Research implications in the prevention of child abuse and neglect

Child abuse and neglect is a problem of vast proportions. Research on the effectiveness of child abuse and neglect prevention programs is critical for the provision of effective and efficient services. This paper provides a critical analysis of the research methodologies on child abuse and neglect prevention programs at the secondary and tertiary levels, as represented in the empirical literature. The paper begins by outlining the levels of prevention, and by describing child abuse and neglect prevention programs, as published in the empirical literature. This paper then goes on to describe and analyze the research conducted on these programs, to identify gaps in research, and to suggest ways to improve the rigor and validity of future research. Conclusions drawn include a call for greater quantity and quality of research on child abuse and neglect prevention programs, including the increased use of comparison groups, larger sample sizes, and a research design with follow-up measurement

Book review: Taking a stand: A guide to peace teams and accompaniment projects

This easy-to-read book presents the “nuts and bolts” of participating on a peace team or accompaniment project in a violence stricken area of our globe. If you’re looking for an introduction to a very “gutsy” kind of peacemaking, then this is the book is for you. If you’re a firm supporter of U.S. policies, then this book may not be so palatable. Written by a Quaker and long-time peace activist, this book outlines many of the questions that may arise for someone considering participation on a peace team or accompaniment project, with a motivational bent towards encouraging this type of activity. The text is sprinkled liberally with quotes from active peacemakers, as the author did her homework by talking with many organizations and participants in the preparation of her manuscript

Teaching and learning social work practice skills through the use of triads

This article presents a structured way to teach and learn social work practice skills in an undergraduate or foundation practice class. Triads provide the opportunity for students to develop practice skills and confidence as they experience firsthand the role of a social work practitioner. Written from both the perspective of the instructor and the student, this article examines how triads can be used to teach, apply, and reinforce skills in each of seven areas of the problem-solving model: engagement, assessment, planning/contracting, intervention, evaluation, closing, and follow-up, with additional opportunity given to applying skills related to social work values, ethics, and diversity. . The article discusses confidentiality and dual relationships as they relate to this teaching method and the risks and challenges to the use of this approach for both instructor and student

Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect: An Evaluation of a Home Visitation Parent Aide Program Using Recidivism Data

Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the secondary and tertiary prevention of child abuse and neglect through an evaluation of the Parent Aide program at the Child Abuse Prevention Center in Dallas, Texas. Method: Using a quasi-experimental, retrospective research design, this project compared abuse recidivism rates for those parents who completed, dropped out, or refused to participate in a home visitation child abuse prevention program. Results: Parents who completed the Parent Aide program had fewer subsequent, substantiated reports to Child Protective Services (CPS) of child abuse or neglect than those parents who refused to participate or dropped out of the Parent Aide program. Conclusions: A home visitation Parent Aide program can be effective in reducing the risk for child abuse and neglect at the secondary and/or tertiary level. Treatment integrity remains a critical issue, especially initial engagement of parents and participant attrition

Book review: Practice-based research in social work: A guide for reluctant researchers

Social work students are typically reluctant to engage in research. The Research Partnership model takes a service-learning approach, allowing students to work with data from a community agency and resulting in a final paper with all the sections of an empirical journal article. Use of this model in teaching social work research enhances student motivation, learning, and skills through hands-on activities within an authentic context, and by using group support with individual accountability, structured and incremental learning opportunities, and teaching from a strengths-based perspective

Overcoming MSW Students’ Reluctance to Engage in Research

Social work students are typically reluctant to engage in research. The Research Partnership model takes a service-learning approach, allowing students to work with data from a community agency and resulting in a final paper with all the sections of an empirical journal article. Use of this model in teaching social work research enhances student motivation, learning, and skills through hands-on activities within an authentic context, and by using group support with individual accountability, structured and incremental learning opportunities, and teaching from a strengths-based perspective

Treating Suicidality in African American Adolescents with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Methods for preventing adolescent suicide are surveyed, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is explored as a method for serving suicidal African American adolescents. Strengths, limitations, and compatibility of CBT with social work values are examined. Although CBT shows much promise in helping suicidal African American adolescents, research on the efficacy and effectiveness of CBT with this population is lacking. Suicide risk and protective factors and social inequities are evaluated as they relate to African American adolescents generally. In addition to relieving suicidal symptoms, CBT potentially could facilitate social liberation for this population

2019 Evaluation Report for Omaha Girls Rock–A Youth Empowerment Organization

Purpose of Evaluation Omaha Girls Rock invited Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to assess processes and outcomes for the 2019 Girls Rock summer camp program. STEPs evaluators endeavored to discover the degree to which Girls Rock achieved program outcomes of growth mindset, confidence, skill development, teamwork, and future focus for participants in their 2019 summer camp. STEPs evaluators accomplished this by 1) observing and recording behaviors during a full day of camp programming, 2) analyzing camper survey data and demographics provided by Girls Rock, and 3) conducting post-camp phone interviews with the parents or guardians of camp participants

Rape Prevention and Education 2021: Principles-Focused Evaluation Measurement Tools

Throughout 2020, sexual violence (SV) preventionists across Nebraska came together to identify prevention principles for Nebraska RPE. Preventionists identified and agreed upon the following eight prevention principles

DOP Coroners’ Study 2021 Final Report: Assessing Coroners’ Needs

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) partnered with Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to assess the needs of Nebraska county coroners in conducting drug overdose death investigations. This is the third year DHHS has partnered with STEPs to assess coroners’ needs. To develop a clear understanding of Nebraska county coroners’ needs, STEPs conducted an online survey of the 91 county coroners who are serving 93 Nebraska counties, according to Nebraska DHHS’s internal data. STEPs administered the survey on June 13, 2021 and closed it on August 17, 2020. 22 coroners fully or partially completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 22%. Coroners from each behavioral health region submitted responses