Social Work
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/10211.4_50
2024-03-28T08:24:09ZAn assessment and expansion of the transition age youth work program at Plumas County Behavioral Health
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/213475
An assessment and expansion of the transition age youth work program at Plumas County Behavioral Health
Storey, Taylor
Long-term mental health systems utilization is caused by inadequate education, untreated mental illness and social isolation, among other factors. These factors are amplified in rural areas, where many people do not have access to quality health care, education, and social supports. This is especially true for rural Transition Age Youth (TAY) with mental illness, where Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) programming is often lacking. This study sought to assess the effectiveness of a community-based TAY work program operated through Plumas County Behavioral Health (PCBH) at improving participants perceived and actual skills, knowledge and attitudes as related to their social, vocational and coping capacities. The goal was to assist participants with improving their quality of life and reducing costly long-term systems utilization. The mixed-methods design of the study allowed for a rich exploration of participants’ perceptions and growth. While results of the study are statistically non-significant, qualitative data confirm that program participation fostered an increased sense of connection to, and support from, the greater community. Survey responses indicated a lasting and positive impact on participant’s physical and mental health and ability to manage stress. Results are in line with research indicating that community-based programs, rather than individualized services, are more effective at supporting TAY with developing a sense of efficacy. The implications of this study are broad and suggest that to best support TAY, community-based PEI programs that combine therapeutic, social, and vocational skills training and practice are essential to combating long-term mental health systems usage.
2019-09-26T00:00:00ZCuffed together: a study on how law enforcement work impacts the officer's spouse
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/213277
Cuffed together: a study on how law enforcement work impacts the officer's spouse
Friese, Karen M.
Research has shown that law enforcement officer spouses or significant others (LEOS) are susceptible to secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, in addition to occupational stress caused by: an irregular work schedule, personality changes, bringing work stress home, the stigma attached to seeking mental health services, and higher alcohol use to cope with stress. LEOS experience psychological and physiological stress because of the exposure to occupational stress, often vicarious trauma or STS, through their interpersonal relationship with their officer. The James Lange theory of emot ion explains how brain chemistry contributes to behavior and how trauma is processed. This study sought to fill the gap in literature by identifying how law enforcement work impacts LEOS by using a mixed method, cross-sectional, research design to identify occupational stressors, coping mechanisms, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by collecting data using a survey and focus groups to further understand the survey results.
Of the participants (N = 171), 81% described themselves as Caucasian, 98% of respondents identified as female, and 59% reported affiliation with a state entity. Scores ranged from 38% to 69% of participants experiencing all of the measured items of stress, and using negative coping mechanisms two times as much as positive coping mechanisms. Focus group data supported survey results with four emerging themes: adaptation to life as a LEOS, stressors, secondary trauma, and coping mechanisms. LEOS reported that 70% of respondents had exposure to critical incidents. Literature has shown that women report higher amounts of psychological stress putting them at greater risk of feeling stress after hearing about a critical incident. LEO have shown the propensity to minimize manifestations of stress and this may be true of LEOS resulting in low scores. LEOS experience elevated stress at levels close to the same, some times more, than the LEO, contributing to the use of negative coping strategies to manage the strain. LEOS are at risk for experiencing long term physical and mental health concerns resulting from ongoing exposure to heightened levels of stress. This study indicates a need for a trauma informed approach and/or cognitive behavioral therapy to address trauma and the distorted thinking patterns that occur over a long career in law enforcement. Peer support is supported throughout literature as one of the most effective modalities for treating first responders and their families.
2019-09-16T00:00:00ZImplications of a parent orientation in the child welfare system: training : a case study
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/205887
Implications of a parent orientation in the child welfare system: training : a case study
LePage, Allysa R.
The child welfare system is a convoluted entity that is disproportionately comprised of families with co-occurring disparities; who are often deprived of pertinent information on the child welfare and Juvenile Court process. This paper examines social workers’ perception of a need to increase parents’ knowledge, develop an orientation, and binder to present the information, as well as evaluate the efficiency of this pilot project. The findings of the needs assessment was conducted with 33 Butte County, California social workers that was utilized to plan develop, and implement a Parent Orientation and Parent Binder for parents involved in the child welfare system. Social workers referred parents who were in the reunification process, of which seven participated. The parents’ knowledge of the child welfare and Juvenile Court system was evaluated through a quantitative survey pre and post the orientation, as well as the referring social worker who evaluated the parents’ knowledge prior and post attendance. The results for the parent and social worker surveys indicated a significant increase of parents’ knowledge. Increased attention to educating parents involved with the child welfare system has the potential to encourage parents’ engagement level and increase the probability of successful reunification with their child.
2018-08-29T00:00:00ZThe adoption of children with disabilities: an exploration of altruistic behaviors and motivations
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/205881
The adoption of children with disabilities: an exploration of altruistic behaviors and motivations
Buckner, Angela
Social work practice is often focused on the delivery of services by agencies that may be disconnected from the communities they serve, and not on strategies to educate and empower those communities to provide those services to themselves. By understanding what motivates individuals to participate in helping behaviors, especially those behaviors that are statistically rare, social work practitioners may be able to motivate that behavior in others. The literature on children with disabilities within the foster care system tells us that these children are more likely to be abused and less likely to be adopted than nearly all other child groups (Sullivan, 2009; Orme, Cherry, & Krcek, 2013). Exploring the differences between the birth families that lack the capacity to care for these children, and the families that do so willingly has important implications for social work practice as a means of community and individual empowerment, and not simply service delivery. Using adoptive parents of children with disabilities in Butte County as subjects, this mixed-method study sought to find factors that motivate individuals to perform altruistic behaviors.
2018-08-29T00:00:00Z