<p> The purpose of this study was to examine the association among Latino adolescents' demographic factors, school engagement, help-seeking behavior, and their involvement in school violence. Secondary data obtained from the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) was utilized. A Chi-Square analysis was used to examine statistically significant associations among the variables. The study found a significant association among gender, grade, participation in sports, days gone to physical education (PE), speaking with a teacher, and the number of times students fought; age, gender, grade, participation in sports, days gone to PE, speaking with a teacher, and the number of times students fought at school; age, gender, participation in sports, speaking with a teacher, and the number of times students were injured; age, gender, grade, ethnicity, participation in sports, days gone to PE, speaking with a teacher, and the number of times students were threatened with a weapon; and age, gender, and the number of days students carried a weapon.</p>

<p> The purpose of this grant proposal was to obtain funding to provide support groups for caregivers of older adults who have been diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in the Los Angeles area. The purpose of the support groups was to increase caregivers' level of emotional well-being as they would have a social support system in place. The caregivers would also receive psychoeducational services relating to ESRD to better understand how they could care for their loved ones. </p><p> An extensive literature review was conducted to identify effective interventions for the target population and to locate potential funders. The support groups were designed to enhance the quality of life for both caregivers and/ or their care recipients as they learn coping strategies. The actual submission of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project. </p>

<p> Foster youth exiting the child welfare system will have poorer outcomes such as, low educational attainment, poor employment, high criminal activity, homelessness, and higher rate of public assistance when compared to non-foster care youth. The purpose of this thesis is to look at the values, theoretical goals, implications, and the outcomes of services outlined in the California Fostering Connections to Success Act of 2010, or Assembly Bill (A.B.) 12. A. B. 12 was designed to help foster care youth who reached the age of majority (18+) and extend their foster care services to age 21. By analyzing A.B. 12, this author will take a take a look at what the lawmakers intended, the results of the last five years, and what we can learn for future legislation.</p>

<p> This thesis project was written to seek funding for mental health care for human trafficking survivors who are served by the Salvation Army's Anti-Trafficking Services Program. Mental health care is an essential part of victims' services in order to assist the survivors to gain self-sufficiency and to integrate into society. This project proposes two evidenced-based treatments: art therapy and mindfulness therapy. Both art therapy and mindfulness therapy strengthen survivors' resiliency and sense of coherence as well as transform posttraumatic stress to posttraumatic growth. This grant proposal located a potential funding source which is the Sisters of St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. The actual submission of this grant proposal to the funding agency is not a requirement set by the MSW program</p>

<p> The baby boom generation is the fastest growing demographic. With their aging comes an increase in the loss of loved ones. Essential to the mental well-being of this population who are at risk for depression and mortality is bereavement support with the overall goal of reducing bereavement-related depression and grief. Geriatric bereavement related-depression is often overlooked by health care professionals or if it is recognized prescribed medication has been a preferred remedy instead of other options such as group therapy. The proposed Archstone Foundation grant will support an English and Spanish speaking bereavement support group for adults age 65 and over at Barbara J. Riley Senior Community Center, Downey, California. A 6-week psycho-educational course will provide attendees with depression and grief reduction techniques utilizing Reminiscence, Cognitive Behavioral and Cognitive Grief Therapy. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not a requirement for successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> There are currently no requirements addressing human sexuality education within graduate-level social work education (Council on Social Work Education, 2008). At the same time, sexuality education is being taught in Masters of Social Work (MSW) programs. This means that the content and context of sexuality education for pre-service social workers vary widely. This exploratory study surveyed faculty teaching in MSW programs regarding current sexuality-related curricula within their social work program, their attitudes toward the inclusion of sexuality education, and their perception of the supports and barriers to incorporating sexuality-related content into MSW curriculum. This dissertation built on the work and literature of many professionals who support comprehensive sexuality education as a vital aspect of educating and preparing professional social workers. The sample for this quantitative study was 596 social work faculty participants through an online survey. Findings revealed that a majority of faculty (82%) agreed that sexuality education is important for MSW curriculum. The majority of faculty (60.6%) reported no stand-alone sexuality related course within their MSW program. Only 1.3% of faculty reported that there was a current required sexuality-related course within their MSW program. Faculty rated the importance of 23 sexuality-related topics and whether they teach the topic. For each of the 23 topics, the proportion of faculty rating the topic as important was higher than the proportion of faculty reporting teaching the topic.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop a program, identify potential funding sources, and write a grant to fund an integrated education and supportive services program for Cambodian adults utilizing services from the United Cambodian Community (UCC) in Long Beach, California. The comprehensive literature review demonstrated the primary risk factors were low education attainment, language barriers, and trauma-related stressors. Because of these risk factors, Cambodians individuals have economic struggles, are unable to find skilled employment, and lack resources. The goal of this program is to obtain economic security and reduce poverty rates by offering culturally specific supportive services, education classes, mental health services, and job development opportunities for Cambodian adults. The grant writer selected the Weingart Foundation as the potential funding source for this program. Actual submission and/or funding of the grant was not a requirement for completion of this project. Implications for social work practice are discussed.</p>

<p> The purpose of the project was to write a grant proposal to fund the early prevention and intervention, College SPARK Program at Operation Jump Start (OJS) in Long Beach, CA. The program will provide resiliency training to low income, first generation middle school (6th-8th grades) African American students of Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) and their parents/guardians. The College SPARK Program will utilize the evidence based WhyTry curriculum, which has been proven to increase academic performance, graduation rates, school climate and attendance; while simultaneously decreasing problematic behaviors and other risk factors associated with academic failure. The literature addressed the area of early academic preparation, academic resiliency, the Ecological Theoretical Model Perceptive, positive protective and negative factors, and personal, family, school and community factors that contribute to one&rsquo;s ability to become resilient. Submission and/or funding was not required for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to design a comprehensive suicide prevention and early intervention program for local youth, identify potential funding sources, and submit a program proposal for implementation to Precious Life Children and Educational Counseling Center, located in in the City of San Bernardino, California. Precious Life was selected due to its location and its history with the Latino community&mdash;an important consideration, given the focus of this project and the risk factors currently present in this community. </p><p> A review of the literature was conducted to define the factors contributing to the widespread problem of teenage suicide, to assess the particular risks associated with living as a cultural and/or ethnic minority in San Bernardino, to examine how this often-marginalized status intersects with other risk factors, and to evaluate existing suicide prevention programs currently implemented within this county. The proposed program seeks to increase community awareness of suicide among teenagers, as well as to raise the funding for Precious Life staff to participate in necessary training, with a focus on crisis intervention and addressing suicide risk factors, attempts, and completions. Thus Precious Life will be equipped to provide counseling, mental health screenings, referrals, and a crisis hotline.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to explore the factors associated with reasons the Hispanic population experiences delay in healthcare. This was completed by conducting a quantitative study in which secondary data obtained from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) was analyzed. The results found that the participants with Medicare coverage and adults ages 60-69 experience delay in healthcare. The study also found that delay in healthcare happens among the Hispanic population, but more specifically within the Mexican community. Language also plays an important role to the delay in healthcare. The findings may be helpful for people employed in Hispanic communities who provide education and awareness about preventing healthcare, such as healthcare providers, healthcare educators, healthcare, and social workers.</p>