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- 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:
- 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
- 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
37. 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