The issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a growing problem within the United States of America. According to research by Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, 300,000 CSEC children may live within the United States every year (United Nations Economic and Social Council, 1996). Other research by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1999) has estimated that the number of CSEC children may be increasing to around 300,000-500,000 per year. Research is lacking in providing more current statistics regarding the number of children being commercially sexually exploited due to the clandestine nature of the lifestyle. The CSEC population is described as an intricate network of pimps, johns, and child victims (Slavin, 2002; Dalla, Xia, & Kennedy, 2003; Gragg, Petta, Berstein, Eisen, & Quinn, 2007). The population is often created of children that are deemed homeless, thrownaways, or transient/migrant (Gragg, Petta, Berstein, Eisen, & Quinn, 2007) or have not been reported missing by those with guardianship. According to research by A Future Not A Past, a national organization to end child prostitution, most CSEC children enter “the Life” around 12-13 years of age (A Future Not A Past, 2009). This dissertation examines the impact of perceived individual stigma, perceived social stigma and social supports impact on treatment seeking behavior among victims of CSEC. Through a mixed methods study, fifty (50) participants were selected through snowball sampling to participate in the quantitative research agenda and ten (10) participated in in-depth interviews. The findings showed that 48% reported seeking treatment for CSEC and 76% stated they had strong social support systems. The qualitative analysis supported the position that victims of CSEC will seek treatment with the help of strong social support systems.

The purpose of this evaluation was to conduct a needs assessment for the DeKalb County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, which utilizes volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children who are in foster care. This assessment assisted the staff in developing a recruitment strategy targeting retired adults. This assessment evaluated the dependability, health and income of retired adults. For the purpose ofthis study dependability was measured by: (a) the number of hours volunteers spent on assigned cases per month, (b) the number of hearings attended and (c) the number of monthly advocacy reports that were completed and sent to volunteer’s advocacy supervisors between September 2004 and November 2004. Six, current, retired adult volunteers participated in the study. A convenience sample of six non-retired volunteers was used to compare dependability findings with those of retired adult volunteers. Income and health were qualitatively analyzed. Descriptive analysis was used describe dependability and volunteer demographics. This evaluation was relevant to DeKalb CASA because, as a program that is dependent upon volunteers to for its success, it is vital that the most advantageous volunteer be recruited and retained. Thus, this evaluation allowed staff to identify the benefit of recruiting this target population in regards to their level of dependabifity compared to non-retired volunteers, as well as, the potential challenges experienced by retired adults in regards to health related illnesses and limited income. Findings from this study concluded that retired adult volunteers are more dependable than non-retired volunteers. In addition, volunteering did contribute to increased feelings of better mental and physical health. Moreover, their limited income did not restrict their ability to volunteer.

Due to the phenomenal increase in the number of African-American women currently affected by HIV/AIDS, and the risk factors that gave rise to this disease, indeed this situation has become a serious social problem. This comparative study seeks to examine some of these risk factors that cause HIV positive women to encounter psychological distress as compared to HTV negative women who do not have this disease. Based on the data collected from this purposive sample of 100 (50 positive, 50 negative) who live in the greater Atlanta area, significant differences between these groups were found. Personal characteristics and sources of supports are discussed in detail and social service programs and implementation strategies are suggested.

This is a descriptive study of the relationship between exposure to childhood maltreatment and its impact on gang affiliation. It examines the relationship between child maltreatment and gang affiliation to assess if child maltreatment is a risk factor for gang membership. The results of the study suggest that there is a statistically significant relationship between childhood maltreatment, specifically neglect, and gang affiliation. This study and others like it can assist professionals such as social workers and law enforcement officials in providing prevention, intervention and other services to youth at risk of joining a gang and current gang members.

This study examines the motivations of student volunteers participating in AIDS Walk Atlanta 2004. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to make AIDS Walk Atlanta 2004 a success. Volunteers participate in the AIDS walk in many different capacities. Volunteers helped with mailing, canvassing, phone banking, data entry, registration, and much more. The number one function of a volunteer is to participate in the fundraising walk-a-thon in order to raise money to benefit AIDS research, AIDS education, AIDS awareness, and AIDS patients. Motivations of volunteerism include, but are not limited to, educational/work related requirement, social support, self-fulfillment, increasing HIV/AIDS awareness, and honoring victims of AIDS. A sample of 237 participants completed a questionnaire examining the motives behind their volunteer efforts. The Exchange theory is used to describe the needs that humans have for one another, with exchange being the medium through which the need is satisfied. Finally, this evaluation provides implications for social work practice that assesses the motivations of student volunteerism in AIDS Walk Atlanta 2004, as well as in other community service projects.

This study evaluated the efforts of the Fulton County Court Appointed Special Advocate (FCCASA) Program and its effectiveness in permanency planning. Permanency planning refers to efforts to move children through the court system in a timely and efficient manner. Fulton county Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers collaborate with parties who have a legal interest to children involved in deprivation and neglect proceedings. The outcome of permanency is measured by the following outcome indicators: average number of months (in the past year) children in the CASA program are under court jurisdiction; percent of CASA children dismissed from court custody at six, twelve, and eighteen months after being assigned a CASA; and percent of CASA cases that experienced case closure with the court during the past 12 months. A sample of 25 children having a CASA ordered and assigned to their case was compared with a sample of 25 children who had no CASA assigned to their case. A chi-squared test, t-test, and ANOVA were used to interpret the frequency data collected on child outcomes variables related to time spent under court jurisdiction. The use of the ecological model allows for cases to be looked at individually, while also providing a holistic view of the interconnected and inseparable relationship of which individuals are a part. This scientific and systematic approach provides better insight in to why CASA volunteers are more effective in promoting permanency for children involved in deprivation and neglect proceedings in the Fulton County Juvenile Court. A brief narrative hignlights the findings and results of the study. Finally, this evaluation provides implications for social work practice that assess the strengths and weaknesses of having a volunteer program such as Fulton County CASA advocate for abused and neglected children involved in deprivation cases.

This evaluation examines the effectiveness of the Fulton County Discharge Planning Program in expediting the mentally ill defendant through the criminal justice system. The sample consists of 30 males who have been diagnosed as mentally ill and consented to jail diversion. Participants were randomly selected from a list provided from the discharge planner without demographic restrictions. Data for this study was collected using a 49-item questionnaire. The Attitude Measure Scale II (AMSII) questionnaire consists of 49 questions inquiring about the participants' beliefs about professionals, knowledge about the Fulton County Discharge Planning Program and community mental health services. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that the Fulton County Discharge Planning Program is effective in expediting the mentally ill defendant through the criminal justice system.

This study examines knowledge and perception of risk of HIV I AIDS as it relates to condom use among African-American female college students. The terms "preventive sexual behavior" and "risky sexual behavior" are used interchangeably with the term "condom use." Perceived monogamy, intimacy and trust are discussed as barriers to condom use and, more specifically, as they relate to the contraction ofHIV/AIDS. The predictor variable, knowledge and perception of risk of contracting HIV I AIDS, is defined as the extent to which one knows about the causes, effects, preventive methods and the extent to which one feels personal risk of contracting HIV, while the criterion variable, condom use, is defined as the extent to which one uses a condom each and every time one engages in sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal). Forty African-American female graduate and undergraduate participants from Clark Atlanta University were chosen, during the week of March 15-19, 2004 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., through convenience sampling and asked to complete a 22 item survey related to their knowledge of HIV I AIDS and personal practices of condom use/non-use. Demographic information was gathered using an 8-item form and consent forms were also completed. The design is non-probable, cross-sectional, and was conducted at one point in time. The data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The statistical tests utilized were Pearson's r in order to determine a correlation between predictor and criterion variables; and coefficient alpha which determines the level of reliability of the measurement. The results of Pearson's r yielded a correlation between knowledge ofHIV/AIDS and condom use ofr = .122, p> .05 (onetailed hypothesis) which indicated the presence of a statistically insignificant positive correlation between the two variables. The reliability coefficient (alpha = .1563) indicated that the measure utilized was inconsistent. The null hypothesis, which states that a high level of knowledge and perception of risk of contracting HIV I AIDS will not result in higher condom usage among African-American female college students, was accepted and the research hypothesis was rejected.

This study evaluates the Fulton County Juvenile Court's Family Drug Court Program (FDC). The program was established under an initiative to provide substance abusing mothers a chance through recovery from the disease of chemical dependence. Specifically, this evaluation examines participants' perceptions of their recovery process and implications for maintaining sobriety. Sobriety is measured by the participating mothers' perception of the interventions and sanctions provided to them during each phase of their recovery process. A sample of adult files (N=20) were drawn from the FDC program. Demographic and other data were collected from the courts Juvenile Court Automated Tracking System (JCATS). The frequency distributions of positive and negative responses were examined. The researcher found that overall, interventions provided by the Futon County Juvenile's Family Drug Court program demonstrated a positive impact on participating mothers' ability to maintain sobriety. Symbolic Interaction theory explains the use of Social Work skills through family preservation. This theory is used to assess the efficacy of the Family Drug Court's process. The results of this study can be used to improve the services offered by the Family Drug Court team and ultimately reduce relapse rates. It is this study's intent to inform program administrators of how recovery is perceived by their clients.

Managed care has revolutionized the healthcare industry. Prior to managed care, traditional insurance companies managed the healthcare industry. These insurance firms would monitor and authorize treatment to persons enrolled with the insurance company. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) began to develop methods to provide similar service as the large insurance companies at a fraction of the cost. HMOs accomplished this by selling their products directly to employer groups. This significantly reduced administrative costs that had been traditionally passed on to the consumer. Unable to financially keep pace with the HMOs, the insurance companies abandoned the health insurance arena. As managed care has grown so have the problems associated with his system. Issues involving antitrust, confidentiality, privacy, and best practices are but a few of the critical issues facing managed care. All three branches of the United States government have been involved in resolving issues pertaining to managed care. Reforms have been demanded from the system and the current political climate may force the system to reconsider the manner in which it is conducting business. Minority consumers and specifically African Americans traditionally have been discriminated against from engaging in such life activities as housing, voting, commerce, and banking, without judicial intervention. The healthcare industry is no exception. The United States Surgeon General, in his seminal report on mental health, identifies that African Americans and other minorities have been excluded from obtaining appropriate and timely healthcare. The Surgeon General's report coupled with the President's report on Healthy People 2000, identify that initiatives are needed to rectify the inequities in healthcare in healthcare service delivery. A total of fifty-two African American consumers of mental health service with a primary diagnosis of adjustment disorder were surveyed to assess their perceptions as to whether or not they have access to their behavioral health services. The Consumer Access Questionnaire was designed to gather both demographic and consumer perceptions on the accessibility and feasibility of managed care for this selected population of African Americans. In all categories surveyed on the questionnaire, the results revealed that the respondents were able to access their outpatient behavioral health provider when utilizing the managed care system. The respondents provided an overall satisfaction rate with their respective managed care plans.