Performance Audit of Nevada’s Child Welfare System Final Report for the Legislative Counsel Bureau Audit Division Pursuant to A.B. 629

Assembly Bill 629 of the 2007 Nevada Legislature mandated that a performance audit of Nevada’s child welfare agencies be conducted. This legislation was passed in response to documented concerns regarding the appropriate provision of services by the agencies, including inconsistent data and multiple safety issues. The UNLV Research Team comprised of staff from the Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy, the School of Social Work and the William S. Boyd School of Law was hired by the state to conduct the audit. The purpose of the findings and recommendations of this audit are to assist in improving the Nevada child welfare system. Pursuant to A.B. 629, this study includes multiple components, including, but not limited to: Random, unannounced site visits to the agency offices to review open and closed cases. This review included the Unified Nevada Information Technology for Youth (UNITY) and paper files concerning children reported as neglected or abused. Interviews with child welfare agency supervisors and/or managers, and agency administrators. Focus groups with direct practice workers from all three jurisdictions to gleaninformation regarding barriers and suggestions for improvement. Review of each region’s policies and procedures to determine whether they adhere to applicable state and federal regulations. Review of recommendations from various independent reports to ascertain whether the recommendations were successfully incorporated into practice. Law and policy analysis, including a review of each agencies’ policies and procedures

Suicide in an ageing UK population: problems and prevention

Purpose Suicide can be an emotive, and at times, controversial subject. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the social, health, personal, and cultural issues that can arise in later life and the potential reasons for suicide. It will analyse already recognised risk factors of suicide in older adults and focus on improving knowledge about the social meaning and causation of suicide for older people. It will also consider suicide prevention policies, their practice implications, and whether they are successful in protecting this potentially vulnerable cohort. Design/methodology/approach A synopsis of available literature in the form of a general review paper of suicide of older adults. Findings There is evidence that the ageing process often leads to a set of co-morbidities and a complex and diverse set of individual challenges. This in turn equates to an increased risk of suicide. There is no easy answer to why there is evidence of a growing number of older adults deciding that suicide is there only option, and even fewer suggestions on how to manage this risk. Social implications The entry of the “baby boom” generation into retirement will lead to the potential of an increase in both suicide risk factors and older adults completing suicide. This is on the background of a demographic surge which is likely to place additional pressures on already under-resourced, and undervalued, statutory and non-statutory services. Originality/value A literature search found very little information regarding older adults and suicide risk, assessment, treatment or prevention. </jats:sec

ONE Client Survey : Cohorts 1 and 2, 2000-2001

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The ONE Survey was part of a research project conducted by a consortium led by SSD, consisting of the Policy Studies Institute (PSI), the Tavistock Institute (TI)and the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB). This part of the project was the 'client survey': a survey of people claiming certain social security benefits. The fieldwork was split between ONS and BMRB. The project also included a number of qualitative studies. Both the survey and the qualitative studies were part of a programme of research designed to evaluate the ONE service: a new approach to benefit provision. This new service was being piloted in 12 Benefit Agency areas. The research was commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of itself and Jobcentre Plus (previously called the Employment Service and the Benefits Agency). It was part of the Government's Welfare to Work strategy to encourage those claiming benefit to think about work and to provide help in the form of access to a Personal Adviser and relevant services. The main aims of the ONE client survey were : to examine the effect of ONE on the proportions of different groups of claimants who come off benefit and move into work, training or education; to examine the effect of ONE on attitudes to work and overcoming the barriers to working; and to examine clients' views about the service provided. The analysis compared the progress of ONE participants in the respective trial areas, with similar groups in the control areas.Main Topics:The questionnaires covered the effects of the ONE service on movements away from benefits and into work, training or education and clients' views about the service provided

Cultural Context of Youth Suicide: Identity, Gender and Sexuality, 2006

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.This project explored how young people think about suicide and self-harm. Specifically, it considered how young people's understandings of how distress relating to gender identity or sexuality could lead to suicide. It adopted a discourse analytic approach, understanding that suicidal behaviour becomes possible only insofar as it makes sense. The study also focused on struggles young people may experience around sexuality and gender identity and how these struggles may lead to suicidal behaviour. The research involved 11 focus groups and 13 interviews with participants aged 16-25 years. The fieldwork took place in the North West of England and South Wales. Three focus groups were made up of young people who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGB or T). Seven interviewees identified themselves lesbian, gay or bisexual. Further information about the research can be found at the project's web site or ESRC award web page.Main Topics:Youth, suicide, self-harm, sexuality, gender identity, homophobia, identity, gender, sexual orientation, suicide, adolescents, ideation