policy-making (process) and the actors that play the role and influence in the policy-making (actors) Policy analysis is described based …