Promoting Positive Family Interactions: Evaluating a Free Early Childhood Book Distribution Program

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program encourages reading among families of preschool children by mailing age-appropriate books, once per month, until the age of five. An evaluation of a DPIL program in a southern state in the U.S. was conducted to assess the impact on enrolled children. Focus groups were conducted and a survey was administered to over 100 parents of children in the program to determine parents’ satisfaction with – and assessment of – the program relative to its activities and stated outcomes. To what extent the program promoted reading in the family, and children’s enjoyment of reading and school readiness was explored. In addition, family communication styles and relationships were assessed relative to these outcomes. The parents reported that the program introduced more diverse reading choices, fostered their children’s love of reading, promoted cognitive development and readiness for school, increased use of public libraries, and encouraged family interaction although some differences in reading activities based on family communication styles were found. As well, parents provided recommendations for outreaching to underserved children. Implications of these findings for groups that sponsor this program and for further research are presented

Victimization of the Homeless: Public Perceptions, Public Policies, and Implications for Social Work Practice

Homeless individuals are particularly vulnerable to victimization, sometimes resulting in fatalities. Theories of victimization prove useful to understanding the risks inherent in being homeless as well as the public’s perception of the homeless population. Problematically, public policy that criminalizes this population may exacerbate the victimization of this group. Municipalities have turned to law enforcement and the criminal justice system to respond to people living in public spaces. Programs that ensure adequate income, affordable housing, and supportive services to prevent homelessness and address the needs of those who are homeless are essential. In addition, increased law enforcement training and the implementation of legislation to include homeless persons as a protected class in hate crime statutes is needed. In effect, these interventions focus on reducing the risks associated with being homelessness—in turn reducing the risk of their further victimization. Social workers are both uniquely positioned and ethically obligated to support these efforts and contribute to the social inclusion of people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Subgroup respect, social engagement, and well-being: A field study of an ethnically diverse high school. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology

Recent research points toward the utility of the pluralist (multicultural) model as a viable alternative to the traditional assimilation model of cultural integration. In this study, we extend this work by evaluating when and to what extent feelings that members of a common group respect and value one's ethnic group membership (subgroup respect) shape social engagement and well-being. We do so in the context of a survey of students at a diverse, public high school. Subgroup respect was linked to more positive evaluations of both school authorities and students from ethnic outgroups as well as to lower levels of school disengagement. Consistent with past research, these relationships held only among ethnic minority groups (African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos) but not among Whites. Findings about the relationship between subgroup respect and indicators of well-being were more mixed, with the relationship most evident among Asians Americans and Latinos and especially on indicators of physical health. Implications for understanding the consequences of pluralism are discussed in light of the observed ethnic group differences

Genetic and morphological evidence of a single species of bronze featherback (Notopterus notopterus) in Sundaland

The bronze featherback (Notopterus notopterus) is an iconic species of freshwater fish commonly found in South-East Asia and of great commercial and patrimonial importance. At present, the genus Notopterus comprises of two distinct species, Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1769) and Notopterus synurus (Bloch & Schneider 1801). On the Indonesian archipelago, genetic diversity and morphology of the bronze featherback were investigated for conservation purposes. The use of DNA-based species delimitation methods, applied to 165 Cytochrome oxidase I sequences of Notopteridae (121 belonging to N. notopterus), evidence a concordance between species and Molecular Operational Taxonomic Unit (MOTU) and the two species of Notopterus are recognized. In N. notopterus, 9 haplotypes are detected among the 121 sequences analyzed, and three are restricted to Sundaland. These three haplotypes had distinct geographic distribution with a haplotype observed in Java, Sumatra and Borneo, another haplotype restricted to South Sumatra and a third haplotype only found in Northern Sumatra. The analyze of 21 morphometric and 9 meristic variables revealed two groups within N. notopterus, which were only supported by subtle differences in measurements with overlapping distributions between groups. The present study supports the validity of Notopterus notopterus in Sundaland and the remarkable genetic continuity among populations across its range distribution