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Article Index Volume 21 - 22

Volume 21-22

Volume 19-20

Volume 16-18

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 1 Page: 3)

Title: Team Teaching via Video Conferencing: Practical Strategies for Course Design and Delivery

Author(s): Camp and Egbert
Abstract: This article provides a theoretically grounded how-to guide for collaborative design and implementation of team teaching in a distance education (IVC) context, including practical strategies for effective planning, preparation, curriculum- and technology-related issues; dynamics inherent in real-time course delivery; and incorporating a self-reflective process for ongoing evaluation and course improvement – qualitative data representing student perceptions and experiences of team taught distance education are provided, as well as ongoing efforts regarding evaluation in this area.

Article PDF: 211003.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 1 Page: 13)

Title: Fields of Practice in Post-Degree Social Work Employment

Author(s): Schmidt and Hemingway
Abstract: This research used a survey and brief telephone interviews to determine if social work practice interests changed during and after completing a MSW degree. The participants represented five years of graduates from a small School of Social Work in British Columbia, Canada. Prior to starting their MSW studies, the largest number of social workers were employed in child welfare (31%). After graduation with the MSW degree 16% were employed in child welfare while 39% were employed in mental health and addictions. Information gained from the study is useful for planning curriculum as well as continuing education programs.
Article PDF: 211013.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 1 Page: 20)

Title: Working Together: How Peer Mentors and Social Workers Can Collaborate to Serve Veterans and Military Families

Author(s): Mitchell
Abstract:
Article PDF: 211020.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 1 Page: 26)

Title: A Case Study for Students with Disabilities in Field Education

Author(s): Smith
Abstract: The study reviews federal legislation that guides placement of students with disabilities and the experience in placing students with disabilities in field education at a state university in Western Pennsylvania. The study provides insight into lessons learned by the BSW Field Director in placing students with disabilities in field internships and recommendations for supporting students with disabilities in field.
Article PDF: 211026.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 1 Page: 32)

Title: Growing Old: Perspectives on Retirement Issues Among Adult Vietnamese Immigrants

Author(s): Lam and Nguyen
Abstract: This exploratory study describes the perspectives and beliefs of adult Vietnamese immigrants about retirement issues. Through intensive interviews with 20 respondents, using semi-structured open-ended questions, authors explored factors that influence retirement planning. A process model was used to explore the impact of conceptualization of retirement planning, socio-economic status and health, and knowledge of governmental assistance and other community support services on multiple pathways leading to retirement. The results of this study serve to enhance understanding of the unique needs of this population. Specifically, findings of this study supported the important role of positive attitudes towards retirement in the process of retirement planning and retirement decision. In addition, findings of this study highlighted a need to expand community education on the issues of governmental and community support services related to retirement. Finally, the results of this study raised an important issue pertaining to the role of health and socio-economic status in the level of satisfaction of the retirement planning. Clinical implications are discussed.
Article PDF: 210132.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 1 Page: 41)

Title: Cyber Social Work: Is the Profession Ready?

Author(s): Joiner
Abstract: This paper explores the readiness of social workers to engage in online service delivery and counseling as well as challenges associated with online practice. This study used a sample of 173 MSW-level respondents who participated in Social Work Continuing Education (CE) workshops related to the use of technology in direct practice. Findings were mixed regarding the use of social media to deliver mental health services to clients/consumers. However, the participants strongly agreed the Internet could be used to deliver mental health therapy effectively.
Article PDF: 211041.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 1 Page: 52)

Title: Memories: Cuban-Immigrants and their Courage, Connection, and Adaptation

Author(s): Coll, Weiss, Waddell, Martinez, & Basiru
Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the narratives and articulation of experiences of Cubans who left Cuba during the Mariel Boatlift that took place between late April and late September 1980 in response to Fidel Castro’s Revolution. Electronically blogged entries were submitted in an attempt for Cuban-American emigrants to seek and share information about their experiences and help them locate the vessels that brought them to America originally (Barry and Rosenblatt, 2010). A Miami Herald database publicized in-depth information on one of the most important events of Cuban emigration. A reporter, data analyst, and Web developer worked for months to digitize and organize little-known data about the 1980 Mariel Boatlift, published to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the vessels’ arrivals in the United States. The data sets proved to be more than mere numbers and names. Every record highlights what Cuban emigration means to each individual that is facing loss and embracing a new commitment and a story of change, conflict, and connection that shapes their values, hopes, and dreams as Cuban-Americans. Using the social work strengths perspective and empowerment that uses human strength and resiliency as a tool for helping individuals overcome personal obstacles and challenges, this study explores the process that assists troubled people to realize their full potential through the narrative analysis of 13 blogged representative entries extrapolated from 140 total entries, which included five males and seven females that responded to the 2010-2011 Mariel Boatlift database Miami Herald blog.
Article PDF: 211052.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 2 Page: 3)

Title: Meet Me at the Hub: Online Support for Social Worker Adjunct

Author(s): Kleinschmit & Cummings
Abstract: This article introduces the Adjunct Instructor Hub, an online Learning Management Site (LMS)-based approach to orient, educate, connect, and support adjunct instructors. This LMS resource was developed to address the needs of a school of social work with multiple and geographically far-flung MSW and BASW programs. This article describes the reasoning for the site's design, organization and contents, lessons learned, and plans for the future.
Article PDF: 212003.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 2 Page: 11)

Title: Direct Social Work Practice with Homeless Clients with Disabilities: Addressing Oppression Using Client-Centered, Constructivist, and Structural Approaches

Author(s): Wilson
Abstract: This paper illustrates how a social worker who works with homeless clients who have disabilities informs social work practice, indicating a constructivist model in addition to person-centered and structural approaches are required to engage in anti-oppressive social work practice. In the process, the author suggests it is important to understand that using an eclectic model positions a social worker to be flexible and continuingly adaptable to client circumstances. The discussion also explains how an eclectic model of practice aids the social worker in understanding and articulating the uniqueness of a client's story and what direct social work approaches are most helpful given the circumstances.
Article PDF: 212011.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 2 Page: 20)

Title: An Examination of Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations: Does Degree Matter?

Author(s): Desrosiers, Murphy, & Joffrion
Abstract: With core values of social justice, integrity, and cultural competence, social workers are uniquely positioned to promote the well-being of populations often served by non-profit human service organizations. This study aimed to examine whether there was a qualitative difference between non-profit leaders with a social work degree and those with a degree in some other field. Fifteen interviews were conducted with leaders of non-profit human service organizations. Results indicated that while there were some differences between social workers and non-social workers, there were also many similarities. Implications for the education and training of social workers are provided.
Article PDF: 212020.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 2 Page: 40)

Title: Establishing Integrated Healthcare with Mental and Physical Health through Appreciative Inquiry

Author(s): Sanchez & Lam
Abstract: Physical and mental health care is presently delivered in a fragmented system. While there is the availability of research regarding integration between physical and mental healthcare providers and fragmented healthcare, limited research exists on the cross-referral, communication, collaboration, and coordination processes among providers in rural communities for consumers with both physical and mental health needs. The purpose of this appreciative inquiry study was to investifate the experiences of physical and mentalh healh providers through use of semi-structured interviews to explore cross-referral, communication, collaboration, and coordination processes among these providers. This study included ten board licensed physical or mental health providers servicing residents in a rural community in New Mexico. The findings of the study suggest the importance of healthcare providers working as teammates and the simultaneous availability of physical and mental health in the process of integrated care with the development of an atmosphere which is conducive for high levels of communication, collaboration, and coordination among providers. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.
Article PDF: 212040.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 2 Page: 56)

Title: Notes from the Field: Mental Health Training in a "Crisis House". Development of Social Work Practice using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Author(s): Beckett
Abstract: This work reflects upon personal practice in training using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in a mental health crisis house while looking after and being involved in aspects of social work in the lives of service users who were facing mental distress. This paper reviews my practice with one service user who had schizophrenia and relfects upong the honing of social work counseling skills and the usefulness of obtaining service user feedback for the iterative process of cyclical assess, plan, and review. This reviews my use of counseling skills through a humanistic counseling framework of unconditional positive regard in approach while using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The originality and value of this work is that the specific can illumine the general and has tentative, yet beneficial, implications for generalizability of the development of practice.
Article PDF: 212056.pdf

Year: 2018 (Vol: 21 No: 2 Page: 61)

Title: Notes from the Field: Continuing Education for Social Workers on Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Sexual Health

Author(s): Linton & Canales
Abstract: California passed the California Healthy Youth Act (AB 329) in 2015, which mandated that students should have medically accurate, age-appropriate comprehensive sexual education. Social workers commonly provide services for adolescents with ASD and ID, yet most report that they feel unprepared or undereducated to support people with disabilities. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of an online, continuing education training of Mike's Crush, a sexual health curriculum designed for adolescents with Autism and Intellectual Disability. Self-reports of readiness to support adolescents on intimacy and sexual health improved statistically significantly among participants.
Article PDF: 212061.pdf

Year: 2019 (Vol: 22 No: 1 Page: 3)

Title: Exploring the Professional Identity of Social Work Academics

Author(s): Lopez-Humphreys, Teater, Dawson, & Hayes
Abstract: Social work academics in the United States (US) experience tensions between the expectations for research productivity and the mandates for them to embody the behaviors and values of professional social work. With the various preferred roles and expectations placed on social work academics, it is difficult to distinguish whether their professional identity is more aligned to the practitioner, researcher, or a combination of the two. Thematic analysis was used to analyze twenty in-depth interviews with social work academics in the US to explore the importance in identifying as a social worker and holding a doctorate. Recommendations to strengthen the professional identity of social work academics are provided.

Article PDF: Available to Subscribers

Year: 2019 (Vol: 22 No: 1 Page: 17)

Title: Family Strengths Improve the Well-Being of Family Members with Developmental Disabilities

Author(s): Carter, Coyle, Currie, & Cragg
Abstract: Persons with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families often cope with increased health, economic, and social risks. Effective family coping depends upon the overall health of the family coupled with each family member’s ability to promote positive well-being for self and others. This paper will share findings from three family-centered, qualitative studies that examined the coping strategies of parents of young children with autism, parents of adult children with DD and a co-occurring mental illness (Dual Diagnosis) who live at home with their caregivers, and young-adult siblings of children with autism. Overall, these studies point toward five areas of family strengths which promote coping in families who have a member with DD: a) the ability to see positive aspects of disability, b) close family relationships, c) ability to access resources, d) supportive relationships from outside of the family, and e) the ability to effectively self-advocate for essential services and to educate the public and professionals about the impact of developmental disabilities. These findings support interventions which focus on enhancing family strengths in order to improve the well-being of persons with DD and their families and caregivers.

Article PDF: Available to Subscribers

Year: 2019 (Vol: 22 No: 1 Page: 22)

Title: Historical and Contemporary Synopsis of the Development of Field Education Guidelines in BSW, MSW, and Doctoral Programs

Author(s): Roberson & Adedoyin
Abstract: Field education is undoubtedly the crosswalk between the transfer of evidence-based knowledge in the class and immersion into best practices during field placements in the social work profession. It is in recognition of the synergy that field education fosters between the class and the agencies that the Council on Social Work Education appropriately termed field education the signature pedagogy of our profession. This article provides a panoramic overview of historic and contemporary guidelines for field education in the last 58 years (1960-2018). Furthermore, we expatiated on how these guidelines have shaped field education across the triumvirate of baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral social work education.

Article PDF: Available to Subscribers

Year: 2019 (Vol: 22 No: 1 Page: 28)

Title: Perceptions of Police in Neighborhoods Receiving Community-Oriented Policing Services: Community Survey Results from the Restore Rundberg Initiative

Author(s): Yuma, Pitzer, Castro, Addo, Whitt, & Springer
Abstract: The purpose of this survey study was to assess perceptions of police following a community policing intervention as part of a larger revitalization initiative known as Restore Rundberg. A total of 611 surveys were completed by respondents who identified as 58% Latinx, 65% female and 64% as renting their homes. Among the 408 respondents who provided home location data, results of the linear model demonstrated perceptions of police scores were significantly higher among the recipients of the intervention than the comparison group (by + 0.83; F = 6.303, p = 0.013), while controlling for race (F = 1.42, p = 0.237), age (F = 2.84, p = 0.037), homeownership (F = 2.067, p = 0.152), social control (F = 0.63, p = 0.43), and neighborhood attachment (F = 23.57, p < 0.001). The model had an R2 of 0.120, a small to medium effect size (R = 0.346). This study is the result of a community, police, and academic partnership.

Article PDF: Available to Subscribers

Year: 2019 (Vol: 22 No: 1 Page: 39)

Title: Serving Families Living in the Intersection of Military and Special Education Cultures

Author(s): Classen & Meadows
Abstract: In recent years, large separate bodies of research have developed regarding families who have children with exceptionalities or families with a military connection, but there has been little discussion regarding the intersection of these family populations. Each population has its own set of strengths and challenges, yet these populations are not exclusive of each other. It is arguable that any practitioner (e.g., social work, education) will engage with individuals from each and both populations. Many aspects of military culture and life experiences influence the family such as frequent moves, social isolation, family separation during deployments, and risk of loss. Families who have children with special education needs face challenges such as overcoming social isolation, managing medical care and specialized therapies, and advocating for specialized educational services. Military families living in the intersection of military culture and special education culture may experience issues related to continuity of care, fear of limited career advancement, and military appointment time obligations. Authors make suggestions for social work and education professionals to partner with each other and unit leaders to a) provide continuity of care, b) change the perceptions of limited career advancement and assignments, and c) mediate mission and family conflicts.

Article PDF: Available to Subscribers

Year: 2019 (Vol: 22 No: 1 Page: 41)

Title: Social Work Integration to Prevent Adolescent Suicide

Author(s): Johnson
Abstract: Suicide is an indication of depression, which has emotional impact on all persons regardless of gender, age, or spiritual beliefs. It is an increasing global mental disorder and risk factors such as abuse, poverty, bullying, and drug use are at an all-time high. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global report on suicide prevention, “every forty seconds someone dies from suicide” (World Health Organization, 2017, p. 32). In the world, “Guyana has the highest estimated suicide rate for 2012 and in the Americas, which includes Caribbean islands, Trinidad was placed fourth” (World Health Organization, 2017, p. 32). This paper aims to examine attempted suicide as it relates to a global issue and a case scenario generated from a case in Trinidad and Tobago. The controlled case study shows the effects of social work intervention. As a result, mental health workers use medicine and therapy services to treat persons who have attempted suicide.

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