Social Work Commons^™

Why Peer Intervention Is Viable, Cynthia L. Morton, Antoinette Dunstan, Candice Anderson, Monica Seeley

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Welcome to the "Age of Indifference". Unfortunately, our culture is so busy looking at our own problems and issues that we have systematically stopped caring about others. However, if our culture would embrace a system based on collaboration and compassion, we may lessen many social and psychological issues that impact youth today.

From Roadblocks To Bridges, Taylor L. Teichman

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Through lecture and hands-on activities this workshop builds on understanding the layers of oppression of sexual violence, and meeting the needs of young people who have experienced sexual violence. This workshop will assist all professionals in their understanding of what sexual violence means for those from the LGBTQIAH+ youth community.

It will assist those in creating strategies for building bridges and making supports for these young people and their families/loved ones

1. Participants will have the basic knowledge of the intersectionality of sexual violence, LGBTQIAH+ youth, race, and class.
2. Participants will create 2 skills in bridging the gaps for these survivors. …

Self-Care Among Social Work Educators, Shelby Connett

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Self-Care Among Social Work Educators combines the results of several academic projects completed to understand the intersections of self -care practice and teaching methods among social work educators and presents them as complete work, highlighting themes present throughout the projects and providing recommendations for further efforts.

Transforming Communities Through Policy: Bridging The Gap Between What We Know And What We Do, Danielle Galvin

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Abstract

Research findings are incorporated too slowly and inconsistently into social service practices. This gap between services and the research that informs them results in poorer outcomes for clients, and higher costs to taxpayers in the form of less effective treatments. Even evidence-based programs, if not delivered with fidelity to the research upon which they are based, can result in poor outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate solutions that support more rapid and effective implementation of research within agencies’ complex government, community, and organizational environments. The field of implementation science has emerged to study factors that influence …

Guide Lines Vol. I, Issue 13 - March 2018, College Of Health And Human Services

GUIDE Lines

Periodic Newsletter of the Governors State University - University of Illinois, Chicago - Disparities Education Cancer research training and education project (The GUIDE Project).

In The Child's Best Interests: Preparing Culturally Responsive Guardians Ad Litem In Minnesota, Ashley Brown, Emily Camacho, Taneesha Hunter, Skylar Retterath

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Guardians ad litem (GALs) serve and advocate for the most vulnerable children in Minnesota. These individuals make recommendations to the courts which can impact the amount of time children are placed out of their homes. The Guardian ad Litem Board sets the qualifications and training requirements for Guardians ad Litem in Minnesota. Guardians ad litem are currently required to participate in 3 hours per year of continuing education in cultural awareness topics; this amount of training is not adequate in relation to the diversity of the population with which the GALs are working. The importance of cultural responsiveness is significant …

Taking Care Of Palliative Care, Jolene Baker, Kristina Larsen, Amanda Schumacher

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Minnesota has done well with the amount of palliative care services provided across the state. However, rural communities in Minnesota have far less access to palliative care programs than those living in urban settings. This is in part due to the lack of availability of health care professionals in rural communities, and the lower reimbursement rates provided for palliative care programs in rural settings. Although the majority of large hospitals in Minnesota offer palliative care programs, most hospitals with fifty beds or less do not. Palliative care has been shown to improve the quality of life of individuals living with …

Participatory And Collaborative Evaluation Strategies To Support Data-Informed Decisions And Management, Christine Marie Bishop, Isaac Karikari, Betty Walton, Stephanie Moynihan

Faculty Publications

Surveys were completed by local stakeholders who had been recruited from local communities and regions by the Indiana System of Care Planning Team. Periodic collection of System of Care Implementation Survey (SOCIS) information identified strengths and ongoing challenges.

The Triple Bind Of Single-Parent Families: Resources, Employment And Policies To Improve Wellbeing, Rense Nieuwenhuis, Laurie C. Maldonado

Open-Access Books by Faculty

Editors: Rense Nieuwenhuis and Laurie C. Maldonado

Authors are listed in order of appearance in text. Author/Editor details at time of book publication.

Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. This book presents evidence from over 40 countries that shows how single parents face a triple bind of inadequate resources, employment and policies, which in combination further complicate their lives.

This book - multi-disciplinary and comparative in design - shows evidence from over 40 countries, along with detailed case studies of Sweden, Iceland, Scotland, and the UK. It covers aspects of well-being that include poverty, good quality jobs, the middle class, …

Perinatal Depression: Investing In Our Mothers Before It's Too Late, Katelin Dietel, Anna Garbers, Kailee Hrubetz

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Currently, there is no consistent, universal screening process within the United States healthcare system that considers the mental health of a new mother. Mandatory screening for perinatal depressive symptoms would improve the lives of new mothers, children, and their families nationwide. Home-visiting programs, such as the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program supported by Healthy Families America, should be universal and available in every locale in the U.S. Individual state policies within these programs should be tailored to meet the needs of each unique mother, child, and family. Early, nurturing relationships are critical to a child's development. …

Sexual Harassment, Jessica Gagnier, Kara Kocmick, Stepanie Voegele

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

According to a Star Tribune MN Poll, nearly 2 out of 3 women in the state of Minnesota have personally experienced sexual harassment. “It is estimated that over half of all women will experience some form of sexual harassment during college and/or their work lives” (Buchanan, 2008, p. 2). It is very difficult to track the true prevalence of sexual harassment because many women do not report. There are several reasons that victims do not report, some include “…the fear of retaliation or because they do not always recognize the offending behaviors as such” (Champion, 2010, p.3). In her Ted …

"They Chase Us Like Dogs": Exploring The Vulnerabilities Of "Ladyboys" In The Cambodian Sex Trade, Jarrett D. Davis, Glenn Miles

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

While the vulnerability of women and girls continues to be the subject of research and concern among social service providers, few attempts have been made to understand the vulnerabilities and lived experiences of transgender persons in the sex industry. Among the studies that have been done, most have focused on sexual health and their likelihood to contract or spread HIV/AIDS, often ignoring other potential vulnerabilities. This study aims to provide a broad baseline of data on the perspectives and experiences of transgendered persons in the sex trade in Phnom Penh, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of their needs, and …

Invisible No More: Bringing Awareness To Mental Health In Older Adults Living In Rural Minnesota, Abigail Schaper, Carley Ledoux, Kristry Danielson

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Approximately 8 million Americans 65 years of age and older have mental health disorders. It is estimated that these numbers could reach 14.4 million by 2030. Minnesotans turning 65 in this decade (about 285,000) will be greater than the past four decades combined (Aging: MN State Demographic Center, 2018). Anxiety and depression are two of the more common mental health disorders in older adults and are associated with severe consequences, including life dissatisfaction, illness, and mortality. With this growth comes many barriers. The rural mental health system is not equipped to address this growth. The system is underfunded, largely uncoordinated, …

Launch-Ing Minnesota Early Childhood Mental Health Into The Future, Molly Abdo, Alyssa Baker, Elizabeth Holz

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

What is Social-Emotional Development? The foundation for lifelong mental health, including social and emotional development, is established early in life and shaped by children's relationships with parents, caregivers, and peers. This foundation is critical to all aspects of healthy development and growth in early childhood. Social-emotional development can be defined as "the capacity to form secure relationships; experience, express, and manage a range of emotions; and learn and explore one's environment."

Why is it Important? When children fail to develop social-emotionally, mental health symptoms begin to emerge and can "cause distress, interfere with relationships, limit the child's participation in daily …

The Social Isolation Epidemic: A Public Health Concern, Jolynne Bockman, Allison Frandrup, Hannah Miner

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Social isolation kills. Loneliness and social isolation raise the likelihood of coronary heart disease and stroke, result in poor cardiovascular and mental health outcomes, and drastically increase the likelihood of death. Resulting health implications that stem from real or perceived physical or emotional remoteness include a spectrum of harsh realities ranging from feelings of low self-worth to reduced work capacity to attempts to harm oneself. Social isolation does not have to become the defining reality of modern life. Attention to the vast loneliness spreading through diverse populations across the state is desperately needed as a means to combat this modern …

Asian Americans’ Concerns And Plans About Alzheimer's Disease: The Role Of Exposure, Literacy And Cultural Beliefs, Yuri Jang, Hyumwoo Yoon, Nan Sook Park, Min-Kyoung Rhee, David A. Chiriboga

Social Work Faculty Publications

Responding to the increase of the Asian American population and the growing imperative to address issues on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in diverse populations, this study examined Asian Americans’ concerns about AD (both concerns about one's own development of AD and about becoming an AD caregiver) and plans for AD. Focus was given on exploring the role of AD exposure, AD literacy and cultural beliefs about AD in predicting AD‐related concerns and plans. Using data from 2,609 participants in the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life survey (aged 18–98), logistic regression models of three outcome measures (concerns about one's own development …

A Peer-Support Mental Health Response Training For Lgbtqia+ Adolescents., Megan A Chernosky

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

This paper will discuss the correlation between participation in a mental health peer-support training and adolescents’ self-reported feelings of preparedness to deal with mental health crises. The paper will focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other non-heterosexual, non-cisgender youth (LGBTQIA+) between the ages of 13 and 21 years old. The study used a quantitative, written survey with eighteen questions before the intervention, and another with five questions after the intervention. The study originally involved eleven participants, but the number of participants decreased to seven due to attrition. The intervention was administered to every participant. The data …

Embodied Connections: Engaging The Body In Group Work, Alissa Kimmel, Annemarie Gockel

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

Group work is a key modality in social work practice. In this study, we sought to explore how the growing trend toward body-oriented psychotherapy is being integrated into group work, and to identify the potential significance of this trend for social work practice with groups. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 practitioners engaged in developing this emerging form of practice across the United States, and used thematic analysis to identify how integrating body-oriented psychotherapy may impact the nature and practice of group work from their perspectives. The overarching theme identified was that using body-oriented psychotherapy serves to Deepen the Group …

The Harmful Sexual And Non-Sexual Behaviors Of Trafficked Women And Children In Mexico: A Study Of Victims Of Sexual Exploitation, Arun Kumar Acharya, Lilia Susana Padilla Y Sotelo, Jose Juan Cervantes Niño

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

During the last 17 years, since the adoption of the Palermo Protocol, authorities at international and national levels have investigated and prosecuted trafficking cases, and aided victims. Nevertheless, every day thousands of people around the world are sold, lured with false promises and exploited. In Mexico, 10,000 young girls and women are said to be trafficked into cities for sexual exploitation every year. Trafficked victims suffer a wide range of sexual exploitation, physical and psychological violence, human rights violations including their right to dignity, and cruel and inhumane treatment, creating vulnerability and isolation. To cope, many victims adopt harmful sexual …

Collaborative Documentation For Behavioral Healthcare Providers: An Emerging Practice, Suzanne Maniss Ph.D., Lcdc, Ncc, Amanda G. Pruit Lpc

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

This article considers the practice of collaborative documentation (CD) for behavioral healthcare providers; the legislative, technological, and philosophical milieu in which it developed; the attributed benefits for providers and clients; and the peer-reviewed research supporting its use. Collaborative documentation has emerged following significant legislative and technological changes in healthcare delivery and shifts toward client-centered healthcare practices including more shared decision-making between clients and practitioners.

The Pro Bono Collaborative Project Spotlight: Pro Bono Collaborative Law Students Helping The Homeless Navigate Legal Issues And Institutions 02-26-2018, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Pro Bono Collaborative Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Adult Day Service Providers: Untapped Potential For Care Coordination, Nicole Ruggiano, Ellen L. Brown, Karen L. Fortuna

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Adult Day Services (ADS) have become increasingly available for community-dwelling older adults who are often experiencing multiple chronic conditions and/or dementia. ADS providers spend a significant amount of time with their clients and offer the opportunity for a wealth of clinical information that can be used by primary care providers and specialists for decision-making about patient care. There are also opportunities for hospitals to coordinate care transitions with ADS providers by involving them with discharge planning with appropriate patients who require post-hospital care. However, ADS providers are often viewed as social service providers, and there is little known about the …

Unlocking The Potential In Your Workforce Data, Quality Improvement Center For Workforce Development

Other QIC-WD Products

Communicating complex ideas to diverse stakeholders is central to reliable decision making. Stakeholders may vary greatly in their interest, familiarity, or expertise with data regarding a policy, program, or practice. Well-designed data visualizations provide a platform for engaging stakeholders in ways that are tailored to their interest, familiarity, and expertise. However, research indicates that visualizations are not always designed effectively to reliably motivate users to understand and ultimately use the data in their decision-making (Evergreen, 2011; Cawthon & Moere, 2007). Thoughtful and engaging visualizations demand the stakeholders’ attention and can facilitate the comprehension of findings (Hillstrom & Yantis, 1994; Treisman, …

Taking Child Development Accounts To Scale: Ten Key Policy Design Elements, Michael Sherraden, Margaret M. Clancy, Sondra G. Beverly

Center for Social Development Research

The United States subsidizes asset accumulation for middle- and especially high-income families through the federal income tax system. Low-income families are much less likely than high-income families to benefit from these policies. The vision for Child Development Accounts (CDAs) has been for a universal and progressive policy aimed at long-term asset building for all. Bringing CDAs to scale nationwide in a sustainable manner will require a national policy structure, so that all children can build assets. This brief aims to advance universal and progressive CDAs by identifying 10 key design elements that can be implemented and sustained at scale.

Ethical Issues In Conducting Community-Based Participatory Research: A Narrative Review Of The Literature, Crystal Kwan Ms., Christine A. Walsh

The Qualitative Report

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a methodology increasingly used within the social sciences. CBPR is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of research methodologies, including participatory research, participatory action research, feminist participatory research, action research, and collaborative inquiry. At its core, they share five key attributes: (i) community as a unit of identity; (ii) an approach for the vulnerable and marginalized; (iii) collaboration and equal partnership throughout the entire research process; (iv) an emergent, flexible, and iterative process; and (v) the research process is geared toward social action. While there is no shortage of literature that highlights the benefits …

Patriarchal Culture's Influence On Women’S Leadership Ascendancy, Jose Carbajal

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community

Biblical interpretations (hermeneutic) have influenced women’s ascension to leadership positions. A patriarchal societal framework that most Judeo-Christians have accepted as a norm often includes biased biblical interpretations regarding women. These interpretations are taken out of context, which reinforces old patterns that are incompatible with true leadership. This paper provides a literature review on women and leadership, with the literature indicating that a prevalent patriarchal perspective has influenced the portrayal of leadership roles in society. The literature on women leadership shows that many women might not be becoming CEOs or ascending to other high positions because of gender inequality in the …

Evaluating The Process Of View And Tanf Case Managers In Prince William County's Department Of Social Services, Morgan Lawson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This project goes through the process of conducting an evaluation on the VIEW and TANF caseworkers for Prince William County's Department of Social Services. This process goes from developing an evaluation question to designing an evaluation protocol, and then using that protocol to do the evaluation. The evaluation was centered around the question, “How effectively are PWC's TANF caseworkers being prepared to handle their cases in a way that helps the Department of Social Services fulfill their mission of enabling their clients to live self-reliant lives?”. Based on the nature of this question, the evaluation conducted was a process evaluation, …

A Lumberjack Sunflower, Blooming From Undergraduate Research, Robert J. Hurt, James Morris

Student Publications

It was one year ago in spring 2017 when I did not understand how to write research, let alone be confident in it. In the fall 2016 semester, I was part of a class project that worked to provide donations to families affected by flooding in Louisiana. In the following spring 2017 semester, I worked to present my own findings and practice from that project towards a research paper. From that paper I earned the opportunity to be part of an Undergraduate Research Conference. In the timespan of one year from that conference to spring 2018, I worked harder in …

Women Agricultural Landowners—Past Time To Put Them “On The Radar”, Peggy Petrzelka, Ann Sorensen, Jennifer Filipiak

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

While women own 25% of the acres rented out for farming, little has been done in terms of federal policy that focuses on these women. In this policy analysis, we detail how (1) lack of data on these women landowners and (2) the invisibility of these women to federal natural resource and agricultural agency staff contribute to women nonoperating landowners (WNOLs) not being on the federal policy radar. We discuss how the persistence of these factors continues to marginalize WNOLs in federal agricultural policy, despite the mandate of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies to be serving underserved populations such …

Alliances For 2018 Colombia’S Presidential Elections Can You Trust The Candidates?, Juan Luis Suárez, Yadira Lizama Mué

CulturePlex Lab DataPoints

Semana’s most recent poll puts Gustavo Petro clearly in the lead for voting intentions (23.4%), followed closely by Fajardo (21.6%) and with Vargas Lleras (14.8%) a distant third. De la Calle (10.6%) is fourth, and Marta Lucía Ramírez (7.8%), fifth. Many commentators try to figure out how these results will facilitate alliances after the March vote to Congress, and in the second round of the Presidential election. To test possible scenarios, we have analyzed Twitter conversations from January through the lens of relationships between candidates. That is, we are interested in who talks to whom, not only because elections are …