<p> Community mental health centers are actively pursuing evidence-based practices to help serve adolescents with serious emotional disturbances (Painter, 2012) and maintain adolescents in their homes who are at-risk for placement in residential care facilities (Copp, Bordnick, Traylor, &amp; Thyer, 2007). Family preservation programs attempt to improve family functioning and dissuade future out-of-home placement (Diamond &amp; Morris, 2011). The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between the characteristics and outcomes of at-risk adolescents through secondary data. This study used a theoretical approach of the social learning theory developed by Albert Bandura (1973). The overall research question was as follows: Is there a significant difference between age, gender, and the length of treatment among adolescents in family preservation services? The study sampled 79 completed records of adolescents, age 1117, who received family preservation services in a Southeastern state over a five-year period and discharged from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2014. The quantitative research design was intended to examine the relationship between age, gender, length of treatment, and treatment outcomes of at-risk adolescents using archived data from the Child Behavior Checklist and the Global Assessment Functioning. The results of this study were shared with the administrators of the community mental health center. Excerpts of the written report of this study were discussed in detail with the administrators. This study has demonstrated that the participants of family preservation services experience significant differences in treatment outcomes of length of treatment, but not in age and gender. Implications for service delivery, especially successful completion of services, were discussed. Recommendations for future research are suggested at the conclusion of this study.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop a program to assist parents and caregivers of youth experiencing schizophrenia to address the needs and challenges of this population. The function of this grant proposal was to target a funding resource in order to implement a psychoeducational support group at The Guidance Center in Long Beach. The presence of schizophrenia symptoms in youth can create additional challenges to parenting and thus has a recognizable impact on families. The goal of this proposed program is to provide social support, education, coping skills, and decrease the stress of parents and caregivers of youth with schizophrenia to ultimately improve the lives of impacted youth and their families. The California Wellness Foundation was identified as a potential funder for this proposed program. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant proposal were not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to explore how caregivers of patients with dementia are physically and mentally affected by their increase in responsibilities. The purpose of this project was to locate a potential funding source and write a grant to obtain funding for a caregiver support group for the Calabasas, CA community and its surrounding areas.</p><p> Caregiver intervention programs have been identified as a critical area of research by the Alzheimer's Association. Silverado Senior Living is a national organization that serves patients with dementia. The program consists of two support groups offering structure and flexibility through cognitive behavioral practices and a continuous feedback.</p><p> If funded and implemented, this program would add value to the body of research that exists for caregivers and drive awareness and change to current policy. In addition, Silverado would better serve its community and act as a model program for other Silverado locations.</p><p> The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of individuals who self-identified as trans gender or gender variant on gender identity and mental health care. The study sought to uncover the effectiveness and preparedness of mental health professionals in addressing issues of gender identity, through participants' experiences.</p><p> Fifteen individuals who identified variously on the transgender spectrum participated in the study. Results suggest that mental health professionals are generally unprepared and inexperienced in addressing transgender issues. Participants pointed to trans gender support groups and LGBT organizations as the most helpful services. Implications show the need for mental health professionals to seek out education on the trans gender community, and to assist clients in exploring alternative identities that transcend the gender binary. Additional research that focuses on mental health disparities among the trans gender population is also an implication emerging from this study. </p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to design a career development program for individuals with serious mental illness to explore career interests and further develop their vocational identities. This program will act as an enhancement to MHA's The Village Integrated Services' existing supported employment program. MHA's The Village Integrated Services, 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 focused career development service enhancement, the Career Development Project. After researching funding sources, the Weingart Foundation was determined to be the most applicable match for the funding of the project based upon an alignment of the goals of the funder with the purpose of the project and the mission of The Village Integrated Services.</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 thesis was to present a policy analysis of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of2008. Particular emphasis was placed on the legislation's protections for people with mental illness. Specifically, this project used David Gil's analytic framework to assess the strengths and limitations of the policy and its impact on social work clients and society as a whole The analysis demonstrates that there have been many positive changes since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and more are expected under the ADAAA. However, the analysis also suggests that there remain many issues and unintended consequences concerning people with mental disability, including access problems for minorities. By revealing these issues that must be dealt with, this analysis clearly indicates the importance of commitment to social justice and cultural competence in social work practice. The recommendations for future research are discussed.</p>

<p> The purpose of this grant project is to educate and train leaders within the Orthodox Jewish community to act as culturally sensitive first responders to mental health crises within the Orthodox Jewish community. Mental illness is highly stigmatized among this population. Having trained, trusted, and culturally sensitive community leaders capable of identifying individuals and families in need of mental health services increases the chances that they may use these supports. The proposed leadership training program consists of a series of psycho-educational training groups. The educational emphasis will be on understanding and identifying mental illness, educating leaders about stigma, and approaching community members in need of referrals. The Walter and Elise Hass Foundation is the identified potential funding source. A line-item budget and an evaluation tool are included in the proposed program. The actual submission or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.</p>

<p> Stigma toward adults with serious mental illness involves labeling, stereotyping, separation, status loss and discrimination. Stigma has been linked to lowered self-esteem, social isolation and withdrawal, and lowered quality of life. As providers of treatment and services, it is fundamental that social work professionals have knowledge regarding serious mental illness and stigma. This quantitative study evaluated the attitudes of 87 Master of Social Work students attending California State University, Long Beach. Respondents completed the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-27) which evaluated attitudes toward a schizophrenic man presented in a case vignette. Measurements of the nine subscales measuring stigma had a total possible range of 3-27. Results showed correlation between age and pity, differences between ethnicity and stigma subscales, and between stigma subscales and gender. This study contributes to the understanding of stigma toward adults with serious mental illness and shows the need for curriculum that addresses mental health, cultural diversity, and stigma.</p>

<p> The purpose of this research is to gain an understanding of the mental health needs of Latino university students particularly those who are participants of the AB 540 program by assessing their level of psychological distress. Comparing Latino college students who are AB 540 program participants to non-program participants will add to the social work knowledge base by providing information regarding the mental health service needs of AB 540 program participants. A survey was administered to determine if there was a difference in psychological distress, anxiety, and stress among documented Latino college students and Latino college students enrolled in the AB 540 program. According to the data that was collected and analyzed Latino AB 540 students reported experiencing more symptoms of depression and anxiety than Latinos who are not enrolled in the AB 540 program.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop a grant to obtain funding to train two San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department staff as certified instructors for the <i>Mental Health First Aid </i> program. These instructors will train staff in the San Luis Obispo County school districts with the goal of increasing the staffs knowledge, thus enabling them to respond better to the mental health needs of their students. This mental health training program covers: risk factors, symptoms, and the role of stigma in mental health issues, as well as resources and action plans. A literature review was completed on the prevalence of youth mental health issues, the effects of mental illness on youth, current youth mental health treatment, a school settings' role in dealing with these issues, early intervention services, and stigma. Actual submission and funding of the grant was not required for the successful completion of this project.</p>