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- Creator:
- Amborn, Saxon James
- Description:
- The novel coronavirus (SARs-COV or COVID-19) pandemic was an unprecedented event in recent human history. Communities, schools, and businesses were forced to make rapid large scale changes in action and policy with little direction or empirical data to rely on. Institutions for mental diseases (IMDs), which provide inpatient care to people with serious mental illnesses, were also forced to make large scale changes to their treatment policies. This natural experiment assessed the effects of changes in treatment policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at Merced Behavioral Center (MBC), a locked IMD, on resident’s showering practices. Resident’s showering practices are an important aspect MBC’s treatment planning; therefore assessing the effects of large scale policy changes on resident’s showering practices may provide useful insights to administrative staff. The results of this natural experiment show that changes in treatment policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at MBC did impact resident’s showering practices, but only for resident’s who smoked cigarettes. It was also found that residents on lower functioning levels showered less when compared to residents on higher functioning levels. No other significant differences were found in the showering practices of any other demographic at MBC.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Stanislaus
- Department:
- Department of Psychology and Child Development
- Creator:
- Munoz, Candace Evette
- Description:
- In Law enforcement, there are dangers that police officers face on a daily basis. One stressor in particular, is an officer-involved shooting, also known as a critical incident. Currently, many law enforcement agencies are using a technique called Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). However, there have been many studies showing the ineffectiveness of CISD, and despite these findings, law enforcement agencies are continuing its use. The research shows that many police officers manifest a slew of psychological and physical problems from the stress of law enforcement and, most importantly, an officer-involved shooting. There is an alternative to using CISD, which is called Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), which is a more intensive recovery process. This paper will propose a program plan for the Bakersfield Police Department on how to implement a CISM program into the current CISD program it currently has in place.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Thompson, Natalie H
- Description:
- The Diamond Divas are an all-female roller derby team from Bakersfield, California. Established approximately in 2009, the Divas are composed of a diverse group of women from a variety of class, educational, and professional backgrounds; however, these women are united by their participation in this sport and the culture that revolves around it. Previous research has been primarily performed in the fields of sociology and philosophy, for only recently has much attention been paid to women's roller derby as an area of anthropological study, particularly in terms of gender, with little emphasis on the culture of roller derby itself. The present study examines the construction of the “roller girl” identity, a complex, and often contradictory, negotiation of more traditional conceptions of femininity, aggressive competition, and exaggerated expressions of sexuality. Some Divas function within the constraints of femininity (Hauser 2011), others actively challenge hegemonic femininity (Finley 2010), while still others are somewhere in the middle as suggest by Williams (2002) or fluctuate between these two realms depending on the situation at hand. Additionally, identity construction is also informed by the adherence, or lack thereof, to the socio-cultural norms and values of the specific geocultural context of Bakersfield. This research seeks to illuminate a growing subculture found in many cities and towns throughout the United States and documents a cultural movement that is quite active within this particular community. More importantly, it contributes to the rapidly accumulating pool of current cumulative research by presenting information from an anthropological perspective, widening our understanding of roller derby by contextualizing this specific team and these specific women, adding their voices to the ongoing dialogue concerning women and sports. 3
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Anthropology
- Creator:
- Glasco, Misty
- Description:
- Tourism is a significant, sometimes vital part of a destination’s economy. Tourist spending supports jobs and helps cities thrive. For many years destination marketing and tourism promotion by Convention and Visitors Bureaus has been funded primarily through the collection of Transient Occupancy Tax. In recent years, the wavering economics of California has forced cities to explore different ways to fund Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Tourism Business Improvement Districts have become a key method of providing stable funding for destination marketing and promotion. The Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau’s budget is currently funded by TOT, allocated by the city, and is not guaranteed. Fresno and Stockton are two of Bakersfield largest competitors. The cities of Fresno and Stockton have had success enacting TBIDs in recent years. This paper will look closely at the data from Fresno and Stockton to see if Bakersfield should consider implementing a TBID as the funding source for the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of Fresno and Stockton’s TBIDs to better understand the district formation process, and to understand the challenges and opportunities in forming a TBID. This data may serve as a general frame to determine what lessons these cities can offer Bakersfield and other cities considering a TBID funded CVB. TBID’s for Fresno and Stockton are providing a stable funding source for the cities CVBs free from political circumstances. A TBID funded budget gives relief to local government by providing a funding source that does not come from city collected taxes or general fund revenues. Bakersfield’s hotel revenue assessed for a TBID indicates that the Bakersfield CVB would have an average budget of $1.4 million. Stable funding of this amount would allow the Bakersfield CVB to market its destination and provides more exposure to its target audience. This would increase local events, meetings and tourism, leading to increased occupancy, TOT and sales taxes. This increase provides an overall better economic situation for the Bakersfield CVB, the City of Bakersfield and its residents.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Campos-Hughes, Laura
- Description:
- There is an average of 6500 active cases which California Children’s Services (CCS) case manages for medical processing. CCS continues to use traditional paper charts and there is no tracking system to show which one of the over 50 staff members may have the chart or if the chart has been filed in the chart room. On a daily basis CCS may receive at least 125 faxes requesting medical authorizations ranging from procedures, medication or equipment. There are four Office Services Technicians who process all faxes, locate the paper chart and forward to the correct staff for review. The current system of receiving and processing faxes often causes delays in processing as the charts cannot be found. In addition, CCS spends 42% of their yearly office supply allocated budget on paper and toner. CCS has acknowledges the need to transition into a paperless system is important and has spent over $76,000 towards implementation but has fallen short of completing the transition. After reviewing literature regarding implementation of a paperless system, expenses which CCS has incurred and estimating cost of office supplies as well as staff loss of productivity it is recommended CCS immediately restore implementation process of transitioning from the current paper chart to a paperless system.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- LaPierre, Kish
- Description:
- This thesis describes and interprets a large rock feature complex and associated artifact caches from the Mirror Point site (CA-SBR-12134/H) located on the east side of Searles Lake within the boundaries of the South Range, Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, California. The objectives of this investigation: to access the lifeways of the inhabitants that once occupied this site; activities of the occupants at this site; time period(s) when this site was occupied; and purpose or function of rock features and associated artifact caches. Archaeological investigations of CA-SBR-12134/H included four surface scrapes and the excavation of eight test units, mapping of the overall site surface, and analysis of recovered materials. Artifacts recovered from this site include large obsidian bifaces, glass, silver, and shell beads, a bow fragment, pottery, debitage, historic bottles, mining debris, and several types of projectile points. Because the rock features and artifacts seem to serve no utilitarian purpose it is assumed that this site was visited for ideological reasons. Diagnostic artifacts span from the Early Period (before 6600 BP) to Historic times (circa 1900). It is possible if not likely that these artifacts were collected from other sites and brought to CA-SBR-12134/H as part of a ritual offering and that the site was visited from prehistoric to historic times.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Anthropology
- Creator:
- Lorenzi, Georgina
- Description:
- Government agencies throughout California face complicated issues with public employee defined benefit pension plans. Market earnings on pension investments have plummeted with the decline of the U.S. economy. This market downturn increases pension costs for governmental agencies. As pension costs continue to command a significant allocation of governmental funding, services offered to citizens may decline to levels unsatisfactory to various stakeholders – citizens, elected officials, government agencies, private sector, and employees of these government agencies. However, salaries and benefits not comparable with the private sector and other governmental agencies may fail to attract qualified personnel to provide these very same services to citizens and the community. Public employee pension plans create political and emotional arguments by a myriad of stakeholders that may compromise and inhibit objective decision-making. Therefore, unbiased and objective analysis and interpretation is required even more with the politics and emotions inherent with this issue. This study explores pension costs, as reported within the General Fund, for the City of Bakersfield. The City of Bakersfield’s pension costs increased from a low of $3.7 Million in Fiscal Year 2000/01 to a high of $24.7 Million in Fiscal Year 2011/12 – a 562% increase. In addition, the actuarial value of the City of Bakersfield’s PERS plan assets, inclusive of all funding sources, over the accrued liability was $94 Million to the good in Fiscal Year 1998/99. For Fiscal Year 2009/10, the accrued liabilities exceeded plan assets by approximately $149 Million. Literary review of issues impacting public employee pension plans is also included in this study. Recommendations to curb public sector pension costs abound. This study focuses on recommendations offered by the Little Hoover Commission and Governor Brown’s “Twelve Point Pension Reform Plan.” This study then concludes with suggestions dealing specifically with rising costs for the City of Bakersfield’s defined benefit pension plans. At this point, a disclosure is necessary to address potential bias on the author’s part. The author of this study is currently a 26-year employee with the City of Bakersfield and is a participant in the Miscellaneous defined benefit pension plan.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Chaves, Lisa
- Description:
- Student behavior continues to be a significant concern among administrators and teachers. Traditional suspension and expulsion practices have failed to reduce negative behavior and prevent discriminatory practices. This study investigated secondary administrators’ perceptions and opinions regarding the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Participants were interviewed individually using questions developed by this researcher relating to experiences and perceptions of high school administrators regarding the implementation of PBIS. Common themes that were identified through the analysis of the interview data included teacher resistance during the transition from zero tolerance to the implementation of PBIS, integration of campus intervention and counseling programs, the acknowledgement of less student offenses including changes that address positive student behavior due to PBIS teaching strategies, and the need to support staff by offering more professional development.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Stanislaus
- Department:
- Department of Advanced Studies in Education
- Creator:
- Shahrokhshahi, Rita
- Description:
- Purpose of the Study: This thesis examines the patriarchal wounding of my Slavic mother line and follows the healing journey I took to transform wounds to enrich my self-identity in my pursuit toward wholeness Procedure: My study follows the motherline. The motherline is the maternal lineage of a woman backward through the generations. I explored the wounding of my motherline by using an autoethnographical narrative. Autoethnography is an autobiographical form of qualitative research that uses self reflection to explore personal stories and experiences within a cultural context. I used self-reflection to aid my stories and employed a Jungian psychological framework. Through the myth of Inanna, I embarked upon a metaphorical descent and met the dark goddess Ereshkigal. I relied on depth techniques to track and interpret my dreams, guide my active imaginations, and create spontaneous healing rituals. I made a pilgrimage to Montenegro to further assist my inquiries and overall depth experience. Findings: I found that healing occurs in the reflective process of sharing my journey of personal and cultural wounding. Healing is not a means to an end but is rather an ongoing process toward a quest to achieve wholeness. I found that my personal female individuation process is a continuous stream of engaging with the rhythms of life, death, and rebirth as a continuous cycle in my developmental pattern. My mother line wounds provided deep layers of meaningful experiences to happen that continue to offer value for me to expand my quest toward wholeness. Conclusions: Suffering from personal wounds affords the opportunity to examine the soul through a process of individuation. The connection with the motherline and one's cultural lineage is a way to further understand self and create wholeness. For women, the sacred feminine is a source for greater meaning. In the quest toward female individuation, a goddess-centered spirituality is an opening to assist the exploration of vast realms and qualities that lives inside every woman.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Sonoma
- Department:
- Psychology
- Creator:
- Snyder, Victoria
- Description:
- Individuals who struggle with a chronic and persistent mental illness can face many obstacles in coping with their daily lives. A community that embraces their mentally ill citizens can find that there can be a cohesive co-existence with these members. Taft, California is a community that reflects a successful cohesiveness in embracing their mentally ill citizens. Taft, unfortunately, does not have one important resource for their mentally ill citizens; there are no room and board or board and care facilities. This study will provide a guide and model for the establishment of the Westside Housing Consortium, a non-profit organization that will use both the payments from SSI of the individuals served and grants that will address the needs of the Consortium to establish and grow in the community. It will enable the community to better serve their mentally ill population and continue the cohesiveness that exists between the mentally ill and the rest of the community
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Bynum, Steven Lance
- Description:
- Social media has permeated almost every aspect of the lives of anyone who utilizes the internet. Teachers and students are no exception. Students are most likely to use social media sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. This research focuses on best practices related to augmenting school curriculum to utilize these tools to increase student engagement which is critical in taking the education of school-age children to the next level. Some research shows that children today spend an inordinate amount of time, upwards of 40+ hours weekly, interacting with social media. Educators must embrace this new technology and find new ways to integrate social media into the classroom, because they will be more able to connect with children in a medium that they are utilizing daily; thus increasing their engagement. Although some problems such as digital divide and other limitations do exist, this cannot be a deterrent to utilizing this type of new technology.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Guest, Suzanne B
- Description:
- A 2004 article in the Bakersfield Californian detailed the relationship the community of Kern County had with what the writer calls “throw away” animals. A subsequent series of articles revealed approximately 25,000 animals were being killed in the local shelter annually. This number was considered by many in the community to be too high. Many of these 25, 000 unwanted animals were healthy and adoptable, yet they were still being euthanized by Kern County Animal Control every year (Burger, 2004). The facts presented in these articles brought the high euthanasia rate to the public’s attention. Now that the problem was highlighted, it inspired many community members to volunteer at the shelter, donate money to animal welfare organizations, and prompted them to do whatever was necessary to alleviate this. The Kern County Animal Control Department also added additional programs to address this problem. Despite the raised awareness and all of the efforts and progress that have been made by the County shelter and the community, the numbers of animals euthanized today remains relatively the same. The numbers of animals killed are still 15,000 to 20,000 annually (2004). This program evaluation will attempt to answer why Kern’s euthanasia rates are still high, and will also examine the Political and Institutional theories that supported the implementation of the programs. The methods used to gauge the effectiveness of shelter programs will use a non-experimental Comparative Cross Program design to show if the outcome numbers have changed during a five year time frame, and will attempt to evaluate whether the shelter programs affected these numbers. Lastly, the evaluation will determine if maintaining the status quo, of keeping many of the programs in place, is an appropriate response to the shelter problems. The evaluation will suggest new strategies for lowering the killing rates, and will also propose new ideas for funding a permanent no/low cost spay/neuter program.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Hernandez, Jaime
- Description:
- This policy analysis describes the current expenditures for inmates in California. Expenditures for inmates have not reduced since the state of California has cut back on many programs throughout the state to close the deficit. The goal of this policy analysis is to assess the expenditures of inmate cost in rehabilitation, medical health care, and the current expenses associated in California. The study will identify current problems in the correction system, advantages, and disadvantages for alternatives. Policy alternatives will be measured by effectiveness and feasibility. The policy alternatives are to improve rehabilitation services and reduce medical care costs. Rehabilitation services have not worked in California. Recidivism is still high with offenders violating their parole (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 2010). It is important to take a closer look at rehabilitation services and measure their effectiveness. Considering effectiveness and feasibility, the best alternative is through reducing costs related to inmate health care during tough economic times. This could be accomplished by an established well-organized primary health care system to provide effective medical services to inmates. Managed health care systems have reduced costs in other states and have avoided lawsuits (Chan & Speier, 2004). In addition, the careful evaluation of each patient when inmates request to see the doctor avoids unnecessary tests and expenses. Proper evaluation and preventative care have controlled expenditures for inmate’s medical health care (Office of The General Inspector, 2008).
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Saso, Morgan
- Description:
- The state of California has made tremendous budget cuts in the last year. Many of these cuts have affected the education of our children. In Bakersfield, CA a state funded women’s center wants to open up a children’s center for the women who have children under the age of four. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault is part of the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter in Bakersfield. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault provides care and opportunities for women who have been abused. This facility offers a place to stay, food and assistance with employment to help women become a positive part of society. For the women with young children, The Alliance Against Family Violence can give a positive support and healthy developmental learning environments. The purpose of this project was too host a 5K Fun Run fundraiser, which will support the learning environments for the children, helping them to receive the same educational opportunities as other children.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Teacher Education
- Creator:
- Love, Wenzel Deseen
- Description:
- The policy analysis was conducted to find that the use of cell phones while driving causes drivers to be distracted mentally, and visually causing an increase in automobile accidents. According to the findings the use of a cell phone while driving leads to injury and/or death to motorists, their passengers or pedestrians. However, the policy analysis also provided information about driver safety education concerning cell phone use and laws (e.g., SB 1613, SB 28, & SB 33) in other states (e.g. New York) that ban the use of cell phones while driving. Statistics pertaining to dangers of distracted driving and automobile accidents are provided. Finally, my descriptions of policy alternatives that I feel are realistic solutions to increase driver safety, reduce the number of accidents, causalities, and deaths in California. Recommendations The specific recommendations that I would make about the resolution of the problem that led me to conduct the policy analysis consist of; 1) Completely ban the use of any kind of cell phone while driving. A violation should impose an infraction with a fine of $200 for first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense plus court cost; 2) Report the infraction to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), but first offense would not count as a point against the person's drivers license or insurance record. However, for every infraction after the first offense, drivers would receive 2 points on their driver's license and insurance record; and 3) Police, fire, and rescue personnel, including public and private ambulance drivers are exempted from this law, and any person can use a cell phone while driving for “only” an emergency situation. Overall, in order to get my policy proposal enacted, it takes cooperation from the community, major stakeholders and legislation.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Anderson, Ian J
- Description:
- When a child is placed into foster care, the courts and dependency care systems focus on finding a safe haven for the child which means that the child’s education is often overlooked. The long-term effects of not considering the child’s educational needs are devastating to the child the longer they stay within the system. To address these issues California Assembly Bill AB 490 was implemented in January 2004. One key element of this legislation was the implementation of an education liaison. The research presented will show that due to a lack of funding, enforcement and clearly outlined implantation AB 490 has not been able to fully address the problems of educating foster youth. Kern County foster youth suffer from the same educational disparities of those in the rest of California. In order to address this the following program proposal will demonstrate how the creation of a volunteer education liaison program run through the Kern County Network for Children will help to correct these disparities for Kern County Foster youth.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Padron, Magda
- Description:
- Bridges Academy is an alternative education program designed to assist high-risk juveniles who are on probation in obtaining a high school education. This study was conducted in order to evaluate this programs effectiveness in reducing truancy. Past attendance rates, and present attendance rates were collected from 15 students from Bridges Academy. In addition, attendance rates from four alternative schools in Kern County were also collected as comparison. End results found student attendance significantly increased since their enrollment in Bridges Academy. Furthermore, Bridges Academy had a higher mean attendance rate than the four comparative alternative schools in this study. Future studies are encouraged to evaluate other components of this program and search for alternate sources of funding.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Grimm-Hager, Margaret
- Description:
- In the field of public policy it is important for cities to make choices that provide safety and security for its citizens; to give them a place to live that offers housing, employment and amenities to enjoy. Cities should be fiscally responsible by maintaining balanced budgets with enough financial reserve to see themselves and their residents through the tough times. Palmdale has cut back on services to their residents and has been through several rounds of layoffs in addition to freezing positions. This doesn’t benefit the residents of Palmdale or its employees. However, since the recession began in 2007 the city of Lancaster has, relatively speaking, appeared to thrive. The city recently completed renovation of their main boulevard and is attracting new business to the area. While they have had to freeze positions, there have been no layoffs. With both cities facing similar business, residential and political situations, it appears that differences in fiscal soundness between Lancaster and Palmdale must lie in differing policy decisions made by each city. This paper will look closely at the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR) of Palmdale and Lancaster to see if there are any differences between the two cities that will help to explain the difference in outcomes. This paper focuses on the CAFR’s because they are the audited reports and show the actual monies earned and spent. The purpose of this study is to analyze the key decisions and policies of these two cities and determine what policies or decisions made the key difference between the outcomes of the two cities. This may serve as a general frame for assessing fiscal strategies and outlooks of these and other cities.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Pitcher, Jenifer Mikel
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to address the different ways in which female and male candidates are combating gender stereotypes in political campaigns. Society has led us to believe that masculine qualities are the qualities in which make good leaders; feminine qualities are seen as weaknesses if found in those seeking leadership positions. The general stereotypes held by society convey a hierarchical system of beliefs in leadership capabilities that place men above women, masculine above feminine. I investigate these stereotypes by conducting interviews with male and female political candidates and/or political office holders within Kern County. The findings in this study support existing evidence that females face “double standards” in the political arena and therefore must counter certain stereotypes associated with femininity by the voting public. This study also finds that male candidates have had to change the way in which the campaign in order for voters to see them as more “approachable;” however, the hurdles for female candidates are much more consistent and more difficult to overcome in order to be successful within the predominantly masculine world of politics.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Alexander, Jacen Rynae
- Description:
- Reading “The Clerk‟s Tale” can be a frustrating experience, for it seems to mean something, but—even barring modern sensibilities from the analysis—it seems confused or even self-contradictory in its conclusions. Is it the ideal marriage or not? A little overboard or a lot? And what of Walter‟s thematic connection to God, if there is any? For that matter, does Griselda equate Job? Is she to be emulated or not? What of the Clerk? Yet analysis of the primary characters and their narrator can yield some interesting points about marriage, love, entitlement, sovereignty and, ultimately, despotism: the wife‟s unthinking acquiescence to the husband‟s tests justifies spousal abuse, and as royalty their twisted dynamic justifies the worst kind of tyranny. Therefore, this thesis will use theories and examples of modern tyranny and abusive relationships to examine Walter's disturbing power over Grisilde.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- English