Previous studies have identified the barriers foodservice directors encounter when developing and implementing nutrition policies (40- 44). However, no research has compared Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP) goals to the priorities of foodservice workers after implementation. This study used observations, surveys, and interviews to determine strengths and weaknesses of Harrisburg Middle School's LSWP and compare them to priorities of that school's foodservice workers in providing healthy meals. Although nutrition policies exist and were considered an important priority among school foodservice workers, enforcement was lacking due to priorities of maintaining a clean and organized lunchroom. Attention to school wellness was indicated at Harrisburg Middle School by the lack of competitive foods and beverages available to students, however healthy menu items and variety in food selections were lacking. These findings are important when approaching school foodservice workers about improving nutrition standards within their lunchroom. In order to bridge the gap between nutrition professionals and school foodservice workers regarding changes in the lunchroom, suggestions should be made with respect to their priorities, such as keeping their lunchroom clean and efficient.

Management is a process requiring both an art and a skill in order to be effective in service rendering. In order for managers to be efficient and effective then in their managerial practices, there is a need for a formal management training programme by the organization. On the basis of this, the researcher has selected her subject of study to stress the importance of the development of a management training programme amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate. The study was conducted amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate consisting of men and women whose ages varies between thirty and fifty years. The researcher's motivation for choice of subject emanates from the observed difficulties experienced by some of the staff officers and area managers in the performance of some of the managerial tasks assigned to them such as the drawing of a budget. This resulted in the development of interest by the researcher in determining the need for a management training programme amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate. Literature review regarding the topic of management, needs assessment, management training and management training programme was done. The researcher consulted various sources to obtain the literature. Management functions and the different managerial approaches were explored. Needs assessment with the main focus on various levels of analysis, management training with specific reference to knowledge, skills and attitude, and the management training programme were looked into. A needs assessment for a management training programme questionnaire was administered amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate. According to the researcher, the findings indicate a definite need for a management training programme amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate. Through this management training programme, service rendering within the SANDF Social Work Directorate will definitely be enhanced. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Considering the changes the Lake Atitlan, Guatemala region has undergone in the last several years, ODIM (Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya) seeks to understand the needs of the San Juan La Laguna and San Pablo La Laguna communities, and to provide competent, culturally-aligned care that is affordable to the Indigenous Maya of this region. Using mixed-methods approaches that incorporate interviews, surveys, graphic anthropology, and evaluation methods, this study investigated (1) the formal and informal health care services (including those offered by ODIM) and how and why they are utilized by local Guatemalans, (2) Guatemalan perceptions and experiences of health, wellbeing, and illness to understand how they might influence health related behavior, and (3) community health care needs and how ODIM can fill those needs. These objectives served to inform key stakeholders of current gaps in healthcare services, provide feedback regarding the ODIM health services and programs, and provide insight into the current health needs in order to ameliorate the burden of disease and illness around Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. This study produced a comprehensive community health profile, and it discusses the current state of health care, explains the local perspectives of health care, and gives direct feedback and recommendations to ODIM's community health programs.

The thesis provides a need assessment of towns, schools and local religious congregations that joined the Fairtrade Towns campaign. It is framed into a broad topic beginning with global issues, going through the concept of fair trade to the subject of this research. The author reflects his approach and explains why the system theory and theory of autopoiesis was chosen as an interpretive framework for analysing data. Having regard to the methods, the thesis uses needs assessment approach. Its interpretive possibilities are later used. The author focuses on the formulation of hypotheses before the implementation of qualitative interviews as the main research method. Final hypotheses served as a guide for research. The author performs analysis of available resources and uses his own quantitative data analysis findings that used confirmatory factor analysis and logistic regression. Qualitative interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was made. Than aforementioned analyses approaches were used too. The needs of subjects that joined the campaign were found out, described and assessed.

Master of Public Health - MPH / One hundred and fifty two (152) countries in the world can be classified as developing or low-resourced countries (LR Cs) according to the World Bank. 1 In the majority of these countries the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is below $1000. Given these limited resources it stands to reason that there is less money available to spend on healthcare and health research

Many Utah State University (USU) Extension personnel are nearing retirement age. The purpose of this study was to identify professional development needs of Extension professionals and assess USU Extension by evaluating competencies essential to be a successful Extension professional. USU Extension can conduct more beneficial professional development training by using identified high priority competencies and improve the on boarding process for new Extension professionals. With improvements as suggested, the effectiveness of professional development could be enhanced and produce Extension professionals who work more efficiently and are committed to the success of USU Extension.

A large-scale transition to renewable energy sources will become increasingly appealing as the issues of federal regulation, climate change, and decreased fossil fuel energy return on energy investment become more prevalent. Although renewable resources remain a small portion of the nation’s and Utah’s energy portfolio mix, current power purchase agreements indicate an impending boom. Cooperative Extension should play an integral role in the transition to renewable resources on the national, state, and local levels. The purpose of Extension is to provide objective, research-based, and credible information to improve local communities. There is a great opportunity for Extension agents to be trusted experts in educating and assisting farmers, ranchers, and homeowners in transitioning to renewable energy systems. This thesis identified the benefits, barriers, and opportunities for renewable energy outreach in Extension. Data were collected through a nationwide online survey and focus group interviews, in addition to a Utah-based online survey. The nationwide survey and interviews revealed a need and demand for increased renewable energy programming in Extension. This need became further evident after a nationwide inventory discovered that only twenty-two of fifty states have distinct renewable energy departments, programs, or discipline areas. A Utah-based needs assessment revealed that fifty-nine percent of Utah State University (USU) Extension employees agreed that there was a need for a statewide renewable energy specialist. Additionally, more than fifty-five percent of employees agreed that there was an internal and public demand for USU Extension to provide and receive renewable energy information, programs, education, and outreach. The Utah-based survey also revealed differing perceptions of the environmental harmfulness of common energy sources. Different attitudes toward conventional and renewable energy sources demonstrated the need for unbiased, properly messaged delivery of desired renewable energy programs.

Preparing students to be career and work ready is a concern of educators and schools nationwide. Twenty-first century skills prepare students to enter the workforce or higher education with the ability to think critically and creatively, collaborate with others, take the initiative when approached with a task, and use technology to its fullest potential. If students are not learning the skills needed for success, it is because educators and schools are not teaching them. When students possess these skills, they are prepared to work in teams, think critically and creatively about a problem, display leadership and social skills, and communicate effectively with others. The research sought to identify school-based agriculture education teachers perceived knowledge, importance, and ability to teach these 21st -century skills in the classroom. Results showed that agriculture teachers nationwide find 21st -century skills to be important, but they are less knowledgeable and able to teach them. The research concluded that professional development is needed to increase teacher’s knowledge of and ability to teach 21st -century skills. Professional development will allow school-based agricultural education teachers to gain specific and applicable strategies for implementation. With the application of 21st -century skills in the school-based agricultural education classroom, students will become better prepared to enter the workforce or higher education upon graduating high school.

This exploratory study examines documentation practices and processes in ten small non-profit organizations. The objectives of this study were to answer the following two research questions: (1) What organizational needs do small non-profit organizations have that are relevant to technical communication? and (2) How are small 501(c)(3) organizations attempting to meet these needs? Which of these attempted solutions are ineffective? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two people from each organization: the executive director and a volunteer. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed, and grounded theory was used to identify coding categories related to documentation development. Primary findings suggest that interviewees are aware that they need documentation, yet they often postpone developing such documentation until problems develop. The study findings also suggest that interviewees across different nonprofit organizations value documentation for similar reasons. Strategies are provided for technical communicators interested in working with nonprofit organizations, and additional research avenues are identified.

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