Unauthorized Immigrants in California: Estimates for Counties

Estimates changes in unauthorized immigrant populations between 2001 and 2008 by county and zip code, including percentage of total population. Discusses the challenges of obtaining accurate counts and implications for policy

Out-of-School Immigrant Youth

Describes the population of out-of-school immigrant youth in California and the subset of this group served by California's Migrant Education Program. Suggests ways to target services, improve future data collection, and enhance program organization

Illegal Immigration

Provides data on the number of illegal immigrants in the United States, countries of origin, areas of settlement, demographics, reasons for immigrating, economic role, and fiscal impact, as well as public attitudes and the immigration policy debate

Increasing Low-income Residents’ Access to Fresh Produce through a Local Mobile Pantry

Seeds that Feed (STF) is a mobile food pantry located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. STF receives produce from local farmers to distribute to residents in low-income housing sites throughout Northwest Arkansas. According to Feeding America, food insecurity affected 14.3% Washington County, Arkansas’ population in 2016. The purpose of this study was to determine if STF’s model is an effective way to increase individuals’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables and increase their potential to meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Patterns (USDA-FP) for to fruit and vegetable consumption. Twenty-three participants from three sites completed the study. A survey was used to collect basic demographics and dietary patterns. Record was taken of what foods each participant received on the survey day including plans for preparation and to whom it would be served. All anonymous responses were statistically analyzed using Excel. The results indicated that the likelihood to meet the USDA-FP for overall fruit and vegetable intake increased significantly after receiving approximately one cup of fruit and 1 ½ cups of vegetables from STF. A positive correlation was found between the number of times participants received produce from STF and participant’s total fruit intake and total intake of the “red/orange” and “other” vegetable subgroups. Therefore, STF’s model appears to be an effective method to increase access to fresh produce. Future research could utilize STF’s model to assess the potential for other supplemental nutrition programs to help low-income residents meet the USDA-FP and reduce food insecurity via mobile pantry

Immigrant Legalization: Assessing the Labor Market Effects

Assesses the effects of a legalization program for unauthorized immigrants on the labor market, tax revenues, and public assistance programs. Estimates immigrants' economic mobility by visa status and skill level as well as eligibility for benefits

Did Employer Sanctions Lose Their Bite? Labor Market Effects of Immigrant Legalization

Taking advantage of the ability to identify immigrants who were unauthorized to work prior to obtaining Legal Permanent Resident status, we use the New Immigrant Survey to examine whether lacking legal status to work in the U.S. constrains employment outcomes of illegal immigrants. With the exception of high-skilled unauthorized immigrants, the data fail to reveal evidence of improved employment outcomes attributable to legal status. In light of evidence that unauthorized immigrants experienced increased wages as a result of receiving amnesty through the 1986 Immigration and Reform Control Act during the 1990s, we interpret the results as evidence of ineffective employer sanctions.unauthorized, illegal, undocumented, immigration, legalization, amnesty

Educational Progress Across Immigrant Generations in California

Explores the disparities in levels of educational progress among different immigrant population groups in California. Examines factors that influence educational attainment among youth by race, ethnicity, and generation. Includes policy considerations

Applying neurobiology to the treatment of adults with anorexia nervosa

BackgroundAnorexia nervosa is a severe, biologically based brain disorder with significant medical complications. It is critical that new, effective treatments are developed to interrupt the persistent course of the illness due to the medical and psychological sequelae. Several psychosocial, behavioral and pharmacologic interventions have been investigated in adult anorexia nervosa; however, evidence shows that their impact is weak and treatment effects are generally small.MethodThis paper describes a new neurobiological anorexia nervosa model that shifts focus from solely external influences, such as social and family, to include internal influences that integrate genetic and neurobiological contributions, across the age span. The model serves as a theoretical structure for a new, five-day treatment, outlined in this paper, targeting anorexia nervosa temperament, which integrates neurobiological dimensions into evidence-based treatment interventions. The treatment is in two phases. Phase I is a five day, 40 hour treatment for anorexia nervosa adults. Phase II is the follow-up and is currently being developed.ResultsPreliminary qualitative acceptability data on 37 adults with anorexia nervosa and 60 supports (e.g., spouses, parents, aunts, friends, partners, children of anorexia nervosa adults) are promising from Phase I. Clients with anorexia nervosa and their supports report that learning neurobiological facts improved their understanding of the illness and helped equip them with better tools to manage anorexia nervosa traits and symptoms. In addition, nutritional knowledge changed significantly.ConclusionsThis is the first neurobiologically based, five-day treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa and their supports. It is a new model that outlines underlying genetic and neurobiological contributions to anorexia nervosa that serves as a foundation to treat both traits and symptoms. Preliminary qualitative findings are promising, with both clients and supports reporting that the neurobiological treatment approach helped them better understand the illness, while better conceptualizing how to respond to their traits and manage their symptoms. Data in Phase I shows promise as a neurobiologically based intervention for anorexia nervosa, and it serves as a foundation for the development of Phase II. Evidence of ongoing program efficacy will be described as data are reported on Phase II.Trial registrationNCT NCT02852538 Registered 1 August 2016