Social Work Commons^™

Educating Children With Developmental Disabilities In Regular Education Classrooms: A Public Policy Analysis, Monique J. Larson

Theses and Graduate Projects

There is much controversy about how and where to best educate children with developmental disabilities. There are those who argue for the integration or complete inclusion of children with disabilities into a regular education environment. On the other hand are those who argue for continued and increased special education services that are provided outside of the regular education classroom. Currently in education there is a wide spectrum of environments in which children with developmental disabilities are being taught. The purpose of this study is to analyze the development and evolution of special education public policy, with an emphasis on the …

A Safe School Plan For Jefferson Elementary School, Jody Ann Kirchner

Theses and Graduate Projects

School violence has become a growing concern in the United States. Although most of the stories reported in the media focus on violence in high schools, concerns for the safety of elementary school students is increasing. Strategies used by schools to maintain safety for students include 1) zero tolerance policies, 2) conflict resolution through peer mediation, and 3) safe school planning. This descriptive research study utilizes safe school planning because of its focus on overall school environment and climate. Secondary data analysis is used to identify students' perceptions of safety at Minneapolis Public School's Jefferson Elementary. Survey questions are categorized …

An Exploration Of Medical Social Workers' Participation In A Grief Education Seminar, Colleen Marie Hoffman

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to design, implement and evaluate a grief and death educational seminar for medical social workers at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This study described a seminar designed by the researcher: "The Grief Journey: Our Patients, Ourselves" and presented findings of the survey questionnaire and program evaluation. The study used primarily qualitative data to evaluate the preparedness of medical social workers in assessing grief after participating in a grief education seminar. The study population (n=23) were men and women participants of the grief education seminar presented January, 1997. The survey questionnaire and evaluations …

An Outcomes Evaluation Of A Family Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, Laura Jean Skogen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Despite numerous studies on the incidence and effects or incest, little information exists on treatment effectiveness. This study employed an ex post facto program outcomes design using a records review to evaluate a Midwestern Family Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (FSATP). Outcomes examined included clients' status at case closing and progress on 10 program goals from a Likert-type Clinical Rating Scale. Significant positive relationships were found between the length of treatment, quantity of family and group treatments, and the status at case closing. These findings suggest that the FSATP should consider the following changes: 1) increase the range of family participation; …

Women And Mid-Life Divorce Losses And Triumphs, Christine Kocinski

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose or this study was to report the findings of a qualitative, exploratory study with women who divorced during the mid-life years of 35-55. Paul Bohannan's six stations of divorce was used as a framework to explore the legal, economic, community, emotional, co-parental, and psychic losses expressed by women as a result of divorcing in mid-life and factors proving beneficial in coping with these losses.

Data from ten open-ended, structured interviews were collected and analyzed. This data revealed themes of depression, anger and sadness, yet hope for further growth and a better life post-divorce recovery.

Implications for social work …

School Social Worker Responses Relative To A Community School Model, Judith I. Muenzhuber

Theses and Graduate Projects

Across the country, educational outcomes of children are increasingly compromised by a number of non-school factors such as insufficient health care, poor nutrition and stressful family situations. Communities are recognizing that educating children requires resources and commitment from the whole community, not only from schools. The community school model is one approach to help increase educational outcomes. It brings parents, schools, government and community agencies together to ensure that students are emotionally and physically prepared to learn. This study examines the responses from school social workers in the Saint Paul School District relative to the definition and concept of a …

What Can We Learn About Resilience From Women Who Survived The Great Depression?, Vicky Lh Follansbee

Theses and Graduate Projects

The following historical study explored the characteristic of resilience or inner strength in women who survived the Great Depression. For the purpose of this study, women were limited to white working class. The research attempted to discover variables that supported resilience and propelled women into survival mode. Women searched desperately for employment and food to feed their families. How did women cope with extremities produced by the Depression? Using content analysis, this qualitative study examined historical documents in search of common factors that aided and supported resilience in women. The data revealed story after story of hardship that forced women …

Developing A Multidisciplinary Team In Primary Care, Cynthia L. Gustafson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The changing trends in health care are focusing copiously on the importance of prevention. However, research has shown that there is a lack of education and strategic programming to do this in primary care clinics despite the growing attention in medical journals. A structured multidisciplinary team in primary care can be influential in obtaining the services necessary for patients before the problems are unmanageable to be handled in an outpatient setting. The program introduced in this study has set role definitions based on the findings in the literature regarding each discipline involved. The team consists of the physician (general practitioner), …

Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder At Home And School: Effective Intervention Strategies And Barriers To Services, Deana M. Loven

Theses and Graduate Projects

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed and thoroughly researched disorders of childhood, however, little is known about ADHD in the school setting. This research study explored effective intervention strategies and barriers to services for children with ADHD at home and school. The research design utilized a self-administered survey questionnaire distributed to school social workers, parents, and special education teachers and general education teachers. Of the 63 returned surveys, 37 met criteria for inclusion in the research. Findings from quantitative and qualitative data indicate that school social workers are critical team members to the comprehensive approach of …

Difficulties In The Recognition Of Adolescent Depression, Laurel L. Klawitter

Theses and Graduate Projects

Adolescent depression is a significant problem in today's society. Because of adolescent depression's unique symptoms and behaviors, such depression is often difficult to recognize. The purpose of this study was to determine if rural county human service social workers in Minnesota have the skills to recognize adolescent depression. Seventy social workers were polled from six different rural counties in Minnesota. The survey instrument measured the participants' perceptions about the prevalence of adolescent depression, particular behaviors of such depression, and their own skills in recognizing depression in adolescents. The findings of the study indicated that although responding social workers have some …

Self-Determination At A Homeless Youth Serving Agency, Matthew F. Halley

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study explored how staff of a drop-in center for homeless youth interacted with clients. Specifically, it examined the roles of paternalism and self-determination at the agency. In order to determine degrees of paternalism, fifteen subjects were asked to respond to four vignettes. The study results suggest that paternalism may be used as a tool for supporting clients. Classic justifications for paternalistic interventions were applied to the homeless youth population to argue that limiting self -determination was appropriate.

The Purpose And Effectiveness Of The Semi-Independent Living Skills Program For Persons With Developmental Disabilities: An Exploratory Study, Barbara Sulflow-Zaeska

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the semi-independent living skills program offered to individuals with developmental disabilities. The goal of the study was to determine what services are being provided by this program as well as to determine if and in what ways they contribute to client self-sufficiency. The study was exploratory and used quantitative and qualitative research methods. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with four county social workers and seven coordinators of the semi-independent living skills program.

Study results revealed several factors which affect the ability of clients to obtain their highest level of independence possible. Most prominent …

Loss And Grief Measurement Tool For Battered Women, Sherrie A. Eisele

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research has focused on battered women's safety needs which are supportive of women leaving their abusive partners. Despite the established intervention techniques and the availability of concrete support services, a high percentage of women will remain in or return to violent homes. A gap in research surrounds the emotional attachments and the lack of intrapersonal support for battered women, which would provide them with a process to heal from the abuse. Through an exploratory method, this study designed an easy-to-use measurement tool to assess the loss and grief battered women experience. Qualitative interviews were conducted of practitioners in the design …

A Study Of What Criteria Are Used To Decide On Flexible Funding For "Wraparound" Services In A Four County Collaborative, Janae T. Lucht

Theses and Graduate Projects

Collaboration is being recognized as a successful approach in the service delivery to children and families. The wraparound process is a collaborative approach that is an alternative to traditional services delivery for children with severe emotional disturbances and their families. A primary mechanism for the wraparound process is the availability and accessibility of flexible funds in order to develop and implement non-categorical services, that is, services not already in categories approved for funding.

This study explores flexible funding, the criteria used, and perceptions of the decision makers when reviewing an application for flexible funds. The following two research questions are …

An Historical Policy Examination Of The Adoption Assistance And Child Welfare Act Of 1980 (P.L. 96-272), Douglas E. Dooley

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (AACWA) (P.L. 96-272) was the first federal legislation that provided for family preservation services.

This study reviews the antecedent period between 1860 and 1980 to examine the policy trends in child welfare legislation and programs. DiNitto's (1983) incremental policy process is examined to show the evolution of how the issue of family preservation services became the focus of the federal government through the AACWA.

The dual philosophies of child rescue and services to the child and family are examined through the review of selected past legislation and programs. The reader is …

The Impact Of Juvenile Curfew Enforcement On Crime Statistics, Kevin Orron Thomas

Theses and Graduate Projects

While America's overall crime rate is in decline, juvenile crime is on the rise. One strategy to help prevent and reduce this phenomenon is the enforcement of a nocturnal juvenile curfew. In a five year period (1990-1994) fifty percent of major American cities took legislative action to enact a curfew ordinance for the first time, or revised an existing ordinance. The purpose of this study was to examine the enforcement of curfew as it related to the reduction or prevention of juvenile crime. The study analyzed selected crime statistics from two city's comparing and contrasting pre and post curfew enforcement …

Understanding Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Khmer Traditional Healers: A Case Study, Chang Thach

Theses and Graduate Projects

Approximately three million Cambodian (Khmer) people were victims of political genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 inside Cambodia. A significant number of survivors of this holocaust immigrated to Minnesota. The psychological trauma of living through the genocide by the Khmer Rouge has caused many Khmer immigrants to seek mental health services. Many of these seeking mental health services have been diagnosed as suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Two groups of Khmer healers currently live in Minnesota: the Buddhist monk and Kru healer. Traditional Khmer immigrants suffering from PTSD symptoms may be inclined to seek help from …

Personal And Social Factors Related To Adolescent Recidivism, Edgar Young Jr

Theses and Graduate Projects

More than 45,000 Minnesota juveniles were arrested for all types of offenses in 1993, and 8.3 out of every 100 Minnesota juveniles arrested were between the ages of 10 and 17 (MN State Legislative Auditor, 1995). This exploratory research is a study using face to face interviews with seven professionals working directly with adolescent males who have been arrested and convicted of illegal activity (including status offenses). Six social service professionals from Minneapolis/St. Paul and surrounding metro counties were interviewed. Participants shared their perspective on the personal and social forces they think influence adolescent recidivism. Recidivism in this study is …

Nurse's Perceptions: Responsibility Attribution Of Rape Victims, Barbara J. Kiffe

Theses and Graduate Projects

Rape is a social problem high impacting the individuals who have experienced sexual assault and its effects. Many clients report not only being victimized by the assault, but also in the aftermath by insensitive professionals who attribute blame to the victim. This blame is created by rape myths, beliefs that under certain circumstances, the victim was responsible for the assault. This thesis replicates a previous study done by Best, Dansky, and Kilpatrick (1992) in South Carolina among medical students and compares the results. This research study examines the attitudes of nurses from three different departments of a midwestern hospital who …

Subsidy: More Or Less, Michelle Lefebvre

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis explores whether a subsidized client in a federally funded program for older adults receives as much service as a client in the same program that does not receive subsidy for service. This was accomplished by examining records that spanned a year of service from two programs that deliver service to older adults that assist them to remain living in their own homes.

Finding of the study indicated that there were no relationships between subsidized services and clients receiving service. Based on the study findings, recommendations were made for a larger study sample and a control of other variables.

Access To Educational Services For Homeless Youth Ages 12 To 15 In Minneapolis, Alice L. Brown

Theses and Graduate Projects

The subject of this study is access to educational services for homeless 12 to 15 year old youth. The study used interviews with key informants to answer three questions, What are the educational and support services, what are the eligibility requirements for using the services and what are barriers to accessing services. Using the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act as an indicator of the legally mandated services youth are entitled to four areas were identified that have the potential to act as a barrier to service, residency requirements, guardianship issues, placement/enrollment and services to support success. Seven interviews were conducted with …

A Historical Research Study Of The Evolution Of Attention Deficit Disorder, Eleonora R. Posner

Theses and Graduate Projects

Across the United States of America, schools and social service agencies have become increasingly aware of a disability called Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.). Families and employers are learning the name for this confusing, frustration, seemingly uncontrolled problem. The focus of this thesis will be to trace the origin and historical development of this disorder. It examines the work of those who were involved in identifying, defining and treating the disorder. The author has attempted to draw connections between history, discovery, research and implications for treatment, practice and public policy.

Caregivers Information Seminar: Development Of A Program For Caregivers In The Work Place, Kathi L. Durkee

Theses and Graduate Projects

The fastest growing population in the United States today are people aged 85 and older. Consequently, more American families than ever before are involved in providing some type of care or support to an elderly family member. The resulting need for assistance with daily living comes at a time when increasing numbers of women, the traditional caregivers, are entering the work force. This paper examines the research about caregiving employees and presents remedies that have been presented in the literature. A work-site model is proposed for the use of time-limited psycho-educational support groups that recognize and address the special needs …

Contributing Factors For Battered Women Returning To Abusive Relationships In The Twin Cities Area In 1995, Kimberly R. Holleschau

Theses and Graduate Projects

The economic status of women impacts their ability to leave abusive relationships. A qualitative and quantitative methods survey was used to gather data from residential program directors of battered womens shelters in the metro area detrning their experiences in the field of domestic violence. Using measures of central tendency and interpretation of themes to evaluate the data. 50% stated that economic dependence and a lack of resources, including financial. were the main reasons women stayed. In shelters providing housing alternatives. 58Vo of battered women utilized that resource. It is necessary to improve state and federal policies and shelter programming to …

Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Practices From The Perspectives Of Agency Therapists And African American Clients, Thomas Adams

Theses and Graduate Projects

This portrayal of the African American client and family appeared to be unjustified, Working with some of the "more difficult" African American clients and families and inquiring about their difficulty in following through with treatment programs and continued therapy sessions, a central theme began to emerge as an explanation for their behavior. Many of these African American clients and families believed they were not respected by the agencies or by the therapist. Many said they did not like being the only African American in treatment an#or they wanted an African American therapist. When the writer began to compare this informal …

State Guardianship: A Look At Youth In Hennepin County, Kimberly Shannon Doran

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study is an explorative evaluation of the placement status and identifying characteristics of youth under state guardianship in Hennepin County, Minnesota. A survey design was used to ascertain information about youth ages 0-17, eligible for adoption in Hennepin County from January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1995. The information was provided by the Hennepin County Adoptions Unit. Data resulting from this study did not answer the primary research question regarding the placement status of youth awaiting adoption in the age category of interest results revealed that twelve percent were adopted. Study results revealed that twelve percent were adopted. The …

Factors Associated With Veteran Patients Decisions About Advance Directives At The Minnesota Vamc, Amy L. Marciniak

Theses and Graduate Projects

An estimated 30 million Americans are potentially eligible for care within the Veteran's Administration system. To better understand how veterans choose whether or not to complete an advance directive this study obtained self-reports from eleven men on an extended care ward, at a local VA. An exploratory study was conducted using a questionnaire that gathered quantitative and qualitative data regarding demographics, reasons for having or not having an advance directive, and preferred learning methods. Consistent with other research, the findings indicated varied reasons for not having an advance directive including: never received information, never thought about it, procrastination, family already …

Barriers To School Enrollment And Success Of Children Living In Shelters, Claire Kuennen Jordan

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nearly a decade since the passage of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, barriers to school enrollment and education of children who are homeless remain. The extent to which these barriers exist varies from place to place. To identify the barriers in the St. Paul Public School District, this study surveyed school and shelter staff and interviewed key informants. Survey findings indicate that the most important barriers to enrollment are: difficulty in acquiring children's school records and lack of transportation from the shelter to the school. Once enrolled, the greatest obstacles to school success for these children are repeated …

Perinatal Loss And The Marital Relationship, Karilyn K. Alexander

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study examined the perceived stress and conflict that resulted in the marriages of 32 individuals who experienced perinatal loss and chose to participate in this study. The research sought to better understand the stress couples perceive in their marriages in relation to the level of attachment to the fetus following a perinatal loss. This study also focused on the social support received from inside and outside the marriage following a loss, and how the support influenced the marital stress experienced. Two copies of the self-administered questionnaires were sent to each couple who volunteered to participate. The findings indicated …

An Evaluation Of The Mid-Iowa Boy Scout Program In Its Effectiveness To Prepare Adolescents To Become Healthy, Responsible And Productive Young Adults, Delores Crum

Theses and Graduate Projects

A review of the current literature indicates that the numbers of troubled and delinquent youths are increasing. Community-based youth programs, such as the Boy Scouts of America, can be a valuable resource in the healthy development of youth. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mid-lowa Boy Scout program in helping adolescent boys become healthy, responsible, contributing members of society. One hundred, self-administered questionnaires were sent to a cross-sample of former Boy Scouts in the Mid-lowa Council, who had turned 17 years of age according to the troop records of 1985-1987. Findings from this …