Showing papers in "Families in society-The journal of contemporary social services in 2017"
TL;DR: This article explored aspects of transgender and gender-expansive youth's experiences related to homelessness, focusing on participants' understanding of their pathways into homelessness, and found that structural barriers that limit access to employment, health care, education, and public accommodations can be understood as cisgenderism.
Abstract: Many transgender and gender-expansive young people live outside of mainstream society, due to structural barriers that limit access to employment, health care, education, and public accommodations, as well as prejudice and discrimination within their families and communities. These structural barriers can be understood as cisgenderism. Though a growing body of research examines lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth homelessness, gaps in knowledge about the specific experiences of transgender and gender-expansive homeless youth remain. This phenomenological qualitative investigation explored aspects of transgender and gender-expansive youth's experiences related to homelessness. This article focuses on participants' understanding of their pathways into homelessness.
39 citations
TL;DR: This study is among the first to include ECV within the ACE categories, examining ACEs and behavioral health service usage, using a population-based adult sample, and reveals ECV and ACE associations in the expected direction.
Abstract: Research links high youth exposure to community violence (ECV) with negative health consequences, and the World Health Organization recommends ECV as a new adverse childhood experience (ACE) category. The current study is among the first to include ECV within the ACE categories, examining ACEs and behavioral health (BH) service usage, using a population-based adult sample. Results reveal ECV and ACE associations in the expected direction. Respondents reporting ECV before age 18 had higher ACE scores than those without ECV. Results demonstrate ECV's predictive power for later BH needs and confirm its utility as a new ACE category. Practice implications include attention to ECV among adult populations and mitigating long-term costs through early intervention and prevention.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a music studio in a transitional living program for young people experiencing homelessness is explored using an ethnographic approach, where data were collected to explore: (a) young people's ex...
Abstract: This study explores a music studio in a transitional living program for young people experiencing homelessness. Using an ethnographic approach, data were collected to explore: (a) young people's ex...
22 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of professional models (particularly the multitiered systems of support), training, and school context on practice of social workers was investigated. But, they found that practitioners struggled with contextual constraints upon their work and encountered limited learning opportunities and support, and could not consistently implement contemporary practice models.
Abstract: School social work practice decisions have been the focus of local and national surveys for several decades, most recently in 2014. The need to better understand these findings, particularly school social workers' practice decisions that appear counter to what the field's evidence base indicates is sound practice, led to the current qualitative study. Our inquiry focused on developing a deeper understanding of the impact of professional models (particularly the multitiered systems of support), training, and school context on practice. Data from 16 focus groups (N = 60) revealed that practitioners struggled with contextual constraints upon their work and encountered limited learning opportunities and support, to the extent that they could not consistently implement contemporary practice models. Implications for school social work policy, training, and practice are considered.
21 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is produced that TAC is a sound and effective training model that produces changes in clinical assessment and intervention practices that enable clinicians to apply trauma-informed, attachment-based skills to address core adoption issues such as loss, grief, control, and identity.
Abstract: Training for Adoption Competency (TAC), an advanced, adoption-competency, clinical training program for licensed mental health professionals, was developed in response to the largely unmet needs of...
18 citations
TL;DR: The EBP Dissemination and Support Center (DSC) model was used to sustain trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) across Connecticut as discussed by the authors, where more than 6,200 children have received TFCBT and have shown improvements in outcomes and quality indicators.
Abstract: Over the past 20 years, efforts have been made to broadly disseminate evidence-based practices (EBPs). However, the public health impact of EBPs has yet to be realized and most EBPs are not sustained. Few structured models exist for disseminating and sustaining EBPs across large systems. This article describes the EBP Dissemination and Support Center (DSC) model and how it was used to sustain trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) across Connecticut. More than 600 clinicians at 35 agencies have been trained and nearly all agencies have sustained TFCBT for up to 9 years. More than 6,200 children have received TF-CBT and have shown improvements in outcomes and quality indicators. Recommendations are made for using or adapting the DSC model.
16 citations
TL;DR: An online survey was administered to all child welfare specialists in one urban region to examine which aspects of supervision predicted higher levels of satisfaction, finding the most important predictor is supervisor support.
Abstract: An online survey was administered to all child welfare specialists in one urban region (N = 427) to examine which aspects of supervision predicted higher levels of satisfaction. The specific superv...
15 citations
TL;DR: This article analyzed data from five studies carried out in Syracuse, New York, between 1996 and 2011 and found that structural violence, inherent in the disproportionate incarceration of African American fathers, is a critical factor impeding the fathers from fulfilling their paternal roles.
Abstract: Impoverished and African American fathers are often criticized by policy makers for lack of involvement in their children's lives. These criticisms are limited to defining responsible fatherhood as providing economic support while ignoring other forms of nurturing. Recent studies provide a broader perspective on how impoverished and African American fathers nurture their children. This article analyzes data from five studies carried out in Syracuse, New York, between 1996 and 2011. The studies support the contention that structural violence, inherent in the disproportionate incarceration of African American fathers, is a critical factor impeding the fathers from fulfilling their paternal roles. We discuss policy issues affecting incarcerated fathers that limit the extent to which they are able to bond with their children.
14 citations
TL;DR: The achievement of legal permanence is not only a primary goal of U.S. child welfare policy, but also presumed to translate into relational permanence as mentioned in this paper. But state-sanctioned permanence does not always translate into permanence.
Abstract: The achievement of legal permanence is not only a primary goal of U.S. child welfare policy but is also presumed to translate into relational permanence. This study examines whether state-sanctione...
14 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the results of a qualitative study designed to explore the experiences of adoptive parents who placed an adopted child with mental illness in a residential treatment center (RTC) were presented.
Abstract: This article presents the results of a qualitative study designed to explore the experiences of adoptive parents who placed an adopted child with mental illness in a residential treatment center (RTC). Twenty-four adoptive families from across the United States who placed an adopted child in residential treatment were interviewed. The adopted children represented various types of adoption including public child welfare, domestic infant, and intercountry adoption. Parents reported feeling victimized by their child and by the very systems designed to help them, including child welfare, mental health, health care, and education. The findings reveal signs of trauma in the adoptive parents as a result of their experiences. The article concludes with recommendations from adoptive parents for adoption, mental health, and residential treatment professionals who work with adopted children and their families.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify contextual factors that may impact the development of intermediary organizations and recommend strategies for building the necessary capacities and competencies that correspond to the intermediary's identified roles and functions.
Abstract: While an increasing number of evidence-based practices and programs have been developed over the past two decades, there remains a significant gap between research and practice. Intermediary organizations help bridge this research–practice gap through various roles and functions. Intermediaries provide support to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based practices and build capacity to sustain such practices with fidelity. However, there is little guidance as to how to develop an intermediary organization and what strategies and contextual factors should be considered. The purpose of this article is to identify contextual factors that may impact the development of intermediary organizations and to recommend strategies for building the necessary capacities and competencies that correspond to the intermediary's identified roles and functions.
TL;DR: The authors explored factors promoting and impeding formerly homeless permanent supportive housing tenants from moving into more independent community housing, including lack of affordability and rental assistance, fear of becoming homeless again, unacceptability of available housing, and limited help facilitating the transition.
Abstract: This study explored factors promoting and impeding formerly homeless permanent supportive housing tenants from moving into more independent community housing. Interviews were conducted with 10 current and 11 former residents. Facilitators included support received during supportive housing tenure, a focus on set goals, supportive housing as a stepping-stone, and a willingness to fight for what they hope to accomplish. Barriers included lack of affordability and rental assistance, fear of becoming homeless again, unacceptability of available housing, and limited help facilitating the transition. Permanent supportive housing residents may benefit from expanded use of support received during tenure. Affordability will likely remain a barrier. Given federal disinvestment in rental subsidies, growth in locally funded programs and other strategies will likely be required.
TL;DR: For example, parents who adopt non-infant children often find that these children have academic and behavioral difficulties and may have experienced trauma, which may have implications for school decisi...
Abstract: Parents who adopt noninfant children often find that these children have academic and behavioral difficulties and may have experienced trauma—challenges that may have implications for school decisi...
TL;DR: Structural stigma as denigrating encounters within and across service systems (i.e., child and youth mental health, education, child protection, and criminal justice) and fragmentation of the service delivery system as a significant factor exacerbating stigmatizing encounters are explored.
Abstract: The aim of this article explores structural stigma in child and youth mental health. The focus is on the experiences of caregivers with children between 12 and 22 years old in their encounters with...
TL;DR: In this paper, a mixed-methods study was conducted to gather information on reasons for seeking therapy, preferences for therapists, and perception of therapists' dea cation of adoptees.
Abstract: In this mixed-methods study, 118 adult adoptees completed an online survey gathering information on (a) reasons for seeking therapy, (b) preferences for therapists, (c) perception of therapists' de...
TL;DR: The experiences of 19 adoptive parents who chose to place their intercountry adopted child in out-of-home care due to their child's disability were explored through qualitative interviews and family ecomaps, showing the need for service providers to better understand the impact of an intercountry adoptions disability and preadoption history on family adjustment.
Abstract: Increasingly, intercountry adopted children have special needs similar to children adopted from foster care in the United States. Out-of-home placement may be necessary when less restrictive servic...
TL;DR: A successful provider-developed curriculum, designed to prepare students for extensive EBT job opportunities in Connecticut, was disseminated to local graduate schools through a faculty fellowship and how the course was subsequently adapted to online learning for Master of Social Work students, with evidence of positive impact on clinician development.
Abstract: The challenges of including evidence-based practice (EBP) and evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in social work education continue to be discussed in the literature. As the behavioral health system m...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose to train MSW students to use an evidence-based approach to practice and implement empirically supported treatment protocols, which is imperative for social work education.
Abstract: Preparing MSW students to use an evidence-based approach to practice and implement empirically supported treatment protocols is imperative for social work education. Both classroom education and fi...
TL;DR: In this paper, the Adult Attachment Interview (MAI) was used to understand the history of adoptive parents and how it may impact the relationship with their adopted children, and an unexpected benefit was the deepening of the therapeutic alliance with parents who are seeking help for their child as evidenced by clinician feedback.
Abstract: Much has been written about the impact of trauma on adopted children, especially those adopted out of foster care or orphanage care. But what about trauma and/or attachment-related difficulties in the background of adoptive parents? The “state of mind with regard to attachment” (Main & Hesse, 2009) in parents makes a significant difference in parent–child relationships (van IJzendoorn, 1995), but this subject is rarely discussed compared to the trauma in adopted children. In this article, the Adult Attachment Interview (Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy 1985) is used to understand the history of adoptive parents and how it may impact the relationship with their adopted children. In addition to applying it during treatment with the family system, an unexpected benefit is the deepening of the therapeutic alliance with parents who are seeking help for their child as evidenced by clinician feedback.
TL;DR: In this paper, the purpose of the study was to obtain perspectives from caregivers of emerging adults accessing mental health care services, using constructivist grounded theory, nine caregivers were interviewed by the authors.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to obtain perspectives from caregivers of emerging adults (ages 16–25) who were accessing mental health care services. Using constructivist grounded theory, nine careg...
TL;DR: A statewide community-based participatory evaluation and a National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) organizational health assessment provided context for selection of new philosophy and philosophy as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A statewide community-based participatory evaluation and a National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) organizational health assessment provided context for selection of new philosophy and p...
TL;DR: Several specific recommendations for social workers and other mental health clinicians in conducting assessment with adoptive families are provided, including domains to assess; specific strategies for assessing each domain; and guidelines for using the results of the assessment for case conceptualization, treatment planning, and family engagement.
Abstract: There is a growing recognition that adoptive families have unique clinical needs, including the need for postadoption mental health services that are adoption competent, trauma informed, and eviden...
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that therapists can use a manualized format of financial therapy for families to promote positive changes in a family's dynamics and behaviors in regards to finances.
Abstract: A manualized form of financial therapy for families is proposed to decrease tensions caused by conflict arising on family members' understanding of money. When used with families, financial therapy goes beyond financial education by addressing individual behaviors and attitudes toward personal finance within the dynamics of a family system. To address a therapist's lack of formal training in family systems and/or financial therapy, a manualized form of financial therapy is introduced. A case example is presented to illustrate the benefits of this approach. This article demonstrates that therapists can use a manualized format of financial therapy for families to promote positive changes in a family's dynamics and behaviors in regards to finances.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the development of actively aging as a framework to guide practice with older adults, considering the interplay between individuals' experiences; their meanings of aging; and their social, environmental, political, and cultural structures.
Abstract: The United States is experiencing a growing aging population, and the profession will need to increase the number of gerontological social workers. However, the social work profession has been relatively quiet in the debate on theories of aging as well as the development of approaches to social work practice with older adults. This article aims to further advance social work practice by critiquing existing aging theories or frameworks against social work values and ethical principles and by presenting the development of actively aging as a framework to guide practice with older adults. Actively aging considers the interplay between individuals' experiences; their meanings of aging; and their social, environmental, political, and cultural structures. The five principles of actively aging are presented, as well as considerations for future research and theory development on aging.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine factors that influence intercountry adoption between the United States and South Korea and discuss the challenges faced by South Korean birth mothers, and their practice implications are also elucidated.
Abstract: Large-scale intercountry adoption emerged in a humanitarian crisis following the Korean War. With the growing demand in the United States for, and a steady supply of, adoptable South Korean children, as well as the limited government regulations, it has become permanent practice. Over the years, concerns were raised about unethical adoption practices. To address this issue, limited attempts have been made to promote in-country adoption and include birth mothers' perspectives in reformed adoption policies. However, these efforts have failed to bring about significant changes. The purpose of this article is to examine factors that influence intercountry adoption between the United States and South Korea and to discuss the challenges faced by South Korean birth mothers. Practice implications are also elucidated.
TL;DR: Unaccompanied migrant youth enter the United States daily to escape violence, political oppression, extreme poverty, and chronic instability in their native countries, or as victims of human traffi... as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Unaccompanied migrant youth enter the United States daily to escape violence, political oppression, extreme poverty, and chronic instability in their native countries, or as victims of human traffi...
TL;DR: Administrative data may provide rich, relatively inexpensive, unbiased, and accurate information that can be used to explore various research questions without imposing any additional burden to the participants.
Abstract: Administrative data may provide rich, relatively inexpensive, unbiased, and accurate information that can be used to explore various research questions without imposing any additional burden to the participants. Understanding the data, having the ability to deal with its complexity, and ensuring data security are the keys to the successful use of administrative data sets.
TL;DR: The tide of national and international adoption policy and practice have shifted remarkably in the past decade as mentioned in this paper, including the recognition of the extent of adoption-and trauma-related needs that a great many children experience; the influence that the internet and social media have on shaping the future of pre-and postadoption experiences; and the ways adoption has reconceptualized the extended family, including diverse adoptive family forms and a renewed emphasis on sustaining the child's connections with biological kin and/or the country and culture of origin.
Abstract: The tides of national and international adoption policy and practice have shifted remarkably in the past decade. Examples of the sea change include the recognition of the extent of adoption- and trauma-related needs that a great many children experience; the influence that the internet and social media have on shaping the future of pre- and postadoption experiences; and the ways adoption has reconceptualized the extended family, including diverse adoptive family forms and a renewed emphasis on sustaining the child's connections with biological kin and/or the country and culture of origin. Additionally, open adoption has increased across public and private agencies to encourage relational stability and attachment with previous foster families and kinship guardians, even after adoption. Internationally, there are fewer children adopted into the United States from foreign countries, and America is sending fewer children with disabilities to receiving countries abroad.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an analysis of child welfare workers' continued engagement in their work despite high levels of stress, relentless worker turnover, and poor organizational climates, finding that efforts to deepen the resilience of frontline caseworkers can build on the strengths they themselves express: their commitment to children and families and their support of each other.
Abstract: Research on challenges in child welfare work can overshadow important strengths and resilience in its workforce. This study presents an analysis of child welfare workers' continued engagement in their work despite high levels of stress, relentless worker turnover, and poor organizational climates. It uses a parallel process, mixed method design to conduct an exploratory study of factors that keep workers engaged in their child welfare jobs. Findings include distinct storylines that center on outcomes for children, change and growth in families, and emotional and pragmatic support from coworkers. Results suggest that efforts to deepen the resilience of frontline caseworkers can build on the strengths they themselves express: their commitment to children and families and their support of each other.
TL;DR: Assessment of the relationship between shelter rules and two psychosocial outcomes among youth in New York City family shelters found trauma was found to be associated with increased depression and substance use, and difficulty following shelter rules found to moderate the association between trauma and Substance use.
Abstract: Despite growing numbers of homeless youth living in shelters with caregivers, little research has explored the impact of the shelter environment on emotional well-being. As such, this study assesses the relationship between shelter rules and two psychosocial outcomes among youth in New York City family shelters. Additionally, the direct effect of trauma and the moderating effect of difficulty following shelter rules on psychosocial outcomes was assessed. Youth with difficulty following shelter rules reported significantly more depressive symptoms, but less substance use. Trauma was found to be associated with increased depression and substance use. Difficulty following shelter rules was found to moderate the association between trauma and substance use. Recommendations for future interventions and the creation of shelter policies are discussed.