This study examined the relationship of the winter break as influenced by occurrences of first semester and its effect on retention, self-efficacy and perceived social support for freshmen students. The target population for this research study was composed of freshmen students in the Atlanta University Center (AUC). One hundred and seventy-five respondents were selected, utilizing non-probability convenience sampling. The research found that there was a statistically significant relationship between winter break as influenced by first semester occurrences and retention, selfefficacy and perceived social support for freshmen students.

This study examined whether first responders in Metropolitan Atlanta experience burnout, taking in consideration factors such as primary role at work, gender, age, marital status, length of employment as a First Responder, and perceived awareness of OSHA regulations in regards to burnout. Participants of the study were comprised of 108 first responders in Metropolitan Atlanta, which included police officers, emergency mediqal services personnel (EMS), crisis line workers, fire fighters, that were selected utilizing non-probability purposeful sampling among the target population. In sum, first responders in Metropolitan Atlanta experience moderate (64.2%) to high (35.8 %) levels ofjob burnout. When demographic characteristics were taken in consideration, such as primary role at work, gender, age, marital status, and length of employment as a First Responder, there was no statistically significant relationship established.

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A careful review of the literature brings one face to face with the fact that while theologians have been considering the care of the poor and distressed for years, they have still not come up with consistent policies. They have been unwilling to involve other agencies in their programs and have not been supportive of the programs of other agencies. They have been consistently chosen to believe that secular agencies are the best answer for every problem. Meanwhile, in more recent years, the government has gotten more and more involved in the whole area of social welfare. In some instances they have set up separate and duplicate programs and in others they have contracted services out to secular agencies. All too often bureaucratic pride has kept them from involving churches in constructive ways. Social workers have had their difficulties with both churches and government. The secular agencies are often too restrictive to meet the needs of all while government agencies want workers to operate in moral neutralism. I therefore suggest that all three groups have their function but it will only be when individual jealousies are put aside that coordinated, cooperative, and integrated functioning will take place. I have suggested some possible directions that might be pursued in seeking these jointly effective solutions satisfactory to all concerned.

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The purpose of this study was to discover the structure of the friendships exhibited by the two units, Pine Grove and White Valley, at the Camp Fire-Girl Scouts Day Camp, Atlanta, Georgia. Specifically, the study was to show the sociometric patterns of the two units, and the patterns of acceptance and rejection: To discover personality traits that were characteristic of girls being chosen and rejected more than others; To discover whether factors such as religion, belonging to another group, socio-economic accidents influenced the choices of friends. The study was limited to two units, Pine Grove and White Valley, and the spontaneous choices of friends as of one day, June 24, 1948. Data concerning the choices of friends in the two units, Pine Grove and White Valley was obtained by administering sociometric tests. The schedule and measurement of individual behavior in groups was instrumental in determining why girls were chosen or isolated as friends. Interviews with the camp directress and the adult unit leader gave additional information on the behavior and background of the girls. A sociogram was drawn and the choices of friends tabulated. In Pine Grove Unit, every girl received at least one choice and on mutual choice. The four most popular girls received at least eighteen of the thirty-three possible choices. Two girls received three mutual choices. Girls selected as their friends those persons who possessed personality traits that appealed to them. It was noted that the most popular girls were physically attractive, neat in appearance and possessed positive personality traits. They came from families of high economic and social status and tended to mutually choose each other as friends. The unpopular girls who did not rate high as choices for friends were less orderly, dressed dirtily and came from families of low economic and social standing. Most of the time, these girls behaved in an antagonistic and uncooperative manner. There was a tendency for the girls to select as friends those girls who were known to them before coming to camp. The place of contact was the school in most instances. In White Valley Unit, there were five girls who were not chosen by any of the girls. The four most popular girls received thirty-two of the forty-two possible choices. Seven girls did not have any mutual choices. The girls who were most popular were those girls who were friendly, kind, and possessed a sense of humor. These girls come from families of high economic and social standing. The unpopular girls were characterized as being "dirty," "smelly," "saucy," and "greedy." These girls came from homes of low economic and social standing. Most of the time these girls did not participate or cooperate in the plans made by the other girls. The girls tended to choose friends among the girls that they had known before coming to camp. The girls who belonged to the Catholic church and attended the same parochial school had a strong tendency to select only girls who were Catholics. Sociometric placement of girls into cabins into cabins and units can be beneficial in the camp program. Girls who are placed where they will not be isolated and they feel that they are among friends will make a better adjustment in camp living and happier campers.

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This study examines the ideological orientation of various African-American groups on the question of black liberation. It is an effort to provide an Afrocentric frame of reference for black liberation, from which black social workers can develop appropriate problem solving strategies and techniques to address the African-American condition. The empirical referents for this study is directed by a comparative analysis of data collected from organizational documents of the groups examined and other related secondary data. The major findings suggest that there exist a positive relationship between Black Nationalist oriented groups and the theoretical framework for black liberation. The study concludes that this relationship is significant to social work practice in the African-American community.