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- Creator:
- Chase, Chrystal
- Description:
- A review of literature highlights the importance of organizational culture and its relationship to organizational effectiveness. The success of an organization includes the ability to produce quality product without excessive rework or high costs for nonconformity. A gap analysis was generated that compiled ideal characteristics of positive organizational culture. Company XYZ was evaluated using the resulting gap analysis. Standard quality metrics as noted in existing literature were used to examine the relationship between a shift in organizational culture and product quality at Company XYZ. Results confirm a change in organizational culture correspond to significant changes within the business. Results also suggest a negative shift in organizational culture has taken place. Quality metrics such as total defects and cost of nonconformity have increased post-change. This thesis adds to the collection of works supporting the necessity for managers to recognize and encourage positive organizational culture.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Dominguez Hills
- Department:
- Quality Assurance Program
- Creator:
- Covarrubias, Mariana, Sierra, Alexis, Anderson, Sara, Gracias, John, and Gomez, Luz
- Description:
- Plastic waste, if not disposed of properly, has a major negative effect on the environment. According to our statistics from our survey, we concluded that students are more likely to recycle if given an incentive. As a result, we proposed that California State Polytechnic University Pomona should build a recycling center on campus where students can bring their recyclables and receive a payment in the form of bronco bucks.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Jimenez, Meagan, Pechulis, Katie, Arellano, Monique, Calderon, Carlos, and Zahid, Zheeanna
- Description:
- The purpose of this project was to try to reduce the amount of shelter kittens that are euthanized due to dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworm, through education of the general public By increasing awareness about this treatable disease we hope to prevent more kittens with ringworm from being euthanized.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Tran, Kayla, Cervantes, Jennifer, Luna, Caitlin, Engly, Brittney, and Vasquez, Richard
- Description:
- Pitbulls are the victims of unfair discrimination based on physical appearance and a long history of myths. As a result, pitbulls are euthanized at a much higher rate than other breeds in shelters. Our goal is to improve LA county’s perceptions of pitbulls and their appearance, so that this breed will no longer be unfairly judged and killed.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Sorensen, Reece, Moline, Kristen, Gaja, Candise, Pineda, Christy, Chen, Winnie, and Richards, Allison
- Description:
- This project focuses on spreading awareness about academic stress in high schoolers by educating teachers on ways they can help their students. A survey was created for high schoolers to fill out where they were asked what affects their stress and if they receive help from the school Teachers also completed the survey from the perspective of a student. Results show that the majority of participants rate exams, college applications, pressure, and homework as a significant stressor. Unfortunately, there was an insufficient amount of participants for the survey.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Kang, Gie, Aldana, Jasmin, Graciano, Leslie, Molina, Linda, and Zamora, Katherine
- Description:
- Honey bees are an important asset for our world. Their importance lies in their ability to pollinate many flowers and agricultural products. According to the article, “Can We Disrupt the Sensing of Honey Bees by the Bee Parasite Varroa destructor?”, by Nurit Eliah, in California the bee colonies have decreased by 19 percent in 2019. The decline of bees is due to various problems like the Varroa Mites and habitat loss. In order to help increase the population, we need to have more bee friendly gardens with flowers that last all year long. This would encourage bees to station and pollinate.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- French, Kristina Lynn
- Description:
- Succession planning is a deliberate and systematic effort to ensure continuity in key personnel positions within an organization. This has been a common practice in the business sector that has not yet been widely utilized in the field of early childhood education. There is a link between personnel consistency and the quality of the program provided to children and families. The purpose of this graduate project is to research literature and study results that are readily available in the business sector, limited information from the k-12 system, and to prepare a detailed outline of a professional development resource book about succession planning that is relevant to the field of early childhood education.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Advanced Educational Studies
- Creator:
- Birch, Dotty
- Description:
- Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is a celebrated classic, and it is often the first favorite classic among young women who identify with the heroine and indulge in her fairy-tale romance with Edward Rochester. However, as Jane Eyre is the fairy tale of the Victorian woman’s life, which portrays the heroine happily married to her dour master, Villette is the mimetic portrayal of the Victorian woman and her true quest for love, acceptance, identity, and above all liberation from her masters. It is this story of a spinster set adrift in a male-supremacist society that has captivated critics. Prominent critics, from the nineteenth-century literary critics Susan Gilbert and Susan Gubar to the well-known feminist writer Kate Millett, insist the story of Lucy Snowe is an important psychic drama that portrays the real effects of female deprivation in Victorian society.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- English
- Creator:
- Visokey, Andrew David
- Description:
- This thesis incorporates, and attempts to reconcile, both sides of this debate. In doing so, it seeks to accomplish two purposes. First, it explores the possibility that The Scarlet Letter is a novel about sexual slavery for both men and women—on both a societal and personal level—as reflected in Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Second, it analyzes Pearl as the only “free” character of Hawthorne’s story, and how she models Hawthorne’s vision for the future between the sexes.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- English
- Creator:
- Salas, Christina Marie
- Description:
- In many organizations the bulk of safety training provided to employees, with the exception of reoccurring “re-fresher” training occurs during initial period of their employment; most commonly through the employee orientation. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is no exception to this norm; providing the majority of safety related training and information upfront in the new employee orientation. The BLM, however, has identified the new employee orientation process as a major issue of concern of its employees through several employee satisfaction surveys (BLM, 2011). Specifically, the inconsistency between various levels and divisions of the agency in the type information provided during the new employee orientation process. This inconsistency is no exception in the BLM Bakersfield Field Office. The inconsistency arises in the Field Office when safety training disseminated by supervisors is not uniform in information. Providing a consistent new employee orientation with regards to safety may aid in the reduction of incidents and therefore of costs, and also ensure the wellbeing of all employees is safe guarded. This study will evaluate three other agencies that are similar to BLM and evaluate their safety orientations. This study will develop a policy and orientation package based upon the best safety orientation package from the other agencies. The orientation will be recommended for implementation in the BLM Bakersfield Field Office. The package will instruct managers and employees on how best to implement the safety orientation to ensure all employees: 1) are familiar with their roles and responsibilities with regard to workplace safety; 2) receive the required training of their position in a timely fashion; 3) are provided the correct information with regard to the processes to follow when reporting an accident/injury; and 4) records of employee safety training/requirements are reported and tracked appropriately.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Macias, Pamela
- Description:
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is one of California’s largest organizations with an important purpose-to punish individuals who break the law, and separate them from society to prevent them from committing another crime. CDCR also has one of the largest budgets compared to other organizations in California that are being funded by the state; this why this study is important and will review California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s mission, whether or not CDCR is achieving their mission, and the importance of CDCR achieving their mission. CDCR has a recidivism rate of 65.1%, this means that 65.1% of prisoners being released will return to prison. This is a significant number and is why the literature regarding crime, deterrence, recidivism, rehabilitation, incapacitation and restorative justice will be reviewed in this study. An analysis of alternatives with critiques and recommendations will also follow. Recommendations will be made for CDCR to assess all of their offenders with the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) assessment tool. Also place the offenders in treatment programs based on their assessment scores and criminogenic needs to rehabilitate them and correct those needs that have caused them to commit crime in the past. Rehabilitation programs that are based off of the COMPAS model have been proven to reduce recidivism rate from 25% and above. The amount of reduction in recidivism can make an enormous impact on the amount of crime that is committed in California, as well as, reduce the prison population and the cost that comes along with housing the 160,000+ inmates at $47,000 a year per offender.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Borrego, Jackie, Rangel, Marisa, Ramirez, Crystal, and Lazaro, Carlos
- Description:
- There has been an increase in the usage of PPE amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution has been increasing throughout the upcoming months with no signs of slowing down. As a group, we have observed the ways PPE is being disposed of and have noticed that many people do not discard of their disposable masks properly. As a result, we have come up withmethods to safely dispose of PPE such as disposable masks.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Gutierrez, Lizbeth, Reyna, Samantha, and Sorea, Gabrielle
- Description:
- Our project focuses on an alternative way of adopting senior dogs through fostering programs. Fostering programs have considerably lower return rates than animal shelters. These fostering programs benefit not only the senior dogs by finding them a forever home but also the shelters and future owners.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
14. Cat Cafe
- Creator:
- Gross, Kathleen, Vargas, Kimberly, Gonzalez, Tomas, and Gomez, Samantha
- Description:
- Cat abundance is likely to vary based on human-ownership patterns, access to food, and veterinary care, avoidance of predators and breeding opportunities” (Flockhart, 2). “The increasing prevalence of stress, anxiety, and significant mental health concerns among college students—combined with a reduction of college counseling center resources creates a need to develop innovative strategies to help students. Empirical research and practical application of animal-assisted therapy suggests that this is one resources for college counseling centers in meeting the growing demands of services from students” (Kronholz, 2015).
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Fernandez, Imari, Cabrera-Bartolo, Jessica, Juarez, Mayra, and Primavera, Suzy
- Description:
- Every year the United States throws away around 80 billion pounds of food, making us the world's second largest producers of food waste. Not only do individuals throw away tons of food, but so do stores and Restaurants. A great way to reduce food waste is composting, so instead of throwing your food a way you are creating soil to give back to the earth or even use to plant your own food, and only about 30% of Americans do this. Our goal is to educate and encourage people to try out composting.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Tran, Ann, Gonzalez, Lizbeth, Hutchings, Natalie, Vargas, Brenda, and Bugarin, Rebecca
- Description:
- The California Green sea turtles are dying from ingesting plastic bags. We conducted a survey with students at Cal Poly Pomona on the opinions of rewards for using reusable bags. According to the responses, we concluded that students would be more willing to use reusable bags if they are rewarded for doing so.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
17. Canine Munchies
- Creator:
- Rubio, Maximiliano, Martinon, Vanessa, Vega, Leslie, Quintana, Victoria, and Hernandez, Johanna
- Description:
- Dogs are a man’s best friend and health is a big factor in how long they live and their quality of life . Dogs are very delicate when it comes to the food selection. It is very necessary to be aware and take precautions of what goes inside your furry friend.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Gomez, Yosany, Zamarripa, Rashell, Resendiz, Luis, Lopez, Aaliyaho, and Bumanglag, Samantha
- Description:
- How can we get every dog to be spayed and neutered at the age of sexual maturity in order to prevent overpopulation in shelters and decrease euthanizations? We conducted a survey on social media to find out what stands in the way of people fixing their dogs. We found out that most people don’t get their dogs fixed because of financial reasons.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Rodriguez, Sky, Peel, Katherine, MacDonald, Grace, Cardenas, Vanessa, and Valenzuela, Maya
- Description:
- COVID-19 has affected our families in numerous amounts of ways. All communities have been affected financially, including those apart of Cal Poly Pomona. A community garden at CPP would be able to provide relief to those who can’t afford fresh foods. In order to achieve academic success students should not have to worry about how they will get fresh food to their tables. We believe families should not be deprived of a necessity because of their financial status.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Johnson, Sarah Elizabeth
- Description:
- When examining the literature on the prediction of a child’s acceptance little previous work is found. Previous friendship literature has focused on social competence, intelligence, physical appearance, aggression, ethnicity, personality, and social dominance separately while the current project aims to form a more integrated approach to these variables. Forty-four children representing two different classrooms were interviewed in Bakersfield, California. Parent and teacher questionnaires were administered to gather additional information on children’s social functioning. T-tests and factor analyses found differences in how Caucasian and Hispanic children function socially. The current study found differences between these two ethnic groups, however further study is needed to better understand why differences occur.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Holt, Bonnie K
- Description:
- Self-discovery presents itself in a myriad of forms. One of the forms utilized for this purpose is that of artistic expression. Tattooing as a vehicle of artistic expression has evolved over time and today tattoos are utilized as a mechanism for self-discovery. This study seeks to expand on prior research conducted by Kathryn Irwin (2003) in efforts to classify a new subcategory of tattoo collection, that of the informed tattoo collector. Using Peter Burke’s Identity Theory (1996), this study utilizes the concepts of identity, salience, commitment and self-knowledge to gain insight into the process of becoming an informed tattoo collector. In addition, to determine if any informed tattoo collectors exist on the campus of California State University Bakersfield. Research consists of scholarly journals, books and an on-line survey to gather quantitative and qualitative statistics. This study concluded that one respondent met all the specified criteria of an informed tattoo collector and that future research is this area is a viable consideration. It would be of great benefit to expand upon this research by conducting surveys and field interviews outside of the California State University campus and compare/contrast the findings.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Contreras, Christina Yvonne
- Description:
- This study was conducted as an experimental pilot to evaluate a new reading comprehension curriculum, Rocky River Reading, for students in a local after school program. The participants were 50 second through sixth grade students from a variety of socioeconomic statuses and reading proficiency levels. In this study quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. An analysis of the data revealed that during the four week period the experimental group exhibited a greater decrease in time spent reading and read at home more out of interest. Control group parents were less likely to be in consensus on parent pre- and post-evaluations that their student had difficulties with reading based on prior reading experiences with the child at home. In similarity to the pre- and post-evaluations from the control group, experimental parents felt students had no reading strengths prior to RRR.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Advanced Educational Studies
- Creator:
- Falcon, Laura M
- Description:
- Over the past years, the issue of allowing a minor to obtain an abortion without parental involvement has become an ongoing battle for the State of California. According to statistics, California is the state with the most abortions a year. Moreover, the statistics have also indicated that minors are most likely to have unplanned pregnancies, which end in abortion. Therefore, this issue has become an unavailable issue that must be addressed in order to help, guide, and protect our younger generation. The following study is a policy analysis and will do three things. First, the study will conduct a literature review to better understand the problem and determine a more effective solution to reducing the abortion rate among minors. Secondly, the three propositions that were presented to Californians will be review to help determine why all three propositions were rejected. Last, the theory “Window of Opportunity” will be presented along with the specific window California needs in order to enact parental involvement laws. In addition, three recommendations will be offer on what California can do to implement an abortion law. Several recommendations are included in this study. The State of California needs to gather more information and data in connection to minors, parental involvement, and consent laws. If California wants to implement an abortion law, proponents need to follow the proper steps for a window of opportunity to open. The key recommendations are: • Connect the issue to a critical problem (For example, find a correlation between minors getting pregnant and obtaining abortions to an increase of minors dropping out school, committing crimes, an increase of tax dollars, and an increase of families under poverty.) • Look into further research and connect the findings to decision maker’s values, cost-effectiveness, and try to appeal to the public • Last, get more elected officials to support the issue and change the political mood to favor the issue
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Jaber, Mansor Mustafa
- Description:
- Juvenile crime in California is a costly burden that affects all Californians. It is an economic drain to public funds and it has an emotional impact on the juveniles who commit the crimes, the victims they hurt, the families of both, and the communities that have to see the crime unfold. California has reduced juvenile crime rates slightly from what they were two decades ago, but it still maintains rates above the national average. The juvenile justice system was founded on the principle of rehabilitation for all juvenile criminal offenders, but in 2000, Proposition 21 was passed which increased penalties for juveniles who committed felonies. It is important to do everything possible to help reduce these crime rates, so an assessment of the effects of Proposition 21 is necessary. This study will do two things. First, it will conduct literature review to develop a better understanding of this social issue and the most effective methods to relieving this problem. Secondly, an analysis of juvenile felony arrest rates for several categories and population trends from 1980-2008 will be conducted. The results will show that increased penalties for juvenile criminal offenders are not an effective deterrent to crime. The implications of this study is that a new, more effective, approach to dealing with juvenile crime is necessary.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Ives, Kathy
- Description:
- Greenlining Institute (GI) raised public awareness regarding the distribution of California foundation funding received by minorities and low income people. GI is concerned with the low percentage of funding reaching the intended target populations. When GI requested tax exempt foundations to provide statistical information regarding the final recipients they were meet with resistance. The foundations contend current reporting requirements regarding awardees do not consider the social benefits received by targeted populations. This issue gave rise to AB624 in the California State Legislature. The bill was removed from consideration when 10 major California foundations agreed to spend millions of dollars strengthening organizations supporting minorities and low income individuals. The objective of this research is to ascertain if the percentage of California foundation philanthropy correlates to state social, economic and ethnic need as raised by GI. By measuring California foundation philanthropy, certain trends emerge and these trends enable grant writers to focus on underfunded counties and certain targeted populations. The source of information is limited to publicly accessible data for 2006. There is unprecedented growth in philanthropy beginning in the early 1980’s in part due to technological advancements and a shift from traditional foundation funding toward venture capitalism. The underlying cause for this move is the ability to direct the funded project and withdraw funding, increased reporting requirements and potential legislatively prescribed compliance regulations. This research applies methodological triangulation using regression analysis, policy review and theoretical forecasting. The combination of the above methods strengthened this study and provides an in-depth analysis of the data. The collection of data was limited to the top 25 California Foundations by giving, IRS forms 990, Census data and reports published public internet web sites. The amount of California foundation giving awarded to the social target population children/youth more than doubled from 1996 to 2006 and is projected to increase due to support from newly formed foundations and established foundations. In 2006 this target population received 28.1% of available funding. There is an upward trend for funding in low income target populations from 16.6% in 2006 to a projected 23.3% in 2007. Target ethnic populations received the highest level of funding in 2004 at 15.1% of available funds to 13.8% for 2006, and 2007 is projected at 14.25%. Increased political pressure leads to double and triple counting of grant funding by statisticians and should be noted. Statistical analysis and policy review found 19 California counties receive less than $50,000 in foundation grants and support the need for increased record keeping and consistent interpretation regarding the demographic information of grant awardees. Recommendations include voluntary and consistent record keeping; grant writers target counties without community foundations and large community foundations adjust their mission statement to allow them to cut across geographical barriers and serve underfunded counties whose needs fit the funding foundations mission statement.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Miller, Aaron K
- Description:
- A PROJECT FOR BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING WITHIN THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION (CDCR): MINORITIES AND WOMEN HIRING AND ADVANCEMENT The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is the organization that will be analyzed in this paper. CDCR has 34 adult state prisons and 10 Youth Authority Facilities under its jurisdiction. The executive level starts at the level/rank of Captain and promotes upward to Associate Warden (AW) and then to Chief Deputy Warden (CDW) and ending at the Warden of each individual institution. There are also numerous executive positions held at Headquarters in Sacramento. In order to gain insights as to why and how ethnic minorities and women are prevented from reaching the top level of the organization, the etiology of the glass ceiling was explored. The study identified the key patterns and factors which may result in the gender and racial imbalance at the upper echelons of CDCR. The Executive Service (ES) was established by the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) of 1978 and became effective in July 1979. CSRA envisioned a senior executive corps with solid executive expertise, public service values, and a broad perspective of government. In addition, executives would be held accountable for their performance. The ES positions were designed to overcome some key issues. The department’s goal is for each individual institution is to enforce the safety and security of the institution, while rehabilitating incarnated felons and returning them back into their community. In keeping with these goals, the department is committed to conducting its business in a conscious socially responsible and ethical manner. The mission of the department would be to offer a positive professional environment, and build a diverse, well-trained human resource poll for potential custody and non-custody staff. The mission and vision are achieved by the growth in the department’s ever changing programs. The organization of the future will be completely refined from the organization of today. Strategic planning is a management tool, used to help an organization do a better job and focus its energy, to ensure that members of the organization are working toward the same goals, and adjust the organization’s direction in response to a changing environment. Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it, with a focus on the future. Therefore, it ensures the most effective use is made of the organization’s resources by focusing the resources on the key priorities. It also provides a base from which progress can be measured. In creating the ES, CSRA established a distinct personnel system that applies the same executive qualifications requirements to all of its members. It also shifted to a rank-in-person concept to facilitate executive mobility.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Barnes, Donna
- Description:
- Background The purpose of this comparative case study is to analyze how three California cities Bakersfield, Fresno, and Visalia, are using redevelopment programs and projects for inner city development to offset suburban development. For purposes of this paper, the term inner city refers to the central core of the city, not necessarily an area where residents are less educated and more impoverished. The hypothesis is redevelopment was intended by the California Legislature to revitalize deteriorating and blighted areas of inner city areas. Are redevelopment efforts succeeding to encourage inner city development? Literature Review Not much literature has been written on how redevelopment has contributed towards the reversal of urban sprawl. Most literature concentrates on the perceived negative aspects of redevelopment pertaining to eminent domain, diverting taxes from schools to redevelopment agencies, the abuses of redevelopment by certain agencies, and the large amount of tax increment collected by redevelopment agencies. Research Study and Analysis Bakersfield, Fresno, and Visalia are reviewed in this comparative case study based on pattern matching analysis. All three have active redevelopment plans, projects, and programs. The method of analysis will compare the evidence of local policies, budgets, plans, projects, and programs. Data collection will be analyzed and presented in separate chapters for each city. The importance of the study is to identify what inner city programs and projects are being used in the three cities. Identifying which programs are working is an important tool for practitioners and the public to help with resource allocation for more effective and efficient inner city redevelopment. The objective of using the budgets and implementation plans for each city is to standardized public data available for each agency. No interviews or surveys were conducted. Conclusion, Findings and Recommendations Several recommendations are included in this case study. The public sector must continue to expand the redevelopment of inner cities so further decline can be reversed. This can only occur with investment from the public and private sectors. If city governments and community citizens do not vocally support inner city redevelopment, these three cities will continue to sprawl as demonstrated by growth patterns in Bakersfield and Fresno. Visalia because of its smaller size and emphasis on community involvement was the best role model of inner city redevelopment. Public policy must continue to monitor and encourage inner city redevelopment by clarifying and continually emphasizing the importance of its goals that can help to reverse urban sprawl.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
28. A Community needs assessment of Arvin, Lamont, and Weedpatch, California: focus group prioritization
- Creator:
- Ceballos, Oscar
- Description:
- The purpose of this community needs assessment was to identify the health and psychosocial services and access needs of residents in three rural communities in central California. Three focus group meetings were organized with community members from Arvin, Lamont, and Weedpatch, California. Group participants reported main concerns were safety (crime), lack of schools, mistrust of officials, pollution (air and water pollution), lack of emergency and health services, and lack of transportation. Each group prioritized its needs. Recommendations and implications for social services and social policy are discussed.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Nieto, Petra
- Description:
- This study is a statewide comparative study in California of the existing Celebrating Families! (CF!) Programs in evaluating the similarities and differences among these programs and their effectiveness of families actually completing the CF! Program. This research utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data was collected through structured telephone interviews with the use of the CF! Telephone Questionnaire. The CF! Telephone Questionnaire consisted of fifteen open-ended questions, pertaining to each CF! Program’s use of the original CF! curriculum. A purposive sample was used in selecting 8 of the 13 CF! Programs existing in California to participate in this research study. Through the use of SPSS analysis, the results indicated no statistically significant findings designating any one of the CF! Programs’ use of the CF! curriculum to be more effective in increasing the number of families to complete the CF! Program.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
30. Home court advantage: a project plan for facilities improvement and expansion for CSUB athletics
- Creator:
- Langston, Karen L
- Description:
- College athletics programs bring publicity and notoriety to their universities. The best athletics programs provide an avenue for alumni to create a lasting bond with the university and foster a sense of pride among students and communities. Universities across the country are focused on attracting the best and brightest students. Those that are able to provide an exceptional student experience with assets such as top-notch athletics program and athletics facilities possess a clear recruiting advantage for student-athletes and students at large. Facilities are a critical part of success in college athletics. First class facilities serve as recruiting tools for coaches to attract the most talented student-athletes to their school and loyal fans to sporting events. This may lead to a growth cycle that brings better athletes and teams, a greater number of fans and higher revenues to any university. This may also lead to an opportunity to expand athletics facilities even further, providing a recruiting platform for better athletes and the expansion of other programs. California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) is a perfect example of a campus in need of facilities improvement. Improvements and expansion will make the University more attractive to student-athletes, leading to potential growth and significant progress in areas identified by university administration as priorities in the institution’s vision statement. This study will evaluate the current athletics facilities on the CSUB campus, determine needs for improvements of existing facilities in order to be competitive in Division I, and propose a facilities expansion plan that will take Roadrunner Athletics into the next decade in a position to recruit top student-athletes, and elevate the overall quality of the program.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Arrington, Kaitlyn, Deiss, Megan, De La Hoya, Melanie, Herrington, Kate, and Fajardo, Mavil
- Description:
- Our goal was to create a clinic for pet owners to affordably spay and neuter their pets on the Cal Poly Pomona(CPP) campus. Cal Poly already has a clinic that works in conjunction with AHS 3263, a surgical nursing and skills class. We sought out improvements to the clinics financial aspects and advertisement opportunities, in addition to suggestions for the surgical class so both can perform at their best capacity in order to provide superior services and exceptional student skill building.
- Resource Type:
- Project
- Campus Tesim:
- Pomona
- Creator:
- Brown, Charles Elkin
- Description:
- This study presents both a descriptive and statistical analysis of the relationship between paramedic school admission standards and student attrition rates. The results of this study will be used by the Bakersfield College paramedic school to implement changes to their current admission requirements in an attempt to reduce student attrition. Data was collected from 18 of the 28 accredited paramedic schools in the state of California. A descriptive analysis of the data revealed that paramedic programs with strict admission standards had significantly lower student attrition rates than programs with more relaxed admission standards. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that Bakersfield College increase the paramedic school admission standards to include an oral interview, work experience, and successful completion of the HOBET exam.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Goodmon, Cindy J
- Description:
- California State University (CSU) intercollegiate athletic programs are faced with tough discussions every budget cycle. Budget discussions begin with the planning and forecasting of revenues and expenses. However, many revenue sources are decreasing due to the current economic downturn. In addition, expenditures costs are increasing at record levels. For example, some programs dependent on interest income from endowments are not receiving the same return on their investments. Tuition costs and travel costs are increasing to unsustainable levels. The following information will review and examine what other CSU athletic programs are doing to balance budgets while remaining competitive in a crisis environment. How will they increase revenues as well as reduce spending? Information will be identified as to how other campuses are exploring options of increasing revenues. Reductions or possible eliminations related to scholarship, recruiting, supplies and services and travel expenditures will be identified. The importance of this study will assist in establishing the priority shifts being made my other CSU athletic programs. While establishing the importance of this study, there will be a review of literature to examine information currently being discussed as each intercollegiate athletic program struggles with the tough decisions of budget shortfalls. In addition, information from other athletic programs outside of CSU athletic programs will be available for review. The intent of this study is to explore strategies to assist CSU intercollegiate athletic programs with the decision making process of budgetary challenges within a competitive environment. This study will provide information to help analyze and establish priorities for athletic administrators to lead and manage a successful athletic program. Potential solution strategies will be provided to explain opportunities related to increasing revenues as well as decreasing expenditures during the budgetary planning process. The following areas will be discussed related to increasing revenues. Increasing major gift donations as well as endowments is an area to explore. Expanding corporate sponsorships revenues increases would be helpful. The possibility of public-private partnerships is an option of increased revenues. Many CSU athletic programs will pursue student fee referendums. Some campuses are reviewing occupancy tax options. Although donations are typically made to the general athletic funds, many campuses are allowing sport specific donations. Decreasing expenditures is necessary as intercollegiate athletic programs struggle to balance budget shortfalls. The following areas will assist athletic programs as they begin to review possibilities of decreasing expenditures. Reducing budgets across all areas of sport specific budgets is typically the first response by athletic administrators. Some are reducing only with the minor sports. Others are eliminating pre-season competition as well as non-traditional competition. Eliminating entire sport teams is the most difficult decision. Exploring all options is imperative as athletic administrators establish trade-offs and changing priorities. The importance of identifying changes in revenue sources and priorities may assist athletic administration in balancing their budgets in ways that do not put them at a competitive disadvantage.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Regan, Sean L
- Description:
- Monitoring patient satisfaction is part of a balanced scorecard approach for the strategic management of health care organizations. As an evaluation of a public health care clinic, this study employed the use of a survey designed to measure patient satisfaction. The questions forming this program process evaluation include: Are the patients satisfied with the services they receive? What are the suggestions for improvement? This evaluation gathered quantitative and qualitative data for the compilation and analysis of information to assist the public health clinic to increase their efficiencies, gain greater market share and continue to be a viable option for the customers they serve.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Ching, Katrinna Nicole U
- Description:
- An alarming problem is occurring in many healthcare institutions in the United States (U.S.) today. If not contained, the nursing shortage problem is anticipated to create bigger dilemmas in t he next decades. Therefore, the U.S. has an immediate need to hire several nurses to fill the growing demand of the entire nation. Unfortunately, amidst the large influx of new nursing graduates in recent years, the domestic supply of Registered Nurses in the U.S. can still not keep u p with t h e rising need because majority of U.S.-based nursing schools can only admit limited a mount of qualified applicants due to budget cuts and other cost restrictions; hence, the U.S. c urrently presents a need to hire qualified foreign-educated nurses that will fill the emergent s hortage. The nurse workforce shortage in the U.S. is not a new economic problem. In fact, it has b een a recurring phenomenon that dates back to the mid-1960s; thus, creating the cyclical d emand-and-supply relationship of the U.S. to various developing countries that often presented l arge surplus of Registered Nurses, in which the Philippines has been identified as the leading s ource country for nurses. For many decades, the mutual relationship of the U.S. and the P hilippines offered several remunerations that aided both nations; however, this connection has c aused the U.S. a failure to create concrete policies that directly addresses the nursing shortage crisis, because the weight of the problem has not been identified by U.S. legislators and have since then constantly relied on immigration policies, such as hiring foreign nurses, each time a s hortage of nurses surfaces. Several consequences have already been identified as a result of the a bsence of concrete policy that addresses the nursing shortage. Therefore, without the proper p olicy action, a question is raised on whether how long the mutual dependence of the U.S and t he Philippines will last and what the United States is planning to accomplish that will contain t his growing issue.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Mbamalu, Uzodimma
- Description:
- This qualitative study attempts to discover the risk factors associated with Elder Abuse and the best practices for successful implementation in the Long Term Care Industry. The body of related literature highlights the 30 year history of major US policies that address Elder Abuse, and the theories that help give a better understanding on the causes that are associated with this issue. The researcher employed a non-experimental approach with the use of Hermeneutics and content analysis as the primary tools for conducting this study. The findings of this study proved current legislation against Elder Abuse as well as various prevention strategies conducted by state Adult Protection Services (APS) and other programs have not been effective in protecting Elders from Abuse. Recommendations include Employment of Uniform APS Reporting Laws, Development of Routine Elder Abuse Screening/Training Programs, and Further Research and Investigation in order to assist in developing more effective policies and practices for Elder Abuse in Long Term Care facilities.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Washington, James (Dion)
- Description:
- Organizations operate in changing environments that require detailed action plans in order to remain competitive. Strategic management is the facilitation of change within an organization. In managed care settings, where rapid change takes place, strategic planning focuses on short term goals and action plans because change needs to take place as quickly as possible. This research study focuses on a 418 bed, acute care medical center, located in the central valley of California. The hospital in this study has decided to organize a strategic management program to implement a strategy that will address the changing needs of its community, employees and patients. The purpose of this research paper is to develop an implementation evaluation tool for an acute care hospital. Program theory, systems theory, organizational theory and implementation theory were all considered in the development of the implementation tool. The evaluation tool will allow the studied organization to gather significant data to properly evaluate the implementation process. By using the developed tool to evaluate the performance of the strategic planning process this organization can ensure that the time, energy and resources used to create its strategic plan will not be wasted. The developed tool should be used on an optional basis, issued to all employees two weeks before the actual implementation of The Hospital’s strategic plan. Additionally, the developed tool should be administered by an individual who was not involved in the strategic management process.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Tilley, Tamara A
- Description:
- Recent legislative efforts, including the Accountable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity Act, represent attempts to improve and integrate care delivery systems in the United States. These efforts to reduce costs while improving the quality of, and access to, physical and psychiatric health care provide us with a renewed hope for the treatment of alcohol use disorders. The treatment of alcohol use disorders is one distinct area of unmet need that may benefit from an integrated model of treatment and care. The Chronic Disease Management model is gaining in popularity and research efforts have established its effectiveness in the treatment of chronic diseases. Standardized measures are proving effective in screening for alcohol use disorders and thereby increasing our ability to identify these individuals. Alcohol use is a risk factor that, when controlled, can reduce the impact of chronic diseases. This combined with the identification of addiction as a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease suggest a strong case for the application of a chronic disease management model under the chronic disease management model. This paper will endeavor to conceptualize a program proposal for the treatment of AUDs under a chronic disease management program.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Tarver, Kelley Kristina
- Description:
- For decades, a multitude of men and women have fought for women’s equality in regards to various aspects of life. Legislature not only gave women the right to vote, but the opportunity to be awarded the same privileges as men in athletics and higher education. For years, women were treated as subordinates compared to men. Women were thought to lack the physical abilities that men possessed in order to compete athletically in sports. For some time it was believed that a woman would hurt herself if she exerted too much energy. Beliefs like these led women to be denied the right to participate in athletics let alone go to college and do so. After years of protest women slowly gained the opportunity to compete as men did. In 1972 Congress passed Title IX of the Education Amendments which stated that no person would be discriminated against on the basis of sex. The goals of the program included to accomplish gender equality for women in sports and reduce the number of institutions who were not in compliance. Title IX is overseen by the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR). This department has been in charge of making sure that universities around the country abide by the rules and regulations of Title IX. In order to do so the department judges compliance by a three prong test. These prongs were implemented in order to help determine who was in compliance and who was not. Many have debated over whether or not Title IX has accomplished its original goals. Numerous studies have been conducted over the years in order to clear up the matter. This program evaluation reviewed various pieces of literature previously done in regards to Title IX and discovered that the participation rates for women had grown. The evaluation also discovered that there was room for improvement as the number of male participants still greatly outnumbered the number of women. Recommendations were made at the conclusion of this study such as implementing better record keeping of non compliant schools, supporting a larger OCR staff, improving Title IX education training, and closing the overall operating budget gap between males and females. The results from this evaluation will hopefully provide information as to how to go about improving the effectiveness of Title IX in the near future.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Khizer, Aliya Sultana
- Description:
- The United States is a country that is a melting pot of diversity. With so many cultures and ethnicities, the United States has created, reviewed, and implemented health care protocols and procedures to better accommodate the constant evolving demographic dynamics. South-Asians are the largest ethnic minority group in America consisting of people from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The countries and their respective immigrant communities share common cultural, social and linguistic characteristics and values and thus are often clubbed together as one homogeneous region ( www.ameredia.com). Because of the constant evolving racial and ethnic demographics of the United states, health care services have had to become sensitive to conservative cultures such as the South-Asian culture in order to better serve the people of that culture. A literature review of the South-Asian culture, its cultural traits, taboos, and traditions along with a background on health care services for the South Asian Culture in America is provided. This information is provided in the hope that South-Asian American women and health care providers will learn to understand, embrace, and incorporate the fruits of both cultures while eliminating the differences that create barriers in health care services and choices by implementing a program that addresses these specific cultural needs.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Fields, Breana Rachelle
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to identify barriers to health care for individuals in same-sex relationships, draw public attention to the inequalities individuals in same-sex relationships face and offer recommendations to eliminate them. The study was non-experimental and used a qualitative approach through content analysis. Barriers to health care identified during the research process include access, marital status, influenced health endangering behaviors, discrimination, law, social barriers and social roles. Same-sex couple’s inability to marry is a factor involved in most of the barriers to health care. When individuals are not allowed to marry it limits a person’s ability to access a spouse’s employer provided health insurance plan. It may also drive individuals into practicing health endangering behaviors. Same-sex couples and individuals in the LGBT community are facing inequality and discrimination due to societal stigma and much more. Barriers to health care should not be another problem added to the issues this community already faces. After discovering the barriers to health care the researcher offered 4 recommendations to help solve the issues. The first recommendation is to create a policy legalizing marriage for same-sex couples. This will eliminate a barrier by allowing an individual to access their spouse's employer-provided health insurance. The second recommendation is for HRC and CHA to join forces. These are both very powerful organizations both having strong followings. If they join forces they can work together to develop a policy to cause a shift in hospital practices. This will help reduce the number of members of the LGBT community who are afraid of accessing medical services due to reasons related to medical staff and policies. The 3rd recommendation is to implement a zero-tolerance law. This will help eliminate social barriers and those related to discrimination. If people know they will be held responsible for discriminating they may be less likely to practice the behavior. The final recommendation is to adopt New Hampshire’s Marriage Policy. This will help eliminate barriers related to marital status.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Bertagnole, Tracy
- Description:
- Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield has a problem; long wait times for patients being transported within the hospital. There are many risks associated with intra-hospital transportation including physiologic changes, equipment changes and staffing changes. Long turn-around times can make this problem even worse. This may cause a life-threatening issue or negatively affect the patients’ perception of the hospital. To solve the problem it is proposed that Mercy utilize Transformational Care tools and principles, i.e. Lean. Using this suggestion, the researcher has identified many issues as to why Mercy Hospital’s intra-hospital transportation system has an average turn-around time of 33 minutes. They are; patient is eating or showering, transport waiting for nursing to finish tasks such as the handoff sheet, no nurse to help transport, nurse is busy with other patients, wrong equipment ordered and others. Through analysis it is recommended that Mercy implement a more streamlined process, in which specific guidelines are set in order to decrease turn-around times to the benchmark of 22 minutes. Some of these guidelines include; not requesting transport until patient is ready to be transported, transportation waiting for only five minutes for nursing, utilize the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) model for sustainment and finally train all staff how to utilize the Transport Tracking system to keep track of all jobs placed in the queue which will help with accountability.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Allman, Kathleen M
- Description:
- For the past four years, the State of California has been divided. The California Medical Board has maintained jurisdiction over physicians for decades. Since 2007, the role of the California Medical Board has expanded to oversee physician-owned ambulatory surgery centers as well. The California Department of Public Health regulates ambulatory surgery centers with no physician ownership. Thus, California has a split in the authority pertaining to the ambulatory surgery center industry. The California Department of Public Health will license facilities under its jurisdiction. No other facilities can become state-licensed. This is a disparity in the system. The California Medical Board, on the other hand, allows accreditation of physician-owned ambulatory surgery centers. The Medical Board authorizes four different agencies with as many sets of standards to credential the physician-owned facilities. This represents another contradiction in the California system. Finally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require certification of all ambulatory surgery centers that treat Medicare beneficiaries, with no distinction of ownership, representing yet another set of standards. Further complicating the situation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services granted specific accreditation agencies the power to deem ambulatory surgery centers meet the federal regulations for treating Medicare recipients. All agencies and stakeholders have one goal, to protect the health and safety of individuals seeking treatment in ambulatory surgery centers. The need for simplification and conformity appears obvious, as the efficiencies would add much needed value and transparency to the complex and confusing healthcare system.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Hackman, Diana D
- Description:
- Due to the link that has been established between obesity and processed and fast foods in America, recent research has emphasized examining the potential health benefits of providing nutrition information in fighting the nation‘s obesity epidemic. Nutrition label usage has been increasing due to the link between diet and health over the years; however, the rate of obesity has only increased since the passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990. As a result, there has been increasing threats of legislation and regulation of both food labeling and food marketing practices in such a way that regulatory agencies have pointedly asked: how effective is nutrition labeling in reducing obesity in the US? In attempting to answer this question, the paper focuses on nutrition labeling and its connection to obesity. This policy analysis is designed to provide the reader with an inside look on nutrition labeling policy‘s effect on obesity. It investigates the relationship between nutrition labeling and the rising obesity rates in the US and explores a plethora of practical considerations that must be addressed before labeling policies are implemented. The findings of this study can provide useful information to policy makers and nutrition labeling regulatory agencies on improving nutrition labeling system in the US. Ultimately, this policy analysis finding has the power to call the Nation‘s attention to how pervasive the problem is and how many people are struggling with the labeling system. The project is divided into four chapters as follows: The first chapter discusses the purpose and significant of the study. Here, background of the problem is discussed, the statement of the problem is stated, methods and procedure are stated, and the importance of the study is defined. Chapter two gives an overview of the problem. This chapter determines the relationship between nutrition labeling and obesity based on previous research. The federal nutrition labeling bill is analyzed. The importance of the bill is highlighted and previous research on nutrition labeling is analyzed which delves into more detail about the nutrition labeling policies. In the last section of this chapter, the potential solutions are briefly discussed. In the third chapter, policy alternatives are analyzed. This chapter explores alternatives policies and solutions to deal with the nutrition labeling, discuss comparison to future consequences, and spillovers and externalities. The end of this chapter explore constrains and political feasibility of the current nutrition labeling policies. The fourth and final chapter of this paper examines the alternatives and provides recommendations. The recommendations are: [1] to provide real serving size of food to make it easier for consumers to understand nutrition information; [2] to improve the ingredient list so that consumers will know exactly what they are getting; [3] for FDA to require labels for unpackaged foods; [4] to get rid of the qualified health claims and replace it with a ―traffic light‖ system; and [5] to specified instead of generalized nutrition information. The findings and conclusions presented in this report were, of course, determined independently. The fact is the current nutrition labeling system is not perfect; therefore, there is still a lot that need to be done when it comes to nutrition labeling in America.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Suatengco, Teodoro (Ted) E.
- Description:
- (United States Department of Homeland Security, 2010) estimated in the country, the continuation of illegal immigration despite legislative, administrative, and enforcement initiatives over the last two decades represents a clear failure of national sovereignty and the economic security objectives of U.S. immigration policy (Haines and Rosenblum, 1999). Though there are many issues associated with illegal immigration in the U.S., the purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the effects of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 and determine what changes must be made in order to formulate a policy option using an “IRCA-like” model in addressing the current illegal alien population in the country. Under IRCA, legalization, employer sanctions, and enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border were the key tenets. IRCA is perceived as a failure because there are more illegal aliens today compared to when IRCA was passed in 1986. The cause of this failure is simply the lack of commitment and enforcement of the provisions of IRCA by the federal government. Chapter 3 of this thesis clearly shows where and how the failures occurred. More importantly, identifying and learning from the mistakes of IRCA is paramount to developing the next immigration reform bill so that the same mistakes are not repeated and to meeting the original objectives of IRCA when it was initially passed in 1986. The majority of immigrants to the U.S. are lawful citizens who have contributed to, as well as benefited from the country. But there are those who are illegally in the U.S. with no regard for the law and strong desire to take advantage of benefits at whatever cost. Thus, a nation that does not or cannot control its borders will find itself prey to aliens willing to defraud the system for jobs, welfare, free schools and health care. Using the same key tenets of IRCA, the U.S. must first secure the U.S.-Mexico border by building a fence along the entire U.S.-Mexico border. Second, it must implement improvements on the current H2 visa program by improving “approval” turnaround for “working visa” applicants and monitoring non-immigrant visas (student visa and tourist visa) more frequently. Third, it must implement a one-time “2-year Employer Sanction -Legalization Plan” to “push” those who are currently violating the law and grant amnesty to “pull” those illegal aliens eligible for targeted amnesty. After a 2-year application period, the U.S. government must increase penalties on employer sanction violations and visa overstayer violations as a major deterrence to stemming the tide of illegal migration to the U.S.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Bonilla, Mary Linda
- Description:
- The national and local economic crisis remains a serious concern to society. With one of the highest budget deficits nationwide, California Governor Edmund Gerald Brown, Jr. (Jerry Brown) is taking drastic budget saving measures. Numerous budget allocations for State agencies have been reduced. In turn, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the agency who provides services to developmentally disabled persons, as mandated by the Lanterman Act, has changed policy priorities. These changes have occurred despite the increase case loads and costs to purchase services for their clients. As the government becomes more restrictive on government assistance, the demands on nonprofit human service organizations, such as California Nonprofit Organization (CNO), have increased. Nonprofit organizations are acknowledging the reality that they can no longer rely on government funding. However, in seeking non-governmental funds, they have found that individuals, corporations, or foundations have reduced or stopped giving. In these challenging economic times, CNO is in survival mode and operating more like the private sector regarding transparency and accountability. They are engaging in organizational change and making new policy decisions to improve overall performance and help minimize the risk of further economic crisis. The overall study of this matter determined that the following policy alternatives should help CNO mitigate the problem: 1. Develop a strategic plan 2. Develop fund a development and marketing plan 3. Collaborate with a compatible nonprofit organization.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Pawloski, Michael
- Description:
- The researcher’s purpose for this community project is to meet the needs for adolescents (ages 13-18); who have been exposed to domestic violence, and create a curriculum for them that is teen-centered and creative. With the help of adolescents that come into our agency seeking treatment and employees at AAFVSA, the researcher of this study will create a drama therapy curriculum for adolescents who have been exposed to domestic violence. The term exposure to DV is defined by the researcher as: those who have experienced it 1st hand (received threats, physical attacks, or verbal/emotional assaults of DV) and those who have witnessed DV (seen DV happen to others). Therefore, when adolescents do come into the agency seeking services due to exposure of domestic violence, they have the option to do individual therapy (which is already intact at AAFVSA) and now group therapy.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Meadlin, Jenny L
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to determine the nature of the Air Force suspense management policy gap, specifically how it affects the Air Force Research Laboratory, Propulsion Directorate-West (AFRL/RZ-West) suspense control program. Then devise three alternative solutions to this gap analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative. If a policy plan is devised that only meets current needs and AFRL/RZ-West has to implement another alternative in one to five years, the solution will not have been effective enough to justify the cost of implementation. In the current economic and political climate there have been considerable pressures placed on the DOD to reduce spending and increase efficiencies. This is a major factor when determining how to change AFRL/RZ-West’s suspense management system to enable AFRL/RZ-West to be a more efficient and cost-saving organization. In this paper three alternatives were explored and the author feels that alternative three, capitalizing on current organizational knowledge to benefit AFRL/RZ-West, is the most viable taking into consideration the available time, money, and resources. The alternatives to be explored include: 1) Maintain the current policy environment; 2) Develop a Unique Suspense Management System for AFRL/RZ-West; or 3) Capitalize on Current Organizational Knowledge to Benefit AFRL/RZ-West. A program plan was devised to assist AFRL/RZ-West to implement, maintain and share the benefits of filling this policy gap. In order to implement alternative three effectively, the author suggests the following recommendations: 1) Acknowledge the need for a suspense management system 2) Define AFRL/RZ-West’s requirements for a suspense management system 3) Choose a Suspense Management System 4) Take a Top-down Approach to the Implementation 5) Report the Results of the Program to HQ AFRL Without a useful and meaningful suspense management system in place, many of the issues surrounding and resulting from the lack of policy, specific to the suspense process, begin to take their toll on the organization. Considering the largest issues of re-accomplishing work and time loss on behalf of numerous employees, the author explored three alternatives for solving this policy gap have been proposed and the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative have been identified. Properly identifying these strengths and weaknesses will allow AFRL/RZ-West to plan more strategically. If AFRL/RZ-West follows, the program plan supplied in this paper and reports the findings up the Air Force chain of command the suspense management process Air Force wide may become the focus for the next round of federal business process re-engineering.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Sparks, Tiffany Jean
- Description:
- This study examines the personal beliefs, thoughts, and opinions about the relevance of incorporating the idea of attachment theory in daily, social work practice from a population of individuals who first hand serve children placed in the child welfare system, social workers employed by the Family Services and Permanent Placement programs of the Kern County Department of Human Services. The research was conducted using a survey method. This research aimed to introduce and support the idea that applying attachment theory in child welfare policies and practice is key to improving the lives of children in the child welfare system. Results from the study indicated that social workers from the two employee programs share similar and differing opinions about the idea of including attachment theory in daily practice. Overall, two themes derived from the results; social workers determine decisions for children placed in the child welfare system on a case by case basis and what is deemed to be in the child’s best interest. Implications for further study suggest conducting surveys about the relevance of attachment theory in the family lives among those who care for these children, foster parents, and the importance of child welfare agencies providing continual trainings about attachment theory for their employees and foster parents.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Harbour, Daniel C
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to create a guide for technical review board chairperson conducting technical review boards for rocket testing performed by the Air Force Research Laboratory‟s Space Missile Propulsion Division located at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Technical review boards are independent reviews of the test programs, providing a crucial check and balance in the programs overall systems engineering and quality process. As will be discussed in the subsequent pages, current technical review boards are inefficient and of inconsistent quality. The importance of a high quality, efficient technical review has never been more important due to the modern-era challenges relating to the limited hands-on experience and fewer number of current rocket testers. Thus a paradigm shift in the way technical review boards are conducted at AFRL for rocket test programs is needed. The local guidance created from this study is intended to assist in the execution of technical review boards. The guidance created by this study can assist the technical review board chairperson in running a more efficient and effective review. The guidance includes lessons learned about complexity of organizational decision making, policies, procedures, checklist, organizational cultural change, quality assurance, and meeting management. In addition, the checklist created as part of this guidance will assist in making sure the technical review board chairperson does not overlook a critical topic for review.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Spears, Trisha
- Description:
- Since the 1960s studies have shown that food allergies in children have grown from one in one-hundred to one in twenty children being diagnosed with some type of food allergy. While these studies give an insight into the severity of the issue they are unable to determine if it is an actual increase of food allergies in children or an increase due to the fact that individuals are now more aware of these food allergies which has led to more children being diagnosed. Each year thousands of parents/guardians entrust the public school system with the care of their fragile children expecting them to be taken care of just as any other student in attendance would be taken care of. The only way to ensure that these children are protected to the fullest extent is to design and implement guidelines and school policies on how to handle fragile children within the public school system. This paper is to present a strategy and a sample guideline for public schools serving fragile children with food allergies, it includes the following: (a) the most common types of allergens and their reaction types; (b) legal aspects involved; (c) an outline of the roles and responsibilities of all individuals involved; (d) medications and procedures; (e) a review of options for training and education, and; (f) sample checklists, letters and notices for school personnel and students. This paper is to provide a better understanding of the food allergies and how to approach them. To ensure the proper care of fragile children while in attendance of the public school system it is critical for the school, school staff, and parents to work together to see that the needs of the students with a life-threatening allergy is met. In order for ensure the safety of fragile children with food allergies it is recommended that: (1) School boards review and take into consideration the significance of the purposed sample guideline; (2) For others who would like to build on the sample guideline, one of the most important things will be to contact and work with other school boards and businesses to design their own guideline for handling fragile children within the school district, and; (3) Work internally with school district personnel to customize and personalize guidelines to meet the needs of the school district.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Morris, Courtney Anna Ruth
- Description:
- Through stakeholder interviews and in-depth literature review this project explored the feasibility of creating, implementing, and maintaining a California elder abuse registry. This project aimed to formulate a white paper for the California Senior Legislature for future proposal development. Five stakeholders from across California were interviewed. Utilizing content analysis and grounded theory analysis, interview data were examined leading to the development of a model. The resulting model was a visualization of stakeholders’ knowledge and perceptions about elder abuse registry issues. The model contains three phases, integrated categories, and subcategories. The model was grounded in that data and supported by literature. The findings and resulting model support the feasibility of California creating, implementing, and maintaining an elder abuse registry. The Researcher concluded with three recommendations for future research and California elder abuse registry creation.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Baeza, Diane L
- Description:
- Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) has reached epidemic proportions in the past several decades due to the advancing age of the population, an increased prevalence of obesity, and decreased physical activity. One in every 14 Americans has diabetes, and another 40% of the population is at risk for developing the disease (Funnell & Kruger, 2004). Every year, diabetes accounts for more than 200,000 deaths, 82,000 amputations, and 44,400 new cases of end stage renal disease and up to 24,000 new cases of blindness in the United States (American Diabetes Association).Diabetes mellitus is characterized by recurrent or persistent hyperglycemia. Hemoglobin A1C measures nonreversible glycosylation of the hemoglobin molecule. HbA1c is a term often used in relation to diabetes; it is used for diabetes diagnosis and how it differs from blood glucose levels. For people with diabetes, an HbA1c level of 6.5% is considered good control, although some prefer numbers closer to non-diabetic levels. This result driven task is completed to determine the patient’s compliance level. Diabetes is a largely self-managed illness; diabetes education has long been viewed as an essential component of care. Primary care physicians provide clinical care for the majority of patients with DM but few primary care providers have the resources to assist patients to achieve the level of glycemic control needed to prevent long term complications (Graber, Elasy, Quinn, Wolff, & Brown, 2002). The purpose of this study was to identify best practices in diabetes education measured by lowering HbA1c levels. Teaching and Learning theories will help evaluate the measures of HbA1c levels in diabetes education. Areas of lifestyle behaviors assessed including health responsibility and self-management practices. A total of 64 articles were reviewed to determine and define best practices of diabetes education. The findings were that a significant improvement in healthy lifestyle practices and measuring of HbA1c levels through diabetes education. The results identified both diabetes education and intervention of clinical staff help support that diabetes education is measured through lowering HbA1c levels.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Steele, Bonita F. Eighmey
- Description:
- This work examines whether an increase in community or evidence-based mental health services for persons with a history of both mental illness and criminal justice system involvement would reduce the incarceration rate of this population. If such a correlation exists, significant savings in both systems is possible. This work is important to guide policymakers in making prudent investment of public dollars while achieving cost-effective and highly desired societal outcomes; not to mention the improved individual quality of life outcomes that might also result. A brief history of the mental health and criminal justice systems is provided in order to highlight the intertwining history and functioning of these systems. The literature review discusses the theoretical understanding of mental illness, deviance and criminality, legal standards of diminished capacity and the capacity to knowingly violate the law. The prevalence of mental illness and criminal behavior is provided as context for the demographics of persons with a history of both. The availability of mental health services within the state correctional system is discussed as well as diversion from the correctional system at time of arrest, prior to booking, before adjudication and at post-release, including several evidence-based best practices programs. Previous research has identified several personal attributes, societal characteristics and other factors that may influence the incarceration of persons with mental illness. Among these potential factors are: personal biological and cognitive attributes, prior criminal involvement as a juvenile or an adult, socio-economic status (including homelessness), crime and unemployment rates, and the improved correctional diagnosis of serious mental illness. Previous research has also identified mental health spending and utilization as directly controllable influential factors. Recently released URS state-level data for 2005 and 2006 are used to test the hypothesis that increased utilization of community based mental health services or evidence-based practice programs in 2005 would reduce the number of persons with mental illness incarcerated in 2006. Alternatively, a reduction in utilization of community based mental health services or evidence-based practice programs in 2005 would increase the number of persons with mental illness incarcerated in 2006. Regression analyses of the state-level URS data set revealed that a statistically significant relationship did not exist between the 2005 utilization of community based mental health services or evidence-based practice programs and incarceration in 2006.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Imura, Kayo
- Description:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporarily working in the United States on authorizations issued to international students. OPT allows students to remain in the country after completion of their education to obtain experiences in the professional workforce. Despite its advantages, several problems have restricted students from accomplishing the core goals of the OPT system. These problems lead more international students to stay in the county without a valid legal status. The purpose of this report is to propose a policy alternative to maximize the benefit of OPT system. Each option will be evaluated with its ability and acceptability as well as its efficiency. The final proposal is to create small agencies dedicated to support the current OPT practices.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Horn-Bunk, Sheri Marie
- Description:
- Many developments have kept the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act and the issue of undocumented college students in the news and on federal and state legislative agendas. There is an inevitable tide of growing undocumented students graduating from high school looking for college options. The paper examines the proposed piece of legislation called the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act would permit undocumented students to begin a six-year process leading to permanent legal status. Among other requirements, they would need to graduate from a U.S. high school and have entered the U.S. at least five years before the legislation is signed into law at the age of 15 or younger. To complete the process they would, within the six year period, be required to graduate from a community college, completing at least two years towards a four year degree, or serve at least two years in the U.S. military. These individuals would qualify for in-state tuition rates in all states during the six-year period. The DREAM Act would provide a path to legal residence for undocumented youth with a caveat; students would have to earn their legal status. It also would open the door to college for tens of thousands of students who have the knowledge, skills and aspirations to pursue a college degree or military training creating an available stream of educated employees as we move into the next century. The paper explores DREAM Act economic outcomes from increased high school graduation rates, legalized citizenship and work force growth. The paper recommends a change in the framing of these three outcomes and suggests with the promotion of the economic benefits of these outcomes the DREAM Act would become a law
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Pratt, Megan Renee
- Description:
- The concern of this research is that the welfare system is frequently abused and more specifically abused by individuals with drug abuse problems. According to research presented in Drug Use Among Welfare Recipients in the United States “Drug Use is 50% higher in households with welfare recipients than in nonwelfare households.” The issue with individuals with drug abuse problems receiving welfare is that it enables them to find employment and contribute to society. If welfare recipients are unable to pass a drug test for employment their chances of ever getting off welfare are slim to none. To better analyze and understand the severity and impact of drug abuse on the welfare system previous research will be examined concerning the number of individuals on welfare that have drug abuse problems. Also, to be examined is the impact of substance abuse programs on drug and alcohol use and what types of programs have higher success rates. Choosing the right substance abuse program will be critical to the over all success of this welfare reform. With the creation of a substance abuse program within welfare, caseworkers would have an appropriate place to send “troublesome substance-abusing clients.” Implementing a substance abuse program within welfare would be the best solution to this problem. Welfare recipients would periodically be drug tested. The key to transitioning people from substance abusing welfare recipients to employed and self-sufficient members of a community is a substance abuse treatment program. The at risk welfare clients would be identified with a mandatory drug test. Drug abusers are unemployable.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Garcia, Gladys
- Description:
- With the increasing number of charter schools opening throughout the United States, researchers have designed studies to explore the operation of charter schools and how they measure up to educational performance. The majority of charter schools are in urban areas and serve low income and minority students. Charter schools are public schools with autonomy to design curricula as they believe will better serve their students. Thus, because of the uniqueness of each charter school, it is difficult to measure the overall educational performance of charter schools. Despite the mixed outcomes of studies, as more data is available researchers have designed methodologies to appropriately measure the performance outcome of charter schools. Studies that use longitudinal student and school data and adjust for demographic conditions indicate that elementary charter schools are performing at or slightly above traditional public schools. Contrary to elementary charter schools, studies show that charter high schools are performing below traditional public schools. Subsequently, more research studies are necessary to determine the educational performance of charter schools in the nation. Meanwhile, current research studies serve as a framework for decision making of students and parents, administrators, state charter school regulators, and communities with charter schools.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Avila, Maria L
- Description:
- The purpose of this project is to create a psychoeducational curriculum for adolescents with type 2 diabetes. The desired outcome is for group participants to acquire knowledge, learn the management of the psychological effects of diabetes and to gain awareness of typical environmental stressors of the disease. Cognitive behavioral therapy will be utilized to treat psychological issues, such as grief and depression, in adolescent with type 2 diabetes. The overall purpose of this curriculum is to minimize psychological issues in adolescents with diabetes to reach optimal glycemic levels.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Pollack, Kellie
- Description:
- Since the first organization ventured onto social media, the median has proven to be a tour de force. According to Stone (2009), “The age of social media has empowered amateur journalists and fledgling presidents” through 140-character Tweets and “status updates” it has the power to “recruit volunteers, spread awareness, and solicit donations.” Many nonprofits have experienced huge successes utilizing social media for just these purposes. Unfortunately, for some, experiencing success on social media has been an elusive endeavor. The following thesis is an investigation of three nonprofits’ social media campaigns in order to identify essential elements needed to experience successful outcomes on social media. The study identified four capacity requirements to fully utilize all of social media’s potential: (1) understanding the varied platforms and its intended use, (2) planning events, (3) dedicated writers, and (4) having a strategy. The study also discovered seven elements that have deemed to be the precursors of success: (1) tell a story, (2) interact, (3) diversify, (4) make sharing easy, (5) make donating easy, (6) give a call to action, and (7) transparency.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Aguirre, Julieta
- Description:
- Educators today are responsible for student growth within the classroom atmosphere, just as they have been since the profession began. That has not change. What has changed is the attitude, the dedication, and the devotion that each individual gives to their teaching profession. As time passes, more and more young adults are discouraged from taking a profession in education as they feel that it is a lot of work for little pay. Work ethic in the young adult has seen a decrease over the years. This program proposal will help to understand why that is and what school districts can do to encourage employees to give only their best and keep the focus where it should always be, the children.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
62. A Policy analysis on electronic health records: meaningful use incentive for eligible professionals
- Creator:
- Ram, Pritika
- Description:
- Electronic health care systems have mainly been utilized in professions other than health care such as customer relationship management and resource planning. However, up until recently more health care systems are exploring the pros and cons of an electronic record keeping system. The HITECH Act under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, led by the CMS and ONC, proposes meaningful use among users of EHR systems in the U.S. health care delivery system as a critical national goal. In 2010, the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its EHR final rule regarding the incentive program for providers and eligible professionals. The CMS incentive program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospital (CAHs) or acute care hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade, and demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Health information technology (health IT) will make it possible for health care providers to better manage patient care through secure use and sharing of health information including using EHR instead of paper based medical records (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2011). The certification process also helps providers and patients be confident that the electronic health information technology products and systems they use are secure, can maintain data confidentially, and can work with other systems to share information. This study intends to understand the significance of implementing health information technology and EHR systems policy in health care to further understand the basis of the CMS incentive programs for providers and groups. The goals of this policy analysis are to assess current status of information technology adoption, estimate EHR system market penetration, and evaluate the barriers to EHR implementation and the economic impacts of EHR implementation. The objective of this study is to improve quality of care and patient information sharing while lowering long term costs and errors among providers and health care organizations. Additionally, this study will identify measures to determine if current or future policies are appropriate in the adoption and implementation of EHRs throughout health care delivery systems and among types of care settings.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Quintana, Diana
- Description:
- The use of medical marijuana in the United States is a debatable issue due to the different perceptions the public holds. At the state and federal level, controversies also exist on marijuana’s therapeutic value. Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), marijuana is classified as schedule I drug; meaning it may be highly abusive and has no connection with medical treatment. While the law has been in effect since 1970, sixteen states have passed medical marijuana laws allowing patients to consume the substance for certain medical illnesses. States have the power to execute these laws through the 10th Amendment. Consequently, the inconsistency of the laws has created issues between some states and the federal government. The federal government can interfere at any time with medical marijuana laws and prosecute anyone who is affiliated with the substance. In order to find a solution to this problem, the researcher has conducted in depth analysis of the existing laws and how they relate to the theory of federalism. In addition, the researcher has analyzed three alternatives and the status quo to find the most effective solution. Based on the alternatives, the researcher has selected the reclassification of marijuana to a schedule II drug as the best option. The alternative has been selected because it will create a uniform policy with the existing laws. In order for this alternative to be effective, the researcher suggests eight recommendations. The recommendations range from educating children and patients of the risks and benefits of the substance to prohibiting medically ill children from consuming the substance until more research is acquired. Additionally, the researcher advises that more research needs to be conducted on the potential effects of recreational use. This is because states may want to pass these laws in the future as it was seen in the state of California.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Moorhead, Margaret
- Description:
- School vouchers promise to improve parental choice in offering a higher quality education for their child. The primary effect of school vouchers or school choice is its tendency to increase the educational gap between the middle and upper-income and the low-income students. This policy analysis describes how the voucher system was intended to work and what is known about their actual effects on students, parents, and public schools in various areas. Research of literature regarding various implemented voucher programs in the United States and two other nations was conducted. The main purpose of this analysis was to determine if students who utilized school vouchers showed improved student achievement outcomes. The research also covers how data from the voucher programs was analyzed along with controversial analysis on the original findings. To conduct the analysis for this paper, I accessed third party information from scholarly journal articles after receiving approval from California State University, Bakersfield Instructional Review Board (IRB). The information gathered was from research articles on various voucher programs and analysis of those programs. The literature I studied revealed small but inconsistent effects of school vouchers. The programs varied by ethnicity, program structure and incentives. The research did not produce evidence that students’ achievements increased over a long-term. Recommendations developed from the analysis include: 1) changing the curriculum of the public schools or developing new academic programs; 2) getting back to basics; 3) lower the student-teacher ratio; and 4) target more resources toward states with a higher proportion of minority and disadvantaged students.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Bradford, Tanya
- Description:
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is infinite problem throughout the world. Women more so than men endure brutal assault by the men they love, trust and depend on. With regard to race in research of Intimate Partner Violence, African American women are under represented. Although findings suggest that African American women suffer higher rates of intimate partner violence over Caucasian women, African American women are more prone to the risk of violence than Caucasian Women due to many factors. Research fails to present the true extent of this serious threat and the leading factors such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, no education, no outreach programs and societal stress that allows IPV to run rampant in the African American Communities. Much more research is needed to reveal the depth of African American women experiences with intimate partner violence. IPV is a threatening problem that passes down to generation to generation. Beating women is an acceptable practice in the African American community that is over looked by many. African American women believe that they are powerless and thus do not seek help do to many reasons; racism lack of trust, undeserving, have low self esteem, are feeble, come from poor communities, have low or no education, and intergenerational effect, and shame. Although it is a crime to intentionally cause harm to another individual, African American women suffer needlessly by the hands of men they love. Society, the African American community, and the family fail to conceive that women of color are in danger from violent men by turning from the truth that IPV is a real threat. To remedy IPV, perpetrators ought to be accountable for their crimes against women by applying harsher punishment. Much more research is indeed a need to address the indisputable factors in regards to the different factors in the African American Communities that cause IPV and to reveal the true extent of IPV against African American Women.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Sweat, Hilary (Hilary L.)
- Description:
- Significant changes are coming to the United States military. The repeal of DADT would call for the elimination of the military‘s ―Don‘t Ask, Don‘t Tell‖ policy and an official normalization of homosexuality within the U.S. armed forces, persons found to have a homosexual orientation will no longer be discharged from the military. The greatest challenge posed by the normalization of homosexuality within the armed forces is not the fact that homosexual persons will serve in uniform. Given the distribution of homosexuality within the population, courageous service of homosexual persons has been the case from the beginning. Successful implementation requires strong leadership, a clear message, and proactive training and education. The repeal of DADT will introduce conflicts and concerns. The purpose of this study is to do a policy analysis of the current policy and Repeal Act of 2010 to identify the issues the Leadership will be faced with and evaluate alternatives to investigate the best possible choice for the Leadership to effectively implement normalization of sexuality in the military. It is clearly going to be a major mission for leadership to implement this change in the military, whatever the change may be. However, by keeping the military a nonsexual zone, keeping sexual orientation as personal and private matter the implementation of normalization of sexuality in the military will prove to be a safe and fair option. By comparing consequences and looking at what constraints the future may hold along with the feasibility of each alternative the best decision can be made for the armed forces. The leadership will be able to educate and train all personnel in order for an effective implementation.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Blaylock, Theresa
- Description:
- The problem is the effectiveness of youth-offender programs. To gain consistent program outcomes that reduce recidivism rates there, the criminal justice system needs accurate measures of successful rehabilitation. Today youth-offender programs are not all effective in their treatment of youth offenders. When a youth comes in to the juvenile system, it is an opportunity to effect change and proactively prevent recidivism. Youth-offender programs that are not effective are causing harm to both the youth-offender and to the government or financial backer of that program to effect a decrease in youth-offender recidivism. The harm poor-quality youth-offender programs cause is in the youth-offender’s giving up on the idea of a life free of criminal activity. Further harm is in government budgeted funding to programs that are not producing a reduction in recidivism. This includes nonprofit agencies taking donated money for the benefit of youth offenders. Programs not reducing recidivism are causing further harm to the public perception of the troubled youth that are in these programs.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Archuleta, Samantha
- Description:
- America’s future rests in the hands of juveniles. It is important to put a stop to the number of crimes being committed by juveniles and effectively rehabilitate them. Recidivism rates of juveniles released from detentions centers continues to remain high throughout the state suggesting rehabilitation programs are not working. Many juvenile institutions have been kept at maximum capacity forcing them to release detained juveniles early when they receive a new juvenile that has committed a serious crime. Many institutions currently have programs in place that attempt to provide positive reinforcements and intervention, but have failed to make a significant difference. Many of the programs that have failed to make an impact and are still in place. There are many juveniles sent back to James G. Bowels Juvenile Hall to await another conviction and possibly another commitment program. The current programs at Juvenile Hall have kept juveniles busy during their time served, but the programs currently implemented have not rehabilitated juveniles. The increasing rate of juveniles returning to Juvenile Hall suggests that implementing other programs may be what is needed to increase the number of juveniles that leave rehabilitated and reduce recidivism rates. The purpose of this policy analysis is to present alternative programs focused on recidivism rates of juveniles being re-booked in Juvenile Hall and what is causing these juvenile offenders to recidivate. These alternative programs will help to identify beneficial programs and reduce the recidivism rate of juveniles returning to Juvenile Hall. If an alternative program succeeds then Juvenile Hall will be able to effectively rehabilitate more juveniles and start reducing the currently growing percentage of juvenile recidivism rates.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- North, LaToya
- Description:
- The role of child welfare workers has been complicated with the task of treating juvenile sex offenders. With an increase in the number of juvenile sex offenders, this has become a specialty area and effective treatment requires focus beyond traditional counseling skills. This problem has been complicated since it has been challenging to find a consistent definition of juvenile sex offender. “There is not an accepted term or definition that is widely used to describe or refer to this population” (Moore, Franey, & Geffner, 2004, p.1). How can a worker learn evidenced-based treatment interventions when there is no clarity in the definition. This study reviewed the literature and developed preliminary resources for social workers and other professionals who will be working with clients who are juvenile sex offenders.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Carlile, Julie A
- Description:
- According to Wyler (2008), weak and failing states are often in conflict, at risk of conflict, or newly emerging from conflict. Poor governance, corruption, and lack of basic public services impede their stability. They do not have effective control of their territory, military, or law enforcement. In addition, weak states are unable to achieve lasting economic development. As a result, weak and failing states become safe havens for terrorist and international crime organizations. They cause regional instability and facilitate those seeking Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). These threats pose a danger to the United States and its national interests. Protecting the United States from these threats requires conducting successful nation-building operations. Nation building is critical to “winning the peace” and denying safe havens and networks to terrorists and insurgents. This is a means of integrating war and policy. According to Cohen (2005), there is reluctance to establishing stabilization and reconstruction metrics in order to measure nation-building progress. The concern is that the metrics will be manipulated to push political agenda. As a result, objective metrics for measuring the outcomes of nation building efforts in the Middle East have not been established. This study applies Cohen‟s (2006) proposed cascading model for measuring nation-building progress in the Middle East. Using this method, the metrics are linked to stabilization outcomes providing objective feedback on stabilization progress so mission planners can make better decisions. The metrics developed indicate the situation close to ground truth as possible. Additionally, this study recommends: that metrics be developed for the Transformation and Fostering phases; that outside auditors collect metric data; that metrics be critically analyzed; and that these analyses be used by decision-makers to determine nation-building progress and whether the current strategy is working.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Martinez, Priscilla
- Description:
- Because foundations have tax-exemption from the IRS, it is expected that they will meet a need that is not being met by the government. However, there are many who believe that there is a discrepancy in foundational giving in California because the perception is that foundational giving goes to select counties and others, especially those in the Central Valley, do not receive a fair amount of funding when considering similar populations and needs of the counties. To test this hypothesis, data on giving from four of the largest foundations in California for one year were gathered along with data on social needs indicators for every county in California to test whether there is a correlation between foundational giving and social needs.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Tate, Rachel
- Description:
- The purpose of this project was to provide members of the California Senior Legislature information relevant to end-of-life services in correctional institutions. This information will be used to shape policies that ensure correctional end-of-life care is commiserate with community standards as mandated by the 1996 American Correctional Association. Integration of community standards in program design ensures protection of fundamental human rights. A thorough review and analysis of current policies and services areas requiring further development were identified and recommendations offered.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Jacinto, Sarai
- Description:
- This case study analyzes the 2010 scandal in the Bell, CA regarding government salaries, property tax rates, and revenue collection practices. With an extensive literature review on transparency, accountability and access to public information, this study compares Bell’s administrators’ salaries to other cities in LA County. The case study explores tactics used by city administration to facilitate their ability to embezzle more than $5.6 million in public funds. The research indicated that residents in Bell did not act on their right to public documents that allowed city officials to operate Bell for personal gain. The City currently does not have enough money to cover core services. Recommendations that provide short and long term goals for the City of Bell are explored. The research also indicated that there is a need for a system of checks and balances at all government levels that would help reduce corruption in charter cities. Greater involvement from constituents in government affairs would be the best method to reduce corruption.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- 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:
- 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:
- Hughes, Jina D'Ann
- Description:
- Underrepresentation of African-American males as grade level rises is a major concern in education (Duggins & Acosta, 2017; Howard, 2010; Husband, 2012; Tatum, 2006; Washington, Patton-Terry, & Siedenberg, 2013). Prior studies have placed the blame on African-American males in grades k-12 for their lack of academic progress. In an effort to understand why slow achievement still exists with this subgroup, research on the struggle experienced by African American male students lacks a critical analysis of the quality of educational practices and the perceptions of teachers. Teacher expectations and perceptions can shape the engagement and self-esteem of students. Many African-American male students have been negatively impacted by unjust criticism and treatment based on teacher biases and assumed stereotypes. This case study utilized qualitative methods to examine the relationship between teacher and administrator perceptions and the performance and well-being of African-American males in third through eighth grade in a suburban school district. The goal of this study was to encourage educators in this small, southwestern school district to make well-informed decisions that promote academic growth by recognizing perceived factors that may impact overall student performance and well-being. Triangulation of participant interviews, survey results, and archival data was accompanied by a six-phase analysis method. The results of this study revealed a possible relationship between educator perceptions and the performance and well-being of African-American males in third through eighth grade in this suburban district.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Educational Leadership (DPEL)
- Creator:
- Wright, Jamal Tyrone
- Description:
- This study focused on the policy impact of SB 1456 (2012) on students enrolled in rural community colleges in California. SB 1456 (2012) was signed into law with the intent to increase student success rates that ultimately resulted in the completion of educational goals for students in California Community Colleges (CCC). In order to examine the implications of this measure, the following research questions were utilized to guide this study: 1) Is there a statistically significant interaction between race and academic year for school belonging? 2) Is there a statistically significant interaction between race and academic year for campus support? This pre-experimental study used data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) to assess SB 1456 (2012). The analyses of the data were structured using a cohort model to evaluate variances in response between the 2011 and 2014 academic years. Furthermore, the data were disaggregated by race to identify whether African-American and Latinx student responses varied from their White counterparts. As a result, race and academic year were the two factors which were considered in this study. The two outcomes for the study, support for learners and sense of belonging, were two of the five benchmarks that CCSSE measures for. To determine if there were significant interactions between the factors and outcomes, a two-way ANOVA (2 X 2) was used. Along with a two-way ANOVA (2 X 2), the researcher incorporated the Crtitical Race Theory to effectively interpet the responses of minority students. Upon running the tests, the results concluded that there were no statistically significant interaction effects between cohort years and school belonging or between race and academic year. These findings suggest that the programs, workshops, and initiatives funded by SB 1456 (2012) did not increase minority students’ sense of belonging on campus. Additionally, the results show that the programs implemented in 2012 did not lead to more minority students utilizing support services. The data also revealed that there is still a significant gap between how White students view their campus and how minority students feel on campus. However, noteworthy differences were observed in student-faculty interactions. In contrast to current literature, the data showed that minority students had enriching and constructive relationships with faculty members. Nevertheless, a greater emphasis on high-touch interaction must be included into the marrow of SB 1456 (2012). In doing so, more minority students will utilize the resources which they desperately need, which will, in turn, lead to a reduction in educational and emotional achievement gaps.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Educational Leadership (DPEL)
- 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:
- 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:
- Barajas, Daniel E.
- Description:
- Continuation high schools serve students for multiple reasons. Among them are low credit attainment, excessive absences, probation status, and discipline problems. Students in these programs often have many educational gaps. In the state of California, continuation high schools have been an educational option for this vulnerable student population since 1919. This segment of the school system seeks to offer students with diverse educational challenges and obstacles a second opportunity to complete their education. Presently, there is little research connected to the success of continuation high school graduates’ level of persistence in any type of higher education. This study examined the influence teacher-student relationships had on a particular group of continuation high school students who, in spite of challenges associated with continuation-education deficit mindset, were able to attain academic success in higher education. The study sought to explore how the practices of comprehensive high school sites intersected with those of a specific continuation high school. Social Capital and Critical Race Theory provided the conceptual lens to analyze teacher–student relationships. The researcher captured students’ and teachers’ perceptions in order to analyze how their interactions and relationships could be strengthened to ensure student academic success and provide continuation high school students with options upon high school graduation.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- San Marcos
- Department:
- Education
- 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
- Creator:
- Iverson, Rebecca Anne
- Description:
- The textual, biographical and historical inquiry into Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre will center on the explicit and implicit Christianity of the novel and how it was possibly influenced by Charlotte Bronte's own unconventional religious perspective. The questions that I will explore deal with the brand of Christianity and social idealism with which Bronte was brought up, and how this is reflected in the text. Biography here is used to evaluate Bronte's attitudes concerning a multitude of Christianities, both prevalent and fledgling during the mid-eighteen hundreds. I will contextualize her faith, in hopes of broadening and enhancing our understanding of the text, and thus challenge aspects of the readings by critics who see her apparent feminism as a direct challenge to Christianity, (which they construe as a singular and monolithic social phenomenon). In chapter one I will contextualize Charlotte Bronte through the religious and social climate of her time and her own beliefs as they are revealed in her biography and letters. I will focus on the varying religious motifs of the novel as they are exemplified in the main characters. Chapter two will center on the character of St. John Rivers. Chapter three with Edward Rochester. Chapter four concerning Jane Eyre. At this point in my research, I have come to believe that Bronte studies in the recent past and present (1970's on) focus mainly on the feminist aspect of Jane Eyre while the Christian component is often marginalized or misunderstood.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- English
- Creator:
- Stock Stotler, Darlene
- Description:
- A study of equivocation will yield that this practice commanded a vast amount of attention during the Renaissance, the time period of 1450-1600, in which Jesuitical equivocation was an ongoing phenomenon. The practice became part of the Renaissance era's ideology; however, since the Greek suffix "logy" signifies "the study of," the term ideology is not as specific, nor does it explain the role ofJesuitical equivocation in relation to the Renaissance as accurately as another term: the episteme. A brief discussion of the episteme is necessary to discover its relevancy to the puns William Shakespeare used in his Porter Scene in the tragedy Macbeth. An episteme (Greek for "knowledge") is most clearly defined by the new historicist scholar Michel Foucault as a verbal device that involves "[a] network ofdiscursive practices--of thoughts, concepts, and cultural codes-dominant during a given historical period; and ... the rules governing the transformation of those practices" (Murfin 149). Placing an emphasis on the phrase "rules governing" is extremely illuminating in identifying the interplay between the Jacobean monarchy that held public disdain, and executions of, Jesuits. The persecutions forced subjugated Jesuits to the point that ordinances, such as confessions, needed some form of protection, hence Father Henry Garnet's treatise regarding equivocation . This imbalanced reciprocity of a monarchy instilling fear in religious leaders illustrates Foucault's "transformation of ... practices" and is the basis of the Foucauldian concept of the episteme. Applying Foucault's theory to the Porter Scene reveals the way Shakespeare's satirical puns mirrored the Jacobean episteme of the blatant hatred directed at Catholics and the Jesuits.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- English
- Creator:
- Sergi, Stephanie Lynne
- Description:
- In this thesis, I seek to resolve the debate over Tiresias’s ability to unify The Waste Land by offering a new perspective—Tiresias as a Modernist Maypole. I propose that Tiresias’s inability to perfectly coalesce the different voices and themes within the poem is not due to an authorial failing but is instead an imperfect unification that may suggest a modernist view of unity. In short, the thesis focuses Tiresias in regards gender, prophecy, and mythology. This thesis argues that Tiresias fails to completely unify The Waste Land; nevertheless, it also maintains that he can, in fact, fuse the poem’s fragments in an unusual way. Tiresias allows for a nuanced view of the poem’s structure by suggesting incomplete connections hidden in the numerous vignettes. An image of a maypole can illustrate this modernist view of unity. A traditional maypole consists of a fixed pole that has ribbons or streamers extending down from the top, and the end of each ribbon is held by a person. Then, the people dance around the pole weaving the ribbons together. In contrast, a modernist maypole would lack some of these ribbons, and others may be frayed or torn. In The Waste Land, Tiresias is the stationary maypole; however, some of the ribbons connecting him to the other characters in the poem are either torn or missing. In true modernist fashion, the maypole, Tiresias, unifies the work by suggesting what it might have been.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- English
- Creator:
- Martinez, Lauren Elizabeth
- Description:
- Originally published in 1898 in serial form, The Turn of the Screw has undergone many incarnations. The short story was published again, complete with a preface, in Henry James’s New York Edition, 1907-1909. The version I have chosen to use, edited by Robert Kimbrough, is based directly on this edition: “The first section of the present volume contains the only critical edition of The Turn of the Screw ever published and is the first modern text to follow the New York Edition, the one which had James’s final authority” (Kimbrough, ix). Kimbrough includes the notes that accompanied the serial version, as well as several of James’s personal letters about the story as well. Rather than choose sides and argue for or against the Governess’s sanity, I am studying James’s stylistic choices not to solve the debate over the ghosts’ existence, but to determine how, lingusitically and rhetorically, James created this unanswerable dilemma. Richard A. Lanham’s Analyzing Prose will serve as a starting point for my stylistic analysis, and I supplement with Aristotle’s theories of rhetoric. James wrote in his New York edition preface that this story is “a piece of ingenuity pure and simple, of cold artistic calculation, an amusette to catch those not easily caught (the “fun” of the capture of the witless being ever but small), the jaded, the disillusioned, the fastidious” (120). My interest lies not in what ambiguity he created, but rather in how.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- English