What is the Effectiveness of Occupation-based Reentry Programs in Reducing Recidivism for Previously or Currently Incarcerated Individuals?​

Currently and formerly incarcerated individuals are those who are or were previously confined to a federal, state or local penitentiary, prison, jail, reformatory, work farm, juvenile justice facility or other correctional institution secondary to a criminal conviction or other legal offense. Compared to other countries, the United States experiences the highest rates of incarceration as evidenced by economic spending of nearly $182 billion each year with 2 million individuals incarcerated at any given time. The preceding high rates of incarceration negatively impact society on a financial level, regarding federal spending and healthcare costs related to common diagnoses of those incarcerated, familial level, and community level regarding safety. The purpose of this analysis was to critically appraise various types of occupation-based reentry programs for previously or currently incarcerated individuals to determine which programs were most effective in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration into society. Outcome measures included records of reincarceration, rearrest, substance use, and continued participation in criminal activity. The analysis revealed that multimodal reentry programs did not significantly reduce recidivism and were inconclusive. Reentry programs focused on either employment training or role fulfillment for incarcerated parents as a single intervention demonstrated significant reductions in recidivism rates following reentry into society. All interventions warrant further research and investigation regarding costs, specific protocols, and time constraints required to make interventions meaningful and sustainable

What is the Effectiveness of Sensory-based Interventions on Physiological Improvements for Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)?

What is the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions on physiological improvements for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)? ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is intended to support infants who were born prematurely, have critical health conditions, and experience cognitive and physiological delays. Worldwide there are 1 in 10 babies born prematurely each year with premature births indicating an increased risk of mortality and morbidity. Preterm infants in the NICU may have difficulty with feeding, low birth weight, and a high risk of developmental delays in addition to behavioral and learning problems. Sensory-based interventions have been indicated to have long-term and short-term implications on physiological and cognitive development among premature infants in the NICU. AIM: This critically appraised topic (CAT) is aimed at determining the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions on physiological improvement for infants in the NICU. METHODS: Literature search analysis led to the inclusion of Level 1A systematic and metanalysis studies regarding sensory-based intervention on physiological improvements for infants in the NICU. Studies were further analyzed to include literature that was published within the last five years which met the following outlined criteria: infants in the NICU receiving sensory-based interventions provided by a healthcare worker or parent to improve physiological outcomes. Five total studies were included which met the established standards. RESULTS: Five Level 1A research articles provided strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions in promoting physiological improvements in infants in the NICU. Kangaroo care was associated with significant clinical benefits, including enhanced vital signs, reduced stress, improved heart rate, better oxygen saturation, stabilized body temperature, and improved sleep organization. Swaddle baths were shown to reduce stress and support positive physiological outcomes, while sponge baths offered comparable benefits. Massage therapy using appropriate pressure contributed to weight gain, improved vital signs, and better sleep patterns. Interventions such as skin-to-skin contact, kangaroo care, and massage therapy have minimal to no adverse effects on physiological outcomes

Critically Appraised Topic

BACKGROUND: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) impact an estimated 2.8 million people every year. Populations at higher risk include children, older adults, and veterans. Visual impairments are a frequent symptom following a TBI and can include impaired saccades, convergence, tracking, and accommodation. This can impact functions such as activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as dressing, eating, reading, writing, school and work activities. AIM: This critically appraised topic (CAT) is aimed at determining the effectiveness of vision-based interventions on desired client outcomes for clients who have sustained a TBI. MEHTODS: Literature search analysis led to inclusion of Level 2B and 3B studies regarding the prioritized aim. Studies were further analyzed to include literature within the last ten years which met the following outline criteria: people with a TBI participated in vision interventions to improve client identified desired outcomes. Seven total studies were included which met the established standards. RESULTS: Levels 2B and 3B research completed on vision interventions for people with TBIs showed significant decreases in vision-related symptoms and moderate improvements in vergence, accommodation, visual attention, and tracking. These lead to moderate improvements in reported desired occupational performance such as reading, ADLs, and work-related activities

Journal of Religion and Society

Religious differences in socioeconomic status (SES) are crucial for understanding inequality and the religious landscape in the United States. This paper updates the state of the field on SES rankings by examining income and wealth disparities across seven major religious groups: white Catholics, Latino Catholics, white mainline Protestants (MPs), white conservative Protestants (CPs), religious nones, Black mainline Protestants, and Black conservative Protestants. Findings reveal that: (1) white Catholics have SES parity with white MPs, with some indications that white Catholics could surpass white MPs on key income and wealth measures; (2) white Catholics have significantly higher income and wealth than Latino Catholics, underscoring SES disparities among Catholics; (3) white CPs have higher SES than in the past, surpassing Latino Catholic SES; (4) white religious nones and white Catholics have comparable SES; and (5) Black Protestants have significantly lower income and wealth than other religious groups. This study offers a comprehensive, contemporary view of how religion intersects with economic status, providing insights into how religious identity and SES are associated.2

Improving Psychosocial Care of Adolescent Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract Purpose: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to identify adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at risk for mental health comorbidities and promote psychosocial referrals. Background: Adolescents with T1D are twice as likely to experience depression as their peers without diabetes, and one in three report significant diabetes-related distress. Untreated depression and diabetes distress can worsen diabetes self-management, leading to higher A1C levels, reduced quality of life, suicide ideations, and chronic complications. Validated screening measures can improve access to psychosocial services. Sample/Setting: Adolescent T1D patients (ages 12-18) receiving pediatric diabetic specialty care in two outreach endocrine clinics in the Pacific Northwest. Methods: To identify youth at risk for depression or diabetes distress, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Problem Areas in Diabetes Survey Teen (PAID-T) were administered during routine endocrine visits. Project developed clinical care algorithm guided social work and psychology care escalation for those who scored at risk (PAID-T ≥ 44 and PHQ-9 ≥ 5). Results: Over eight weeks, 67 eligible patients were screened. In total, 37 (55.2%) were screened using the PAID-T, and 28 (41.8%) with the PHQ-9. Six patients (16.2%) scored 44 or higher on the PAID-T, indicating diabetes distress, and 14 patients (50%) scored 5 or higher on the PHQ-9, indicating depression risk. There was a strong relationship between PHQ-9 scores and PAID-T scores (r(26) = 0.70, p < 0.001). No patients screened positive for diabetes distress without screening positive for depression. Fourteen patients (37.8%) met referral criteria for care escalation; 85% of patients who received referrals were contacted within 24 hours. The PHQ-9 identified three (10.7%) youth with suicide ideation. According to the PAID-T screening tool, sadness, overwhelm, anger, and social support challenges were identified as the most prevalent themes of diabetes-distress. Conclusion: The PHQ-9 and PAID-T are both effective methods for identifying adolescents with T1D who may be at risk for depression and diabetes-related distress. PHQ-9 scores of 5 or higher also identified youth with diabetes distress, suggesting that the PHQ-9 can be used as a stand-alone screening tool for both depression and diabetes distress. Assessing suicidality is essential for this vulnerable population. Prompt psychosocial referrals in outpatient endocrine clinics are likely to enhance long-term diabetic outcomes for adolescents diagnosed with T1D. Keywords: type 1 diabetes, adolescents, depression, diabetes distress, psychosocial comorbiditie

Journal of Religion and Society

Between January to April 2023, at least 417 anti-LGBTQ bills had been introduced in state legislatures in the United States. Many of these bills focus on transgender care or gender affirming care and attempt to legislate against such care. The contemporary social change in the United States and elsewhere towards recognition of the reality and lived experience of transgender people and the medical treatment and care which they seek often conflicts with, and is opposed legally and morally by, religious perspectives on human sexuality and traditional doctrinal teachings. That conflict is clearly on display in recent official Catholic teaching. On March 20, 2023, the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) weighed in on this culture-war issue and issued its own statement, a Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits of Technological Manipulation of the Human Body. In this essay, we analyze that Note and agree with Daniel Horan’s assessment that the Note is a “disaster.” We offer theological, biblical, anthropological, scientific, and experiential critiques of it to sustain that charge.2

American Bar Association, Law Student Division, Negotiation, Regional Co-Champion, 2024-2025.

ABA American Bar Association Law Student Division Negotiation Regional Co-Champion 2024-202