Nonprofit Leadership Development: A Model for Identifying and Growing Leaders Within the Nonprofit Sector

Offers step-by-step guidance on identifying future challenges, the core leadership competencies needed to meet them, and a pool of potential leaders; assessing their skills; and creating a tailored leadership development program with frequent feedback

The Relationship Between Health Department Accreditation and Workforce Satisfaction, Retention, and Training Needs

BACKGROUND: To improve quality and consistency of health departments, a voluntary accreditation process was developed by the Public Health Accreditation Board. Understanding accreditation's role as a mediator in workforce training needs, satisfaction, and awareness is important for continued improvement for governmental public health. OBJECTIVE: To compare differences in training needs, satisfaction/intent to leave, and awareness of public health concepts for state and local health department staff with regard to their agency's accreditation status. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study considered the association between agency accreditation status and individual perceptions of training needs, satisfaction, intent to leave, and awareness of public health concepts, using 2017 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data. Respondents were categorized on the basis of whether their agencies (at the time of survey) were (1) uninvolved in accreditation, (2) formally involved in accreditation, or (3) accredited. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression models found several significant differences, including the following: individuals from involved state agencies were less likely to report having had their training needs assessed; staff from accredited and involved agencies identified more gaps in selected skills; and employees of accredited agencies were more aware of quality improvement. While state employees in accredited and formally involved agencies reported less job satisfaction, there were no significant differences in intent to leave or burnout. Differences were identified concerning awareness of various public health concepts, especially among respondents in state agencies. CONCLUSIONS: While some findings were consistent with past research (eg, link between accreditation and quality improvement), others were not (eg, job satisfaction). Several self-reported skill gaps were unanticipated, given accreditation's emphasis on training. Potentially, as staff are exposed to accreditation topics, they gain more appreciation of skills development needs. Findings suggest opportunities to strengthen workforce development components when revising accreditation measures

Using iPads to Increase Students’ Letters and Letter Sounds Knowledge

This action research was carried out to determine if the use of an application named Phonics Island would help student knowledge of letters/letter sounds increase. The research was completed in a full day Primary Montessori classroom of 4k and 5k students. Data was gathered using teacher observation and teacher made checklists. Data on students’ feelings toward learning letters/letter sounds was also assessed to see if students’ thoughts about letters changed after incorporating technology. Students were given an iPad for approximately fifteen minutes per day. The letters were grouped in categories, and the researchers chose which group the student needed to complete for the day. The students did show growth over the course of the sixweek study, but it is hard to determine if the growth was due only to the use of the iPads. During the six weeks, the researchers also gave many teacher-led lessons, and the students also completed many student-led, independent lessons that did not include technology. The researchers believe the outcome was due to a combination of iPad lessons, teacher led lessons, and independent lessons. More research could be conducted to test how influential the iPad lessons are by having a control group that received only iPad lessons for a few weeks

Standardizing Evaluation Methods for Simulation

Background: Evidence suggests that student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) benefit from simulation in the educational curriculum (Turcato, Roberson, & Covert, 2008). When simulation is implemented into coursework, it is important to evaluate student learning and perceptions (Adamson & Kardong-Edgren, 2012), however, there are few standardized instruments available (Adamson et al., 2012; Doolan et al., 2016). Objectives: The goal of this project was to provide the foundation for standardizing simulation evaluation tools within a midwestern university’s school of nurse anesthesia. Methods: A presentation on the Value Analysis Model was developed through extensive use of the literature and collaboration with a content expert. As participants were walked through a fictional scenario, they learned how to write evaluations, interpret data, and calculate return on investment. The presentation was attended by simulation-focused faculty from the university, anesthesia students, and members of the St. Louis Simulation Interest Group. To promote project sustainability, a binder with information and resources on the Value Analysis Model was given to simulation faculty at the university for future use. Results: Surveys were designed using the Value Analysis Model and responses were kept anonymous. Participants agreed that the material presented was important, relevant to their work, useful, and applicable. Participants also agreed that they gained a basic knowledge of the topic and how to apply it to simulation. Conclusions: This project served as the first step toward developing standardized evaluation instruments for the university department of nurse anesthesia

Half of New Hampshire Residents Buy Local Farm Food at Least a Few Times a Month, But Engagement Varies by County

Getting local farm food to customers in ways that make financial and logistical sense for both farmers and consumers has long challenged the growth of direct-to-consumer sales. And despite a surge of interest in local foods spurred by the pandemic, there have been few data sources available to farmers and local food advocates for measuring consumers’ contemporary engagement with local food systems and market types. In this brief, Jess Carson, Analena Bruce, and Isaac Leslie describe data collected in the May 2021 Granite State Poll and find that while more than 80 percent of Granite Staters report buying local farm food at least a few times a month (“occasionally”) in the past year, there is significant variation in engagement across the state. New Hampshire consumers along the Vermont border are especially likely to occasionally buy local farm food, while Coös residents report especially low rates. There is also a sharp divide in the types of markets that Granite Staters describe as easily accessible, and despite the pandemic, in-person options like farm stands and brick-and-mortar stores were most often identified as easily accessible. The authors suggest that their findings provide useful information for farmers and food advocates by revealing opportunities to widen and deepen New Hampshire customers’ engagement with local farm foods

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in the postpartum period: a case series

Background: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) may present in either the antepartum or postpartum period and is often indistinguishable from other pregnancy-associated diseases. Timely recognition and appropriate treatment can greatly reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Cases: This case series describes two cases of aHUS in the post-partum period, the difficulty in distinguishing the diagnosis, and the implementation of appropriate treatment with eculizumab, a terminal complement inhibitor. Conclusion: As a terminal complement inhibitor, eculizumab, has been shown to significantly improve clinical and long term renal outcomes, early diagnosis of aHUS is increasingly important. These two cases of aHUS demonstrate the path of accurate diagnosis and timely initiation of therapy to maximize the possibility of patient recovery

Fuel for Fun: Cooking with Kids Plus Parents and Play

Fuel for Fun: Cooking with Kids Plus Parents and Play is an integrated research, extension, education project targeting 4th-grade students. Its long-term goal of reducing the risk of childhood obesity will be addressed by promoting healthful food and activity environments, policies and behaviors through: 1) evaluating the efficacy of a 4th grade comprehensive school-based intervention, 2) designing, implementing, and evaluating a family-based intervention, 3) applying it to an after-school setting to broaden its reach, and, 4) disseminating both versions through outreac

Sexual Wellness and Rare Disease Considerations: A Behavioral Case Conceptualization and Approach to Counseling Treatment

Sexual wellness is infrequently addressed with individuals with a rare disease. Counselors must be competent in working with sexual wellness issues, especially those related to medical conditions, since clients may not share those concerns with healthcare providers. This article presents a case scenario involving a client living with a rare disease called Hereditary Angioedema, the symptoms of which present challenges to her intimate and sexual relationship with her partner due to unpredictable and painful swelling. A behavioral theoretical lens is used to conceptualize the case scenario and inform treatment. Implications for counselor competency, interdisciplinary collaboration, and client empowerment toward advocacy are discussed

Assessment of students’ crisis communications skill increase based on classroom instruction and Second Life™ training

Crisis communication training and skill development are critical to ensure the sustainability of the agriculture industry. The purpose of this study was to assess students’ perceptions of knowledge, ability, and skills on select crisis-related skills, tasks, and activities in order to identify the potential effectiveness of a Second LifeTM (SL) simulation. Pre- and post-test data were collected to determine the potential changes in skill in the seven crisis communication constructs of (a) related knowledge; (b) mass, group, and intrapersonal communications; (c) contingency planning; (d) use of related supplies and tools; (e) identifying learning and training needs; (f) related areas of expertise; and (g) personality traits. Participants also identified their SL Performance Expectancy as it pertained to crisis communications training. Of the population of study (N = 15), 12 usable pairs (n = 12) were analyzed and described in the findings. Participants identified their current competency level in each of the crisis communication skill areas using a 6-point Likert-type scale that ranged from “no knowledge/experience” to “expert”. A grand mean was calculated for each construct with differences between pre- and post-test scores being examined. The resulting difference in each of the seven crisis communication constructs represented a large effect when comparing pre-test/post-test scores. Based on data, participants increased in knowledge, ability, and skills on associated items. Each item could be used to improve a communicator’s ability to effectively manage a crisis. Virtual worlds appear to be an effective training mechanism and additional research should be focused in this area

Localized Intravascular Coagulopathy of Venous Malformation Involving the Labia as a Mimic of Child Sexual Abuse: A Case Report

Given location and relative rarity, ano-genital injuries in children often prompt concern for maltreatment. We present a case of localized intravascular coagulopathy as a complication of venous malformation, which mimicked abusive trauma leading to an evaluation for maltreatment. Comprehensive assessment identified the underlying medical cause. This case represents an example of the importance of objective assessment in unusual case presentations to ensure diagnostic accuracy, and appropriate direction of medical and child protection resources