Investing in Workforce Program Innovation: A Formative Evaluation of Five Workforce Organizations' Experiences During the Human Capital Innovation Fund Initiative

In this report, Investing in Workforce Program Innovation: A Formative Evaluation of Five Workforce Organizations' Experiences during the Human Capital Innovation Fund Initiative, we describe the five organizations' experiences planning, implementing, and adapting new strategies. Investing in Workforce Program Innovation offers insights into the complex work of developing and maintaining relationships that cross institutions. We discuss factors grantees considered when identifying partner organizations, the approaches they used to find common ground and work effectively together, and the ways in which partnerships evolved and deepened over time. We describe how organizations cultivated long-term relationships with employers to not only inform workforce program design and promote job placement, but also to engage employers to reflect upon their hiring and employment practices. Finally, we discuss the ways in which HCIF-supported organizations tailored comprehensive and ongoing supports to the unique needs of their participants to help them succeed in and beyond training programs

Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Developing Successful Interventions for the Classroom

Previously an abundant amount of research has been undertaken concerning interventions that should or should not be used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity-Disorder. The problem with prescribing and implementing interventions lies in the controversies that surround them. The number one controversy surrounds the issue of whether or not stimulant medication, commonly Ritalin, should be used as an intervention. A literature-based research approach and original research in the form of a survey and subsequent observations were used to discover whether stimulant medication should be used within the classroom and what forms of classroom interventions and modifications teachers and researchers are suggesting for success. The following research supports both sides of the issue concerning stimulant medication and emphasizes that the prescribing of medication and the development of interventions should be done on individual levels. The hope is that this research will help teachers, parents, and doctors alike in understanding the disorder, deciding whether medication will be useful for a particular student, and aid in the development of successful interventions

Effectiveness of school-based exercise programs on childhood obesity

Childhood obesity has increased over the past four decades. It is crucial for officials to increase awareness and implement a course of action regarding this issue. There are several complications that arise from childhood obesity including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver disease, reproductive conditions, heart disease, mood disorders, cancer, dyslipidemia; childhood obesity often results in obesity throughout adulthood. Children spend a substantial amount of time at school, therefore, schools become an ideal place to establish interventions to combat the health concern. A study was conducted and proved to be effective at decreasing body mass index (BMI) in school-aged children, while increasing fitness levels through physical education and recess activities. Improved cardiovascular health and wellness knowledge was accomplished over one school year after implementing the program. School is an ideal setting for physical activity programs as it is compulsory for children to attend, staff members possess the knowledge and ability to deliver effective interventions, and structure is in place to allow the time for physical activity to occur

Retention Among New Graduate RNs With and Without Transition to Practice Nurse Residency Programs

Question: Does a structured nurse residency program affect the rate of retention among newly graduated RNs? Hypothesis: A structured nurse residency program will impact the retention of new graduate RNs. Methods: Articles reviewed for RN retention rates for nurses with and without nurse residency programs. Results: Research supports that transition to practice (TTP) programs have been successful in new graduate RN retention rates. TTP programs help the new graduate develop skills to cope more effectively with their transition and lead to healthier, more balanced careers. Typical TTP programs were generally 12 months in length, had a dedicated program coordinator and a preceptor acting as a mentor. RNs participating in a nurse residency program provided by Vizient/AACN were shown to have a 90.4% retention rate when compared with the national average of 82.5%. Components of residency programs included leadership modeling, promoting well-being, resilience, and work-life balance. Tools used to support well-being included journaling, reflection, huddling, identifying a peer, finding joy in work, expressing gratitude and positivity. Conclusion: Findings demonstrated an increase in resilience, highlighting the importance of providing a resiliency program for new graduate nurses. New graduate RNs staying beyond two years reported that a healthy work environment, a supportive workplace, and a sense of belonging all contributed to their decision to stay. Implications: TTP programs are successful at increasing retention rates among new graduate RNs. Further work should focus on identifying the best TTP structure for use at Rochester Regional Health and promote a resiliency approach versus a theoretical task-layered approach.https://scholar.rochesterregional.org/nursingresearchday_2023/1007/thumbnail.jp

Community Structure in Congressional Cosponsorship Networks

We study the United States Congress by constructing networks between Members of Congress based on the legislation that they cosponsor. Using the concept of modularity, we identify the community structure of Congressmen, as connected via sponsorship/cosponsorship of the same legislation, to investigate the collaborative communities of legislators in both chambers of Congress. This analysis yields an explicit and conceptually clear measure of political polarization, demonstrating a sharp increase in partisan polarization which preceded and then culminated in the 104th Congress (1995-1996), when Republicans took control of both chambers. Although polarization has since waned in the U.S. Senate, it remains at historically high levels in the House of Representatives.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures (some with multiple parts), to appear in Physica A; additional background info and explanations added from last versio

Special Issue: 2020 Research Data Access and Preservation Summit

The Journal of eScience Librarianship has partnered with the Research Data Access & Preservation (RDAP) Association for a third year to publish selected conference proceedings. This issue highlights the research presented at the RDAP 2020 Summit and the community it has fostered

Delirium Education for Family Caregivers of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study

Objectives Delirium, an acute change in mental state, seen in hospitalized older adults is a growing public health concern with implications for both patients and caregivers; however, there is minimal research on educating caregivers about delirium. Utilizing family caregivers to assist with delirium management in acute care settings demonstrates improved health outcomes supporting the need for patient and family centered care. The primary aims of the study were to determine feasibility of implementing a delirium education video for caregivers of patients in an adult oncology intensive care unit and compare delirium knowledge to caregivers in a control group. Methods A quasi-experimental design comprised of 31 family caregivers of adult patients in an oncology intensive care unit to determine feasibility of implementing a delirium education video. Results The results demonstrate feasibility of implementing a caregiver education video in-person and virtually. While total delirium knowledge scores were not statistically significant, knowledge gained within the delirium presentation subgroup was significant (p = .05). Conclusion This study demonstrates feasibility of implementing a caregiver education video and findings support further research in this area. Innovation Collaborating with caregivers to develop virtual video education for delirium allows for a versatile approach to connect with caregivers to support their caregiving role

COMMUNICATING HEALTH INFORMATION TO DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS

Paper presented at the 1st International Symposium on Understanding Health Benefits and Risks: Empowering Patients and Citizens Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland May 29, 200