Te Whakaruruhau Transition and Wellbeing programme: An implementation evaluation

Based on the recognition that many women who come into refuge have few options but to return to the sort of environment in which they have been abused, the Transition and Wellbeing programme aims to provide medium to long term housing for families as they re‐establish themselves in the community. Data for the evaluation of the programme was collected from two main sources; the women on the programme and key informants at Te Whakaruruhau. Five women, two of whom are housed in transitional accommodation were interviewed individually, while focus groups were conducted with middle and senior management teams. The completion of the interviews enabled the development of a programme logic, which describes the ‘theory’ of the programme. The model details the activities or what the programme does. These activities include linking women to programmes and resources, providing practical support, addressing specific cultural needs and the availability of quality advocates. These activities are built on foundational values, such as, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and wairuatanga. The programme is only made possible with internal and external inputs. Of the external inputs, funding contributions are considered vital to the functioning of the programme. The women’s perspectives identified varying outcomes from their participation in the programme. The logic model details the intended outcomes in the short, medium and long‐term, reflecting personal, relational and community wellbeing. Short term outcomes include improved communication, improved self‐esteem, improved confidence and personal growth. Medium outcomes saw (re)engagement in training, education and for some, (re)entry into the workforce. Long term outcomes related to the establishment of a sustainable life style free from violence. The participants did not see a need to modify the programme in any significant way. Some did think that it could be usefully extended by adding to the existing activities a hands on, artistic approach. Programme developers may consider more creative ways in which to assess and measure the impact of the programme. Finally, it is suggested that the programme could benefit from a more systemic assessment process to determine whether women are “ready” to enter it

Dystonia: opportunities to gain insights into underlying pathophysiological mechanisms

Dystonia is one of the most common movement disorders, a core component of the isolated and combined dystonias as well as contributing to the motor phenotype of several neurodegenerative movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. In spite of this, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying dystonia remain poorly understood with the current thinking centered on a circuit-based disorder, with altered synaptic plasticity impacting higher neuronal circuits and networks. In this review, we discuss three publications with distinct approaches in attempting to elucidate these mechanisms. These articles also highlight how the combination of gene discovery, cellular assays, and systems-based analysis can each contribute to building an understanding of complex disorders

Idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder: a potential gateway to the development of disease-modifying treatments in neurodegenerative disorders

Idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavioural disorder (RBD) is classified as one of the REM parasomnias with clinical characteristics including unpleasant dreams, acting out of dreams, and loss of the typical muscle atonia during the REM phase of sleep. Other associated clinical features include olfactory loss, dysautonomia, colour vision impairment and subtle Parkinsonian signs. RBD has been shown to predict development of an alpha-synucleinopathy in 20–45 % of patients within 5 years, and up to 92 % within 14 years post-diagnosis. Hence, this disorder provides a potential opportunity for understanding the prodromal stages of the synucleinopathies and exploring efficacy of potential neuroprotective agents

Tailoring University Counselling Services to Aboriginal and International Students: Lessons from Native and International Student Centres at a Canadian University

Critics have suggested that the practice of psychology is based on ethnocentric assumptions that do not necessarily apply to non-European cultures, resulting in the underutilization of counselling centres by minority populations. Few practical, culturally appropriate alternatives have flowed from these concerns. This paper reviews experiences from a doctoral-level practicum in counselling psychology that targeted aboriginal and international university students outside of the mainstream counselling services at a western Canadian university over a two-year period. It recommends an integrated approach, combining assessment, learning strategy skills, and counselling skills while incorporating community development methodology. The paper concludes with recommendations for counsellor training that will enhance services to both international and aboriginal students.  Certaines critiques ont suggéré que la pratique de la psychologie est basée sur des hypothèses ethnocentriques qui ne s’appliquent pas nécessairement aux cultures non européennes, avec pour résultat que les centres de consultation psychologique sont sous utilisés par les minorités ethniques. En pratique, peu d’alternatives adaptées culturellement ont découlé de ces préoccupations. Ce texte passe en revue l’expérience d’un practicum de niveau de doctorat sur la thérapie psychologique qui visait des étudiants universitaires autochtones ou étrangers à l’extérieur du réseau traditionnel des services de thérapie dans une université de l’ouest canadien sur une période de deux ans. Il recommande une approche intégrée combinant évaluation, compétences en stratégie d’apprentissage, et compétences de conseillers tout en incorporant une méthodologie de développement communautaire. Le texte conclut par des recommandations pour de la formation de thérapeutes qui va améliorer les services aux étudiants autochtones et étrangers

Sounding The Trumpet: Educating For Jubilee

Series 7: Altadena, Southern California / Jubilee (2000-2012): English Files, Notebook 8https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/kinsler-tee/1052/thumbnail.jp