No description available.

This study is produced by the House of Restoration which is located in Phenix City, Alabama, to examine some interventions used in the attempt to create stability of an individual or family. The individuals and families focused on was from October 2001 through September 2004. For the purpose of this evaluation, interventions are defined as a system of help that created a change in an individual or families situation. Stabilization is defined as an individual or family that remains in housing for a period of three continuous years. The evaluation measured stabilization using the House of Restoration Stabilization Questionnaire (HORQ), which consists of 11 open and closed ended questions. An evaluation of 25 families and 15 individuals who have requested shelter was selected at random from the House of Restoration caseload. Respondents were reinterviewed after a three years period. Individuals and families with two or more periods of history in a shelter will be excluded from the follow up study. The results of the study will show that interventions demographic characteristics and housing conditions were the most important risk factors for shelter entry; enduring poverty and disruptive social experiences also contributed. Receipt of one or more interventions such as subsidized housing is believed to be a primary predictor of stability among formerly homeless families.

<p> Previous research has found that adolescents with problem sexual behavior (PSB) are a heterogeneous population, exhibiting a wide range of behaviors from noncontact offenses to penetrative acts. Perpetrators differ in levels of aggression and violence, and in both the gender and age of their victims. However, it has been found that there are certain biopsychosocial factors contributing to the likelihood that an adolescent will engage in PSB. The purpose of this literature review is to compile a comprehensive overview of these common characteristics of adolescents with PSB. Knowing the risk factors for PSB may help guide those in the mental health field to better understand adolescents who sexually offend, and choose appropriate treatment options for these offenders.</p>

No description available.

The study explored whether combinations of alternative child care arrangements and sociodemographic characteristics were associated with kindergarten achievement similar to the common effects for formal preschool intervention programs. The achievement of preschool nonattenders was compared within the group by the place of child care (in- home or away from home), and among comparison groups (no preschool group, school system preschool group and non-school system preschool group). A sample of 1,456 kindergarten students was selected from among 23 schools. There were 573 students with no preschool, 11:9 from the school system preschool program and 73!: students from the non-school system preschool programs. A Child Care Questionnaire mailed to parents of the no-preschool students was used to collect information on the description and the educational dimensions of the alternative child care arrangements used by parents during the day on weekdays, the year preceding child's enrollment in kindergarten. The results of preassessment and post assessment performance on the Ready Steps Language Survey, the reading and mathematics minimum skills, Getting Ready to Read, progression status, and the California Achievement Tests were used as measures of achievement. The findings indicated that certain combinations of sociodemographic characteristics and educational dimensions of the alternative child care arrangements were associated with a high level of kindergarten achievement, and that kindergarten students with this combination of variables in the alternative child care settings demonstrated a level of achievement equal to the average for students within the same schools who attended formal preschool programs. There was no significant difference in achievement within the no-preschool group, and differences among the comparison groups were identified at preassessment and post assessment in favor of the preschool group.

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No description available.

No description available.

The ability of music to produce calming effects on us is well documented, and its use is becoming an increasingly accepted intervention with populations displaying agitated and disruptive behaviors, such as people with Alzheimers disease (AD) or other dementias. One reason for its widespread use is because research has demonstrated musics efficacy in reducing agitation, and consequently disruptive behaviors, in those with AD. Prior studies on musics effects on agitation in older people with AD have utilized either recorded music used passively, or active sessions with a music therapist or musicians, but none have compared the effects of each type of intervention. The purpose of the current study is to examine musics effects on levels of agitation in people with AD or other dementias. The research design is quasi-experimental, utilizing a convenience sample of people with AD who live at home and are cared for by an informal caregiver. The current study is unique in several ways. First, past studies of music interventions with people with AD and related dementias have used either passive or active interventions, but have not compared the effects of both as the current study attempts to do. Next, past studies of music therapy with people with dementia have not examined how participation during the music sessions affects agitated behaviors. Past studies have demonstrated variations in participants responses to music therapy and activities, and this may be due to whether or not the participant is actually engaged with the intervention. This study assesses engagement by including participation as a variable. Lastly, the current study utilizes a unique sample of people with AD and related dementias who will continue to live at home during the course of the study.

<p> Children who experience abuse and neglect are at risk for failure to thrive and may suffer consequences in their cognitive, behavioral, and social development. Because of exposure to maltreatment, some children may not have access to valuable social and recreational experiences as needed to enhance their cognitive, behavioral, and social development, and improve their overall quality of life. Research states that the intervention of an overnight or day-to-day recreational camp is an experience for children that has proven to be highly effective for children within the child welfare population. The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal for a community outreach program that the YMCA of Greater Whittier will use to recruit and serve vulnerable youth at their recreational camp site, Camp Arbolado. Implications for social work practice are discussed. The submission for funding for this grant was not required for successful completion of this project.</p>