The Use of Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Persons with HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse: A potential Health Benefit

This study investigates Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services related to competitive employment closure among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), and Hispanics with HIV/AIDS and substance use disorder (SUD). Data of 4150 was extracted from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) database. Descriptive statistics and multi-variate analysis showed consumers who received SSI and Medicare were less likely to be employed than those who did not, and, NHW who received rehabilitation counseling and guidance benefited the most compared to NHB who did not. Rehabilitation counselors can assist minorities with HIV/AIDS and SUD secure employment given the positive effects of employment for this population. Health professionals should consider incorporating employment, using VR services in their treatment strategies, while making sure clients with different racial ethnicity background benefit equally from all VR services

Determinants of Self-Efficacy among Individuals who are Hard-of-Hearing

Self-efficacy plays an important role in their lives of the estimated 48 million Americans who report having some degree of hearing impairment, helping them navigate through a myriad of communication challenges. The purpose of the present study was to assess the levels of self-efficacy in this disability group by examining an array of social, psychological, spiritual, disability, and demographic variables. A total of 114 persons who identified as hard-of-hearing took part in an online survey. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to answer the research question. The proposed regression model explained 24.7% of variance in self-efficacy among individuals who are hard-of-hearing. Specifically, educational attainment, internal locus of control, spirituality/religiosity, social support, and employment status are the five significant predictors of self-efficacy. Finally, implications for rehabilitation practice and research are discussed

Life of Shong Lue Yang: Hmong 'Mother of Writing' (Keeb Kwm Soob Lwj Yaj: Hmoob 'Niam Ntawv').

The life story of Shong Lue Yang and the Vietnam War as seen from the under side is told here by two of Shong Lue's followers now living in the United States. Shong Lue was messianic figure who emerged among the Hmong people of Vietnam and Laos in 1959. He was assassinated and his movement violently crushed in 1971. The text is in three languages--Pahawh Hmong (Shong Lue's system), White Hmong, and English--presented simultaneously so that they may be compared.Southeast Asian Refugee Studies Project. Occasional Papers, Number Nine

Redux: Empirical Validation of Medical Equipment Replacement Schedules in Life Care Plans

The present study sought to update and validate the replacement schedules of various durable medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology (AT) commonly cited in life care plans. For life care plans used in litigation, the 1993 Daubert decision, which placed more onus on testifying experts to rely upon empirically-supported and generally accepted literature in their field, increased the need for evidence-based research. In this study, 127 sales representatives and equipment repairers across the United States were contacted to participate in a survey to explore whether replacement values found in similar research conducted in 2005, had significantly changed. Frequency data were analyzed in terms of ranges, median life expectancy of equipment, replacement parts needed for equipment, and current price ranges for equipment, repairs and maintenance. Implications for life care planners are discussed

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Language Acquisition and Acculturation Efforts for Immigrants and Refugees in Minnesota - Executive Summary

The purpose of this report is to examine what is available in Minnesota to help new Americans learn English and the extent to which language classes also incorporate acculturation skills and activities. The McKnight Foundation is interested in understanding how immigrant and refugee parents acquire language and acculturation skills to complement their own cultural parenting values and practices, so they can be more effective parents in their new country. The Foundation's overall goal is to help refugee and immigrant families integrate/assimilate into their new home while preserving their family strength and keeping the family intact. The Foundation believes that parents have responsibility for nurturing their children. In order for immigrant and refugee parents to help their children, they need to be empowered with adequate tools to complement and support their own parenting skills. Often, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes may be the first and only contact immigrant and refugee adults have with Americans