Search

Search Results

• 21. [Article] The Grand Challenge of Ending Homelessness

  The notion that homelessness in the United States can be ended, rather than managed, represents a fundamental shift in expectations that has occurred over the past three decades. Many U.S. cities now have ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Grand Challenge of Ending Homelessness Author: Henwood, Benjamin, Wenzel, Suzanne L., Mangano, Philip F., Hombs, MaryEllen, Padgett, Deborah K., Byrne, Thomas, Rice, Eric, Butts, Sarah, Uretsky, Mathew C, Year: 2015 The notion that homelessness in the United States can be ended, rather than managed, represents a fundamental shift in expectations that has occurred over the past three decades. Many U.S. cities now have plans to end homelessness. Yet homelessness and housing instability are substantial problems that afflict a diverse group of subpopulations such as families, youth, veterans, and chronically homeless single adults. Ending homelessness for each of these populations may require tailored interventions that are responsive to specific individualized needs. These factors make tackling homelessness a difficult task. Although evidencebased solutions exist for some subpopulations, such as housing first for chronically homeless adults, scaling up best practices remains a challenge. For other subpopulations, such as transitional aged youth, evidence-based interventions need to be developed. In this paper we argue that ending homelessness is a Grand Challenge that is big, important, and compelling—one that the profession of social work should be adopt. Meeting this challenge will require a focused, organized response from social work researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Ending homelessness will require innovation and interdisciplinary or cross-sector collaboration. Title: The Grand Challenge of Ending Homelessness Author: Henwood, Benjamin, Wenzel, Suzanne L., Mangano, Philip F., Hombs, MaryEllen, Padgett, Deborah K., Byrne, Thomas, Rice, Eric, Butts, Sarah, Uretsky, Mathew C, Year: 2015 The notion that homelessness in the United States can be ended, rather than managed, represents a fundamental shift in expectations that has occurred over the past three decades. Many U.S. cities now have plans to end homelessness. Yet homelessness and housing instability are substantial problems that afflict a diverse group of subpopulations such as families, youth, veterans, and chronically homeless single adults. Ending homelessness for each of these populations may require tailored interventions that are responsive to specific individualized needs. These factors make tackling homelessness a difficult task. Although evidencebased solutions exist for some subpopulations, such as housing first for chronically homeless adults, scaling up best practices remains a challenge. For other subpopulations, such as transitional aged youth, evidence-based interventions need to be developed. In this paper we argue that ending homelessness is a Grand Challenge that is big, important, and compelling—one that the profession of social work should be adopt. Meeting this challenge will require a focused, organized response from social work researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Ending homelessness will require innovation and interdisciplinary or cross-sector collaboration. Close

• 22. [Article] The Relationship between Mindfulness and Burnout among Master of Social Work Students

  Social work students frequently endure elevated levels of prolonged stress and psychological affliction that might result in serious consequences, such as development of burnout. Some experts suggest that ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Relationship between Mindfulness and Burnout among Master of Social Work Students Author: Piatkowska, Jolanta Maria Year: 2014 Social work students frequently endure elevated levels of prolonged stress and psychological affliction that might result in serious consequences, such as development of burnout. Some experts suggest that burnout originates in the exposure to chronic interpersonal stressors in the work environment. Yet, there is emerging evidence suggesting that mindfulness practice might be beneficial in alleviating stress. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between mindfulness and burnout among Master of Social Work students. Burnout, mindfulness, religiosity, spirituality and their potential relationship were discussed and related to previous scholarly literature. Specifically, this study focused on testing the hypothesis that current MSW students who demonstrate higher levels of mindfulness will report less burnout, regardless of the year in the MSW program and regardless of the years of practice in human services. In addition, the hypothesis that students currently involved in direct social work practice (either outside of the MSW program, in the MSW field placement, or both) experience higher levels of burnout than students not yet practicing was scrutinized. Moreover, the hypothesis that as students progress in their studies they will exhibit progressively more burnout was explored. Finally, one of this study's goals was to explore whether patterns/relationships between the religious and spiritual beliefs and practices predict burnout levels among Master of Social Work students. Participants were mostly non-Hispanic White females, with a mean age of 35, married (or in legally recognized unions), and first year students enrolled full-time in the Direct Human Services track. Two years was the most common length of their experience in human services. They came from the metropolitan Portland area (on-campus students) and other regions of Oregon (off-site students). The mindfulness of the participants was measured with the Five Facets Mindfulness Scale and the levels of their burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Study results indicated that the more mindful the MSW students were, the less burnout they reported experiencing. A large correlation of mindfulness to reduced burnout (p < .001) was found, a relationship that persisted when controlling for other significant variables through sequential regression analysis. However, neither year in the MSW program, length of practicing in human services, nor religious/spiritual affiliation and practices had any significant influence on burnout among participants. Given the results of this study demonstrated statistically significant relationships between mindfulness and burnout among social work students, it is recommended that appropriate training in mindfulness for the students (and social workers) affected by secondary trauma and burnout should be incorporated in social work education, either as a part of curricula, or in an extra-curricular training program. Title: The Relationship between Mindfulness and Burnout among Master of Social Work Students Author: Piatkowska, Jolanta Maria Year: 2014 Social work students frequently endure elevated levels of prolonged stress and psychological affliction that might result in serious consequences, such as development of burnout. Some experts suggest that burnout originates in the exposure to chronic interpersonal stressors in the work environment. Yet, there is emerging evidence suggesting that mindfulness practice might be beneficial in alleviating stress. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between mindfulness and burnout among Master of Social Work students. Burnout, mindfulness, religiosity, spirituality and their potential relationship were discussed and related to previous scholarly literature. Specifically, this study focused on testing the hypothesis that current MSW students who demonstrate higher levels of mindfulness will report less burnout, regardless of the year in the MSW program and regardless of the years of practice in human services. In addition, the hypothesis that students currently involved in direct social work practice (either outside of the MSW program, in the MSW field placement, or both) experience higher levels of burnout than students not yet practicing was scrutinized. Moreover, the hypothesis that as students progress in their studies they will exhibit progressively more burnout was explored. Finally, one of this study's goals was to explore whether patterns/relationships between the religious and spiritual beliefs and practices predict burnout levels among Master of Social Work students. Participants were mostly non-Hispanic White females, with a mean age of 35, married (or in legally recognized unions), and first year students enrolled full-time in the Direct Human Services track. Two years was the most common length of their experience in human services. They came from the metropolitan Portland area (on-campus students) and other regions of Oregon (off-site students). The mindfulness of the participants was measured with the Five Facets Mindfulness Scale and the levels of their burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Study results indicated that the more mindful the MSW students were, the less burnout they reported experiencing. A large correlation of mindfulness to reduced burnout (p < .001) was found, a relationship that persisted when controlling for other significant variables through sequential regression analysis. However, neither year in the MSW program, length of practicing in human services, nor religious/spiritual affiliation and practices had any significant influence on burnout among participants. Given the results of this study demonstrated statistically significant relationships between mindfulness and burnout among social work students, it is recommended that appropriate training in mindfulness for the students (and social workers) affected by secondary trauma and burnout should be incorporated in social work education, either as a part of curricula, or in an extra-curricular training program. Close

• 23. [Article] Child and Maternal Health in the Slavic Community: Insights on Assets and Priorities

  The Slavic community’s health is impacted by race and ethnicity, and also by issues that flow from being a newcomer community, and also from their status as refugees. They also bring to the U.S.A. cultural ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Child and Maternal Health in the Slavic Community: Insights on Assets and Priorities Author: Reyes, Marie-Elena, Curry-Stevens, Ann Year: 2015 The Slavic community’s health is impacted by race and ethnicity, and also by issues that flow from being a newcomer community, and also from their status as refugees. They also bring to the U.S.A. cultural orientation that is collectivist, and shared experiences of persecution and deep distrust of the government. As is detailed in this report, these experiences have an impact on health and wellbeing, and simultaneously have a detrimental effect on the economic stature of the community. This Community Needs Assessment on the Health of Slavic Children (ages 0-5 years) was conducted to produce a “needs assessment” report outlining specific health concerns, needs and indicators of health disparities within the Slavic community, best practices from other Slavic communities, and recommendations for next steps to address disparities in a culturally competent change in policy or practices. The community opted to conduct two major data gathering processes: a maternal and child survey, and focus groups with mothers. We supplemented this information with a literature review to highlight both the larger social and economic issues that are well-tied to health (such as income, poverty, school engagement and English language skills), alongside studies that have identified health assets and challenges in both Slavic and immigrant communities. The core priority of the community are to establish a Slavic Health Center where providers will share their language, culture and history, and where health needs will be understood in their cultural context, and the distrust that typifies the relationships that many in the community have with formal health and social services will be eliminated. The need for this is strong, in evidence through the survey, the focus groups and in the literature. Specialized services are warranted to address the health issues tied to being newcomer communities, and in holding cultural identities and experiences that diverge significantly from that of mainstream (white) society. Additional priorities include rectifying the deep divide that exists on the issue of immunizations, with this being the highest priority health issue for mothers with young children. Second on the priority list is for parents to be well prepared for their children to arrive at school, and to help make this transition easier on both parents and children. Third is to address a wide range of issues tied to health promotion, including learning and responding to issues of child neglect and the conditions that will promote family stability. Fourth is oral health, and the importance of being able to see Slavic oral health providers. Across the spectrum is a need for information on services available, as well as making such services available, and making them culturally responsive. Taking action on two levels is key for the community: putting empowerment-based information into the hands of Slavic families, and catalyzing among service providers enhanced abilities to serve the Slavic community in respectful and culturally dignified ways. Health disparities faced by Slavic community members are inequitably measured, simply because their race/ethnicity is not separated out from “White” in the vast majority of research studies. Unfortunately, data cannot be separated by NWHF’s equity priorities like ethnicity overall, and cultural or linguistic background in particular. Culturally and linguistically specific services targeting this community’s needs are less likely than other disadvantaged communities of color such as African American and Native American, particularly due to inadequate gathering of data beyond the traditional racial and ethnic breakdown. Geography impacts this community’s health simply because of poverty-driven gentrification and the likelihood of Slavic families living in low-income diverse neighborhoods with greater risks of health disparities such as high obesity prevalence and chronic disease. Low-income neighborhoods where some of these families reside are less likely to have culturally and linguistically specific services targeting healthy choices and behaviors. Title: Child and Maternal Health in the Slavic Community: Insights on Assets and Priorities Author: Reyes, Marie-Elena, Curry-Stevens, Ann Year: 2015 The Slavic community’s health is impacted by race and ethnicity, and also by issues that flow from being a newcomer community, and also from their status as refugees. They also bring to the U.S.A. cultural orientation that is collectivist, and shared experiences of persecution and deep distrust of the government. As is detailed in this report, these experiences have an impact on health and wellbeing, and simultaneously have a detrimental effect on the economic stature of the community. This Community Needs Assessment on the Health of Slavic Children (ages 0-5 years) was conducted to produce a “needs assessment” report outlining specific health concerns, needs and indicators of health disparities within the Slavic community, best practices from other Slavic communities, and recommendations for next steps to address disparities in a culturally competent change in policy or practices. The community opted to conduct two major data gathering processes: a maternal and child survey, and focus groups with mothers. We supplemented this information with a literature review to highlight both the larger social and economic issues that are well-tied to health (such as income, poverty, school engagement and English language skills), alongside studies that have identified health assets and challenges in both Slavic and immigrant communities. The core priority of the community are to establish a Slavic Health Center where providers will share their language, culture and history, and where health needs will be understood in their cultural context, and the distrust that typifies the relationships that many in the community have with formal health and social services will be eliminated. The need for this is strong, in evidence through the survey, the focus groups and in the literature. Specialized services are warranted to address the health issues tied to being newcomer communities, and in holding cultural identities and experiences that diverge significantly from that of mainstream (white) society. Additional priorities include rectifying the deep divide that exists on the issue of immunizations, with this being the highest priority health issue for mothers with young children. Second on the priority list is for parents to be well prepared for their children to arrive at school, and to help make this transition easier on both parents and children. Third is to address a wide range of issues tied to health promotion, including learning and responding to issues of child neglect and the conditions that will promote family stability. Fourth is oral health, and the importance of being able to see Slavic oral health providers. Across the spectrum is a need for information on services available, as well as making such services available, and making them culturally responsive. Taking action on two levels is key for the community: putting empowerment-based information into the hands of Slavic families, and catalyzing among service providers enhanced abilities to serve the Slavic community in respectful and culturally dignified ways. Health disparities faced by Slavic community members are inequitably measured, simply because their race/ethnicity is not separated out from “White” in the vast majority of research studies. Unfortunately, data cannot be separated by NWHF’s equity priorities like ethnicity overall, and cultural or linguistic background in particular. Culturally and linguistically specific services targeting this community’s needs are less likely than other disadvantaged communities of color such as African American and Native American, particularly due to inadequate gathering of data beyond the traditional racial and ethnic breakdown. Geography impacts this community’s health simply because of poverty-driven gentrification and the likelihood of Slavic families living in low-income diverse neighborhoods with greater risks of health disparities such as high obesity prevalence and chronic disease. Low-income neighborhoods where some of these families reside are less likely to have culturally and linguistically specific services targeting healthy choices and behaviors. Close

• 24. [Article] The Importance of Online Peer Relationships During the Transition to Motherhood: Do They Decrease Stress, Alleviate Depression and Increase Parenting Competence?

  This research addressed the challenges faced by women in today's society during the transition to motherhood, and explored the possible benefits of an online natural helping network of blogging peers. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Importance of Online Peer Relationships During the Transition to Motherhood: Do They Decrease Stress, Alleviate Depression and Increase Parenting Competence? Author: Arias, Bobbie Sue Year: 2016 This research addressed the challenges faced by women in today's society during the transition to motherhood, and explored the possible benefits of an online natural helping network of blogging peers. Given the content of the literature describing the transition to motherhood and the many hardships that pose possible obstacles for an ideal transition, this research attempted to uncover the reasons why mothers blog and what benefit, if any, they experience as a result of blogging. This study explored the following questions: Why do women blog during the transition to motherhood? What is the relationship among the seven identified variables: blogging intensity, authentic self-disclosure, perceived general social support, perceived social support from blogging, current depression, stress, and parenting competence? This dissertation employed a cross-sectional research design using a web-based survey. The data were trimmed to limit the participants to residents/citizens of the United States and mothers of preschool aged (0-5) children who lived with them four or more days per week. The data were further limited to include only those participants (N = 501) who completed the survey in its entirety. New mothers experienced benefits as a result of their authentic participation in blogging and reported key reasons that they participated including: to share their experiences with others, to preserve their memories, to interact with a like-minded audience, and to feel understood. There were significant positive correlations between authentic self-disclosure and perceived social support, and sense of parenting competency, and a negative relationship between authentic self-disclosure and maternal depression and perceived stress. Multiple regression analysis indicated that social support was the strongest predictor of current depression. Social support was also a predictor of stress and of perceived parenting competence. Additionally, social support significantly predicted authentic self-disclosure. With a growing reliance on technology and social media, social work has an obligation to identify and utilize the beneficial aspects of this medium. Title: The Importance of Online Peer Relationships During the Transition to Motherhood: Do They Decrease Stress, Alleviate Depression and Increase Parenting Competence? Author: Arias, Bobbie Sue Year: 2016 This research addressed the challenges faced by women in today's society during the transition to motherhood, and explored the possible benefits of an online natural helping network of blogging peers. Given the content of the literature describing the transition to motherhood and the many hardships that pose possible obstacles for an ideal transition, this research attempted to uncover the reasons why mothers blog and what benefit, if any, they experience as a result of blogging. This study explored the following questions: Why do women blog during the transition to motherhood? What is the relationship among the seven identified variables: blogging intensity, authentic self-disclosure, perceived general social support, perceived social support from blogging, current depression, stress, and parenting competence? This dissertation employed a cross-sectional research design using a web-based survey. The data were trimmed to limit the participants to residents/citizens of the United States and mothers of preschool aged (0-5) children who lived with them four or more days per week. The data were further limited to include only those participants (N = 501) who completed the survey in its entirety. New mothers experienced benefits as a result of their authentic participation in blogging and reported key reasons that they participated including: to share their experiences with others, to preserve their memories, to interact with a like-minded audience, and to feel understood. There were significant positive correlations between authentic self-disclosure and perceived social support, and sense of parenting competency, and a negative relationship between authentic self-disclosure and maternal depression and perceived stress. Multiple regression analysis indicated that social support was the strongest predictor of current depression. Social support was also a predictor of stress and of perceived parenting competence. Additionally, social support significantly predicted authentic self-disclosure. With a growing reliance on technology and social media, social work has an obligation to identify and utilize the beneficial aspects of this medium. Close

• 25. [Article] Multnomah County Project Launch Evaluation

  Early childhood is a critical time in human development. Any experience, positive or negative, can influence long-term outcomes for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health (Center on the Developing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Multnomah County Project Launch Evaluation Author: Auerbach, Jessica, Emlen, Elana S., Garcia, Danielle C., Hause, Noelle, Lambarth, Callie H., Lorentson, Mhora, Rife, Isabel M., Zavela, Kathleen J., Aratani, Yumiko, Bracey, Jeana R., Ekono, Mercedes, Green, Beth L., Kryah, Rachel, Mendez, Melissa, Smith, Sheila, Tom, Lily Year: 2016 Early childhood is a critical time in human development. Any experience, positive or negative, can influence long-term outcomes for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2010). To ensure a strong foundation for success in school and in life, efforts designed to promote wellness and identify early learning or mental health challenges must begin well before kindergarten. Strong evidence shows that investing in early childhood can yield large dividends for children. Additionally, the ability of our systems to provide positive outcomes for children can be enhanced through strategic planning, well-developed partnerships, and coordinated family services. Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health), a federally funded United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) initiative, aims to enhance and improve the way systems function by bringing together all participants in each child’s life including caregivers, primary care providers, early childhood educators, and mental health providers. Project LAUNCH strives to incorporate all participants, at all levels of service provision, to strengthen our ability to achieve the best possible outcomes in social and emotional health and wellness for all children. Project LAUNCH has funded states, local jurisdictions, and tribes interested in achieving these goals since 2008. Under Project LAUNCH, grantees are charged with (1) promoting the healthy development of children from birth to age 8 and their families by harnessing and coordinating existing resources and (2) increasing access to high-quality, evidence-based programs in five childcentric domains: developmental screening and assessment, home visiting, mental health consultation, family strengthening and training, and integration of behavioral health into primary care. By developing an understanding of the landscape of services and supports unique to each state and community and by evaluating strengths and opportunities for change, grantees begin to implement promotion and prevention strategies that best serve the needs of their communities at the child, family, and systems levels. Thus, while there are distinct cultural, geographic, and economic differences across LAUNCH sites in all cohorts, the fundamental components of the LAUNCH model remain the same for all grantees. To date, Project LAUNCH has funded 55 projects across six cohorts. All LAUNCH grantees are expected to demonstrate local policy and practice improvements that can be sustained statewide. Unlike other LAUNCH cohorts, Cohort 3 grantees are distinguished by the fact that they were funded solely at the community level with no state or tribal oversight. This presented the six sites with a unique set of opportunities and challenges as they sought to bring policy and practice improvements to scale, enhance infrastructure, and implement direct services in the five domains or strategies. The uniqueness of the community-based aspect of Cohort 3 grantees provided both challenges and opportunities. Grantees identified the flexibility and ability to control program activities within a community setting as key advantages to the local grants, whereas the ability to replicate successful activities and implement policy change on a statewide basis were limited. Additionally, the uniqueness of Cohort 3 made it challenging to evaluate the success of Cohort 3 grantees by measuring their progress against that of other cohorts. This e-book was developed to highlight and share the experience of the local communities in Cohort 3. This publication is designed to serve as a resource for future early childhood systems development activities implemented by LAUNCH grantees or by other early childhood programs with similar goals and interests. This publication shares the contributions of this unique cohort to the field of young children’s mental health and family wellness by spotlighting accomplishments, evidence, and lessons learned within the context of the LAUNCH strategic framework. Narratives from the six grantees detail the successes and challenges of systems building from the ground up and emphasize the value-added benefits of funding directly at the community level. Recommendations for present and future LAUNCH projects and similar initiatives address strategies to build local, state, and national partnerships to support replication and sustainability. We hope you will find this resource of value for supporting local initiatives that promote young child and family wellness Title: Multnomah County Project Launch Evaluation Author: Auerbach, Jessica, Emlen, Elana S., Garcia, Danielle C., Hause, Noelle, Lambarth, Callie H., Lorentson, Mhora, Rife, Isabel M., Zavela, Kathleen J., Aratani, Yumiko, Bracey, Jeana R., Ekono, Mercedes, Green, Beth L., Kryah, Rachel, Mendez, Melissa, Smith, Sheila, Tom, Lily Year: 2016 Early childhood is a critical time in human development. Any experience, positive or negative, can influence long-term outcomes for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2010). To ensure a strong foundation for success in school and in life, efforts designed to promote wellness and identify early learning or mental health challenges must begin well before kindergarten. Strong evidence shows that investing in early childhood can yield large dividends for children. Additionally, the ability of our systems to provide positive outcomes for children can be enhanced through strategic planning, well-developed partnerships, and coordinated family services. Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health), a federally funded United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) initiative, aims to enhance and improve the way systems function by bringing together all participants in each child’s life including caregivers, primary care providers, early childhood educators, and mental health providers. Project LAUNCH strives to incorporate all participants, at all levels of service provision, to strengthen our ability to achieve the best possible outcomes in social and emotional health and wellness for all children. Project LAUNCH has funded states, local jurisdictions, and tribes interested in achieving these goals since 2008. Under Project LAUNCH, grantees are charged with (1) promoting the healthy development of children from birth to age 8 and their families by harnessing and coordinating existing resources and (2) increasing access to high-quality, evidence-based programs in five childcentric domains: developmental screening and assessment, home visiting, mental health consultation, family strengthening and training, and integration of behavioral health into primary care. By developing an understanding of the landscape of services and supports unique to each state and community and by evaluating strengths and opportunities for change, grantees begin to implement promotion and prevention strategies that best serve the needs of their communities at the child, family, and systems levels. Thus, while there are distinct cultural, geographic, and economic differences across LAUNCH sites in all cohorts, the fundamental components of the LAUNCH model remain the same for all grantees. To date, Project LAUNCH has funded 55 projects across six cohorts. All LAUNCH grantees are expected to demonstrate local policy and practice improvements that can be sustained statewide. Unlike other LAUNCH cohorts, Cohort 3 grantees are distinguished by the fact that they were funded solely at the community level with no state or tribal oversight. This presented the six sites with a unique set of opportunities and challenges as they sought to bring policy and practice improvements to scale, enhance infrastructure, and implement direct services in the five domains or strategies. The uniqueness of the community-based aspect of Cohort 3 grantees provided both challenges and opportunities. Grantees identified the flexibility and ability to control program activities within a community setting as key advantages to the local grants, whereas the ability to replicate successful activities and implement policy change on a statewide basis were limited. Additionally, the uniqueness of Cohort 3 made it challenging to evaluate the success of Cohort 3 grantees by measuring their progress against that of other cohorts. This e-book was developed to highlight and share the experience of the local communities in Cohort 3. This publication is designed to serve as a resource for future early childhood systems development activities implemented by LAUNCH grantees or by other early childhood programs with similar goals and interests. This publication shares the contributions of this unique cohort to the field of young children’s mental health and family wellness by spotlighting accomplishments, evidence, and lessons learned within the context of the LAUNCH strategic framework. Narratives from the six grantees detail the successes and challenges of systems building from the ground up and emphasize the value-added benefits of funding directly at the community level. Recommendations for present and future LAUNCH projects and similar initiatives address strategies to build local, state, and national partnerships to support replication and sustainability. We hope you will find this resource of value for supporting local initiatives that promote young child and family wellness Close