Search

The expanded use of telehealth for combatting opioid addiction is part of a recent update to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations governing opioid treatment programs (OTPs) [...]

Context: Despite the expansion of social risk data collection, little research has examined how the increased availability of social risk information influences care delivery. Objective: To explore the collection and use of social risk data in community health centers (CHC) in Texas, and the facilitators/barriers to these social care activities in pre/peri-COVID-19 pandemic periods. Study Design & Analysis: Mixed methods: 1) interviews and thematic analysis; 2) surveys and electronic health record (EHR) review and descriptive statistics. Setting: Four urban/suburban CHCs. Population Studied: Providers, staff and patients. Instrument: Semi-structured interview guide, online survey. Outcome Measures: Perspectives on integrating a range of social care activities; reach of social screening. Results: We conducted 27 interviews (15 providers; 12 staff), 97 provider surveys, and reviewed EHR data from two CHCs. There was broad support for integrating social care; support increased peri-pandemic. 90% of survey respondents reported incorporating social screening into patient conversations; 46% of those screening used standardized screening tools. 29% of all survey respondents were unaware their clinic had a standardized tool. EHR data showed that both numbers of screens per month and rates of screens per encounters increased (4% of patient encounters in 8/2019 to 44% in 2/2021). There were significant differences in whether patients were screened by race/ethnicity and language (p Conclusions: CHCs were in the early phases of social care delivery, primarily focused on awareness and assistance with little dedicated attention to adjustment or population health-level evaluations. Differences in screening reach by patient demographics raise concern that social care might exacerbate disparities. Future research should explore equity in implementation and effectiveness. Overcoming barriers to reach, sustainability and equity will require supports targeted to program design and development, workforce capacity, quality improvement, and community investments in social services., Presenters Emilia De Marchis, MD, MS, MAS, Benjamin Aceves, PhD, Na'amah Razon, MD, PhD, Laura Gottlieb, MD, [...]

For about twenty years, Public Administration scholars have used the data from the Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) for their research. Two studies evaluated the uses of data, measurement models and internal validity of the U.S. government's Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), and none on the use of PSES data. The article reviews studies that used Canadian PSES data to promote social science research and seeks to stimulate discussion of PSES's future and opportunities for strategic human resources research in Canada. [The table most useful for researchers is available here in English: Table 3. Aggregation of PSES Elements Assigned to Theoretical Constructs.] Pendant pres de vingt ans, les chercheurs en gestion publique ont utilise les donnees du Sondage aupres des fonctionnaires federaux (SAFF) pour leur travail de recherche. Deux etudes ont procede a l'evaluation de l'utilisation des donnees, des modeles de mesure et de la qualite des mesures du Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) du gouvernement federal americain, sans tenir compte des donnees du SAFF. Cet article analyse les etudes qui ont utilise les donnees du SAFF canadien afin de promouvoir la recherche en sciences sociales, et tente d'encourager la discussion sur l'avenir du SAFF et son potentiel pour la recherche en matiere de gestion strategique des ressources humaines au Canada., Les enquetes gouvernementales constituent une source de donnees frequemment utilisee dans les recherches en Administration publique. Bien que ces enquetes aient ete envisagees par les fonctionnaires a des fins precises [...]

Echinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic cestode that lives in the intestine of its definitive host, canids (e.g., dogs, coyotes, foxes, wolves). Embryonated eggs released in canid feces are immediately infectious [...]

The purpose of this research is to seek suggestions from foster parents' as to how teachers could help foster children and their parents. Questionnaires including twelve questions were distributed to one hundred fifty foster parents through South Carolina by the Foster Parents Association and South Carolina Social Services. Only twenty were returned. The research uncovered motives behind why people become foster parents, the number of children they accept, and how long the children remain in their care. The study results describe foster parents' views on major problems children are facing in school and provide recommendations on how to improve the situation of children in foster care., According to Courtey (1999) foster care remains poorly studied and poorly understood however there is an abundance of newspaper articles and information on the TV news. In The New York [...]

ABSTRACT More than 40% of college drinkers are classified as high risk, and of these about 20% will continue this behavior into adulthood. This exploratory study compared the characteristics of [...]

This study examines the demographic and physical and mental health characteristics of social work clients among cancer patients in Canada as compared with nonusers of social work services, and factors that affect use of social work services among cancer patients. On the basis of data from two cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey, the study's samples include 2,703 and 2,821 Canadians living with cancer in 2000-01 and 2003, respectively. The number of Canadians with cancer who consulted social workers about their physical, emotional, or mental health increased from 31,005 to 36,427 over the study period. Results indicate that cancer patients who used social work services were in need of social support or were members of vulnerable populations. Patient's age, living arrangement, income, depression status, and physical limitations were significant predictors of service use. Findings of this study, never reported before, offer information important for identifying barriers to service use and for future planning of social work services and resources. KEY WORDS: Canada; cancer care; social work services; use of services, An estimated 145,500 Canadians were diagnosed with cancer in 2004 (Canadian Cancer Society, 2004). Being diagnosed with a severe illness such as cancer affects every aspect of a person's life, [...]

This article compares behavioral health service use and cost for foster care versus nonfoster care children; children before, during, and after foster care placement; and successfully reunified versus nonsuccessfully reunified foster care children. Behavioral health service costs for children in foster care were higher than for children not in foster care. Children in foster care used more services during their foster care placement than before placement and after discharge. Nonsuccessfully reunified children received a significantly larger quantity of services than those successfully reunified.

A study analyzing the impact of ageing population and fertility on consumption and optimal savings in Australia, is presented. The study shows that even a minor change in interest rates due to foreign liabilities can result in drastic changes in consumption and saving patterns of social welfare. Under these circumstances, the impact of fertility rate on savings and consumption of social welfare becomes insignificant.

An effort was made to differentiate the characteristics of clients who applied for Social Security Disability from those who applied for Vocational Rehabilitation. Psychological, diagnostic, intellectual, academic ability differences, and demographic factors of sex, age, and race between social security disability applicants and vocational rehabilitation applicants were examined. The latter were more intelligent and had higher academic functioning. Applicants for social security disability were less intelligent and tended to be functionally illiterate. Multiple discriminant analysis indicated that mathematics scores and differences in intelligence were the primary discriminants. Another difference appeared to be that rehabilitation clients tended to be diagnosed as substance abusers or learning disabled, while disability clients were more likely to be diagnosed as mentally retarded or having dementia.

The author presents research on victims of violent crimes and the psychological stress they face due to dwindling social services available to them. Topics include long-term mental difficulties, post traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and services available to violent crime rape victims.

The authors interview employees of 20 womens service programs. Topics discussed include working with women facing multiple barriers such as substance abuse and mental illness in combination with domestic violence.

Relative contributions of welfare reform and the macro-economy in accounting for a decline in aggregate Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) caseloads between 1993 and 1996 are examined. Results suggest that 66 percent of the decline nationwide can be attributed to economic conditions rather than policy changes, but there is considerable variance in the impact and timing of new alternative waivers on AFDC caseloads. The biggest declines occurred in states with waivers affecting parental responsibilities. Economic factors are posited as the condition that allowed welfare reform to lead to a decrease in caseloads.

Nearly 5,000 older adults provided data for this study, which used factor analysis to identify the following four dimensions of agency awareness: in-home services, aging network services, financial services, and other services. Then, 18 variables assessing the various dimensions of the behavioral model were included in multiple regression equations predicting each of the awareness dimensions. The regression equations only accounted for 7% to 13% of the variance of the various service awareness dimensions.

Byline: Cynthia S. Minkovitz (1), Anne K. Duggan (2), Michael H. Fox (3), Modena H. Wilson (2) Keywords: Social services; pregnancy; managed care; capitation; WIC; AFDC; food stamps; HMO; low-income women Abstract: Objectives: To use linked health and social service databases to determine differences in the use of social services by pregnant women in different managed care systems. Methods: Comparison of service use by women enrolled in a fee-for-service primary care case management program (Maryland Access to Care or MAC), in a capitated health maintenance organization (HMO), or not assigned to managed care using six state databases. Participants included 5181 women receiving Medical Assistance (MA) and delivering in Baltimore City in 1993. Outcome measures were receipt of WIC, AFDC, and Food Stamps. Results: The overall proportions of women receiving WIC, AFDC, and Food Stamps at delivery were 52.7%, 89.2%, and 62.7%, respectively. Women enrolled in an HMO at delivery were less likely to be receiving WIC (adjusted odds ratios, 0.8, 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.93), AFDC (OR, 0.20 CI, 0.03 to 0.43 for women with prior children and OR 0.13 CI, 0.09 to 0.20 for women without prior children), and Food Stamps (OR 0.77 CI, 0.59 to 0.95 for women with prior children and OR, 0.49 CI, 0.35 to 0.67 for women without prior children) than their MAC counterparts. Women not assigned to managed care also generally were less likely than their MAC counterparts to receive WIC (OR 0.55 CI, 0.46, 0.66), AFDC (OR 1.07 CI 0.83,1.30 for women with prior children and OR 0.24 CI 0.18,0.34 for women without prior children), and Food Stamps (OR 0.31 CI 0.08, 0.55 for women with prior children and OR 0.31 CI 0.23, 0.41 for women without prior children). Conclusions: Although many low-income pregnant women qualify for select social services, receipt of WIC and Food Stamps was low. Increasing efforts are needed by managed care systems and public health agencies to ensure delivery of appropriate services for women. Author Affiliation: (1) Departments of Population and Family Health Sciences and Pediatrics at, Johns Hopkins University, USA (2) Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, USA (3) Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Kansas, USA (4) School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205 Article History: Registration Date: 30/09/2004

Issues related to the role physicians and clergy may play in influencing the elderly to take advantage of social services are examined. Topics include senior citizens' belief that physicians and clergy play an important role in social service for the elderly and ways in which physicians and clergy may exert their influence.

Teachers have the unique opportunity to encourage and nurture students because of their close contact with children. This means that teachers must interact with learners beyond the classroom and provide these students with worthwhile, meaningful experiences where they can learn firsthand how to actively effect positive changes in their communities and within themselves. Service learning programs are vehicles which teachers can use to inculcate and nurture a sense of hope in young people and imbue them with the belief that they have a place and future in their world.

This article provides an introduction to the Internet relevant to the field of social work. It describes uses for online communication, including e-mail, mailing lists, and the World Wide Web. Electronic technology increases access to information and offers an innovative forum where academicians, practitioners, researchers, and students can contribute to empirical and practice knowledge. Resources such as electronic journals, Web pages, and discussion groups are cited, with examples of how this new technology may supplement traditional ways of communication in the field of social work. Key words: Internet; knowledge; online communication; resources; social work, Unlimited information and global communication relevant to professional social work researchers and practitioners can be found in the world of cyberspace. What started from cold and impersonal beginnings (for scientists [...]

This study explores the use of informal and formal social supports among ninety-three elderly Chinese immigrants residing in California. A historical and cultural overview of the Chinese immigrant experience is presented as a contextual framework. Results showed that family and kin were perceived as the most satisfying sources of support. Barriers to utilization of formal services and agencies were lack of knowledge of services, language differences and lack of transportation. The implications of these results within the changing dynamics of Chinese-American families are discussed. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworth.com]

This study examined factors associated with the utilization of community-based social and health services among foreign born elderly Hispanic Americans. The data came from a nationwide probability sample of Hispanic Americans age 65 and older including 296 Mexico-born Mexican Americans, 571 Cuba-born Cuban Americans, and 247 respondents from other Hispanic countries. Being a Cuba-born Cuban American, living alone, having poorer self-rated health and living below poverty level were positively related with the utilization of community-based social services. Cuban Americans with more limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) used more community-based health services. Among Mexico-born Mexican Americans, those who lived alone used more social as well as health services while those who were married used more social services. Those with greater limitations in ADL used more health services. Among other foreign born Hispanic Americans, going to church, living alone and living below poverty status, were positively correlated with the utilization of social services. Respondents with better English language ability were less likely to use community-based health services. Elderly men and people who rated their health as poorer or had more ADL limitations were more likely to use these services. Implications of these findings for health and social services are discussed. [Article copies available for a fee from the Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworth.com]

This study analyzes the nature and scope of homelessness and issues related to social services use. Using focus group interviews, this exploratory study examined the expressed needs of homeless veterans and the obstacles encountered in obtaining health and human services. Types of problems and social services barriers were developed with exemplars from the interviews. These veterans self-reported a high incidence of health and mental health problems, limited resources, negative public perceptions and treatment, insensitive service providers, dehumanizing policies and procedures, and high levels of stress and frustration with the service delivery system. They encountered personal, situational, and bureaucratic barriers to obtaining services and were highly critical of service providers. These findings suggest a need for greater emphasis on advocacy-based case management services, affordable housing, employment opportunities, increased sensitivity in service delivery systems, and empowerment-centered practice. Key words: direct services; homeless veterans; mental health; qualitative research; service use, Homelessness in America has been well documented since the mid-1980s. Studies have focused primarily on the definition of homelessness, its underlying causes, and the health and mental health characteristics of [...]

Policy makers and scientists are increasingly concerned with the use offormal care services by the elderly. This article demonstrates that thereare three different care systems: the informal, the commercial and the formal (public) system. In terms of prevalence, the formal system is the least important one. By means of a cross-sectional sample of the elderly population of Antwerp, an Andersen model is estimated to explain the use of formal services. This model shows that the level of functional capacity of the elderly is a crucial factor. Yet, the effect this has on the use of care varies according to the different living arrangements. 'Need' as such, therefore, does not determine the use of formal services, since its effect is modified by the different alternatives that are at the disposal of the elderly person (living arrangements, informal care, income, availability of commercial alternatives). In the conclusion it is argued that the Andersen model, in a cross-sectional design, is inadequate to construct a theory concerning the use of care services. Key words - elderly, utilization, determinants, social services, Belgium

This study explored factors influencing the use of community-based social services by 100 older Black Floridians. The findings revelead that service use was extremely low and that living arrangement, income, source of income, and informal network aid significantly influenced service use. These results underline the importance of understanding the similarities and differences among these older Blacks with regard to use of community-based social services, and suggest the need for additional outreach efforts by service providers and the inclusion of more Blacks in the formal social service delivery system.

Rural elderly Blacks underuse available servies because: (1) they are not aware of the variety of services; (2) they are not involved in the planning nor implementation of services; (3) they are powerless in the political arena out of which decisions and programs emanate; and (4) they have feelings of alienation which dissuade participation. Culturally sensitive programming is needed to increase the participation of this group. Strategies for addressing these concerns are discussed.

Studies show that having a strong social network enhances the health and well-being of individuals, including the elderly. Recent interest has focused on the various support functions provided by social networks. The effect of social network support on the decision to seek formal assistance from social service agencies was assessed. The social support available to elderly persons applying for public social service assistance was compared with support available to elderly patients who did not seek these services. The applicant and nonapplicant groups differed with respect to level of need for social services, size of social network (particularly number of close relationships), and degree of emotional support. Elderly persons who applied for formal assistance had smaller networks than those who did not apply, and felt less loved and admired by the persons within their social networks. These results are consistent with findings from other studies showing that size of the close network affects the decision to seek help from social services. The lower affective support among applicants may be due to changes in the composition of the social network, such as the loss of a spouse, or the intense neediness of the applicant group as compared with the nonapplicant group. Thus, a combination of excessive need and inadequate support may exist among the applicant group. The implications of this imbalance in need and support and possible solutions for incorporating social networks into the provision of social care are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of neighborhood characteristics on the use of nutrition, health, and welfare programs. Hierarchical linear models are used in the study. Findings indicate that individual and perceived neighborhood disorder factors are related to social service use.

The effect of the specification of time limits on the usage of welfare funds and conservation of welfare benefits by families is examined.

The development of a multivariate mixed proportion hazard model for the the analysis of the work patterns, sickness absence, unemployment, and social welfare dependency of Norwegian nurses is described.

The rapid spread of technology and distance learning programs will increase access to college for many individuals. However, for economically disadvantaged students, many of whom experience personal and family difficulties, technology alone will not insure access or guarantee college success. This article recommends integrated support services and college programming anchored in community-based social service agencies to increase access and to improve the likelihood of college success for economically disadvantaged students., INTRODUCTION The Chronicle of Higher Education and numerous other publications regularly report on the rapid pace of technological change sweeping the world economy and transforming traditional institutions and their practices. [...]

Non-judgmental and unbiased policies and programs are needed to address the problem of adolescent pregnancy and parenthood. Adolescents need society's guidance and support to make sound decisions and take reasoned actions regarding their sexuality. This is particularly important since teenagers often engage in sexual activity as an expression of independence from their family. Pregnant adolescents, however, usually have minimal economic, educational, health, cognitive and social resources that would help them during their pregnancy. Thus, programs that answer the needs of these adolescents need to be established.