Is this it? Speculation on the end of a marriage during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal #61 from Media Rise's Quarantined Across Borders Collection by Susan C. Frazier-Kouassi. From United States. Quarantined in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (West Africa).The hope and survival of a marriage confronting the COVID-19 pandemic behind closed borders doors.Media Rise Publications. Quarantined Across Borders Collection. Edited by Dr. Srividya "Srivi" Ramasubramanian

Issue Editor Reflection

This special issue of the Journal of Family Strengths enhances the conversation related to interventions that will be most helpful to assist our African American and Latino males be successful in the classroom. Unique to this issue is a series of Prospectus from the Field op-ed pieces from emerging scholars and seasoned administrators. As we consider the impact of low academic achievement on African American and Latino males throughout the P-20 educational continuum, we are delighted to feature new perspectives on this critical issue in this special issue

Capacity building for evidence-based decision making in local health departments: Scaling up an effective training approach

Abstract Background There are few studies describing how to scale up effective capacity-building approaches for public health practitioners. This study tested local-level evidence-based decision making (EBDM) capacity-building efforts in four U.S. states (Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington) with a quasi-experimental design. Methods Partners within the four states delivered a previously established Evidence-Based Public Health (EBPH) training curriculum to local health department (LHD) staff. They worked with the research team to modify the curriculum with local data and examples while remaining attentive to course fidelity. Pre- and post-assessments of course participants (n = 82) and an external control group (n = 214) measured importance, availability (i.e., how available a skill is when needed, either within the skillset of the respondent or among others in the agency), and gaps in ten EBDM competencies. Simple and multiple linear regression models assessed the differences between pre- and post-assessment scores. Course participants also assessed the impact of the course on their work. Results Course participants reported greater increases in the availability, and decreases in the gaps, in EBDM competencies at post-test, relative to the control group. In adjusted models, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in ‘action planning,’ ‘evaluation design,’ ‘communicating research to policymakers,’ ‘quantifying issues (using descriptive epidemiology),’ and ‘economic evaluation.’ Nearly 45% of participants indicated that EBDM increased within their agency since the training. Course benefits included becoming better leaders and making scientifically informed decisions. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential for improving EBDM capacity among LHD practitioners using a train-the-trainer approach involving diverse partners. This approach allowed for local tailoring of strategies and extended the reach of the EBPH course.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109528/1/13012_2014_Article_124.pd

Is this it? Speculation on the end of a marriage during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal #61 from Media Rise's Quarantined Across Borders Collection by Susan C. Frazier-Kouassi. From United States. Quarantined in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (West Africa).The hope and survival of a marriage confronting the COVID-19 pandemic behind closed borders doors.Media Rise Publications. Quarantined Across Borders Collection. Edited by Dr. Srividya "Srivi" Ramasubramanian

PROTOCOL: Effectiveness of parent-engagement programs to reduce truancy and juvenile delinquency: A systematic review

This review aims to synthesize the evaluation evidence for parent-engagement programs that focus on reducing juvenile truancy as the primary outcome. Delinquent behavior will be assessed as a secondary outcome when included. This objective is guided by the following research questions: (1) what is the effectiveness of parent-engagement programs for children in preschool (ages 4–5) through secondary education (ages 13–19) on primarily (a) reducing student truancy (i.e., unexcused or unauthorized absence) and secondarily (and when included) (b) reducing delinquent behaviors? (2) Is there variability in the effectiveness of parent-engagement programs across moderators such as gender, age, grade levels, settings, and contexts? (3) What factors (e.g., groups, settings, and contexts) explain the variability in the effectiveness of engagement programs in a multivariate framework?

PROTOCOL: Effectiveness of parent-engagement programs to reduce truancy and juvenile delinquency: A systematic review

This review aims to synthesize the evaluation evidence for parent-engagement programs that focus on reducing juvenile truancy as the primary outcome. Delinquent behavior will be assessed as a secondary outcome when included. This objective is guided by the following research questions: (1) what is the effectiveness of parent-engagement programs for children in preschool (ages 4–5) through secondary education (ages 13–19) on primarily (a) reducing student truancy (i.e., unexcused or unauthorized absence) and secondarily (and when included) (b) reducing delinquent behaviors? (2) Is there variability in the effectiveness of parent-engagement programs across moderators such as gender, age, grade levels, settings, and contexts? (3) What factors (e.g., groups, settings, and contexts) explain the variability in the effectiveness of engagement programs in a multivariate framework?