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<p> The purpose of this thesis was to analyze the Adoptions and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 and how it has affected African American kinship caregivers. This study utilized David Gil&rsquo;s policy analysis framework to analyze the ASFA of 1997 as well as primary and secondary data. This analysis specifically examines whether the provisions within the legislature have provided adequate support to African American kinship caregivers toward accomplishing the intended goal of achieving permanency for foster children. The study also explores how the ASFA of 1997 has impacted parents&rsquo; ability to reunify with their children within the time frames set by the policy. In addition, the types of services received, the characteristics of the African American kinship caregivers, the barriers that they come across, and the consequences for this population are discussed. Finally, the implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.</p>

<p> PTSD affects millions in the United States due to traumatic events that occur on a daily basis. These events can spawn from domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and violence in general. The impact could have a profound affect on youth as they develop throughout life. A detailed review outlines the wide trajectory of the impact it causes as it persists. The purpose of the grant is to provide support among youth that suffer from PTSD and prevent any mental health complications. Through expressive drum therapy that is facilitated by trained social workers, will allow youth to cope in a expressive manner while utilizing drums.</p>

<p> Many people are exposed to trauma and subsequently experience mental health distress, though not all seek help for it. This study aimed to explore the relationship between attitudes towards seeking help and level of impairment in work/school, family, and social domains among individuals seeking treatment for traumatic exposure. This study also analyzed the relationship between attitudes to seeking help through various referral sources and demographic characteristics, including gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and level of education. The analysis revealed no significant relationship between level of impairment and attitudes to seeking help, yet significant differences were found when comparing attitudes towards help seeking among level of education and sexual orientation. Implications of the demographic characteristics of the help seeking population and lack of significance in the relationship between help seeking attitudes and level of impairment are discussed. </p>

<p> Obtaining an education is an essential part of developing into an adult and becoming a functioning member of society. However, many youth in foster care are at considerable risk for low academic achievement as many are racial/ethnic minorities, English language learners, living in poverty, and many have disabilities. Though efforts have been made throughout the last several decades, there has generally been little success in closing this educational achievement gap. The purpose of this project is to write a grant and identify a funding source to implement training workshops for educators, child welfare and school social workers, and foster parents to increase the awareness of the risk factors for drop-out and the programs and practices that have contributed to student academic success. Part of the funds will be used to develop resource packets for workshop attendees. A prospective funder was identified, although actual funding and submission of this grant proposal were not requirements for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The focus of this qualitative study was to explore the intersectionalities of the different identities of an undocumented LGBTQ Latino. The study explored the narratives of seven UndocuQueer Latinos from Los Angeles County using face-to-face interviews. The aim was to dissect the identities of holding an undocumented status, their LGBTQ identity, and how they intersect with one another. Grounded Theory Approach was used to analyze the data. Participants reported experiences of conflicting values, onset of internal homophobia, feelings of identity-based pride, and stressors behind the impact of policies such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and The Marriage Equality Act.</p><p> Each participant reported valuing education and civic engagement and is either pursuing a higher education or has received a Bachelor&rsquo;s degree. Although not a required criteria in order to participate in the study, each participant developed a sense of autonomy and were highly engaged in their diverse communities and educating others about their multiple identities. </p>

<p> This study investigated the inpatient to outpatient social work hand off process at a Southern California Kaiser Permanente facility. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of social work intervention in reducing hospital readmissions.</p><p> Secondary data were analyzed from a sample of 73 patients in the hand off group and 73 patients in an equivalent comparison group. Deidentified data were compiled from patients&rsquo; charts and other documentation.</p><p> Readmission rates were lower in the hand off group (30.1%) than in the comparison group (34.2%), although the difference was not significant. Those in the hand off group who were not readmitted received significantly more social work touches than those who were readmitted. Length of stay, Admissions, Comorbidities, Emergency Visits (LACE) scores (a measure of risk) were also a predictor of readmission in the hand off group but not in the comparison group.</p><p> Research continues to be needed regarding the role of medical social workers in reducing hospital readmissions.</p>

ABSTRACT This study built on prior research about helplines that focused on descriptive accounts of caller profiles (frequent callers, children callers, male/female, reason for calls, help seeking intentions/beliefs, attitudes and expectations of callers); counselor profiles (active listening skills, motivation, empathy, altruism, family peer advocates); and helpline profiles (advantages and limitations of telephone, chat rooms, emails, and texting). The intention of this study was to assess the needs of the organization in order to build a helpline that meets the needs of the clients. It assessed existing data from calls made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Orleans where staff members handle approximately 1000 calls and emails yearly from individuals with mental illness, their families, or loved ones. For six weeks during the fall of 2015, NAMI staff logged incoming calls to their de facto helpline and the existing data was analyzed. Emails and Facebook queries to the agency were also included in the analysis. Findings indicate that most people called to have someone listen to their concerns and provide support. In terms of type of callers, most callers were family members of persons living with mental illness. Individuals living with mental illness were the second most frequent type of caller. Family members called more frequently than other types of callers and women called three times more than men. The support provided to callers was mainly referrals to NAMI New Orleans support and/or education groups and then to outside agencies. Those who referred callers to NAMI were principally from the internal (support groups) and external (media) realms of NAMI New Orleans, although it was often not known who referred the calls. The duration of calls and the types of referrals made varied greatly by the responders, or those who logged the calls, however, the mean call duration of 8.9 minutes was close to the industry standard. Implications for practice and policy are discussed showing suggestions for ways to work with family members in order to accommodate their need for support; for providing volunteer recruitment, orientation, and training; and for creating a call-response decision tree.

<p> The purpose of this project was to collaborate with the host agency to design a program and seek funding to add a violence prevention component that can be implemented in the public school setting. &ldquo;Bullying behaviour no doubt is becoming a common feature, and a nightmare in schools all over the world. It is a worrisome practice in schools because it infringes on the child's right to human dignity, privacy, freedom and security&rdquo; (Aluede, Adeleke, Omoike &amp; Afen-Akpaida, 2008, p. 151). This makes the need to prevent victimization and empower those who are being bullied all the more urgent. A literature review was conducted to determine the risk factors and consequences involved in bullying and to identify conflict resolution programs. The idea that conflicts can be resolved constructively, without physical or verbal violence, provides the basis for an evidence-based program designed to reduce bullying behavior. The implementation of this project will bridge the gap between the services offered to the child, school and community. The actual submission and funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant application to obtain funding for a culturally sound teen dating violence prevention program for Latina youth. The prevention program would be conducted at the Foothill Family agency in West Covina, California. Foothill Family, a provider of domestic violence services since 1926, has been a staple in the community in bringing awareness to the issue of violence against women. The California Wellness Foundation was chosen as the funder for this grant proposal.</p><p> The California Wellness Foundation has a history of supporting innovative projects that address the needs of traditionally underserved populations and low-income families and youth. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not required for successful completion of this thesis.</p>