Research has indicated that social workers are more politically active than the general public (Wolk, 1981; Parker and Sherraden, 1991), but their effectiveness has been questioned (Mathews, 1982). There are differences among social workers, but explanations of differences between "very active" and "inactive" have relied primarily on practice setting or method. However, research in political science has shown that income, education, involvement in associations, and perceived political efficacy, are significant predictors of who does not participate (Verba, Schlozman, and Brady, 1995). Five hundred certified social workers were surveyed regarding how often they engaged in political activities (e.g., voting and campaigning) between 1995 and 1997; 242 surveys were returned. Whereas 92 percent of respondents voted in 1996, fewer than 1 in 5 met with government officials or worked in a political campaign; only 3 percent testified before a legislative body. Information on each respondent's performance of specific political tasks was used to create a Political Participation Score (PPS). Scores range from 0 through 11, with higher scores indicating greater political activity. Six percent of respondents were "inactive" (3 or less), 88 percent were "active" ( 4 through 7), and 6 percent were "very active" (9 or more). The PPS was the dependent variable in ordinary least squares regression analysis, used to estimate the effect of political socialization, resources, perceived political efficacy, and involvement with professional associations on certified social workers' political activity. The significant predictors (p≤.05) were political efficacy (b=.237), recruitment to action by a social work association (b=2.34), interest in public affairs (b=.210) and activity in NASW (b=.165). Income and education were not significant predictors of the respondents' participation. The significant role of political efficacy suggests that strategies to increase social workers' perceived efficacy could increase their political activity. Greater performance of high-cost activities (e.g., testifying or meeting with government officials) could increase social workers' input into the development of social policy. Social learning theory (Bandura, 1978) is utilized to identify strategies for use by social work educators and professional associations to increase social workers' perceived efficacy and, therefore, the performance of higher-cost political acts.

<p> This study explored the expectations of stakeholders in substance abuse treatment services. These findings may help inform treatment, research, and policy development concerning substance abuse disorders. An exploratory qualitative approach was taken to minimize the effect of the model on outcomes. A cohort of 15 self-declared addicts in recovery were interviewed, using advertising in treatment centers and using a snowball method for additional respondents. Respondents were divided into either short-term or long-term recovery groups, each with different perspectives. The study design included an initial individual interview and follow-up interviews. Individual interviews were semistructured with open-ended questions to allow participants to provide the maximum amount of information. Data were entered into the computer journal, and analyzed reflexively after each interview. Relevant concepts, ideas, themes, and categories were identified and relationships explored. To improve trustworthiness, credibility, and plausibility, data were triangulated to improve accuracy and understanding. Recovery was found to be a process in which individuals empower themselves through development of their own values, self-discovery, self-determination, self-responsibility, and community membership. This recovery process is ongoing and based on preferred values that become habitual to each individual.</p>

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) have higher rates cardiometabolic conditions than the general population, which put them at increased risk for early mortality. Treatment retention is especially important as it may prevent worsening of mental and physical health symptoms and lower such risks. Models of integrated primary and behavioral health care (PBHC) are promising for treating co-morbid mental and physical health conditions common to individuals with SMI. Previous research identified that individuals with SMI drop out of care at higher rates than other individuals with mental illness. Past studies on treatment retention with this population have been qualitative and small in scope. This longitudinal study examines correlates of treatment retention, including sociodemographic, health, psychosocial, and treatment-related characteristics among individuals with SMI in an integrated PBHC program in a community mental health setting. Variables significantly associated with 12-month treatment retention included access to transportation, no illicit drug use, and 6-month treatment retention. Several variables identified as important correlates of retention in previous studies were not found to be significantly associated with 12-month retention. Directions for future research and implications for social work are discussed.

<p> Psychological aggression often goes unseen and under-reported, yet is often the beginning of a severe cycle of abuse. The purpose of this research was to examine literature from 2006 to 2016 to understand how researchers and scholars have linked early maladaptive attachment styles to the experience of psychological aggression in adult romantic relationships. A content analysis was conducted using 23 articles. </p><p> The research was evaluated based upon the following areas: early maladaptive attachment styles and psychological aggression in romantic relationships, static risk factors, malleable risk factors, protective factors, theory, prevention, and intervention. </p><p> Exploring the linkage between insecure attachments and IPV in regards to marginalized and at-risk populations may help to create dignity and social justice for individuals who are disproportionately affected by factors associated with psychological aggression and other forms of Intimate Partner Violence. </p>

<p> The purpose of the project was to fund a medical respite program for homeless adults discharged from hospitals; too stabilized to remain in a hospital, and with recuperative needs too severe to remain on streets, or in a traditional shelter. This program will collaborate with other programs at the Weingart Center Association and local service providers to support homeless individuals. The Weingart Center Association, the hosting agency of this project, is located in Los Angeles County, California.</p><p> After conducting a review of the literature, the grant writer designed a medical respite program providing 24 hour shelter; access to care management; case management; access to medical professionals; nutrition needs; and psychosocial supports. After researching funding sources, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation was determined to the most applicable match for funding of the project.</p><p> Actual submission and funding of the grant were not required for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this policy analysis was to examine Article 10: Dependent Children-Judgments and Orders, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 361.5, which describes the criteria for offering or denying visitation and reunification services to incarcerated parents or guardians with their children in out-of-home care. This analysis begins with a historical overview of the incarceration explosion in the past decades, and its relation to children in out-of-home care. The policy analysis identifies systemic challenges faced by incarcerated parents as they make efforts to reunify and preserve their child-parent relationships. The analysis is based on Gil&rsquo;s (1992) original nationally recognized framework and updated by Jimenez, Pasztor, Chambers, and Fujii, (2015). Limitations and alternative policy recommendations that could best meet these objectives are provided.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to raise awareness for one of the most lucrative and fastest growing social problems in the United States, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). The goal of this grant proposal is to promote awareness of DMST through a school-based prevention program where junior and high school students can be informed about the signs and risks of trafficking and ways in which help can be provided. The host organization is Western Youth Services (WYS) in Orange County, CA which is committed to advancing awareness, cultivating success and strengthening communities through integrated mental health services for children, youth and families. A potential funding source is provided along with staffing, implementation guidelines, and a budget. Implications for policy, practice, and advocacy are offered. Actual submission and/or funding was not a requirement for the completion of this project.</p>

<p> The core of this proposed grant is implementing a mindfulness-based self-care training program for child welfare professionals working for Families Uniting Families, a non-profit foster care agency located in Long Beach, California. Through practicing mindfulness-based self-care, the child welfare workers at FUF will gain mindfulness skills to prevent and combat compassion fatigue. </p><p> The grant writer reviewed literature on compassion fatigue and mindfulness-based interventions in the helping profession. The grant writer made a case for the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based curriculum to reduce and prevent compassion fatigue for child welfare workers. After searching for potential funding sources, the grant writer located the Weigngart Foundation as the most potent funder.</p><p> The actual submission of the grant proposal is not a requirement for the completion of this thesis.</p>

Integrated primary and behavioral healthcare (PBHC) programs are a recent development in the field of mental health. The purpose of these programs is to combat the sizeable health discrepancies among persons with serious mental illness (SMI), who suffer from more comorbidities and lower life expectancy than the general population. Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a common SMI diagnosis that is associated with a substantial health burden. Research has shown that Bipolar disorder (BPD) responds well to medication, but clients with BPD often struggle with adherence to a medication regimen. Side effects and other health-related factors are often cited by clients as a reason for nonadherence. This cross-sectional, descriptive study used data from 241 de-identified individuals receiving care through an integrated PBHC program to examine associations between relevant health and psychosocial characteristics and different types of medication for BPD in persons with BPD. The current study used novel coding schemes to organize and analyze psychiatric medications for BPD.

<p> The purpose of &ldquo;Helping Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers Support High School Graduation for Children in Their Care: A Self-Instructional Workbook&rdquo; is to help parents and caregivers with the young people in their care to navigate the crucial last 2 years of high school and graduate. It is renamed &ldquo;Guidelines to Graduation&rdquo; to be more user-friendly. This project included a literature review and a rationale for a self-instructional design. Activities include: true/false questions about the benefits of graduation, identification of strengths and positive traits, personal resources, and strategies for motivating youth.</p><p> Foster and kinship caregivers may work individually, with family members, or with child welfare workers. The design aims to: (a) accommodate foster and kinship caregiver&rsquo;s busy schedules; (b) allow for caregivers to learn at their own pace; (c) skip or go back to sections that are predominantly helpful; (d) provide a suitable and comprehensive guide that enhances parenting abilities.</p>