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- Creator:
- Moore, Jo Ann
- Description:
- The Department of Defense (DOD) is spending millions of dollars annually providing employees with the necessary training and education required to become certified in the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). If an employee occupies a position that has been identified as a critical acquisition position, the employee must be certifiable at the level required by the position. Certification requires mandatory course work offered only through DOD schools, and most often require travel. Because public policy evaluation is so very important in determining the extent to which a policy causes a change in the intended direction, this program evaluation of the Acquisition Professional Development Program is being undertaken. It will focus on the Budget, Cost Estimating and Financial Management Position Categ9ry, or career stall, within the overall program, and will be restricted to Edwards AFB. The intent of this evaluation is to evaluate the success of APDP at Edwards Air Force Base, in terms of how successful Edwards AFB has been in contributing to the four critical elements of the DOD reengineered acquisition system: meeting the war fighters� needs; being the world�s smartest buyers; procuring the best-value goods and services; and having the most responsive ( timely and flexible) acquisition system, and thus justifying the high expenditure of limited tax dollars required to provide mandatory APDP training/certification to sustain an improved acquisition workforce. Success will be measured in terms of how well Edwards AFB is meeting the DOD elements based on data that will be gathered during interviews with Financial Managers. A cost breakdown will provide detail on the high cost of this program at Edwards AFB.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Winger, Douglas J.
- Description:
- This graduate project addresses the need for, and creation of, a bicycle patrol manual and bicycle pursuit policy for the Los Angeles Police Department and any law enforcement agency operating a bicycle patrol unit. The paper examines issues raised during the creation of the manual. The project also examines a new concept in bicycle patrol for police agencies. That new issue deals with bicycle patrol officers becoming involved in vehicular pursuits. The paper examines the problems, need for a written policy and tactical considerations which need to be considered when addressing the problem. The first bicycle pursuit policy is included. The paper also includes the Bicycle Patrol Manual of the Los Angeles Police Department.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Alper, Eugene
- Description:
- This study concentrates on municipal code enforcement as a relatively new regulatory function of local government and endeavors to answer the question "Why did code enforcement appear in the American city?" In the first part, code enforcement is examined in a broad context of municipal activities. It is viewed among other law enforcers: the police officer, the building, housing, and health inspectors. The differences among them are discussed and their underlying unity is formulated: what unites the enforcers is their relation to the maintenance of communal order. Code enforcement is then defined as one of the order maintenance functions of a municipality. The second part looks at the history of American cities from the Colonial period to the present. It discusses the continuing process of urbanization and the challenges to order presented by the increased numbers of city dwellers. Municipalities' response to the challenges has been to utilize latest technology, pass new regulations, and expand personnel to enforce them. At the same time, the ideas about communal order have been expanding, and today our understanding of order includes more items than ever before. The character of laws has changed to include not only matters of health and safety but those of aesthetics. As result new laws and regulations have multiplied and required, in tum, new personnel to enforce them. The appearance of code enforcement is due to the proliferation of new laws defining order and the increasing specialization in municipal enforcement.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Likitsuwan, Ornuma
- Description:
- Governments have embraced privatization of all types with open arms. In fact, the use of private firms to participate, in whole or in part, in the provision of a public service has become so widespread that very few government services are not privatized in some form in the United States. The purpose of this graduate project is to explore the efficiency of privatization, including advantages versus disadvantages and strengths versus weaknesses. More specifically, I review privatization as an interesting public policy issue, and examine prison privatization as a case study. I further analyze and outline arguments for and against utilizing private firms for prison operations. In addition, I identify the driving forces of privatization, consider the critical issues related to prison privatization, and describe the situation and trend of private prisons. In conclusion, this project identifies whether the profit motives of the free market will always drive toward more efficient outcomes. Finally, by analyzing a relevant case study, it is hoped that a determination can be made on how to make privatization more effective.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Stillar, Burt
- Description:
- The study of contemporary political campaigns is important in the ever evolving realm of political structure and social order. Communicating a point of view from the ground floor of a campaign can help everyone to better understand the process of where democracy begins. Most people tend to see political campaigns at the very end of the timeline, that is, at or near election day. So much happens in the weeks, months and years leading up to election day that contributes to the final results. Political scientists, historians, public administrators and those aspiring to hold public office need to lead the way in improving our rules, systems and procedures. New realities now exist in political campaigns that did not just a few short years ago. Now that reforms are in place, how they affect campaigns and elections is of paramount importance. The bigger question is "Is Democracy alive and well, or do the wealthy and well connected control the strings?" This project explores how an average citizen can rise to political office using a systematic plan that is created and implemented years in advance. Slowly gaining the trust and support of citizens, political players, and organizations over time can be a recipe that makes for enough voters to get into office. Attempting to guide a process that can be complicated and, at times, unpredictable, is extremely difficult. This working campaign plan can provide a framework for those in this field of study, and to future candidates seeking reliable, updated information.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Haddad, Faten
- Description:
- This study explores the concept of organizational mentoring and the benefits it has on organizational behavior. It examines the relationship between mentoring and leadership within the organizational setting. Finally, it discusses characteristics of successful mentor/protege relationships and program implementation uses the City of Santa Clarita as a case study.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Carigga, Jennifer
- Description:
- Change in the workplace is a regularly occurring factor. In Los Angeles County Public Works, technology has become the most recent trend aimed to increase effectiveness, productivity, and workspace. The amount of electronic methods created to substitute the paper copies of forms has slowly forced all Los Angeles County Public Works employees to utilize digital transformation. However, not everyone is on board with the current implementations. This research paper identifies the causes of resistance to change in an organization and identifies essential factors leaders should be made aware of to mitigate resistance. The findings of this study will contribute and serve as a tool for leaders of Los Angeles County Public Works, as well as other public sector agencies, to overcome barriers to implementation of digitization in the workplace.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Jacobo, Brenda
- Description:
- Transactional leadership is the dominant type of management in the public sector. As progressive ideas come forward, transformational leadership has emerged as a potential innovative way of managing employees. Transactional leadership is based on the creation of strong relationships between employees and their managers. From this perspective, telework has emerged as a possible avenue from which transitional leadership can take hold in. This is due to telework's reliance on increased communication between an employee and their manager to ensure goals are met. This type of collaboration should lead to higher job satisfaction and increased productivity. In this research design, a quasi-experimental approach with pre and post comparison group will be utilized for the purpose of evaluating whether telework does indeed lead to a higher level of productivity for employees. The research will be concerned with employees of Los Angeles County.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Political Science
- Creator:
- Holzhauer, Cassandra
- Description:
- Thus far, research on child support order compliance has been heavily linked to which percent of custody each parent has and how much income the parent paying support earns. Research shows if family violence is present, a batterer may abuse a victim by tightly controlling their financial assets so the victim cannot access them. It is unknown if this indication of family violence plays a role in child support order compliance. This document proposes research to understand if there is a relationship between family violence and child support order compliance.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Darbinyan, Janette
- Description:
- Abstract Proposition 57: Implementation and Perception By Janette Darbinyan Master of Public Administration in Public Sector Management and Leadership After decades of harsh crime policy (including being a test state for the Three Strikes approach to felony sentencing), the California electorate reconsidered crime policy by passing. Proposition 57. This initiative aimed to reduce the scale of the prison pipeline with reforms to juvenile justice, parole consideration for nonviolent felons, and sentence credits for various forms of good and rehabilitative behavior. Public debate over such initiatives includes concerns over public safety. There were essentially two concerns. First: Is it possible to parole a large number of prisoners within a relatively short time period? Perhaps increasing the net number of parolees increases the risks to public safety, and perhaps it does not. Second: If prisons are criminogenic, is more lenient parole actually an effective response? It could be that the damage is already done. The research is complex, but it does generally show that parole can be highly effective, that reducing prison populations allows the remaining population to be better served, and that a reduced population improves the chances of rehabilitation, especially for non violent offenders best served by parole. Still, it is true that non-violent offenders can become more serious criminals, whether violent or not, as a result of what is effectively criminal occupational training and social networking in prison as well as the result of challenges in transitioning to the civilian environment. Accommodating reforms like Proposition 57 will need to include job training and placement elements, protections for parolees (such as California's law that marijuana-related convictions need not be reported) that will allow them to get work, and so forth. Still, parole policy certainly impacts public safety to some degree, and Proposition 57 can be analyzed on its own merits in this regard. Recommendations are made from the literature and areas for future research are both offered.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
11. How can the inclusion of network governance and privatization benefit the homelessness epidemic?
- Creator:
- Sarkissian, Lina
- Description:
- Research on the cause of homelessness in the County of Los Angeles has increased. However, there has been no substantial plan or act set forward to dramatically cut the numbers of homeless individuals roaming in Los Angeles. There are many factors that control the increase in the homeless population; overlap of outreach teams in service areas, lack of affective discharge plans for individuals released from prisons due to new public policy and the resistance of contracting out to private agencies for outreach and placement.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Phillips, Kelei
- Description:
- This study will examine the consequential effects of parental incarceration in association to a child’s healthy development. Increasing rates of incarceration in the United States have prompted a need to further explore these effects, as children pose serious risks of psychological, economic and social problems. Past studies have not yet examined protective factors that unveil resiliency among these children with adequate support in the following core areas: (a) prison system support, (b) caregiver support and (c) academic support. This study will collect data that is necessary in building a clearly defined understanding of key issues that exist through the perspectives of children of incarcerated parents’ kinship caregivers. Qualitative interview schedules will be conducted in order to explore the experiences of 30 kinship caregivers of children of incarcerated parents who have experienced firsthand possible developmental risks.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Hacopian, Ava
- Description:
- Abstract
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Johnson, Patricia
- Description:
- This paper explores educational reform through the lens of the New Public Management movement. It examines No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Race to the Top, and the common core standards, as well as the proliferation of choices such as charter schools and voucher systems to see how they have affected the quality of education and student outcomes in the Los Angeles Unified School district, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This paper also explores how the student experience can be improved so that school can become a place to explore inner talents and develop them further.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Moxley, Rhodey J.
- Description:
- With the advent of Federal legislation, as defined in the Peer Review Improvement Act of 1982, Title I, Subtitle C of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Public Law 97-248, a contract with a organization will be negotiated to provide for the assumption and implementation of the functions of a statewide Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organization (PRO). The objective of this graduate project focuses on the development of a proposal for such a Statewide Professional Review Organization (SPRO) which meets the technical requirements specified in the Health Care Financing Administration Request for Proposal (RFP) No. HCFA-84-015. This graduate project provides a complete description of review requirements for Medicare as well as displaying in depth data analysis statistics for Medicare utilization trends for the all hospitals in the state of California. (See more in text.)
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Political Science
- Creator:
- Ahmad, Bushra
- Description:
- Opioids are well known as a pain remedy along with its addictive nature for centuries leading to several waves of opioid epidemic. Qualitative analysis of archival research is done to summarize the factors which contributed to the current opioid epidemic in the U.S. and Imperial County which started in the 1980s and 1990s with a massive campaign by the pharmaceutical companies promoting long-term opioid use for non-cancer pain. This resulted in many folds increase in opioid prescriptions. Illegal use of heroin and synthetic opioids also contributed to the current opioid epidemic. Since 1990s, opioid overdose has caused thousands of Americans lose their lives. This article also summarizes the history of drug policies in the United States which has been punitive towards substance users. The approach to the substance is changed with the adoption of policies such as Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), 21st Century Cures Act and H.R. 6 which aim at prevention and treatment rather than criminalization and incarceration of people with substance use disorder. Strict prescribing methods and mandatory use of Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) system has resulted in decrease number of opioid prescription but overdose deaths continue to rise. Efforts are made to have naloxone and Medication Assisted treatment available at Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS), local hospitals, emergency department, primary care and federally qualified clinics and criminal justice system. This paper also summarizes the future policies to increase access and fill the gaps in the treatment by implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and Medicaid expansion. Future strategies also include public education and awareness about the addictive nature of opioids, reduce stigma to substance use treatment, education and training of providers to get X-waivers to prescribe buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and have alternative pain management methods available to all.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration
- Creator:
- Smith, Karla
- Description:
- A vast review of the literature has found that Millennials are unlike any other generation because they have different values than previous generations. Due to a generational change in values, Millennials seek different needs and wants from the workforce. A leadership style that appeals and speaks to the Millennial generation can contribute and increase motivation and subsequently lead to a higher retention rate within the public sector. To understand how to lead millennials will depend on how much we know about their values in the workforce. Based on the literature surrounding millennial motivation, retention and leadership preferences, the purpose of this project aims to explore how transformational leadership in the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is more likely to enhance Millennial employee motivation and retention. Results of the research would encourage public sectors to invest in leadership programs as a tool to motivate millennial employees as well as a retention strategy in an attempt to lower turnover rates.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Political Science
- Creator:
- Henriquez, Alex
- Description:
- A report states that about 49% of nonprofit organizations lack the implementation of a strategic plan (Concord Leadership Group 2017). Therefore, most nonprofit organizations struggle to maintain their sustainability and demand. Strategic Management is about creating an extensive plan that encompasses an organization's mission, vision, goals, and purpose. Organizations must formulate strategies to achieve those goals and therefore a strategic plan is the right solution. If an organization effectively strategizes in utilizing a strategic plan the results will lead to organizational success. Otherwise, it will always lead to organizational failure. The purpose of this study is to better understand how effective strategic plans are vital for nonprofit organizations. The proposal will focus on the characteristics and purpose of strategic planning, the impact of strategic plans, and the importance of leadership. To conduct this research, a mixed methodology approach will be utilized, including a quantitative and qualitative research method. Randomized participants will participate from individuals that work for non-profit organizations in Los Angeles such as St. Joseph Center and Think Together.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Political Science
- Creator:
- Weaver, Della
- Description:
- Older adults comprise an increasingly large percentage of our population. Older adults have expressed a desire to remain in their own homes instead of alternative living situations, such as assisted living facilities as they age. The public administration challenge that has arisen is a lack of funding to support older adults' wishes to age in place. This exploratory sequential mixed methods study aims to determine to what extent federal and state fiscal policies exist to support built environments for older adults to remain in their homes. Are current policies regarding funding for built environments to support aging and independence sufficient to enable older adults to retain their residence in current homes? A survey and interview-based, a mixed methodology will be used. The results of methodological approaches will be evaluated using the Advocacy Coalition Framework. The results of this study should conclude that there will be an increase in advocacy for federal and state financial incentives to those who wish to develop built environments for aging in place. Given the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on those who reside in assisted living facilities, the anticipation of increased, wide-spread desire for alternatives to close-proximity retirement communities will become highly sought after in the coming years.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Political Science
- Creator:
- Nazarian, Rafi
- Description:
- This paper reviews the literature on employee empowerment in the public sector workplace, with careful attention to the fundamental theoretical assumptions of the body of work and the empirical research on public sector employee motivation and its impact on job performance. This paper highlights important research findings relating to the adverse impacts of economic approaches and financial rewards as motivating incentives for public sector employees in government jobs to be applied as an HRM practice. It further outlines the positive attributes of motivating public employees intrinsically. This study contributes to our understanding of the differences between public and private sector motivational strategies by demonstrating that, public sector employees are generally less extrinsically motivated. The current psychological research on employee motivation in the public sector developed in the literature review emphasizes on the importance of social cognitive theories and practices, such as the application of goal commitment and goal-setting theory, self-affirmation, P-O Fit theory, work autonomy, and transformational leadership as the most effective avenues for public administrators to empower and motivate government employees. Using an explanatory research design, the specific question this research aims to explore is whether or not employee empowerment programs are effective in terms of motivating employees and ultimately enhancing employee job performance in the City of Glendale.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Public Administration