Self-Represented Litigants and Civil Case Dispositions in Missouri: An Impact Analysis

Access to justice is an important issue for the Missouri judiciary as it is for many other states. The issue fostered several recent national initiatives,1 including a 2010 Department of Justice Access to Justice Initiative.2 Part of the agenda for that initiative involves identifying ways to ensure fair and just outcomes for all parties to a case. Some observers of the judicial system have expressed concern that self-represented litigants may not experience fair and just outcomes. As part of Missouri’s own access-to-justice initiatives, this study was undertaken to understand how self-representation impacts outcomes in civil cases. About half the cases filed in any given year in circuit (general jurisdiction) courts involve civil matters. To access the courts for resolution of problems with a legal nature, citizens generally need adequate financial resources to pay for legal representation and court costs. The financial crisis of 2007 to 2008 and the ensuing economic downturn created new groups of individuals facing difficult circumstances and reinforced the vulnerabilities of some groups who historically lived in impoverished conditions.3 The challenge for the courts in these times has been to provide access to justice when citizens have inadequate financial resources or, for other reasons, a lack of the legal resources needed to resolve their problems in court

Asset accumulation strategies in 3 new settlement Missouri communities

"'Recent developments in the cultural identity literature can help us to move beyond a deficits approach to viewing culture not an obstacle but as a resource from which individuals draw to create strategies to function in various domains in society (Berry 2003). This approach shifts our attention to looking at what the newcomers offer and leads us to ponder how we can engage them in the future development and prosperity of the new settlement communities.' (Asset Accumulation Strategies, 2006) Vision - Newcomers and their families integrated to their new settlement communities; Thriving communities; Pluralism"--Premise.Includes bibliographical references

Effects of parental imprisonment on child antisocial behaviour and mental health: a systematic review

Parental imprisonment can cause many problems for the family left behind, including difficulty organising childcare, loss of family income, trouble maintaining contact with the imprisoned parent, stigma, and home, school and neighbourhood moves. Children and parents can be distressed by the separation. Children may respond by acting out or becoming withdrawn, anxious or depressed. We conducted an exhaustive search for studies that examined children's antisocial behaviour and mental health after parental imprisonment. We found 16 studies with appropriate evidence. These studies all showed that children of prisoners are more likely than other children to show antisocial and mental health problems. However, it was unclear whether parental imprisonment actually caused these problems. They might have been caused by other disadvantages in children's lives that existed before parental imprisonment occurred. Children of prisoners are a vulnerable group. More research is required to determine whether or not parental imprisonment causes an increase in child antisocial behaviour and mental health problems

Self-Represented Litigants and Civil Case Dispositions in Missouri: An Impact Analysis

Access to justice is an important issue for the Missouri judiciary as it is for many other states. The issue fostered several recent national initiatives,1 including a 2010 Department of Justice Access to Justice Initiative.2 Part of the agenda for that initiative involves identifying ways to ensure fair and just outcomes for all parties to a case. Some observers of the judicial system have expressed concern that self-represented litigants may not experience fair and just outcomes. As part of Missouri’s own access-to-justice initiatives, this study was undertaken to understand how self-representation impacts outcomes in civil cases. About half the cases filed in any given year in circuit (general jurisdiction) courts involve civil matters. To access the courts for resolution of problems with a legal nature, citizens generally need adequate financial resources to pay for legal representation and court costs. The financial crisis of 2007 to 2008 and the ensuing economic downturn created new groups of individuals facing difficult circumstances and reinforced the vulnerabilities of some groups who historically lived in impoverished conditions.3 The challenge for the courts in these times has been to provide access to justice when citizens have inadequate financial resources or, for other reasons, a lack of the legal resources needed to resolve their problems in court

Asset accumulation strategies in 3 new settlement communities (final report)

Research was conducted in three regions of Missouri. Contracts were signed with local organizations to facilitate research through the project's life. An advisory board included researchers from six states. Qualitative phase: A certificate of confidentiality and IRB approval were obtained February 2007. Four graduate students fluent in Spanish were trained as facilitators. Case study interviews (16 men and women) focused on migration and settlement experiences. Focus groups (7 sessions, 51 subjects) informed on networks and climate perceptions. Photovoice (3 sets, 24 subjects) elicited data on climate of reception. All sessions were recorded, transcribed and translated to English. Quantitative phase: A Household Survey was developed based in part on the qualitative findings. Instruments were pilot-tested with 40 subjects. After IRB approval, 15 trained bilingual enumerators conducted 460 interviews between November 2008 and August 2009. Community facilitators and researchers coordinated recruitment/interview strategies, as trust was essential in an adverse immigration climate. Data entry was finalized in September 2009. The resulting unique qualitative and quantitative data sets are very likely the largest ever obtained directly from Latino immigrants in rural areas. Four journal articles were submitted; three published/accepted, and five are in preparation. Highlights include: Model presented at the American Agricultural Economics Association August of 2008, published. Analysis of the case studies of women newcomers published in The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education. Job satisfaction article accepted in the Journal of Career Development. Photovoice manuscript submitted to Intl. Journal of Qualitative Methods Measurements of acculturation, identity, social capital, subjective well being, and context of reception evaluated and included in analyses of networks and wellbeing, of factors impacting on job satisfaction, and of factors affecting income. Survey analyses presented at a plenary and 3 breakout sessions to 180 stakeholders from 10 states at Cambio de Colores 2009, and plenary and 4 session at Cambio 2010. Photovoice panels presented at community forums in the three regions, and at professional venues. Photovoice technical and best-practices manual completed. Dissertation research (Dozi) defended Aug. 2010. Research presented at multiple professional venues in the U.S. in 2010. Findings presented at the Missouri Catholic Conference in 2009. The last year of the project has focused on estimation of models, the case study manuscript, and forums to return the information to the participant communities and stakeholders. Completed research was shared in six community forums in September 2010, including presentations and handouts with the findings for each community. Stakeholders included members of Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce, directors of hospitals, churches, schools, long time residents and newcomers. In-Service Training was developed for University Extension. Website of the project includes many papers and presentations. Five additional manuscripts will be submitted to journals in early 2011

Asset accumulation strategies in 3 new settlement communities (report Y1)

Food manufacturing, agro-industries, construction, services and tourism, major pull factors in rural migration result in growth in non metro regions of the Midwest. This creates challenges for many small communities; it also provides new opportunities. Failure may result in an itinerant labor force, or a segment of population who remain marginalized, reducing the quality of life of the entire community. The main objective is to identify factors that facilitate or impede economic integration. A sustainable livelihoods framework examines how immigrants use their capitals (economic, human, social, and cultural) in income earning strategies, and how the community climate influences their integration. Case studies, focus groups and photovoice elicit the social networks, the range of strategies to accumulate assets, and visually capture community climate for integration as perceived by the newcomers. Nine hundred adults are interviewed the second year on income earnings and sources, assets, and their assessment of well-being. Models and indicators for asset accumulation and economic integration are tested in year 3. Results are disseminated at the Cambio de Colores Conference, summits, workshops, and publications for the academic and practice communities, such as a handbook on integration indicators for community development, a training manual, policy briefs and a book of community case studies.Includes bibliographical references

Asset accumulation strategies in 3 new settlement communities (report Y3)

Year 3 focused on two activities: analysis of qualitative data, and development and completion of a household survey for quantitative analysis. Qualitative data was gathered from men and women through 16 case studies, 7 focus groups, and 3 PhotoVoice projects: case studies inform about migration and settlement; focus groups inform on types of networks to find jobs, settle, and improve wellbeing, and about perceptions of receiving communities. PhotoVoice data, gathered from 24 participants, elicited perceptions of how welcoming the communities are and the barriers faced in becoming part of the community. Findings from the focus groups were presented at several venues, especially the stakeholder conference Cambio de Colores, where extension, researchers, community organizers and policy makers learn about research and best practices of the changes driven by migration. Analysis of the case studies of women newcomers focused on mobility and wellbeing, and published in The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, which prepared two special issues targeting policy makers about immigration policies and the impact on the U.S.- Mexico border. PhotoVoice project results were presented at community forums in the three regions, and at other venues. A manuscript about the methodology for Photovoice when working with vulnerable populations was completed and submitted to a journal. Draft of a Photovoice technical report and best practices manual was also completed. Several analyses were prepared for Cambio de Colores: a plenary session on Change and Integration, and three breakout presentations and proceedings papers covering the model of sustainable livelihoods, the role of networks on wellbeing, and perceptions of community climate. The household survey entailed training and coordinating interviewers who traveled to three regions. Coordination with community facilitators was a critical first step to develop a recruiting strategy. The qualitative data findings informed the construction of the questionnaire and the strategies for its implementation. The PhotoVoice panels were used to explain the purpose of the survey at Community Forums, to organizations and community members to help recruit participants. The immigration policy climate challenged the research process, and required building trust with key community people who are trusted by the newcomers. The strategy combined snowball sampling in neighborhoods working with key community facilitators in the three regions, and visiting a variety of places such as churches, places of work, and where people gathered for recreation. A total of 460 questionnaires were completed between November 2008 and August 2009. Data entry was finalized at the end of September. Analysis of a sample of 240 individuals interviewed from two regions was presented at Cambio de Colores 2009, where approximately 180 stakeholders gathered to share research findings and best practices about settlement experiences of Latinos in the Midwest. Findings were also presented at the Missouri Catholic Conference in September, significant because churches are key builders of bridges for newcomers into the communities.Includes bibliographical references

Genetic Transmission Effects and Intergenerational Contact with the Criminal Justice System: A Consideration of Three Dopamine Polymorphisms

Parental incarceration has been linked to a wide range of negative intergenerational consequences, including involvement in the criminal justice system. Prior research indicates that those who experience episodes of parental incarceration during childhood are significantly more likely to report contact with the police, arrest, conviction, and incarceration. There remains, however, considerable debate as to whether these relationships are causal or merely correlational. Although many theoretical frameworks offer guidance in understanding these associations (e.g., social learning, strain, labeling), less work has focused on genetic risk factors. Using data from a nationally representative sample of American youth, we conduct a series of analyses to assess whether genetic risk factors, measured by three dopamine polymorphisms (DAT1, DRD2, and DRD4) confound the association between paternal incarceration and child’s arrest and incarceration. Results suggest that genetic risk may confound the relationship between father’s incarceration and child’s arrest but not incarceration. These findings are discussed relative to theoretical development and existing empirical evidence. Directions for future research in this vein are also presented