Research and Coordination of Monterey County Community Action Partnership Strategic Planning Process

The Monterey County Community Action Partnership (MCCAP) is a publicly operated Community Action Agency supported by the Monterey County Department of Social Services (MCDSS). MCCAP primarily serves low and middle-income individuals and families. The macro-level problem is that too many people are living below the poverty level in Monterey County. The micro-level problem that will be addressed by this project is the MCCAP commissioners are lacking in their efforts to carry out their required duties and responsibilities. The purpose of this project is to provide information and assistance for the MCCAP commissioners to develop the agency’s bi-annual strategic plan. The expected, short term outcome for the MCCAP strategic planning process is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of strategic planning in a public agency. The assessment evaluates and compares the process of strategic planning. MCCAP commissioners should continue to follow the action steps developed in the strategic planning process to reach their agency goals

Ecological Factors Promoting Academic Resilience of Latina Students

To enhance the academic success of Latina students, researchers and educators must move away from focusing on deficits and risks and concentrate more on student potential and environmental support, which have been found to successfully open pathways to academic achievement. By shifting the focus, stakeholders can gain an understanding of the educational experiences of Latina students considered on a pathway of educational failure and the processes that can contribute instead to their academic resilience. In this qualitative study, I investigate the ecological factors that influence and impact the academic resiliency of Latina students. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory of Human Development serves as the theoretical framework. Focusing on in-depth interviews with six high school seniors and six social support providers, I examine the perceptions and experiences of these seniors, and will reveal how each of the ecological systems helped foster pathways of resiliency. This qualitative study also fills the research gaps in the fields of Latina youth, academic resiliency and educational achievement with the goal to distinguish methods that support resiliency rather than limit the focus to identifying characteristics of resilient children. Implications include how educators can cultivate academic environments that nurture the resiliency of Latina students

Asthma in Vermont Dairy Farmers

Introduction. Although 5.4% of the Vermont population participates in agriculture as an occupation, little data exists on the prevalence of asthma in Vermont dairy farmers, due to inadequate sample sizes. Previous studies have shown dairy farmers are at risk of respiratory illness due to unique exposures intrinsic to their occupation. We conducted a study to assess the prevalence of asthma in dairy farmers in Vermont, to understand rates among this population and potential occupational risks.Methods. We distributed a paper survey modeled after previously-validated surveys, such as the BRFSS, to farmers at Vermont Farmer Bureau meetings, farmers markets, and individual farmers through Cabot Creamery. Out of 309 distributed surveys, we received 176 completed surveys for a response rate of 57%.Results. Self-reported asthma rate in dairy farmers was 21% (22% in dairy only farmers), with 90% of these cases reported as confirmed by a doctor. Of non-dairy farmers, 11% self-reported experiencing asthma. Farming activities associated with exacerbation of asthma symptoms were milking, prepping or cleaning bedding, and haying. 31% of dairy-only farmers reported symptom exacerbations due to these occupational triggers.Conclusions. The prevalence of asthma in Vermont dairy farmers is one of the highest reported rates in any Vermont occupation. Our data suggest that certain occupational exposures may increase risk of asthma and warrant further study; certain farming practices were associated with exacerbation of respiratory symptoms in farmers diagnosed with asthma. These findings and further research can assist in development of health care and preventive health measures for farmers.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1238/thumbnail.jp

Mentoring in Coach Education: The Importance of Role Models, Context and Gender

© 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Accepted for publication in Sports Coaching: A Theoretical and Practical Guide,17/12/2019.The aim of this chapter is to explore the key mentoring experiences of Lois Fidler, a female international youth coach and UEFA Professional Licence (UEFA Pro) holder. In this chapter, we specifically focus upon Lois’s mentee experiences in preparing to coach women’s international youth football teams, as part of her learning journey. The chapter is divided into three sections. Section one briefly reviews contemporary literature in coach learning, coach education and mentoring in sports coaching. Section two examines Lois’s mentoring experiences in practice. Section three outlines future recommendations for mentoring practice.Peer reviewe