Response to Vanderbilt University's LAPOP Critique of CEPR Report, "Have US-Funded CARSI Programs Reduced Crime and Violence in Central America?"

This report is a response to Vanderbilt University's Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) critique of our report, "Have US-Funded CARSI Programs Reduced Crime and Violence in Central America?" released in September 2016. That September report was an examination of the only publicly accessible impact assessment of USAID-funded anticrime and community-based violence prevention programs carried out under the umbrella of the US State Department's Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). LAPOP took issue with our illustration of certain methodological flaws in LAPOP's study, as well as with the manner in which we presented our conclusions. LAPOP's criticisms appear to be largely based on misunderstanding and misinterpretation of our arguments and fail to address our main findings. The problems with the LAPOP study that we identified still stand, as does the validity of our conclusion: LAPOP's study cannot support the conclusion that intervention caused the areas subject to treatment in the CARSI programs to improve relative to those areas where no intervention took place

Interventions for healthy eating and physical activity among obese elementary schoolchildren : observing changes of the combined effects of behavioral models

The aim of this experimental research was to examine the effectiveness of the SSII-Healthy Eating Intervention and Physical Activity intervention programs at the end of intervention implementation in term of combined effects. The sample of this study was 21 students in Sawadeewittaya School, aged 9-11 years, who met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study. The dependent variables included knowledge about obesity-related Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating behavior, healthy eating self-efficacy, healthy eating self-control, and BMI. The study interventions were the SSII-Healthy Eating Intervention Program, and the SSII-Physical Activity Intervention Program. Each of the two interventions was created using the self-efficacy, self-control, and implementation intention principles. The sample was first implemented with the SSII-Healthy Eating Intervention Program, followed by the SSII-Physical Activity Intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows. The statistical tests were descriptive statistics and One-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results showed that: 1) after the individual SSII-Healthy Eating Intervention Program; mean scores of knowledge about obesity-related Type 2 diabetes, healthy eating self-efficacy, healthy eating self-control, and healthy eating behavior significantly increased from the baseline and BMI significantly decreased. 2) The combined effect of the SSII-Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Intervention Programs on healthy eating behavior was greater than that of the individual SSII-Healthy Eating Intervention, but not for BMI

An intervention to improve provider-patient interaction at methadone maintenance treatment in China.

BackgroundThis study evaluated an intervention aiming to improve methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) service providers' interaction with their patients in China.MethodsSixty-eight MMT clinics were randomized to either an intervention or a control condition. Providers in the intervention group attended three group training sessions to enhance their communication skills. Trained providers were encouraged to practice the taught communication skills through provider-initiated individual sessions with their patients. A total of 418 service providers completed assessments from baseline to 24-month. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to compare self-reported short-term and sustained improvement in provider-patient interaction between the intervention and the control conditions.ResultsThe intervention group service providers perceived significantly greater short-term and sustained improvement in provider-patient interaction compared to the control group service providers (estimated difference (±SE): 1.20 (0.24) and 1.35 (0.33), respectively; p-values < 0.0001). Providers' baseline job satisfaction was significantly associated with a greater perceived improvement in provider-patient interaction for both periods (reg. coef. (±SE): 0.02 (0.01) and 0.04 (0.01) for short-term and sustained periods, respectively; p-values < 0.01).ConclusionStudy findings suggest that the intervention could be beneficial for improving perceived provider-patient interaction in MMT programs. Service providers' job satisfaction should be addressed in training programs for the improvement of provider-patient interaction

Women in Science: Surpassing Subtle and Overt Biases through Intervention Programs

This study discusses factors that keep women from entering science and technology, which include social stereotypes that they struggle against, lack of maternity leave and other basic human rights, and the climate that makes them leave research positions for administrative ones. We then describe intervention processes that have been successful in bringing the ratio of women close to parity, compare different minorities in the US, and also consider data from India, Western and Eastern Europe. We find that programs that connect the different levels of education are needed in addition to hiring more women, providing them with basic human rights from when they begin their PhD onwards and promoting support networks for existing employees. The authors of this paper hail from Sri Lanka, Romania, India, and the United States. We hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in physics or chemistry from the United States, India and Switzerland. Our conclusions are based on data that is publicly available, on data we have gathered, and on anecdotal evidence from our own experience.Comment: Submitted to the Frontiers Journal as part of the Women in Science Research Topi

No Place by the Fire: The Story of South African Ex-Combatants and the National Peace Accord Trust

Describes the experiences of South African ex-combatants in the armed struggle to end apartheid who are now marginalized, and the National Peace Accord Trust's intervention programs and advocacy work to facilitate reintegration into their communities

Depression in Low-Income Adolescents: Guidelines for School-Based Depression Intervention Programs

Adolescent depression is growing in interest to clinicians. In addition to the estimated 2 million cases of adolescent major depressive episodes each year, depressive symptoms in youth have become indicators of mental health complications later in life. Studies indicate that being low-income is a risk factor for depression and that socioeconomically disadvantaged teenagers are more than twice as likely to develop mental illnesses. Only an estimated 1 in 4 children with mental illnesses receive adequate help and 80% of these resources come through schools. Thus, this study focuses on establishing the importance of depression intervention programs in low-income high schools and designing novel guidelines for effective protocols. A compilation of expert opinion on depression screening, education, and treatment, as well as analysis of previously implemented school screening and awareness programs, are examined in order to understand key strategies. The results of this study finds that a multi-layered approach with screening, universal education, and interventions for those identified as being high-risk is most effective in addressing the mental health needs of low-income adolescents. To ensure feasibility and efficacy, screening should be conducted with a modified PHQ-a test and followed-up by timely clinical interviews by school psychologists. All students should receive universal depression education curriculum consisting of principles such as: depression literacy, asset theory, and promotion of help-seeking behaviors. Extending universal education to teachers would also be beneficial in promoting mental health communication and positive classroom environments. It is vital that those screening positive for depression or suicidality receive protocols geared towards high-risk youths, such as group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and facilitated mental health center referrals based on individual severity. Effectively addressing depression in school systems requires integration of mental health promotion, depression prevention, and psychotherapy—by taking this multidimensional approach, public health officials and school administrations can ensure that adequate resources are directed to those most in need

Consequences of Categorical Labeling of Preschool Children

The use of categorical diagnostic labels prescribed in P.L. 94--142 with children below school age is examined in this article. National practices relative to categorical labeling are reviewed, and questions are posed concerning the consequences of categorical labeling for children from 3 to 6 years old. Data from the state of New Hampshire concerning the frequency of usage for specific categorical labels are presented and are found to be consistent with national trends. Data are presented on the number of children who transition from non-categorical early intervention programs serving children birth to 3 years into categorical preschool programs for children 3 through 5 years. Almost one-third of all children served in early intervention are found not to be eligible for preschool services because of the requirement for a categorical label. The roles of demographic factors related to place of residence, age, and local school policies in deciding who is eligible for services and what diagnostic category is assigned, were considered. Finally, the consequences of categorical labeling for children, parents, and programs are discussed

On the Right Track to Safer Communities: Steering California's Juvenile Offenders Away from Lives of Crime

Describes family therapies and community-based intervention programs to reduce repeat offenses by juvenile offenders. Includes recommendations for expanding existing programs and an analysis of potential cost savings

Debate as a tool for rehabilitation: a 8 week debate and public speaking course at Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center

Sanction based prison approaches help to prevent crimes, but newer studies have shown that they do not prevent recidivism. Conversely, rehabilitation based programs have been shown to reduce recidivism rates, sparking a resurgence in these types of programs. Further, sanction based practices cost significantly more than rehabilitation programs that use parole. While rehabilitation programs are more effective and cheaper, more studies need to be performed to determine which type of rehabilitation program is the easiest and most effective. Preliminary studies show that education and CBT based programs are among the most effective. In order to add to the knowledge about education based approaches, we conducted an 8 week debate and public speaking intervention developed and organized by Jessica Bullock and SPEAK Inc. We hope to show that debate programs can provide valuable rehabilitation skills to students in prisons and help to reduce recidivism rates.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/1306/thumbnail.jp

Online Resources for Identifying Evidence-Based, Out-of-School Time Programs: A User's Guide

Summarizes general information, select program outcomes, and evidence levels of searchable databases, interactive summaries, and documents online on evidence-based intervention programs. Outlines considerations and assessments for selecting programs