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1. Canine Munchies
Rubio, Maximiliano, Martinon, Vanessa, Vega, Leslie, Quintana, Victoria, and Hernandez, Johanna
Dogs are a man's best friend and health is a big factor in how long they live and their quality of life . Dogs are very delicate when it comes to the food selection. It is very necessary to be aware and take precautions of what goes inside your furry friend.
Campus Tesim:
2. Funding Low-cost Spay and Neuter Services In Our Community
Gomez, Yosany, Zamarripa, Rashell, Resendiz, Luis, Lopez, Aaliyaho, and Bumanglag, Samantha
How can we get every dog to be spayed and neutered at the age of sexual maturity in order to prevent overpopulation in shelters and decrease euthanizations? We conducted a survey on social media to find out what stands in the way of people fixing their dogs. We found out that most people don't get their dogs fixed because of financial reasons.
3. Poly Produce For Those Financially Affected by COVID-19
Rodriguez, Sky, Peel, Katherine, MacDonald, Grace, Cardenas, Vanessa, and Valenzuela, Maya
COVID-19 has affected our families in numerous amounts of ways. All communities have been affected financially, including those apart of Cal Poly Pomona. A community garden at CPP would be able to provide relief to those who can't afford fresh foods. In order to achieve academic success students should not have to worry about how they will get fresh food to their tables. We believe families should not be deprived of a necessity because of their financial status.
4. A Statewide comparative study in California: Celebrating Families! Program
Nieto, Petra
This study is a statewide comparative study in California of the existing Celebrating Families! (CF!) Programs in evaluating the similarities and differences among these programs and their effectiveness of families actually completing the CF! Program. This research utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data was collected through structured telephone interviews with the use of the CF! Telephone Questionnaire. The CF! Telephone Questionnaire consisted of fifteen open-ended questions, pertaining to each CF! Program's use of the original CF! curriculum. A purposive sample was used in selecting 8 of the 13 CF! Programs existing in California to participate in this research study. Through the use of SPSS analysis, the results indicated no statistically significant findings designating any one of the CF! Programs' use of the CF! curriculum to be more effective in increasing the number of families to complete the CF! Program.
5. Home court advantage: a project plan for facilities improvement and expansion for CSUB athletics
Langston, Karen L
College athletics programs bring publicity and notoriety to their universities. The best athletics programs provide an avenue for alumni to create a lasting bond with the university and foster a sense of pride among students and communities. Universities across the country are focused on attracting the best and brightest students. Those that are able to provide an exceptional student experience with assets such as top-notch athletics program and athletics facilities possess a clear recruiting advantage for student-athletes and students at large. Facilities are a critical part of success in college athletics. First class facilities serve as recruiting tools for coaches to attract the most talented student-athletes to their school and loyal fans to sporting events. This may lead to a growth cycle that brings better athletes and teams, a greater number of fans and higher revenues to any university. This may also lead to an opportunity to expand athletics facilities even further, providing a recruiting platform for better athletes and the expansion of other programs. California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) is a perfect example of a campus in need of facilities improvement. Improvements and expansion will make the University more attractive to student-athletes, leading to potential growth and significant progress in areas identified by university administration as priorities in the institution's vision statement. This study will evaluate the current athletics facilities on the CSUB campus, determine needs for improvements of existing facilities in order to be competitive in Division I, and propose a facilities expansion plan that will take Roadrunner Athletics into the next decade in a position to recruit top student-athletes, and elevate the overall quality of the program.
Public Policy and Administration
6. California State Polytechnic University Pomona Spay & Neuter Clinic
Arrington, Kaitlyn, Deiss, Megan, De La Hoya, Melanie, Herrington, Kate, and Fajardo, Mavil
Our goal was to create a clinic for pet owners to affordably spay and neuter their pets on the Cal Poly Pomona(CPP) campus. Cal Poly already has a clinic that works in conjunction with AHS 3263, a surgical nursing and skills class. We sought out improvements to the clinics financial aspects and advertisement opportunities, in addition to suggestions for the surgical class so both can perform at their best capacity in order to provide superior services and exceptional student skill building.
7. Effects of admission standards on Bakersfield College Paramedic School attrition rates
Brown, Charles Elkin
This study presents both a descriptive and statistical analysis of the relationship between paramedic school admission standards and student attrition rates. The results of this study will be used by the Bakersfield College paramedic school to implement changes to their current admission requirements in an attempt to reduce student attrition. Data was collected from 18 of the 28 accredited paramedic schools in the state of California. A descriptive analysis of the data revealed that paramedic programs with strict admission standards had significantly lower student attrition rates than programs with more relaxed admission standards. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that Bakersfield College increase the paramedic school admission standards to include an oral interview, work experience, and successful completion of the HOBET exam.
8. An Assessment of balanced budget priorities in California State University athletic programs: remaining competitive in a crisis environment
Goodmon, Cindy J
California State University (CSU) intercollegiate athletic programs are faced with tough discussions every budget cycle. Budget discussions begin with the planning and forecasting of revenues and expenses. However, many revenue sources are decreasing due to the current economic downturn. In addition, expenditures costs are increasing at record levels. For example, some programs dependent on interest income from endowments are not receiving the same return on their investments. Tuition costs and travel costs are increasing to unsustainable levels. The following information will review and examine what other CSU athletic programs are doing to balance budgets while remaining competitive in a crisis environment. How will they increase revenues as well as reduce spending? Information will be identified as to how other campuses are exploring options of increasing revenues. Reductions or possible eliminations related to scholarship, recruiting, supplies and services and travel expenditures will be identified. The importance of this study will assist in establishing the priority shifts being made my other CSU athletic programs. While establishing the importance of this study, there will be a review of literature to examine information currently being discussed as each intercollegiate athletic program struggles with the tough decisions of budget shortfalls. In addition, information from other athletic programs outside of CSU athletic programs will be available for review. The intent of this study is to explore strategies to assist CSU intercollegiate athletic programs with the decision making process of budgetary challenges within a competitive environment. This study will provide information to help analyze and establish priorities for athletic administrators to lead and manage a successful athletic program. Potential solution strategies will be provided to explain opportunities related to increasing revenues as well as decreasing expenditures during the budgetary planning process. The following areas will be discussed related to increasing revenues. Increasing major gift donations as well as endowments is an area to explore. Expanding corporate sponsorships revenues increases would be helpful. The possibility of public-private partnerships is an option of increased revenues. Many CSU athletic programs will pursue student fee referendums. Some campuses are reviewing occupancy tax options. Although donations are typically made to the general athletic funds, many campuses are allowing sport specific donations. Decreasing expenditures is necessary as intercollegiate athletic programs struggle to balance budget shortfalls. The following areas will assist athletic programs as they begin to review possibilities of decreasing expenditures. Reducing budgets across all areas of sport specific budgets is typically the first response by athletic administrators. Some are reducing only with the minor sports. Others are eliminating pre-season competition as well as non-traditional competition. Eliminating entire sport teams is the most difficult decision. Exploring all options is imperative as athletic administrators establish trade-offs and changing priorities. The importance of identifying changes in revenue sources and priorities may assist athletic administration in balancing their budgets in ways that do not put them at a competitive disadvantage.
9. Evaluation of a public health clinic
Regan, Sean L
Monitoring patient satisfaction is part of a balanced scorecard approach for the strategic management of health care organizations. As an evaluation of a public health care clinic, this study employed the use of a survey designed to measure patient satisfaction. The questions forming this program process evaluation include: Are the patients satisfied with the services they receive? What are the suggestions for improvement? This evaluation gathered quantitative and qualitative data for the compilation and analysis of information to assist the public health clinic to increase their efficiencies, gain greater market share and continue to be a viable option for the customers they serve.
10. International nurse migration: recruitment of foreign-educated nurses from the Philippines to supply for the nursing scarcity in the United States
Ching, Katrinna Nicole U
An alarming problem is occurring in many healthcare institutions in the United States (U.S.) today. If not contained, the nursing shortage problem is anticipated to create bigger dilemmas in t he next decades. Therefore, the U.S. has an immediate need to hire several nurses to fill the growing demand of the entire nation. Unfortunately, amidst the large influx of new nursing graduates in recent years, the domestic supply of Registered Nurses in the U.S. can still not keep u p with t h e rising need because majority of U.S.-based nursing schools can only admit limited a mount of qualified applicants due to budget cuts and other cost restrictions; hence, the U.S. c urrently presents a need to hire qualified foreign-educated nurses that will fill the emergent s hortage. The nurse workforce shortage in the U.S. is not a new economic problem. In fact, it has b een a recurring phenomenon that dates back to the mid-1960s; thus, creating the cyclical d emand-and-supply relationship of the U.S. to various developing countries that often presented l arge surplus of Registered Nurses, in which the Philippines has been identified as the leading s ource country for nurses. For many decades, the mutual relationship of the U.S. and the P hilippines offered several remunerations that aided both nations; however, this connection has c aused the U.S. a failure to create concrete policies that directly addresses the nursing shortage crisis, because the weight of the problem has not been identified by U.S. legislators and have since then constantly relied on immigration policies, such as hiring foreign nurses, each time a s hortage of nurses surfaces. Several consequences have already been identified as a result of the a bsence of concrete policy that addresses the nursing shortage. Therefore, without the proper p olicy action, a question is raised on whether how long the mutual dependence of the U.S and t he Philippines will last and what the United States is planning to accomplish that will contain t his growing issue.
11. Elder abuse: identifying risk factors and best practices in long term care
Mbamalu, Uzodimma
This qualitative study attempts to discover the risk factors associated with Elder Abuse and the best practices for successful implementation in the Long Term Care Industry. The body of related literature highlights the 30 year history of major US policies that address Elder Abuse, and the theories that help give a better understanding on the causes that are associated with this issue. The researcher employed a non-experimental approach with the use of Hermeneutics and content analysis as the primary tools for conducting this study. The findings of this study proved current legislation against Elder Abuse as well as various prevention strategies conducted by state Adult Protection Services (APS) and other programs have not been effective in protecting Elders from Abuse. Recommendations include Employment of Uniform APS Reporting Laws, Development of Routine Elder Abuse Screening/Training Programs, and Further Research and Investigation in order to assist in developing more effective policies and practices for Elder Abuse in Long Term Care facilities.
12. Developing an implementation evaluation plan for assessing the strategic planning process at an acute care hospital
Washington, James (Dion)
Organizations operate in changing environments that require detailed action plans in order to remain competitive. Strategic management is the facilitation of change within an organization. In managed care settings, where rapid change takes place, strategic planning focuses on short term goals and action plans because change needs to take place as quickly as possible. This research study focuses on a 418 bed, acute care medical center, located in the central valley of California. The hospital in this study has decided to organize a strategic management program to implement a strategy that will address the changing needs of its community, employees and patients. The purpose of this research paper is to develop an implementation evaluation tool for an acute care hospital. Program theory, systems theory, organizational theory and implementation theory were all considered in the development of the implementation tool. The evaluation tool will allow the studied organization to gather significant data to properly evaluate the implementation process. By using the developed tool to evaluate the performance of the strategic planning process this organization can ensure that the time, energy and resources used to create its strategic plan will not be wasted. The developed tool should be used on an optional basis, issued to all employees two weeks before the actual implementation of The Hospital's strategic plan. Additionally, the developed tool should be administered by an individual who was not involved in the strategic management process.
13. The Road to recovery: a chronic disease management program proposal with applications for alcohol use disorders
Tilley, Tamara A
Recent legislative efforts, including the Accountable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity Act, represent attempts to improve and integrate care delivery systems in the United States. These efforts to reduce costs while improving the quality of, and access to, physical and psychiatric health care provide us with a renewed hope for the treatment of alcohol use disorders. The treatment of alcohol use disorders is one distinct area of unmet need that may benefit from an integrated model of treatment and care. The Chronic Disease Management model is gaining in popularity and research efforts have established its effectiveness in the treatment of chronic diseases. Standardized measures are proving effective in screening for alcohol use disorders and thereby increasing our ability to identify these individuals. Alcohol use is a risk factor that, when controlled, can reduce the impact of chronic diseases. This combined with the identification of addiction as a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease suggest a strong case for the application of a chronic disease management model under the chronic disease management model. This paper will endeavor to conceptualize a program proposal for the treatment of AUDs under a chronic disease management program.
14. Exploring the effectiveness of Title IX in regards to women in athletics
Tarver, Kelley Kristina
For decades, a multitude of men and women have fought for women's equality in regards to various aspects of life. Legislature not only gave women the right to vote, but the opportunity to be awarded the same privileges as men in athletics and higher education. For years, women were treated as subordinates compared to men. Women were thought to lack the physical abilities that men possessed in order to compete athletically in sports. For some time it was believed that a woman would hurt herself if she exerted too much energy. Beliefs like these led women to be denied the right to participate in athletics let alone go to college and do so. After years of protest women slowly gained the opportunity to compete as men did. In 1972 Congress passed Title IX of the Education Amendments which stated that no person would be discriminated against on the basis of sex. The goals of the program included to accomplish gender equality for women in sports and reduce the number of institutions who were not in compliance. Title IX is overseen by the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR). This department has been in charge of making sure that universities around the country abide by the rules and regulations of Title IX. In order to do so the department judges compliance by a three prong test. These prongs were implemented in order to help determine who was in compliance and who was not. Many have debated over whether or not Title IX has accomplished its original goals. Numerous studies have been conducted over the years in order to clear up the matter. This program evaluation reviewed various pieces of literature previously done in regards to Title IX and discovered that the participation rates for women had grown. The evaluation also discovered that there was room for improvement as the number of male participants still greatly outnumbered the number of women. Recommendations were made at the conclusion of this study such as implementing better record keeping of non compliant schools, supporting a larger OCR staff, improving Title IX education training, and closing the overall operating budget gap between males and females. The results from this evaluation will hopefully provide information as to how to go about improving the effectiveness of Title IX in the near future.
15. Project Noor: the South-Asian woman's guiding light to overcome cultural barriers in health care services
Khizer, Aliya Sultana
The United States is a country that is a melting pot of diversity. With so many cultures and ethnicities, the United States has created, reviewed, and implemented health care protocols and procedures to better accommodate the constant evolving demographic dynamics. South-Asians are the largest ethnic minority group in America consisting of people from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The countries and their respective immigrant communities share common cultural, social and linguistic characteristics and values and thus are often clubbed together as one homogeneous region ( www.ameredia.com). Because of the constant evolving racial and ethnic demographics of the United states, health care services have had to become sensitive to conservative cultures such as the South-Asian culture in order to better serve the people of that culture. A literature review of the South-Asian culture, its cultural traits, taboos, and traditions along with a background on health care services for the South Asian Culture in America is provided. This information is provided in the hope that South-Asian American women and health care providers will learn to understand, embrace, and incorporate the fruits of both cultures while eliminating the differences that create barriers in health care services and choices by implementing a program that addresses these specific cultural needs.
16. Barriers to health care for individuals in same-sex relationships
Fields, Breana Rachelle
The purpose of this study is to identify barriers to health care for individuals in same-sex relationships, draw public attention to the inequalities individuals in same-sex relationships face and offer recommendations to eliminate them. The study was non-experimental and used a qualitative approach through content analysis. Barriers to health care identified during the research process include access, marital status, influenced health endangering behaviors, discrimination, law, social barriers and social roles. Same-sex couple's inability to marry is a factor involved in most of the barriers to health care. When individuals are not allowed to marry it limits a person's ability to access a spouse's employer provided health insurance plan. It may also drive individuals into practicing health endangering behaviors. Same-sex couples and individuals in the LGBT community are facing inequality and discrimination due to societal stigma and much more. Barriers to health care should not be another problem added to the issues this community already faces. After discovering the barriers to health care the researcher offered 4 recommendations to help solve the issues. The first recommendation is to create a policy legalizing marriage for same-sex couples. This will eliminate a barrier by allowing an individual to access their spouse's employer-provided health insurance. The second recommendation is for HRC and CHA to join forces. These are both very powerful organizations both having strong followings. If they join forces they can work together to develop a policy to cause a shift in hospital practices. This will help reduce the number of members of the LGBT community who are afraid of accessing medical services due to reasons related to medical staff and policies. The 3rd recommendation is to implement a zero-tolerance law. This will help eliminate social barriers and those related to discrimination. If people know they will be held responsible for discriminating they may be less likely to practice the behavior. The final recommendation is to adopt New Hampshire's Marriage Policy. This will help eliminate barriers related to marital status.
17. A Program proposal to improve the intra-hospital transportation service at Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield
Bertagnole, Tracy
Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield has a problem; long wait times for patients being transported within the hospital. There are many risks associated with intra-hospital transportation including physiologic changes, equipment changes and staffing changes. Long turn-around times can make this problem even worse. This may cause a life-threatening issue or negatively affect the patients' perception of the hospital. To solve the problem it is proposed that Mercy utilize Transformational Care tools and principles, i.e. Lean. Using this suggestion, the researcher has identified many issues as to why Mercy Hospital's intra-hospital transportation system has an average turn-around time of 33 minutes. They are; patient is eating or showering, transport waiting for nursing to finish tasks such as the handoff sheet, no nurse to help transport, nurse is busy with other patients, wrong equipment ordered and others. Through analysis it is recommended that Mercy implement a more streamlined process, in which specific guidelines are set in order to decrease turn-around times to the benchmark of 22 minutes. Some of these guidelines include; not requesting transport until patient is ready to be transported, transportation waiting for only five minutes for nursing, utilize the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) model for sustainment and finally train all staff how to utilize the Transport Tracking system to keep track of all jobs placed in the queue which will help with accountability.
18. Should ambulatory surgery centers in California require state licensing?
Allman, Kathleen M
For the past four years, the State of California has been divided. The California Medical Board has maintained jurisdiction over physicians for decades. Since 2007, the role of the California Medical Board has expanded to oversee physician-owned ambulatory surgery centers as well. The California Department of Public Health regulates ambulatory surgery centers with no physician ownership. Thus, California has a split in the authority pertaining to the ambulatory surgery center industry. The California Department of Public Health will license facilities under its jurisdiction. No other facilities can become state-licensed. This is a disparity in the system. The California Medical Board, on the other hand, allows accreditation of physician-owned ambulatory surgery centers. The Medical Board authorizes four different agencies with as many sets of standards to credential the physician-owned facilities. This represents another contradiction in the California system. Finally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require certification of all ambulatory surgery centers that treat Medicare beneficiaries, with no distinction of ownership, representing yet another set of standards. Further complicating the situation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services granted specific accreditation agencies the power to deem ambulatory surgery centers meet the federal regulations for treating Medicare recipients. All agencies and stakeholders have one goal, to protect the health and safety of individuals seeking treatment in ambulatory surgery centers. The need for simplification and conformity appears obvious, as the efficiencies would add much needed value and transparency to the complex and confusing healthcare system.
19. Nutrition labeling: how effective it is in reducing obesity?: a review of public policies dealing with nutrition labeling
Hackman, Diana D
Due to the link that has been established between obesity and processed and fast foods in America, recent research has emphasized examining the potential health benefits of providing nutrition information in fighting the nation's obesity epidemic. Nutrition label usage has been increasing due to the link between diet and health over the years; however, the rate of obesity has only increased since the passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990. As a result, there has been increasing threats of legislation and regulation of both food labeling and food marketing practices in such a way that regulatory agencies have pointedly asked: how effective is nutrition labeling in reducing obesity in the US? In attempting to answer this question, the paper focuses on nutrition labeling and its connection to obesity. This policy analysis is designed to provide the reader with an inside look on nutrition labeling policy's effect on obesity. It investigates the relationship between nutrition labeling and the rising obesity rates in the US and explores a plethora of practical considerations that must be addressed before labeling policies are implemented. The findings of this study can provide useful information to policy makers and nutrition labeling regulatory agencies on improving nutrition labeling system in the US. Ultimately, this policy analysis finding has the power to call the Nation's attention to how pervasive the problem is and how many people are struggling with the labeling system. The project is divided into four chapters as follows: The first chapter discusses the purpose and significant of the study. Here, background of the problem is discussed, the statement of the problem is stated, methods and procedure are stated, and the importance of the study is defined.  Chapter two gives an overview of the problem. This chapter determines the relationship between nutrition labeling and obesity based on previous research. The federal nutrition labeling bill is analyzed. The importance of the bill is highlighted and previous research on nutrition labeling is analyzed which delves into more detail about the nutrition labeling policies. In the last section of this chapter, the potential solutions are briefly discussed. In the third chapter, policy alternatives are analyzed. This chapter explores alternatives policies and solutions to deal with the nutrition labeling, discuss comparison to future consequences, and spillovers and externalities. The end of this chapter explore constrains and political feasibility of the current nutrition labeling policies. The fourth and final chapter of this paper examines the alternatives and provides recommendations. The recommendations are: [1] to provide real serving size of food to make it easier for consumers to understand nutrition information; [2] to improve the ingredient list so that consumers will know exactly what they are getting; [3] for FDA to require labels for unpackaged foods; [4] to get rid of the qualified health claims and replace it with a ―traffic light‖ system; and [5] to specified instead of generalized nutrition information. The findings and conclusions presented in this report were, of course, determined independently. The fact is the current nutrition labeling system is not perfect; therefore, there is still a lot that need to be done when it comes to nutrition labeling in America.
20. Formulating a policy on illegal aliens living in the U.S.
Suatengco, Teodoro (Ted) E.
(United States Department of Homeland Security, 2010) estimated in the country, the continuation of illegal immigration despite legislative, administrative, and enforcement initiatives over the last two decades represents a clear failure of national sovereignty and the economic security objectives of U.S. immigration policy (Haines and Rosenblum, 1999). Though there are many issues associated with illegal immigration in the U.S., the purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the effects of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 and determine what changes must be made in order to formulate a policy option using an "IRCA-like" model in addressing the current illegal alien population in the country. Under IRCA, legalization, employer sanctions, and enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border were the key tenets. IRCA is perceived as a failure because there are more illegal aliens today compared to when IRCA was passed in 1986. The cause of this failure is simply the lack of commitment and enforcement of the provisions of IRCA by the federal government. Chapter 3 of this thesis clearly shows where and how the failures occurred. More importantly, identifying and learning from the mistakes of IRCA is paramount to developing the next immigration reform bill so that the same mistakes are not repeated and to meeting the original objectives of IRCA when it was initially passed in 1986. The majority of immigrants to the U.S. are lawful citizens who have contributed to, as well as benefited from the country. But there are those who are illegally in the U.S. with no regard for the law and strong desire to take advantage of benefits at whatever cost. Thus, a nation that does not or cannot control its borders will find itself prey to aliens willing to defraud the system for jobs, welfare, free schools and health care. Using the same key tenets of IRCA, the U.S. must first secure the U.S.-Mexico border by building a fence along the entire U.S.-Mexico border. Second, it must implement improvements on the current H2 visa program by improving "approval" turnaround for "working visa" applicants and monitoring non-immigrant visas (student visa and tourist visa) more frequently. Third, it must implement a one-time "2-year Employer Sanction -Legalization Plan" to "push" those who are currently violating the law and grant amnesty to "pull" those illegal aliens eligible for targeted amnesty. After a 2-year application period, the U.S. government must increase penalties on employer sanction violations and visa overstayer violations as a major deterrence to stemming the tide of illegal migration to the U.S.
21. Survival of the nonprofit organization in an economic crisis
Bonilla, Mary Linda
The national and local economic crisis remains a serious concern to society. With one of the highest budget deficits nationwide, California Governor Edmund Gerald Brown, Jr. (Jerry Brown) is taking drastic budget saving measures. Numerous budget allocations for State agencies have been reduced. In turn, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the agency who provides services to developmentally disabled persons, as mandated by the Lanterman Act, has changed policy priorities. These changes have occurred despite the increase case loads and costs to purchase services for their clients. As the government becomes more restrictive on government assistance, the demands on nonprofit human service organizations, such as California Nonprofit Organization (CNO), have increased. Nonprofit organizations are acknowledging the reality that they can no longer rely on government funding. However, in seeking non-governmental funds, they have found that individuals, corporations, or foundations have reduced or stopped giving. In these challenging economic times, CNO is in survival mode and operating more like the private sector regarding transparency and accountability. They are engaging in organizational change and making new policy decisions to improve overall performance and help minimize the risk of further economic crisis. The overall study of this matter determined that the following policy alternatives should help CNO mitigate the problem: 1. Develop a strategic plan 2. Develop fund a development and marketing plan 3. Collaborate with a compatible nonprofit organization.
22. Drama therapy curriculum for adolescents exposed to domestic violence
Pawloski, Michael
The researcher's purpose for this community project is to meet the needs for adolescents (ages 13-18); who have been exposed to domestic violence, and create a curriculum for them that is teen-centered and creative. With the help of adolescents that come into our agency seeking treatment and employees at AAFVSA, the researcher of this study will create a drama therapy curriculum for adolescents who have been exposed to domestic violence. The term exposure to DV is defined by the researcher as: those who have experienced it 1st hand (received threats, physical attacks, or verbal/emotional assaults of DV) and those who have witnessed DV (seen DV happen to others). Therefore, when adolescents do come into the agency seeking services due to exposure of domestic violence, they have the option to do individual therapy (which is already intact at AAFVSA) and now group therapy.
23. Solving the policy gap in the Air Force Research Laboratory's suspense management process
Meadlin, Jenny L
The purpose of this study is to determine the nature of the Air Force suspense management policy gap, specifically how it affects the Air Force Research Laboratory, Propulsion Directorate-West (AFRL/RZ-West) suspense control program. Then devise three alternative solutions to this gap analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative. If a policy plan is devised that only meets current needs and AFRL/RZ-West has to implement another alternative in one to five years, the solution will not have been effective enough to justify the cost of implementation. In the current economic and political climate there have been considerable pressures placed on the DOD to reduce spending and increase efficiencies. This is a major factor when determining how to change AFRL/RZ-West's suspense management system to enable AFRL/RZ-West to be a more efficient and cost-saving organization. In this paper three alternatives were explored and the author feels that alternative three, capitalizing on current organizational knowledge to benefit AFRL/RZ-West, is the most viable taking into consideration the available time, money, and resources. The alternatives to be explored include: 1) Maintain the current policy environment; 2) Develop a Unique Suspense Management System for AFRL/RZ-West; or 3) Capitalize on Current Organizational Knowledge to Benefit AFRL/RZ-West. A program plan was devised to assist AFRL/RZ-West to implement, maintain and share the benefits of filling this policy gap. In order to implement alternative three effectively, the author suggests the following recommendations: 1) Acknowledge the need for a suspense management system 2) Define AFRL/RZ-West's requirements for a suspense management system 3) Choose a Suspense Management System 4) Take a Top-down Approach to the Implementation 5) Report the Results of the Program to HQ AFRL Without a useful and meaningful suspense management system in place, many of the issues surrounding and resulting from the lack of policy, specific to the suspense process, begin to take their toll on the organization. Considering the largest issues of re-accomplishing work and time loss on behalf of numerous employees, the author explored three alternatives for solving this policy gap have been proposed and the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative have been identified. Properly identifying these strengths and weaknesses will allow AFRL/RZ-West to plan more strategically. If AFRL/RZ-West follows, the program plan supplied in this paper and reports the findings up the Air Force chain of command the suspense management process Air Force wide may become the focus for the next round of federal business process re-engineering.
24. Social worker's perceptions of the relevance of foster youth's attachments when making placement decisions
Sparks, Tiffany Jean
This study examines the personal beliefs, thoughts, and opinions about the relevance of incorporating the idea of attachment theory in daily, social work practice from a population of individuals who first hand serve children placed in the child welfare system, social workers employed by the Family Services and Permanent Placement programs of the Kern County Department of Human Services. The research was conducted using a survey method. This research aimed to introduce and support the idea that applying attachment theory in child welfare policies and practice is key to improving the lives of children in the child welfare system. Results from the study indicated that social workers from the two employee programs share similar and differing opinions about the idea of including attachment theory in daily practice. Overall, two themes derived from the results; social workers determine decisions for children placed in the child welfare system on a case by case basis and what is deemed to be in the child's best interest. Implications for further study suggest conducting surveys about the relevance of attachment theory in the family lives among those who care for these children, foster parents, and the importance of child welfare agencies providing continual trainings about attachment theory for their employees and foster parents.
25. Technical review board chairperson guidelines for conducting technical review boards for rocket testing
Harbour, Daniel C
The purpose of this study is to create a guide for technical review board chairperson conducting technical review boards for rocket testing performed by the Air Force Research Laboratory"s Space Missile Propulsion Division located at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Technical review boards are independent reviews of the test programs, providing a crucial check and balance in the programs overall systems engineering and quality process. As will be discussed in the subsequent pages, current technical review boards are inefficient and of inconsistent quality. The importance of a high quality, efficient technical review has never been more important due to the modern-era challenges relating to the limited hands-on experience and fewer number of current rocket testers. Thus a paradigm shift in the way technical review boards are conducted at AFRL for rocket test programs is needed. The local guidance created from this study is intended to assist in the execution of technical review boards. The guidance created by this study can assist the technical review board chairperson in running a more efficient and effective review. The guidance includes lessons learned about complexity of organizational decision making, policies, procedures, checklist, organizational cultural change, quality assurance, and meeting management. In addition, the checklist created as part of this guidance will assist in making sure the technical review board chairperson does not overlook a critical topic for review.
26. A Sample guideline for public schools serving fragile children with food allergies
Spears, Trisha
Since the 1960s studies have shown that food allergies in children have grown from one in one-hundred to one in twenty children being diagnosed with some type of food allergy. While these studies give an insight into the severity of the issue they are unable to determine if it is an actual increase of food allergies in children or an increase due to the fact that individuals are now more aware of these food allergies which has led to more children being diagnosed. Each year thousands of parents/guardians entrust the public school system with the care of their fragile children expecting them to be taken care of just as any other student in attendance would be taken care of. The only way to ensure that these children are protected to the fullest extent is to design and implement guidelines and school policies on how to handle fragile children within the public school system. This paper is to present a strategy and a sample guideline for public schools serving fragile children with food allergies, it includes the following: (a) the most common types of allergens and their reaction types; (b) legal aspects involved; (c) an outline of the roles and responsibilities of all individuals involved; (d) medications and procedures; (e) a review of options for training and education, and; (f) sample checklists, letters and notices for school personnel and students. This paper is to provide a better understanding of the food allergies and how to approach them. To ensure the proper care of fragile children while in attendance of the public school system it is critical for the school, school staff, and parents to work together to see that the needs of the students with a life-threatening allergy is met. In order for ensure the safety of fragile children with food allergies it is recommended that: (1) School boards review and take into consideration the significance of the purposed sample guideline; (2) For others who would like to build on the sample guideline, one of the most important things will be to contact and work with other school boards and businesses to design their own guideline for handling fragile children within the school district, and; (3) Work internally with school district personnel to customize and personalize guidelines to meet the needs of the school district.
27. Prevention through registration: an analysis of the creation, implementation, and maintenance of an elder abuse registry
Morris, Courtney Anna Ruth
Through stakeholder interviews and in-depth literature review this project explored the feasibility of creating, implementing, and maintaining a California elder abuse registry. This project aimed to formulate a white paper for the California Senior Legislature for future proposal development. Five stakeholders from across California were interviewed. Utilizing content analysis and grounded theory analysis, interview data were examined leading to the development of a model. The resulting model was a visualization of stakeholders' knowledge and perceptions about elder abuse registry issues. The model contains three phases, integrated categories, and subcategories. The model was grounded in that data and supported by literature. The findings and resulting model support the feasibility of California creating, implementing, and maintaining an elder abuse registry. The Researcher concluded with three recommendations for future research and California elder abuse registry creation.
28. Managing HbA1c levels through Diabetes education
Baeza, Diane L
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) has reached epidemic proportions in the past several decades due to the advancing age of the population, an increased prevalence of obesity, and decreased physical activity. One in every 14 Americans has diabetes, and another 40% of the population is at risk for developing the disease (Funnell & Kruger, 2004). Every year, diabetes accounts for more than 200,000 deaths, 82,000 amputations, and 44,400 new cases of end stage renal disease and up to 24,000 new cases of blindness in the United States (American Diabetes Association).Diabetes mellitus is characterized by recurrent or persistent hyperglycemia. Hemoglobin A1C measures nonreversible glycosylation of the hemoglobin molecule. HbA1c is a term often used in relation to diabetes; it is used for diabetes diagnosis and how it differs from blood glucose levels. For people with diabetes, an HbA1c level of 6.5% is considered good control, although some prefer numbers closer to non-diabetic levels. This result driven task is completed to determine the patient's compliance level. Diabetes is a largely self-managed illness; diabetes education has long been viewed as an essential component of care. Primary care physicians provide clinical care for the majority of patients with DM but few primary care providers have the resources to assist patients to achieve the level of glycemic control needed to prevent long term complications (Graber, Elasy, Quinn, Wolff, & Brown, 2002). The purpose of this study was to identify best practices in diabetes education measured by lowering HbA1c levels. Teaching and Learning theories will help evaluate the measures of HbA1c levels in diabetes education. Areas of lifestyle behaviors assessed including health responsibility and self-management practices. A total of 64 articles were reviewed to determine and define best practices of diabetes education. The findings were that a significant improvement in healthy lifestyle practices and measuring of HbA1c levels through diabetes education. The results identified both diabetes education and intervention of clinical staff help support that diabetes education is measured through lowering HbA1c levels.
29. The Impact of community mental health funding levels on the percent of prison population with mental health diagnoses
Steele, Bonita F. Eighmey
This work examines whether an increase in community or evidence-based mental health services for persons with a history of both mental illness and criminal justice system involvement would reduce the incarceration rate of this population. If such a correlation exists, significant savings in both systems is possible. This work is important to guide policymakers in making prudent investment of public dollars while achieving cost-effective and highly desired societal outcomes; not to mention the improved individual quality of life outcomes that might also result. A brief history of the mental health and criminal justice systems is provided in order to highlight the intertwining history and functioning of these systems. The literature review discusses the theoretical understanding of mental illness, deviance and criminality, legal standards of diminished capacity and the capacity to knowingly violate the law. The prevalence of mental illness and criminal behavior is provided as context for the demographics of persons with a history of both. The availability of mental health services within the state correctional system is discussed as well as diversion from the correctional system at time of arrest, prior to booking, before adjudication and at post-release, including several evidence-based best practices programs. Previous research has identified several personal attributes, societal characteristics and other factors that may influence the incarceration of persons with mental illness. Among these potential factors are: personal biological and cognitive attributes, prior criminal involvement as a juvenile or an adult, socio-economic status (including homelessness), crime and unemployment rates, and the improved correctional diagnosis of serious mental illness. Previous research has also identified mental health spending and utilization as directly controllable influential factors. Recently released URS state-level data for 2005 and 2006 are used to test the hypothesis that increased utilization of community based mental health services or evidence-based practice programs in 2005 would reduce the number of persons with mental illness incarcerated in 2006. Alternatively, a reduction in utilization of community based mental health services or evidence-based practice programs in 2005 would increase the number of persons with mental illness incarcerated in 2006. Regression analyses of the state-level URS data set revealed that a statistically significant relationship did not exist between the 2005 utilization of community based mental health services or evidence-based practice programs and incarceration in 2006.
30. Policy analysis on regulations and restrictions on non-immigrant students in the United States
Imura, Kayo
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporarily working in the United States on authorizations issued to international students. OPT allows students to remain in the country after completion of their education to obtain experiences in the professional workforce. Despite its advantages, several problems have restricted students from accomplishing the core goals of the OPT system. These problems lead more international students to stay in the county without a valid legal status. The purpose of this report is to propose a policy alternative to maximize the benefit of OPT system. Each option will be evaluated with its ability and acceptability as well as its efficiency. The final proposal is to create small agencies dedicated to support the current OPT practices.
31. Managing the tide: the Dream Act, a policy analysis
Horn-Bunk, Sheri Marie
Many developments have kept the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act and the issue of undocumented college students in the news and on federal and state legislative agendas. There is an inevitable tide of growing undocumented students graduating from high school looking for college options. The paper examines the proposed piece of legislation called the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act would permit undocumented students to begin a six-year process leading to permanent legal status. Among other requirements, they would need to graduate from a U.S. high school and have entered the U.S. at least five years before the legislation is signed into law at the age of 15 or younger. To complete the process they would, within the six year period, be required to graduate from a community college, completing at least two years towards a four year degree, or serve at least two years in the U.S. military. These individuals would qualify for in-state tuition rates in all states during the six-year period. The DREAM Act would provide a path to legal residence for undocumented youth with a caveat; students would have to earn their legal status. It also would open the door to college for tens of thousands of students who have the knowledge, skills and aspirations to pursue a college degree or military training creating an available stream of educated employees as we move into the next century. The paper explores DREAM Act economic outcomes from increased high school graduation rates, legalized citizenship and work force growth. The paper recommends a change in the framing of these three outcomes and suggests with the promotion of the economic benefits of these outcomes the DREAM Act would become a law
32. Substance abuse among welfare recipients
Pratt, Megan Renee
The concern of this research is that the welfare system is frequently abused and more specifically abused by individuals with drug abuse problems. According to research presented in Drug Use Among Welfare Recipients in the United States "Drug Use is 50% higher in households with welfare recipients than in nonwelfare households." The issue with individuals with drug abuse problems receiving welfare is that it enables them to find employment and contribute to society. If welfare recipients are unable to pass a drug test for employment their chances of ever getting off welfare are slim to none. To better analyze and understand the severity and impact of drug abuse on the welfare system previous research will be examined concerning the number of individuals on welfare that have drug abuse problems. Also, to be examined is the impact of substance abuse programs on drug and alcohol use and what types of programs have higher success rates. Choosing the right substance abuse program will be critical to the over all success of this welfare reform. With the creation of a substance abuse program within welfare, caseworkers would have an appropriate place to send "troublesome substance-abusing clients." Implementing a substance abuse program within welfare would be the best solution to this problem. Welfare recipients would periodically be drug tested. The key to transitioning people from substance abusing welfare recipients to employed and self-sufficient members of a community is a substance abuse treatment program. The at risk welfare clients would be identified with a mandatory drug test. Drug abusers are unemployable.
33. The Impact of charter schools in U.S. public education: charter school performance
Garcia, Gladys
With the increasing number of charter schools opening throughout the United States, researchers have designed studies to explore the operation of charter schools and how they measure up to educational performance. The majority of charter schools are in urban areas and serve low income and minority students. Charter schools are public schools with autonomy to design curricula as they believe will better serve their students. Thus, because of the uniqueness of each charter school, it is difficult to measure the overall educational performance of charter schools. Despite the mixed outcomes of studies, as more data is available researchers have designed methodologies to appropriately measure the performance outcome of charter schools. Studies that use longitudinal student and school data and adjust for demographic conditions indicate that elementary charter schools are performing at or slightly above traditional public schools. Contrary to elementary charter schools, studies show that charter high schools are performing below traditional public schools. Subsequently, more research studies are necessary to determine the educational performance of charter schools in the nation. Meanwhile, current research studies serve as a framework for decision making of students and parents, administrators, state charter school regulators, and communities with charter schools.
34. A Psycho educational curriculum for Type 2 Diabetes adolescents
Avila, Maria L
The purpose of this project is to create a psychoeducational curriculum for adolescents with type 2 diabetes. The desired outcome is for group participants to acquire knowledge, learn the management of the psychological effects of diabetes and to gain awareness of typical environmental stressors of the disease. Cognitive behavioral therapy will be utilized to treat psychological issues, such as grief and depression, in adolescent with type 2 diabetes. The overall purpose of this curriculum is to minimize psychological issues in adolescents with diabetes to reach optimal glycemic levels.
35. Philanthropy 2.0: using social media for fundraising in the Third Sector
Pollack, Kellie
Since the first organization ventured onto social media, the median has proven to be a tour de force. According to Stone (2009), "The age of social media has empowered amateur journalists and fledgling presidents" through 140-character Tweets and "status updates" it has the power to "recruit volunteers, spread awareness, and solicit donations." Many nonprofits have experienced huge successes utilizing social media for just these purposes. Unfortunately, for some, experiencing success on social media has been an elusive endeavor. The following thesis is an investigation of three nonprofits' social media campaigns in order to identify essential elements needed to experience successful outcomes on social media. The study identified four capacity requirements to fully utilize all of social media's potential: (1) understanding the varied platforms and its intended use, (2) planning events, (3) dedicated writers, and (4) having a strategy. The study also discovered seven elements that have deemed to be the precursors of success: (1) tell a story, (2) interact, (3) diversify, (4) make sharing easy, (5) make donating easy, (6) give a call to action, and (7) transparency.
36. Mentor, manage, & motivate: a program proposal to shape a better millennial educator in the 21st century
Aguirre, Julieta
Educators today are responsible for student growth within the classroom atmosphere, just as they have been since the profession began. That has not change. What has changed is the attitude, the dedication, and the devotion that each individual gives to their teaching profession. As time passes, more and more young adults are discouraged from taking a profession in education as they feel that it is a lot of work for little pay. Work ethic in the young adult has seen a decrease over the years. This program proposal will help to understand why that is and what school districts can do to encourage employees to give only their best and keep the focus where it should always be, the children.
37. A Policy analysis on electronic health records: meaningful use incentive for eligible professionals
Ram, Pritika
Electronic health care systems have mainly been utilized in professions other than health care such as customer relationship management and resource planning. However, up until recently more health care systems are exploring the pros and cons of an electronic record keeping system. The HITECH Act under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, led by the CMS and ONC, proposes meaningful use among users of EHR systems in the U.S. health care delivery system as a critical national goal. In 2010, the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its EHR final rule regarding the incentive program for providers and eligible professionals. The CMS incentive program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospital (CAHs) or acute care hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade, and demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Health information technology (health IT) will make it possible for health care providers to better manage patient care through secure use and sharing of health information including using EHR instead of paper based medical records (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2011). The certification process also helps providers and patients be confident that the electronic health information technology products and systems they use are secure, can maintain data confidentially, and can work with other systems to share information. This study intends to understand the significance of implementing health information technology and EHR systems policy in health care to further understand the basis of the CMS incentive programs for providers and groups. The goals of this policy analysis are to assess current status of information technology adoption, estimate EHR system market penetration, and evaluate the barriers to EHR implementation and the economic impacts of EHR implementation. The objective of this study is to improve quality of care and patient information sharing while lowering long term costs and errors among providers and health care organizations. Additionally, this study will identify measures to determine if current or future policies are appropriate in the adoption and implementation of EHRs throughout health care delivery systems and among types of care settings.
38. A Policy analysis on the regulation of medical marijuana in the United States
Quintana, Diana
The use of medical marijuana in the United States is a debatable issue due to the different perceptions the public holds. At the state and federal level, controversies also exist on marijuana's therapeutic value. Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), marijuana is classified as schedule I drug; meaning it may be highly abusive and has no connection with medical treatment. While the law has been in effect since 1970, sixteen states have passed medical marijuana laws allowing patients to consume the substance for certain medical illnesses. States have the power to execute these laws through the 10th Amendment. Consequently, the inconsistency of the laws has created issues between some states and the federal government. The federal government can interfere at any time with medical marijuana laws and prosecute anyone who is affiliated with the substance. In order to find a solution to this problem, the researcher has conducted in depth analysis of the existing laws and how they relate to the theory of federalism. In addition, the researcher has analyzed three alternatives and the status quo to find the most effective solution. Based on the alternatives, the researcher has selected the reclassification of marijuana to a schedule II drug as the best option. The alternative has been selected because it will create a uniform policy with the existing laws. In order for this alternative to be effective, the researcher suggests eight recommendations. The recommendations range from educating children and patients of the risks and benefits of the substance to prohibiting medically ill children from consuming the substance until more research is acquired. Additionally, the researcher advises that more research needs to be conducted on the potential effects of recreational use. This is because states may want to pass these laws in the future as it was seen in the state of California.
39. School vouchers: the effectiveness on student achievement outcomes
Moorhead, Margaret
School vouchers promise to improve parental choice in offering a higher quality education for their child. The primary effect of school vouchers or school choice is its tendency to increase the educational gap between the middle and upper-income and the low-income students. This policy analysis describes how the voucher system was intended to work and what is known about their actual effects on students, parents, and public schools in various areas. Research of literature regarding various implemented voucher programs in the United States and two other nations was conducted. The main purpose of this analysis was to determine if students who utilized school vouchers showed improved student achievement outcomes. The research also covers how data from the voucher programs was analyzed along with controversial analysis on the original findings. To conduct the analysis for this paper, I accessed third party information from scholarly journal articles after receiving approval from California State University, Bakersfield Instructional Review Board (IRB). The information gathered was from research articles on various voucher programs and analysis of those programs. The literature I studied revealed small but inconsistent effects of school vouchers. The programs varied by ethnicity, program structure and incentives. The research did not produce evidence that students' achievements increased over a long-term. Recommendations developed from the analysis include: 1) changing the curriculum of the public schools or developing new academic programs; 2) getting back to basics; 3) lower the student-teacher ratio; and 4) target more resources toward states with a higher proportion of minority and disadvantaged students.
40. Combating intimate partner violence against African American women: an analysis of the problem and program recommendations
Bradford, Tanya
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is infinite problem throughout the world. Women more so than men endure brutal assault by the men they love, trust and depend on. With regard to race in research of Intimate Partner Violence, African American women are under represented. Although findings suggest that African American women suffer higher rates of intimate partner violence over Caucasian women, African American women are more prone to the risk of violence than Caucasian Women due to many factors. Research fails to present the true extent of this serious threat and the leading factors such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, no education, no outreach programs and societal stress that allows IPV to run rampant in the African American Communities. Much more research is needed to reveal the depth of African American women experiences with intimate partner violence. IPV is a threatening problem that passes down to generation to generation. Beating women is an acceptable practice in the African American community that is over looked by many. African American women believe that they are powerless and thus do not seek help do to many reasons; racism lack of trust, undeserving, have low self esteem, are feeble, come from poor communities, have low or no education, and intergenerational effect, and shame. Although it is a crime to intentionally cause harm to another individual, African American women suffer needlessly by the hands of men they love. Society, the African American community, and the family fail to conceive that women of color are in danger from violent men by turning from the truth that IPV is a real threat. To remedy IPV, perpetrators ought to be accountable for their crimes against women by applying harsher punishment. Much more research is indeed a need to address the indisputable factors in regards to the different factors in the African American Communities that cause IPV and to reveal the true extent of IPV against African American Women.
41. The Repeal of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy: the challenges that the leadership will face
Sweat, Hilary (Hilary L.)
Significant changes are coming to the United States military. The repeal of DADT would call for the elimination of the military's ―Don't Ask, Don't Tell‖ policy and an official normalization of homosexuality within the U.S. armed forces, persons found to have a homosexual orientation will no longer be discharged from the military. The greatest challenge posed by the normalization of homosexuality within the armed forces is not the fact that homosexual persons will serve in uniform. Given the distribution of homosexuality within the population, courageous service of homosexual persons has been the case from the beginning. Successful implementation requires strong leadership, a clear message, and proactive training and education. The repeal of DADT will introduce conflicts and concerns. The purpose of this study is to do a policy analysis of the current policy and Repeal Act of 2010 to identify the issues the Leadership will be faced with and evaluate alternatives to investigate the best possible choice for the Leadership to effectively implement normalization of sexuality in the military. It is clearly going to be a major mission for leadership to implement this change in the military, whatever the change may be. However, by keeping the military a nonsexual zone, keeping sexual orientation as personal and private matter the implementation of normalization of sexuality in the military will prove to be a safe and fair option. By comparing consequences and looking at what constraints the future may hold along with the feasibility of each alternative the best decision can be made for the armed forces. The leadership will be able to educate and train all personnel in order for an effective implementation.
42. Collaboration and program effectiveness
Blaylock, Theresa
The problem is the effectiveness of youth-offender programs. To gain consistent program outcomes that reduce recidivism rates there, the criminal justice system needs accurate measures of successful rehabilitation. Today youth-offender programs are not all effective in their treatment of youth offenders. When a youth comes in to the juvenile system, it is an opportunity to effect change and proactively prevent recidivism. Youth-offender programs that are not effective are causing harm to both the youth-offender and to the government or financial backer of that program to effect a decrease in youth-offender recidivism. The harm poor-quality youth-offender programs cause is in the youth-offender's giving up on the idea of a life free of criminal activity. Further harm is in government budgeted funding to programs that are not producing a reduction in recidivism. This includes nonprofit agencies taking donated money for the benefit of youth offenders. Programs not reducing recidivism are causing further harm to the public perception of the troubled youth that are in these programs.
43. Alternatives to lower juvenile recidivism rates at James G. Bowels Juvenile Hall
Archuleta, Samantha
America's future rests in the hands of juveniles. It is important to put a stop to the number of crimes being committed by juveniles and effectively rehabilitate them. Recidivism rates of juveniles released from detentions centers continues to remain high throughout the state suggesting rehabilitation programs are not working. Many juvenile institutions have been kept at maximum capacity forcing them to release detained juveniles early when they receive a new juvenile that has committed a serious crime. Many institutions currently have programs in place that attempt to provide positive reinforcements and intervention, but have failed to make a significant difference. Many of the programs that have failed to make an impact and are still in place. There are many juveniles sent back to James G. Bowels Juvenile Hall to await another conviction and possibly another commitment program. The current programs at Juvenile Hall have kept juveniles busy during their time served, but the programs currently implemented have not rehabilitated juveniles. The increasing rate of juveniles returning to Juvenile Hall suggests that implementing other programs may be what is needed to increase the number of juveniles that leave rehabilitated and reduce recidivism rates. The purpose of this policy analysis is to present alternative programs focused on recidivism rates of juveniles being re-booked in Juvenile Hall and what is causing these juvenile offenders to recidivate. These alternative programs will help to identify beneficial programs and reduce the recidivism rate of juveniles returning to Juvenile Hall. If an alternative program succeeds then Juvenile Hall will be able to effectively rehabilitate more juveniles and start reducing the currently growing percentage of juvenile recidivism rates.
44. Treatment approaches when working with juvenile sex offenders: a review of the literature and annotated bibliography
North, LaToya
The role of child welfare workers has been complicated with the task of treating juvenile sex offenders. With an increase in the number of juvenile sex offenders, this has become a specialty area and effective treatment requires focus beyond traditional counseling skills. This problem has been complicated since it has been challenging to find a consistent definition of juvenile sex offender. "There is not an accepted term or definition that is widely used to describe or refer to this population" (Moore, Franey, & Geffner, 2004, p.1). How can a worker learn evidenced-based treatment interventions when there is no clarity in the definition. This study reviewed the literature and developed preliminary resources for social workers and other professionals who will be working with clients who are juvenile sex offenders.
45. Model for measuring nation-building progress and addressing threats from weak and failing states in the Middle East
Carlile, Julie A
According to Wyler (2008), weak and failing states are often in conflict, at risk of conflict, or newly emerging from conflict. Poor governance, corruption, and lack of basic public services impede their stability. They do not have effective control of their territory, military, or law enforcement. In addition, weak states are unable to achieve lasting economic development. As a result, weak and failing states become safe havens for terrorist and international crime organizations. They cause regional instability and facilitate those seeking Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). These threats pose a danger to the United States and its national interests. Protecting the United States from these threats requires conducting successful nation-building operations. Nation building is critical to "winning the peace" and denying safe havens and networks to terrorists and insurgents. This is a means of integrating war and policy. According to Cohen (2005), there is reluctance to establishing stabilization and reconstruction metrics in order to measure nation-building progress. The concern is that the metrics will be manipulated to push political agenda. As a result, objective metrics for measuring the outcomes of nation building efforts in the Middle East have not been established. This study applies Cohen"s (2006) proposed cascading model for measuring nation-building progress in the Middle East. Using this method, the metrics are linked to stabilization outcomes providing objective feedback on stabilization progress so mission planners can make better decisions. The metrics developed indicate the situation close to ground truth as possible. Additionally, this study recommends: that metrics be developed for the Transformation and Fostering phases; that outside auditors collect metric data; that metrics be critically analyzed; and that these analyses be used by decision-makers to determine nation-building progress and whether the current strategy is working.
46. Does the money go where it needs to go?: testing the relationship between foundation giving and social need in California
Martinez, Priscilla
Because foundations have tax-exemption from the IRS, it is expected that they will meet a need that is not being met by the government. However, there are many who believe that there is a discrepancy in foundational giving in California because the perception is that foundational giving goes to select counties and others, especially those in the Central Valley, do not receive a fair amount of funding when considering similar populations and needs of the counties. To test this hypothesis, data on giving from four of the largest foundations in California for one year were gathered along with data on social needs indicators for every county in California to test whether there is a correlation between foundational giving and social needs.
47. End of life services and incarceration: an analysis of current policy and services
Tate, Rachel
The purpose of this project was to provide members of the California Senior Legislature information relevant to end-of-life services in correctional institutions. This information will be used to shape policies that ensure correctional end-of-life care is commiserate with community standards as mandated by the 1996 American Correctional Association. Integration of community standards in program design ensures protection of fundamental human rights. A thorough review and analysis of current policies and services areas requiring further development were identified and recommendations offered.
48. Accountability, transparency and access to public information: a case study on the City of Bell
Jacinto, Sarai
This case study analyzes the 2010 scandal in the Bell, CA regarding government salaries, property tax rates, and revenue collection practices. With an extensive literature review on transparency, accountability and access to public information, this study compares Bell's administrators' salaries to other cities in LA County. The case study explores tactics used by city administration to facilitate their ability to embezzle more than $5.6 million in public funds. The research indicated that residents in Bell did not act on their right to public documents that allowed city officials to operate Bell for personal gain. The City currently does not have enough money to cover core services. Recommendations that provide short and long term goals for the City of Bell are explored. The research also indicated that there is a need for a system of checks and balances at all government levels that would help reduce corruption in charter cities. Greater involvement from constituents in government affairs would be the best method to reduce corruption.
49. Westside Housing Consortium: a program proposal
Snyder, Victoria
Individuals who struggle with a chronic and persistent mental illness can face many obstacles in coping with their daily lives. A community that embraces their mentally ill citizens can find that there can be a cohesive co-existence with these members. Taft, California is a community that reflects a successful cohesiveness in embracing their mentally ill citizens. Taft, unfortunately, does not have one important resource for their mentally ill citizens; there are no room and board or board and care facilities. This study will provide a guide and model for the establishment of the Westside Housing Consortium, a non-profit organization that will use both the payments from SSI of the individuals served and grants that will address the needs of the Consortium to establish and grow in the community. It will enable the community to better serve their mentally ill population and continue the cohesiveness that exists between the mentally ill and the rest of the community
50. An observational assessment of an institution for mental diseases' response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Amborn, Saxon James
The novel coronavirus (SARs-COV or COVID-19) pandemic was an unprecedented event in recent human history. Communities, schools, and businesses were forced to make rapid large scale changes in action and policy with little direction or empirical data to rely on. Institutions for mental diseases (IMDs), which provide inpatient care to people with serious mental illnesses, were also forced to make large scale changes to their treatment policies. This natural experiment assessed the effects of changes in treatment policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at Merced Behavioral Center (MBC), a locked IMD, on resident's showering practices. Resident's showering practices are an important aspect MBC's treatment planning; therefore assessing the effects of large scale policy changes on resident's showering practices may provide useful insights to administrative staff. The results of this natural experiment show that changes in treatment policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at MBC did impact resident's showering practices, but only for resident's who smoked cigarettes. It was also found that residents on lower functioning levels showered less when compared to residents on higher functioning levels. No other significant differences were found in the showering practices of any other demographic at MBC.
Department of Psychology and Child Development
51. A Program proposal for the Bakersfield Police Department for the debriefing process in dealing with the psychological effects of officer-involved shootings
Munoz, Candace Evette
In Law enforcement, there are dangers that police officers face on a daily basis. One stressor in particular, is an officer-involved shooting, also known as a critical incident. Currently, many law enforcement agencies are using a technique called Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). However, there have been many studies showing the ineffectiveness of CISD, and despite these findings, law enforcement agencies are continuing its use. The research shows that many police officers manifest a slew of psychological and physical problems from the stress of law enforcement and, most importantly, an officer-involved shooting. There is an alternative to using CISD, which is called Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), which is a more intensive recovery process. This paper will propose a program plan for the Bakersfield Police Department on how to implement a CISM program into the current CISD program it currently has in place.
52. A League of their own: an exploration of identity construction and negotiation in the Bakersfield Diamond Divas Roller Derby Team
Thompson, Natalie H
The Diamond Divas are an all-female roller derby team from Bakersfield, California. Established approximately in 2009, the Divas are composed of a diverse group of women from a variety of class, educational, and professional backgrounds; however, these women are united by their participation in this sport and the culture that revolves around it. Previous research has been primarily performed in the fields of sociology and philosophy, for only recently has much attention been paid to women's roller derby as an area of anthropological study, particularly in terms of gender, with little emphasis on the culture of roller derby itself. The present study examines the construction of the "roller girl" identity, a complex, and often contradictory, negotiation of more traditional conceptions of femininity, aggressive competition, and exaggerated expressions of sexuality. Some Divas function within the constraints of femininity (Hauser 2011), others actively challenge hegemonic femininity (Finley 2010), while still others are somewhere in the middle as suggest by Williams (2002) or fluctuate between these two realms depending on the situation at hand. Additionally, identity construction is also informed by the adherence, or lack thereof, to the socio-cultural norms and values of the specific geocultural context of Bakersfield. This research seeks to illuminate a growing subculture found in many cities and towns throughout the United States and documents a cultural movement that is quite active within this particular community. More importantly, it contributes to the rapidly accumulating pool of current cumulative research by presenting information from an anthropological perspective, widening our understanding of roller derby by contextualizing this specific team and these specific women, adding their voices to the ongoing dialogue concerning women and sports. 3
53. A Study to determine if the city of Bakersfield would benefit from a tourism business improvement district-TBID funded convention and visitors bureau
Glasco, Misty
Tourism is a significant, sometimes vital part of a destination's economy. Tourist spending supports jobs and helps cities thrive. For many years destination marketing and tourism promotion by Convention and Visitors Bureaus has been funded primarily through the collection of Transient Occupancy Tax. In recent years, the wavering economics of California has forced cities to explore different ways to fund Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Tourism Business Improvement Districts have become a key method of providing stable funding for destination marketing and promotion. The Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau's budget is currently funded by TOT, allocated by the city, and is not guaranteed. Fresno and Stockton are two of Bakersfield largest competitors. The cities of Fresno and Stockton have had success enacting TBIDs in recent years. This paper will look closely at the data from Fresno and Stockton to see if Bakersfield should consider implementing a TBID as the funding source for the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of Fresno and Stockton's TBIDs to better understand the district formation process, and to understand the challenges and opportunities in forming a TBID. This data may serve as a general frame to determine what lessons these cities can offer Bakersfield and other cities considering a TBID funded CVB. TBID's for Fresno and Stockton are providing a stable funding source for the cities CVBs free from political circumstances. A TBID funded budget gives relief to local government by providing a funding source that does not come from city collected taxes or general fund revenues. Bakersfield's hotel revenue assessed for a TBID indicates that the Bakersfield CVB would have an average budget of $1.4 million. Stable funding of this amount would allow the Bakersfield CVB to market its destination and provides more exposure to its target audience. This would increase local events, meetings and tourism, leading to increased occupancy, TOT and sales taxes. This increase provides an overall better economic situation for the Bakersfield CVB, the City of Bakersfield and its residents.
54. The Relationship Between Teacher and Administrator Perceptions and the Performance and Well-Being of African-American Males in Third Grade Through Eighth Grade in a Suburban School District
Hughes, Jina D'Ann
Underrepresentation of African-American males as grade level rises is a major concern in education (Duggins & Acosta, 2017; Howard, 2010; Husband, 2012; Tatum, 2006; Washington, Patton-Terry, & Siedenberg, 2013). Prior studies have placed the blame on African-American males in grades k-12 for their lack of academic progress. In an effort to understand why slow achievement still exists with this subgroup, research on the struggle experienced by African American male students lacks a critical analysis of the quality of educational practices and the perceptions of teachers. Teacher expectations and perceptions can shape the engagement and self-esteem of students. Many African-American male students have been negatively impacted by unjust criticism and treatment based on teacher biases and assumed stereotypes. This case study utilized qualitative methods to examine the relationship between teacher and administrator perceptions and the performance and well-being of African-American males in third through eighth grade in a suburban school district. The goal of this study was to encourage educators in this small, southwestern school district to make well-informed decisions that promote academic growth by recognizing perceived factors that may impact overall student performance and well-being. Triangulation of participant interviews, survey results, and archival data was accompanied by a six-phase analysis method. The results of this study revealed a possible relationship between educator perceptions and the performance and well-being of African-American males in third through eighth grade in this suburban district.
Educational Leadership (DPEL)
55. The Impact of Senate Bill 1456 on California Rural Community College Students
Wright, Jamal Tyrone
This study focused on the policy impact of SB 1456 (2012) on students enrolled in rural community colleges in California. SB 1456 (2012) was signed into law with the intent to increase student success rates that ultimately resulted in the completion of educational goals for students in California Community Colleges (CCC). In order to examine the implications of this measure, the following research questions were utilized to guide this study: 1) Is there a statistically significant interaction between race and academic year for school belonging? 2) Is there a statistically significant interaction between race and academic year for campus support? This pre-experimental study used data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) to assess SB 1456 (2012). The analyses of the data were structured using a cohort model to evaluate variances in response between the 2011 and 2014 academic years. Furthermore, the data were disaggregated by race to identify whether African-American and Latinx student responses varied from their White counterparts. As a result, race and academic year were the two factors which were considered in this study. The two outcomes for the study, support for learners and sense of belonging, were two of the five benchmarks that CCSSE measures for. To determine if there were significant interactions between the factors and outcomes, a two-way ANOVA (2 X 2) was used. Along with a two-way ANOVA (2 X 2), the researcher incorporated the Crtitical Race Theory to effectively interpet the responses of minority students. Upon running the tests, the results concluded that there were no statistically significant interaction effects between cohort years and school belonging or between race and academic year. These findings suggest that the programs, workshops, and initiatives funded by SB 1456 (2012) did not increase minority students' sense of belonging on campus. Additionally, the results show that the programs implemented in 2012 did not lead to more minority students utilizing support services. The data also revealed that there is still a significant gap between how White students view their campus and how minority students feel on campus. However, noteworthy differences were observed in student-faculty interactions. In contrast to current literature, the data showed that minority students had enriching and constructive relationships with faculty members. Nevertheless, a greater emphasis on high-touch interaction must be included into the marrow of SB 1456 (2012). In doing so, more minority students will utilize the resources which they desperately need, which will, in turn, lead to a reduction in educational and emotional achievement gaps.
56. Multi-level impact of electronic records for California children's services: implementing a paperless system which meets HIPPA requirements
Campos-Hughes, Laura
There is an average of 6500 active cases which California Children's Services (CCS) case manages for medical processing. CCS continues to use traditional paper charts and there is no tracking system to show which one of the over 50 staff members may have the chart or if the chart has been filed in the chart room. On a daily basis CCS may receive at least 125 faxes requesting medical authorizations ranging from procedures, medication or equipment. There are four Office Services Technicians who process all faxes, locate the paper chart and forward to the correct staff for review. The current system of receiving and processing faxes often causes delays in processing as the charts cannot be found. In addition, CCS spends 42% of their yearly office supply allocated budget on paper and toner. CCS has acknowledges the need to transition into a paperless system is important and has spent over $76,000 towards implementation but has fallen short of completing the transition. After reviewing literature regarding implementation of a paperless system, expenses which CCS has incurred and estimating cost of office supplies as well as staff loss of productivity it is recommended CCS immediately restore implementation process of transitioning from the current paper chart to a paperless system.
57. Investigations of a rock feature complex at the Mirror Point Site (CA-SBR-12134/H), Western Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, California
LaPierre, Kish
This thesis describes and interprets a large rock feature complex and associated artifact caches from the Mirror Point site (CA-SBR-12134/H) located on the east side of Searles Lake within the boundaries of the South Range, Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, California. The objectives of this investigation: to access the lifeways of the inhabitants that once occupied this site; activities of the occupants at this site; time period(s) when this site was occupied; and purpose or function of rock features and associated artifact caches. Archaeological investigations of CA-SBR-12134/H included four surface scrapes and the excavation of eight test units, mapping of the overall site surface, and analysis of recovered materials. Artifacts recovered from this site include large obsidian bifaces, glass, silver, and shell beads, a bow fragment, pottery, debitage, historic bottles, mining debris, and several types of projectile points. Because the rock features and artifacts seem to serve no utilitarian purpose it is assumed that this site was visited for ideological reasons. Diagnostic artifacts span from the Early Period (before 6600 BP) to Historic times (circa 1900). It is possible if not likely that these artifacts were collected from other sites and brought to CA-SBR-12134/H as part of a ritual offering and that the site was visited from prehistoric to historic times.
58. Recommendations to reduce costs for the city of Bakersfield's defined benefit pension plans: focus on plans financed within the general fund
Lorenzi, Georgina
Government agencies throughout California face complicated issues with public employee defined benefit pension plans. Market earnings on pension investments have plummeted with the decline of the U.S. economy. This market downturn increases pension costs for governmental agencies. As pension costs continue to command a significant allocation of governmental funding, services offered to citizens may decline to levels unsatisfactory to various stakeholders – citizens, elected officials, government agencies, private sector, and employees of these government agencies. However, salaries and benefits not comparable with the private sector and other governmental agencies may fail to attract qualified personnel to provide these very same services to citizens and the community. Public employee pension plans create political and emotional arguments by a myriad of stakeholders that may compromise and inhibit objective decision-making. Therefore, unbiased and objective analysis and interpretation is required even more with the politics and emotions inherent with this issue. This study explores pension costs, as reported within the General Fund, for the City of Bakersfield. The City of Bakersfield's pension costs increased from a low of $3.7 Million in Fiscal Year 2000/01 to a high of $24.7 Million in Fiscal Year 2011/12 – a 562% increase. In addition, the actuarial value of the City of Bakersfield's PERS plan assets, inclusive of all funding sources, over the accrued liability was $94 Million to the good in Fiscal Year 1998/99. For Fiscal Year 2009/10, the accrued liabilities exceeded plan assets by approximately $149 Million. Literary review of issues impacting public employee pension plans is also included in this study. Recommendations to curb public sector pension costs abound. This study focuses on recommendations offered by the Little Hoover Commission and Governor Brown's "Twelve Point Pension Reform Plan." This study then concludes with suggestions dealing specifically with rising costs for the City of Bakersfield's defined benefit pension plans. At this point, a disclosure is necessary to address potential bias on the author's part. The author of this study is currently a 26-year employee with the City of Bakersfield and is a participant in the Miscellaneous defined benefit pension plan.
59. Secondary school administrators' perceptions and opinions regarding the implementation of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)
Chaves, Lisa
Student behavior continues to be a significant concern among administrators and teachers. Traditional suspension and expulsion practices have failed to reduce negative behavior and prevent discriminatory practices. This study investigated secondary administrators' perceptions and opinions regarding the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Participants were interviewed individually using questions developed by this researcher relating to experiences and perceptions of high school administrators regarding the implementation of PBIS. Common themes that were identified through the analysis of the interview data included teacher resistance during the transition from zero tolerance to the implementation of PBIS, integration of campus intervention and counseling programs, the acknowledgement of less student offenses including changes that address positive student behavior due to PBIS teaching strategies, and the need to support staff by offering more professional development.
Department of Advanced Studies in Education
60. Remembering the Sacred Feminine through the Motherline: A Quest toward Wholeness
Shahrokhshahi, Rita
Purpose of the Study: This thesis examines the patriarchal wounding of my Slavic mother line and follows the healing journey I took to transform wounds to enrich my self-identity in my pursuit toward wholeness Procedure: My study follows the motherline. The motherline is the maternal lineage of a woman backward through the generations. I explored the wounding of my motherline by using an autoethnographical narrative. Autoethnography is an autobiographical form of qualitative research that uses self reflection to explore personal stories and experiences within a cultural context. I used self-reflection to aid my stories and employed a Jungian psychological framework. Through the myth of Inanna, I embarked upon a metaphorical descent and met the dark goddess Ereshkigal. I relied on depth techniques to track and interpret my dreams, guide my active imaginations, and create spontaneous healing rituals. I made a pilgrimage to Montenegro to further assist my inquiries and overall depth experience. Findings: I found that healing occurs in the reflective process of sharing my journey of personal and cultural wounding. Healing is not a means to an end but is rather an ongoing process toward a quest to achieve wholeness. I found that my personal female individuation process is a continuous stream of engaging with the rhythms of life, death, and rebirth as a continuous cycle in my developmental pattern. My mother line wounds provided deep layers of meaningful experiences to happen that continue to offer value for me to expand my quest toward wholeness. Conclusions: Suffering from personal wounds affords the opportunity to examine the soul through a process of individuation. The connection with the motherline and one's cultural lineage is a way to further understand self and create wholeness. For women, the sacred feminine is a source for greater meaning. In the quest toward female individuation, a goddess-centered spirituality is an opening to assist the exploration of vast realms and qualities that lives inside every woman.
61. Utilizing social media to increase student engagement: a study of Kern County public schools
Bynum, Steven Lance
Social media has permeated almost every aspect of the lives of anyone who utilizes the internet. Teachers and students are no exception. Students are most likely to use social media sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. This research focuses on best practices related to augmenting school curriculum to utilize these tools to increase student engagement which is critical in taking the education of school-age children to the next level. Some research shows that children today spend an inordinate amount of time, upwards of 40+ hours weekly, interacting with social media. Educators must embrace this new technology and find new ways to integrate social media into the classroom, because they will be more able to connect with children in a medium that they are utilizing daily; thus increasing their engagement. Although some problems such as digital divide and other limitations do exist, this cannot be a deterrent to utilizing this type of new technology.
62. Transforming Kern's relationship with unwanted animals: are programs operated by county animal control effective in reducing the rate of animals euthanized?
Guest, Suzanne B
A 2004 article in the Bakersfield Californian detailed the relationship the community of Kern County had with what the writer calls "throw away" animals. A subsequent series of articles revealed approximately 25,000 animals were being killed in the local shelter annually. This number was considered by many in the community to be too high. Many of these 25, 000 unwanted animals were healthy and adoptable, yet they were still being euthanized by Kern County Animal Control every year (Burger, 2004). The facts presented in these articles brought the high euthanasia rate to the public's attention. Now that the problem was highlighted, it inspired many community members to volunteer at the shelter, donate money to animal welfare organizations, and prompted them to do whatever was necessary to alleviate this. The Kern County Animal Control Department also added additional programs to address this problem. Despite the raised awareness and all of the efforts and progress that have been made by the County shelter and the community, the numbers of animals euthanized today remains relatively the same. The numbers of animals killed are still 15,000 to 20,000 annually (2004). This program evaluation will attempt to answer why Kern's euthanasia rates are still high, and will also examine the Political and Institutional theories that supported the implementation of the programs. The methods used to gauge the effectiveness of shelter programs will use a non-experimental Comparative Cross Program design to show if the outcome numbers have changed during a five year time frame, and will attempt to evaluate whether the shelter programs affected these numbers. Lastly, the evaluation will determine if maintaining the status quo, of keeping many of the programs in place, is an appropriate response to the shelter problems. The evaluation will suggest new strategies for lowering the killing rates, and will also propose new ideas for funding a permanent no/low cost spay/neuter program.
63. A Policy analysis to maintain or reduce inmate costs
Hernandez, Jaime
This policy analysis describes the current expenditures for inmates in California. Expenditures for inmates have not reduced since the state of California has cut back on many programs throughout the state to close the deficit. The goal of this policy analysis is to assess the expenditures of inmate cost in rehabilitation, medical health care, and the current expenses associated in California. The study will identify current problems in the correction system, advantages, and disadvantages for alternatives. Policy alternatives will be measured by effectiveness and feasibility. The policy alternatives are to improve rehabilitation services and reduce medical care costs. Rehabilitation services have not worked in California. Recidivism is still high with offenders violating their parole (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 2010). It is important to take a closer look at rehabilitation services and measure their effectiveness. Considering effectiveness and feasibility, the best alternative is through reducing costs related to inmate health care during tough economic times. This could be accomplished by an established well-organized primary health care system to provide effective medical services to inmates. Managed health care systems have reduced costs in other states and have avoided lawsuits (Chan & Speier, 2004). In addition, the careful evaluation of each patient when inmates request to see the doctor avoids unnecessary tests and expenses. Proper evaluation and preventative care have controlled expenditures for inmate's medical health care (Office of The General Inspector, 2008).
64. Why fundraisers are needed for children who are at-risk
Saso, Morgan
The state of California has made tremendous budget cuts in the last year. Many of these cuts have affected the education of our children. In Bakersfield, CA a state funded women's center wants to open up a children's center for the women who have children under the age of four. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault is part of the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter in Bakersfield. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault provides care and opportunities for women who have been abused. This facility offers a place to stay, food and assistance with employment to help women become a positive part of society. For the women with young children, The Alliance Against Family Violence can give a positive support and healthy developmental learning environments. The purpose of this project was too host a 5K Fun Run fundraiser, which will support the learning environments for the children, helping them to receive the same educational opportunities as other children.
65. Ban the use of cell phones while driving
Love, Wenzel Deseen
The policy analysis was conducted to find that the use of cell phones while driving causes drivers to be distracted mentally, and visually causing an increase in automobile accidents. According to the findings the use of a cell phone while driving leads to injury and/or death to motorists, their passengers or pedestrians. However, the policy analysis also provided information about driver safety education concerning cell phone use and laws (e.g., SB 1613, SB 28, & SB 33) in other states (e.g. New York) that ban the use of cell phones while driving. Statistics pertaining to dangers of distracted driving and automobile accidents are provided. Finally, my descriptions of policy alternatives that I feel are realistic solutions to increase driver safety, reduce the number of accidents, causalities, and deaths in California. Recommendations The specific recommendations that I would make about the resolution of the problem that led me to conduct the policy analysis consist of; 1) Completely ban the use of any kind of cell phone while driving. A violation should impose an infraction with a fine of $200 for first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense plus court cost; 2) Report the infraction to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), but first offense would not count as a point against the person's drivers license or insurance record. However, for every infraction after the first offense, drivers would receive 2 points on their driver's license and insurance record; and 3) Police, fire, and rescue personnel, including public and private ambulance drivers are exempted from this law, and any person can use a cell phone while driving for "only" an emergency situation. Overall, in order to get my policy proposal enacted, it takes cooperation from the community, major stakeholders and legislation.
66. Volunteer foster youth education liaison program proposal
Anderson, Ian J
When a child is placed into foster care, the courts and dependency care systems focus on finding a safe haven for the child which means that the child's education is often overlooked. The long-term effects of not considering the child's educational needs are devastating to the child the longer they stay within the system. To address these issues California Assembly Bill AB 490 was implemented in January 2004. One key element of this legislation was the implementation of an education liaison. The research presented will show that due to a lack of funding, enforcement and clearly outlined implantation AB 490 has not been able to fully address the problems of educating foster youth. Kern County foster youth suffer from the same educational disparities of those in the rest of California. In order to address this the following program proposal will demonstrate how the creation of a volunteer education liaison program run through the Kern County Network for Children will help to correct these disparities for Kern County Foster youth.
67. Bridges Academy's ability to reduce truancy
Padron, Magda
Bridges Academy is an alternative education program designed to assist high-risk juveniles who are on probation in obtaining a high school education. This study was conducted in order to evaluate this programs effectiveness in reducing truancy. Past attendance rates, and present attendance rates were collected from 15 students from Bridges Academy. In addition, attendance rates from four alternative schools in Kern County were also collected as comparison. End results found student attendance significantly increased since their enrollment in Bridges Academy. Furthermore, Bridges Academy had a higher mean attendance rate than the four comparative alternative schools in this study. Future studies are encouraged to evaluate other components of this program and search for alternate sources of funding.
68. Increased Academic Success and College Attendance in Continuation High School
Barajas, Daniel E.
Continuation high schools serve students for multiple reasons. Among them are low credit attainment, excessive absences, probation status, and discipline problems. Students in these programs often have many educational gaps. In the state of California, continuation high schools have been an educational option for this vulnerable student population since 1919. This segment of the school system seeks to offer students with diverse educational challenges and obstacles a second opportunity to complete their education. Presently, there is little research connected to the success of continuation high school graduates' level of persistence in any type of higher education. This study examined the influence teacher-student relationships had on a particular group of continuation high school students who, in spite of challenges associated with continuation-education deficit mindset, were able to attain academic success in higher education. The study sought to explore how the practices of comprehensive high school sites intersected with those of a specific continuation high school. Social Capital and Critical Race Theory provided the conceptual lens to analyze teacher–student relationships. The researcher captured students' and teachers' perceptions in order to analyze how their interactions and relationships could be strengthened to ensure student academic success and provide continuation high school students with options upon high school graduation.
69. A Comparison of the fiscal strategies and outlooks of the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster
Grimm-Hager, Margaret
In the field of public policy it is important for cities to make choices that provide safety and security for its citizens; to give them a place to live that offers housing, employment and amenities to enjoy. Cities should be fiscally responsible by maintaining balanced budgets with enough financial reserve to see themselves and their residents through the tough times. Palmdale has cut back on services to their residents and has been through several rounds of layoffs in addition to freezing positions. This doesn't benefit the residents of Palmdale or its employees. However, since the recession began in 2007 the city of Lancaster has, relatively speaking, appeared to thrive. The city recently completed renovation of their main boulevard and is attracting new business to the area. While they have had to freeze positions, there have been no layoffs. With both cities facing similar business, residential and political situations, it appears that differences in fiscal soundness between Lancaster and Palmdale must lie in differing policy decisions made by each city. This paper will look closely at the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR) of Palmdale and Lancaster to see if there are any differences between the two cities that will help to explain the difference in outcomes. This paper focuses on the CAFR's because they are the audited reports and show the actual monies earned and spent. The purpose of this study is to analyze the key decisions and policies of these two cities and determine what policies or decisions made the key difference between the outcomes of the two cities. This may serve as a general frame for assessing fiscal strategies and outlooks of these and other cities.
70. Gender stereotypes and their effects on Kern County political candidates
Pitcher, Jenifer Mikel
The purpose of this study is to address the different ways in which female and male candidates are combating gender stereotypes in political campaigns. Society has led us to believe that masculine qualities are the qualities in which make good leaders; feminine qualities are seen as weaknesses if found in those seeking leadership positions. The general stereotypes held by society convey a hierarchical system of beliefs in leadership capabilities that place men above women, masculine above feminine. I investigate these stereotypes by conducting interviews with male and female political candidates and/or political office holders within Kern County. The findings in this study support existing evidence that females face "double standards" in the political arena and therefore must counter certain stereotypes associated with femininity by the voting public. This study also finds that male candidates have had to change the way in which the campaign in order for voters to see them as more "approachable;" however, the hurdles for female candidates are much more consistent and more difficult to overcome in order to be successful within the predominantly masculine world of politics.
71. Check and mate: Chaucer's clerical tale of oppression, submission, and obligation
Alexander, Jacen Rynae
Reading "The Clerk"s Tale" can be a frustrating experience, for it seems to mean something, but—even barring modern sensibilities from the analysis—it seems confused or even self-contradictory in its conclusions. Is it the ideal marriage or not? A little overboard or a lot? And what of Walter"s thematic connection to God, if there is any? For that matter, does Griselda equate Job? Is she to be emulated or not? What of the Clerk? Yet analysis of the primary characters and their narrator can yield some interesting points about marriage, love, entitlement, sovereignty and, ultimately, despotism: the wife"s unthinking acquiescence to the husband"s tests justifies spousal abuse, and as royalty their twisted dynamic justifies the worst kind of tyranny. Therefore, this thesis will use theories and examples of modern tyranny and abusive relationships to examine Walter's disturbing power over Grisilde.
72. Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and nineteenth-century Christianity
Iverson, Rebecca Anne
The textual, biographical and historical inquiry into Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre will center on the explicit and implicit Christianity of the novel and how it was possibly influenced by Charlotte Bronte's own unconventional religious perspective. The questions that I will explore deal with the brand of Christianity and social idealism with which Bronte was brought up, and how this is reflected in the text. Biography here is used to evaluate Bronte's attitudes concerning a multitude of Christianities, both prevalent and fledgling during the mid-eighteen hundreds. I will contextualize her faith, in hopes of broadening and enhancing our understanding of the text, and thus challenge aspects of the readings by critics who see her apparent feminism as a direct challenge to Christianity, (which they construe as a singular and monolithic social phenomenon). In chapter one I will contextualize Charlotte Bronte through the religious and social climate of her time and her own beliefs as they are revealed in her biography and letters. I will focus on the varying religious motifs of the novel as they are exemplified in the main characters. Chapter two will center on the character of St. John Rivers. Chapter three with Edward Rochester. Chapter four concerning Jane Eyre. At this point in my research, I have come to believe that Bronte studies in the recent past and present (1970's on) focus mainly on the feminist aspect of Jane Eyre while the Christian component is often marginalized or misunderstood.
73. "Against either scale": analyzing Jesuitical equivocation in the porter scene in William Shakespeare's Macbeth
Stock Stotler, Darlene
A study of equivocation will yield that this practice commanded a vast amount of attention during the Renaissance, the time period of 1450-1600, in which Jesuitical equivocation was an ongoing phenomenon. The practice became part of the Renaissance era's ideology; however, since the Greek suffix "logy" signifies "the study of," the term ideology is not as specific, nor does it explain the role ofJesuitical equivocation in relation to the Renaissance as accurately as another term: the episteme. A brief discussion of the episteme is necessary to discover its relevancy to the puns William Shakespeare used in his Porter Scene in the tragedy Macbeth. An episteme (Greek for "knowledge") is most clearly defined by the new historicist scholar Michel Foucault as a verbal device that involves "[a] network ofdiscursive practices--of thoughts, concepts, and cultural codes-dominant during a given historical period; and ... the rules governing the transformation of those practices" (Murfin 149). Placing an emphasis on the phrase "rules governing" is extremely illuminating in identifying the interplay between the Jacobean monarchy that held public disdain, and executions of, Jesuits. The persecutions forced subjugated Jesuits to the point that ordinances, such as confessions, needed some form of protection, hence Father Henry Garnet's treatise regarding equivocation . This imbalanced reciprocity of a monarchy instilling fear in religious leaders illustrates Foucault's "transformation of ... practices" and is the basis of the Foucauldian concept of the episteme. Applying Foucault's theory to the Porter Scene reveals the way Shakespeare's satirical puns mirrored the Jacobean episteme of the blatant hatred directed at Catholics and the Jesuits.
74. The Role of Tiresias in T. S. Eliot's The Waste land
Sergi, Stephanie Lynne
In this thesis, I seek to resolve the debate over Tiresias's ability to unify The Waste Land by offering a new perspective—Tiresias as a Modernist Maypole. I propose that Tiresias's inability to perfectly coalesce the different voices and themes within the poem is not due to an authorial failing but is instead an imperfect unification that may suggest a modernist view of unity. In short, the thesis focuses Tiresias in regards gender, prophecy, and mythology. This thesis argues that Tiresias fails to completely unify The Waste Land; nevertheless, it also maintains that he can, in fact, fuse the poem's fragments in an unusual way. Tiresias allows for a nuanced view of the poem's structure by suggesting incomplete connections hidden in the numerous vignettes. An image of a maypole can illustrate this modernist view of unity. A traditional maypole consists of a fixed pole that has ribbons or streamers extending down from the top, and the end of each ribbon is held by a person. Then, the people dance around the pole weaving the ribbons together. In contrast, a modernist maypole would lack some of these ribbons, and others may be frayed or torn. In The Waste Land, Tiresias is the stationary maypole; however, some of the ribbons connecting him to the other characters in the poem are either torn or missing. In true modernist fashion, the maypole, Tiresias, unifies the work by suggesting what it might have been.
75. Style, rhetoric, and ambiguity in Henry James's The Turn of the screw
Martinez, Lauren Elizabeth
Originally published in 1898 in serial form, The Turn of the Screw has undergone many incarnations. The short story was published again, complete with a preface, in Henry James's New York Edition, 1907-1909. The version I have chosen to use, edited by Robert Kimbrough, is based directly on this edition: "The first section of the present volume contains the only critical edition of The Turn of the Screw ever published and is the first modern text to follow the New York Edition, the one which had James's final authority" (Kimbrough, ix). Kimbrough includes the notes that accompanied the serial version, as well as several of James's personal letters about the story as well. Rather than choose sides and argue for or against the Governess's sanity, I am studying James's stylistic choices not to solve the debate over the ghosts' existence, but to determine how, lingusitically and rhetorically, James created this unanswerable dilemma. Richard A. Lanham's Analyzing Prose will serve as a starting point for my stylistic analysis, and I supplement with Aristotle's theories of rhetoric. James wrote in his New York edition preface that this story is "a piece of ingenuity pure and simple, of cold artistic calculation, an amusette to catch those not easily caught (the "fun" of the capture of the witless being ever but small), the jaded, the disillusioned, the fastidious" (120). My interest lies not in what ambiguity he created, but rather in how.
76. Identification of cutaneous bacterial species with anti-dermatophyte properties from Rana catesbeiana, the North American bullfrog
Hernandez, Trang Manny
There is a possibility to eradicate infectious diseases with antibiotics. However, new infectious diseases are continually being identified and some known pathogens are again becoming a threat because of antibiotic resistance. Amphibians mostly live in a moist environment which is the best condition for the growth of bacteria and fungi as well. Antimicrobial peptides produced by serous glands in the amphibian skin play a key role in limiting microbial growth and preventing infections with pathogenic microorganisms. In addition to the antimicrobial peptides produced by serous glands, microbial symbionts on the bullfrog skin are also a source of antimicrobial peptides that can protect the amphibian against diseases. In this research, we investigated whether cutaneous bacterial species isolated from Rana catesbeiana (North American Bullfrog), an amphibian species that is resistant to chytridiomycosis, produce secondary metabolites that could be used to inhibit the growth of three species of dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, Epidermotphyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes) which are known to cause skin infections in humans. The isolated bacterial species from R. catesbeiana may be useful as producers of antifungal metabolites that kill, or inhibit the growth of, dermatophytes known to cause topical or subdermal skin infections in humans.
77. Perspective made visible: the intellectual relationship of Ralph Ellison and Kenneth Burke
Kroll, Rebecca
To approach these concerns, this project seeks to provide an evaluation of the intellectual and personal relationship between authors Ralph Ellison and Kenneth Burke as viewed through the lens of personal correspondence. A review of selected letters demonstrates the two authors maintained an enduring relationship, one that spanned from the forties up until Kenneth Burke's death in 1993. In other words, the authors maintained a friendship lasting roughly half their lives. To that end, this project presents a chronology of selected correspondence in order to provide an initial set up, so that scholars may encounter the letters in one place and consider the role each author played in the development of the other's ideas.
78. Becoming an atheist minister: identity formation and impression management
Leif Basilio, Jonathan
This study explores the dynamics of the social construction of the conflicting identities of "evangelical Christian" ministers who have embraced atheistic beliefs, but contrary to normal conventions and expectations, have chosen to remain in their religious roles as pastors, and in so doing keep their beliefs private. Drawing on data gathered from individual interviews with eight active ministers, an evolving process of identity re-interpretation is revealed -- a process occasioned both by the ministers" private encounter with dissonant beliefs and the necessity of constant public identity management. The study takes the ideas of Cognitive Dissonance and Structural Symbolic Interactionism"s Identity Salience a step further by highlighting an identity re-interpretation process in which contradictory social and cognitive elements are negotiated within the ministers" particular social contexts. The result can be described as a modified identity which is cognizant of both strengths and weaknesses of the previous contradictory identities. Erving Goffman"s Dramaturgical approach is subsequently used to analyze the pastor"s public identity and impression management strategies, specifically in the context of the public performance of their duties.
79. Late Pleistocene geomagnetic field recorded in sediments from the depocenter of Pluvial Lake Chewaucan, Lake County, OR
McCuan, Daniel Thomas
The main topic of this thesis focuses on geomagnetic excursions. The exact definition of an excursion is problematic and over time a number of conventions have been used. The traditional excursion is defined by VGPs that travel more than 40° to 45° away from the average magnetic north pole for that time period. A more recent and far more lax definition of an excursion has been proposed labeling any magnetic field behavior other than "normal" field behavior as an excursion.
Geological Sciences
80. A Program proposal for an assisted living facility in Mexico
Rasmussen, Cody W
The soon to retire baby boomers are going to create a strain on the current elderly infrastructure in America. The following is a proposal for an assisted living facility in Mexico. If put into effect the outsourced assisted living facility will help to ease the strain on the American elderly infrastructure. The proposed facility will provide both a quality and affordable retirement for baby boomers. The recommendation is to put this program model into effect and to reap the benefits thereof for years to come.
81. Orientation during Post-Metamorphic Migration in an Endangered Population of the California Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma californiense
Lewis, Ryan D.
Purpose of the Study: The endangered Sonoma County population of the California tiger salamander, Ambystoma californiense, undergoes migrations between breeding pools and upland dry-season refugia. Orientation in this species during breeding migrations has been addressed minimally in previous studies, and literature is particularly sparse concerning newly metamorphosed juveniles. Previous works have not addressed the ability of metamorphs to orient or the way in which they search for upland refugia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if California tiger salamander metamorphs can re-orient during initial migration and if search movements constitute a Correlated Random Walk. Procedure: We evaluated fine scale movements of newly metamorphosed California tiger salamanders as they moved away from breeding pools, by capturing salamanders with a drift fence. Metamorphs received different orientation treatments, and subsequent movement was tracked with fluorescent powder. We measured turning angles and step lengths at each segment of the tracks, and compared the effect of different treatments. Findings: Here we show that newly metamorphosed juveniles can re-orient to their upland migration path after being interrupted and disoriented. Further, we demonstrate that while searching for burrow refugia, metamorph movement is a correlated random walk. Conclusions: The initial migration from natal pools to uplands following metamorphosis has been identified as a crucial life history juncture for the persistence of this species. Our findings show that these migrations are directed by some orientation, and that these movements are not random. The presence of a Correlated Random Walk is consistent with search patterns in many vertebrates.
82. toogoodtobetrue
Wrisley, Brooke
toogoodtobetrue is a fiction creative project containing a collection of queer short stories designed to examine the unifying and diverse experiences of a modern queer existence. Thematically, the collection seeks to create and explore the practical and affective possibilities of queer optimism, or optimism without futurity.
83. Investigating Student and Teacher Perspectives on Approaches toward Student Epistemic Agency through a Socioscientific Issue in Secondary Science Classrooms
Boylen, Sarah C.
Purpose of the Study: This research study hopes to address the negotiation of important aspects in teaching such as how to foster inquiry and literacy while adhering to standards, specifically the Next Generation Science Standards, and if those standards allow for student epistemic agency in secondary science classrooms. The future of science education lies in teachers instilling in their students the skills that will help them gain scientific literacy and student agency in the classroom, and beyond. For the purposes of this study, a framework was developed around scientific inquiry and literacy, while negotiating varying pedagogical approaches, along a theorized spectrum of increasing student agency. The framework is a tool to help educators visualize a variety of pedagogies as they relate to important characteristics of stages of inquiry that could offer increasing epistemic agency for their students. This research study intends to shed light on the perspectives and opinions of a selected group of high school life science teachers and some of their students in regards to these approaches to teaching a controversial, or Socioscientific Issue (SSI), in the science classroom. The student outcome goals that were considered were critical thinking, personal decision making, ethical questioning, outreach and "social justice" as activism. The three classrooms include one Sheltered Learning biology class and one Advanced Placement biology, both at the same high school, and one Integrated 3-4 biology class in a neighboring County. Within and across the three different classrooms, how do participating teachers, and their students' perceive, or view, (a) varying approaches toward using a controversial, or Socioscientific Issue (SSI), such as GMOs, in secondary science classroom, and (b) activities designed for the science classroom that have the end goals of outreach, social justice or activism, on or off campus? Finally, how does student preference compare to the proposed theoretical framework set forth in this study? Procedure: This mixed-method study is a one-phase embedded design approach; where quantitative data is the secondary data that was collected while qualitative data was being audio recorded during teacher and student interviews. Four activity "scenarios" were designed, along with interview questionnaires, and used as tools and guides during teacher and student interviews. Three high school life science teachers and 13 of their students were interviewed to investigate their perspectives on using the four different activity scenarios which would explore the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as food. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. Findings: Overall, two classes preferred Activity 1; critical thinking in the lab, whereas one classroom preferred Activities 3; outreach and 4; activism, although students had a variety of responses as to why. All three teachers and many students agreed that outreach and activism are important. However, teachers believed that activities that stayed in the classroom were more feasible that activities that left the classroom. Teachers were fairly accurate when predicting their students preferred activity scenario. All the participants said that GMOs as food would be a good topic for learning science in the classroom. Teachers and students felt that activities that are controversial, or that might cause conflict in the classroom, are acceptable for learning at school. Those who were asked felt that conflict can be managed and usually does not leave the classroom. When the varying perspectives within classrooms were reflected on the spectrum, new ideas about what student epistemic agency and scientific literacy are emerged. Conclusions: Student epistemic agency can be defined in many ways, including what the students want to do most. However, agency through varying teaching approaches and a variety of student outcome goals can bring different forms of agency to students while doing inquiry in the science classroom. Finally, students may come into the classroom with prior experiences that give them a different "position" when negotiating a controversial, or socioscientific, type issue. Implications for teaching practice involve balancing factors that are within our control, such as activity planning and pedagogical approach, with factors that are out of teachers control, such as the starting point of a student's position when they enter the classroom for learning. This starting point position can have large impacts on a student's perceptions, and willingness, to "like" activities Finally, teachers play a large role in how learning can happen in the classroom, as well the school and society that they lie within.
84. Children of Immigrants
Soto, Erik M.
Statement of Intent: The intent behind Children of Immigrants is to give a voice to people who are Latinx, Chicanx, or Mexican in a country which constantly shapes our narratives to benefit the Anglo-American narrative. By writing about the culture, religion, relationship dynamics, and the clash of between Mexican and American societies, I hope to give the reader an authentic perspective of the Mexican/Latinx/Chicanx experience. Scope: The scope of Children of Immigrants is always through the eyes of someone who is Mexican/Latinx/Chicanx. Everything about the characters in these poems is a reflection of the Mexican/Latinx/Chicanx and, by extension, people who interact with this identity. Approach: Because the purpose of Children of Immigrants is to illustrate an authentic Mexican/Latinx/Chicanx experience, my approach was to mimic and write about situations and locations that helped build a foundation to this experience. This included incorporating the Spanish language, including real locations, and writing with politically charged themes. Many of the experiences I wrote about come from my personal life or tales told by friends, family members or the news.
85. A Policy analysis on banning competitive food and beverages in California public schools to reduce childhood obesity
Valencia, Alphonso
This policy analysis researches the epidemic of childhood obesity in California and the state's efforts to reduce obesity by banning competitive food and beverages in public schools. With an extensive literature review of obesity in California and the rest of the U.S., this analysis compares California to other states in the nation with high obesity rates. The vast efforts and tactics used by states to reduce obesity are compared for commonalities and gaps in the U.S. The research indicated that children across California and the rest of the U. S. are not receiving proper nutrition and exercise. Schools across the nation are being targeted as key contributors to the increase in obesity rates because of poor nutritional standards and physical education standards. The research also indicated that there is a need for a nationwide policy to address childhood obesity. A standardized nationwide policy would be the best method to reduce childhood obesity.
86. Molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic analysis of the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Gambelia sila
Grimes, Adam John
The blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila) is a federally and state-listed endangered species, endemic to the San Joaquin Valley, Carrizo and Elkhorn Plains, and Cuyama Valley of central California. Habitat degradation has had a profound impact on the historic distribution and population size of G. sila. Although recognition of G. sila as a distinct species has been questioned by some authors (e.g., Cope 1900, Smith 1946), it is currently recognized as a full species separate from the wide-ranging long-nosed leopard lizard (G. wislizenii); however, genetic support for the specific status of G. sila is lacking. Furthermore, the genetic identity of leopard lizards in the purported hybrid zone between these two species in the Cuyama Valley in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties has not been evaluated using modern molecular techniques. Understanding the genetic identity of leopard lizards in the Cuyama Valley has practical as well as systematic implications. I investigated the sister taxon relationship of G. sila and G. wislizenii using 603 base pairs of sequence from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase III (CO3) gene from 37 individuals representing the two species sampled from various populations in western North America. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 17 haplotypes that are partitioned into two major clades that correspond to the range of G. sila and that of G. wislizenii haplotype groups, thus supporting the recognition of both lizards as distinct species. Additionally, I sequenced 682 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase b (cyt b) gene from 34 individuals representing six populations of G. sila, including lizards from a remnant hybrid population. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the cyt b sequences consisted of 18 haplotypes that are partitioned into three geographic clades: northern, central, and southern. All lizards from the Cuyama Valley exhibited the G. sila mitochondrial DNA signature and formed the "southern" clade that was joined as a sister group to the "central" clade. My morphological analysis placed some leopard lizards from the hybrid zone with true G. sila, whereas some aggregated with G. wislizenii, indicative of hybrid status. However, genetic signatures suggest that all lizards in the hybrid zone are true G. sila, and not hybrids.
87. Implementing an intergenerational program at an adult day health care center in southern California
Smith, Jessica R
Intergenerational programming has benefits for both the older adults and the children involved in them. The objective of this project was to work toward the implementation of an intergenerational program at an adult day health care center in Southern California. A thorough literature review was conducted focusing on intergenerational programs and the benefits of such. In addition, qualitative data was collected through in person interviews, telephone interviews, and email correspondence. The knowledge gained from the literature review and qualitative data collected for this project will help with the implementation of an intergenerational program at an adult day health care center in Southern California and may encourage more adult day health care centers to look into implementing their own intergenerational programs.
88. Conservation of Tipton kangaroo rats (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides): effects of competition and potential for translocation
Tennant, Erin Nicole
The Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), is an endangered subspecies of the San Joaquin Valley kangaroo rat, found in the Tulare basin of the San Joaquin Valley. Dipodomys n. nitratoides and the larger Heermann's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni) are often found sympatrically throughout the San Joaquin Valley. However, potential competitive interactions and the nature of population fluctuations between these two species are largely unknown. Because I thought that D. heermanni could be negatively affecting a translocated population D. n. nitratoides on Allensworth Ecological Reserve, Tulare County, California, I initiated a study on potential competitive interactions between these two species. In this study my objectives were to (1) determine whether the presence of D. heermanni affects space use and foraging behavior of D. n. nitratoides and (2) compare D. n. nitratoides abundance and population trends between areas with and without D. heermanni. I found that in an exclusion area where D. heermanni were removed, D. n. nitratoides increased exponentially since the start the study, whereas on a control site with both species, D. n. nitratoides decreased significantly. My results suggest that D. heermanni are competitively depressing a population of translocated D. n. nitratoides on the study site. Furthermore, eliminating competitive effects of larger, coexisting species during reintroduction or translocation efforts for D. n. nitratoides may be an important factor in success. To further test optimal translocation and reintroduction methods for protected kangaroo rats in the San Joaquin Valley, possibly an important conservation strategy, I translocated the group of non-protected D. heermanni that was removed from the exclusion area during the competitive interactions part of my study. During this part of my research, my objective was to determine whether soft-release methods, which involve a 30-day acclimation period in a wire mesh cage, help to improve survivorship of translocated kangaroo rats. My results indicated that hard-released individuals had higher survivorship than soft and semi soft- released individuals. I believe that one of the factors that may have contributed to the success of hard-released individuals was the high number of available burrows on the translocation site, often not found at sites, which provided refugia for translocated individuals. ii
89. An Analysis of the political discourse used by the proponents and opponents in the 2008 California Proposition 8 campaign
Cave, Justin L
At the forefront of the American political debate today is the issue of same-sex marriage. The significance of this research is to analyze the political discourse used by the proponents and opponents in the 2008 State of California Proposition 8 or (California Marriage Protection Act) campaign. This paper utilizes Lakoff's (2004) principles of debate framing to analyze the proponent and opponent's sides to the 2008 Proposition 8 campaign. The Websites reviewed for this study were www.protectmarriage.com in opposition to same-sex marriage, and www.eqca.org in support of same-sex marriage. The discourse of the two Websites protectmarriage.com and eqca.org represented two very different perspectives on the same-sex marriage issue in California. The Protect Marriage Website billed itself as an organization that values the "traditional family" and is committed to providing a safe environment for children to grow up in, while the Equality California Website framed the issue in terms of "equality for all" and to be "tolerant" of all humans. The issue of choosing the correct discourse in the 2008 state of California same-sex marriage campaign was critical because the race was separated by an extremely small percentage of votes. As a result, carefully planned framing and proactive discourse ultimately led the opponents of same-sex marriage to prevail in the 2008 same-sex marriage campaign. Recommendations consist of reaching out to minorities, campaigning proactively by promoting positive campaigning strategies, and encouraging grassroots community volunteerism to generate media attention and allow volunteers to educate their own community on the issues.
90. A Policy analysis of California's subsidized child care system
Jones, Kerri L.
California has been facing a severe fiscal crisis for several years. The challenge before elected officials is providing services and balancing the budget. As the Governor and the Legislature work to solve a projected $26 billion budget deficit for fiscal year 2011-12, cuts to programs will be necessary. The California Department of Education has been successfully implementing and managing child care programs for over 60 years. These programs allow families to work, receive training, become contributing members of society and break the cycle of generational welfare while providing safe, quality, child care options for the care of their children. The goal of fiscal cuts to the system is to reduce expenditures with minimal impact to children and families receiving services. These programs, which are funded with both state and federal dollars are being critically evaluated to determine the cost effectiveness and the value of the service to all Californians. This paper will review potential program changes that achieve the goals of cutting expenditures with minimal impact to the number of children and families receiving services. Each alternative has individual merit, but must be critically evaluated. Two strategies to reduce costs and preserve services are proposed for implementation of the 2011-12 fiscal year. Maintain the reduction in administrative rates from 19% to 17.5% of the contract amount. While this cut is difficult for contracting agencies to absorb, it achieves the goal of cost savings with minimal impact to children. The second strategy is to streamline and simplify the Regional Market Rate tool that establishes ceilings or caps on the amount of payment made in the alternative payment subsidized child care programs. The tool establishes provider ceilings for traditional hours of care from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and non-traditional hours of care from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and weekends. The tool is cumbersome for contractors, child care providers and families to understand. Results of a federal audit found that 25% of files in the sample had payment errors. Simplification of the RMR tool would streamline and simplify the process, resulting in fewer errors or audit findings and result in cost savings.
91. Prison overcrowding in California as a result of the Three strikes law
Wilcox, Nathan S
Since 1994, California"s three strikes law has been the most far-reaching of all the three strikes laws in the nation. While designed to incapacitate and deter violent habitual offenders from committing further violent crimes, the breadth of the law has led to more than that. It allows for third strike convictions for any of some 500 felonies, even offenses considered "wobblers" or offenses that could be charged as a felony or misdemeanor (Freedburg, 2004). Conviction of a second strike also allows for sentences which could be up to double what they would be if the offense was not considered as a strike. Oftentimes, these offenses counted as strikes are non-serious and non-violent. Convictions under this particular law have contributed heavily to California"s current prison population crises. "Striker inmates" or those convicted under the "three strikes" law, make up one quarter (25%) of the total California prison population (California State Auditor, 2010). The costs associated with these incarcerations are continuing to cause tension when California is already in an uncertain financial situation. Reviewing the origins of the law to include the "tough on crime" approach to Proposition 184"s passage and what has been done since then, provides some background leading to the current situation. An assessment of the three strikes law"s current state gives support to the rationale that it should be changed. This is in order to both address the high number of incarcerated offenders convicted of non-violent, non-serious offenses and reduce the costs related to their incarceration. Three policy alternatives were examined; the 'do nothing' or no difference option, refining the definition of a strike to include only violent or serious offenses and the option of enhanced community supervision. After an analysis of the alternatives and application of criteria, the alternative of refining the definition of a strike to include only violent or serious offenses proved to be the most likely to succeed. This is because it met the criteria of effectiveness, feasibility, efficiency and adequacy.
92. School gardens: a child's path to nature
Buzzell, Nancy S
All children should be able to have opportunities for experiences and explorations with nature through their own discoveries. Involved in this process is the importance of children experiencing nature directly, through hands on experiences. The Children's Center at California State University, Bakersfield, is the location for a proposed school garden. Its focus will be on providing direct contact with nature through hands-on experiences in the garden. The garden will be comprised of two areas, named The Kinder Garden and The Sensory Garden. One component of the paper is a garden design, specific to the needs and specifications of the actual site. Unique characteristics of the garden will be discussed including: accessibility, entrances and pathways, elevation, grass area on undulating hills, raised beds, fences and borders, water sources, gathering areas, aesthetic considerations, additional garden considerations, and a plant list.
93. Implementation strategies for a public awareness plan for the City of Bakersfield Industrial Pretreatment Program
Murdock-Padley, Rosanne
Federal, state and local environmental regulatory agencies guide the activities of the City of Bakersfield Wastewater Industrial Pretreatment Program. The goals of one of those agencies, the California State Water Resources Control Board is to educate the public about water quality issues. An evaluation of public awareness activities used by the City of Bakersfield Wastewater Industrial Pretreatment Program found that industrial waste inspectors would like to expand their public education and awareness efforts beyond commercial entities. Public education and awareness efforts can educate the public on the proper ways to dispose of pollutants and the effects of discarding pollutants down storm drains and sewers. The Wastewater Division currently does not have a public awareness plan to guide the public awareness effort. This study includes a literature review that examines the effectiveness of public awareness methods at changing behavior of the target audience in environmental matters. The review found public awareness and education alone may not change behavior of a target audience in matters of the environment. Implementation of a planned public awareness campaign is still recommended for the industrial pretreatment inspectors engaging in public awareness activities over the current ad hoc method because a planned campaign can serve as a blueprint and guide. Implementation strategies that industrial waste inspectors can use to create a public awareness plan are included in this report. Creating a public awareness plan that outlines what to do and how to do it is a major part of a public awareness plan. A public awareness plan can guide the efforts of public awareness efforts allowing for efficient and effective use of limited public resources.
94. Program proposal for a drinking license in California
Varela, Steven Robert
The current Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws were created to save lives and deter underage drinking. Researchers have found that has been a steady occurrence of unsafe drinking practices among college-aged adults (18 to 24 year olds). The most common unsafe activity is binge drinking where participants are drinking more than five servings of alcohol in one sitting or event. College presidents and chancellors have made note of the reckless drinking activities occurring on their campus and neighboring communities, and formed the Amethyst Initiative. The Amethyst Initiative focuses on reexamining the current MLDA laws to help find an alternative to curb the reckless drinking activities. They suggest that a drinking education course be created which upon completion participants can receive a license to drink alcohol legally. This program proposal will take AI's drinking education suggestion and apply it to the state of California. This program proposal will allow 18 to 20 year olds to voluntarily participate in ten-week course, which will educate them about alcohol awareness, accountability, responsibility, and consequences. The materials are not abstinence based and does not try to stop drinking alcohol rather it will provide the participants valuable skills and techniques when drinking alcohol occurs. In addition to the educational aspect of the program, participants will be able to hear about the misuse of alcohol by representatives of their local law officials, emergency medical technicians, doctors, professors, and victims of alcohol abuse. Lastly, participants who have completed the program successfully will be awarded a license to purchase and consume alcohol legally. However, in order to deter misuse of the drinking license, license holders will be required to register with the California State Department of Justice and local law enforcement agencies. If license holders were ever convicted of a crime while under the influence of alcohol, they would be subject to stricter penalties and consequences. In the end, the goal of this program proposal is to break the cycle of reckless drinking habits among 18 to 24 year olds through drinking education and by allowing participants demonstrate proper drinking habits socially among their peers. By demonstrating proper drinking habits socially among their peers, participants will help to bring a change in reckless drinking culture that currently occurs across the state of California. This program proposal is the solution to breaking the cycle of reckless drinking habits and can be certainly have an impact on the drinking culture of Californians.
95. A Project plan for the Bakersfield Police Department report review process
Matson, Jason Wade
Law enforcement agencies are encountering dire financial constraints as the depressed economy continues to exist. These agencies are working with significantly reduced staffing levels with no immediately relief anticipated. The current circumstances have created a need for revisions to existing procedures in order to increase efficiencies. This program proposal study is designed to evaluate how law enforcement agencies can increase the amount of time that a law enforcement supervisor can have available to devote to in-field supervision and to create a formalized process to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the process. The research also seeks to determine what unintended consequences might develop from a modified review and approval process, to provide recommendations for administrators to consider, and make recommendations on remedial options for non-reviewed reports should the investigation require such action. The knowledge gained from this study will help law enforcement administrators provide alternatives to workload adjustments during recessed economies and limited staffing levels when encountered in future similar situations.
96. Policy analysis of California Workers' Compensation claim costs
Paul, Rohit
Senate Bill 899 was a partial success as it was able to lower the costs of workers' compensation for California's insurance carriers and employers. That 2004 reform bill led to a substantial reduction in overall claim volume by limiting the various extensions of injured worker benefits and increasing the requirements to qualify for particular benefits. By the year 2009, any progress made by the 2004 reform had already been erased. The state's insurance carriers averaged a 25% loss on workers' compensation premiums that year. Gradual price increases in workers' compensation premiums, over the last several years, have significantly contributed to California's notorious distinction as one of the worst states in which to operate small businesses. From a historical review, workers' compensation system premium pricing goes through a cycle of highs and lows that project over several years. The high years prompt cost reducing reforms and the low years prompt new actions from involved parties that result in rising costs. Currently, Status Quo projects a workers' compensation system that is unsustainable for businesses and insurance carriers due to mounting pressure from rising claim costs that have already overcome the SB899 reform. Over 90 percent, of the total costs in the system, stem from claims involving temporary disability. In addition, the system allows for claim lifespans and medical profits that significantly out-pace those of similar claims for non-industrial injuries. Policy changes are needed in the form of medical treatment containment measures and overall claim resolution motivators. The larger focus of future reforms should be on returning injured workers to their job in a functional capacity and at a universally accepted pace. Alternatives to the problem can largely be devised from existing components of the workers' compensation system. Current AME/QME procedures and ACOEM guidelines should be used to formulate small scale reforms that attempt to return claim costs and durations to a logical level as opposed to reforms that aim only to cut exorbitant costs.
97. Late Miocene uplift at Wheeler Ridge, Kern County, California
Henley II, Gary
A stratigraphic and structural study from the late Miocene to the present at Wheeler Ridge oil field, Kern County, CA gives new insight into the formation of the Wheeler Ridge anticline and refines previous interpretations. Well log correlations of the lower Fruitvale, upper Fruitvale, and Santa Margarita formations show evidence of at least two late Miocene compressional events. Both of these late Miocene events are associated with unconformities and folding within the lower and upper Fruitvale and suggest southwest to northeast shortening. The lower Santa Margarita sands terminate near the edge of the late Miocene Wheeler Ridge anticline. The upper Santa Margarita sands and Etchegoin, San Joaquin, Tulare (undifferentiated) sands overtop the late Miocene Wheeler Ridge anticline and are continuous throughout the study area, thus suggesting no uplift during the Pliocene. Quaternary uplift resulted in the currently observed Wheeler Ridge thrust fault and Wheeler Ridge anticline. The Wheeler Ridge thrust fault accommodates north to south shortening, strikes roughly east to west, dips to the south at approximately 30 degrees, is approximately 30,000 feet along strike, and has a maximum of 1,300 feet of throw. A model of the late Miocene to recent uplift, deposition, and erosion is put forward to explain stratigraphic thickness variation observed in the lower Fruitvale, upper Fruitvale, and Santa Margarita formations. The model explains the erosion patterns observed in the lower Fruitvale and upper Fruitvale formations. The model also explains why the lower Santa Margarita sands are not continuous throughout the area, due to uplift of the late Miocene Wheeler Ridge anticline. This new model does not require a wedge thrust or back thrust solution, used in previous interpretations, to explain the faulting and folding in the Wheeler Ridge area.
98. Major factors that influence state revenue forecasting: reducing the state of California's allocations & expenditures
Ryberg, Richard A.
The state of California's budget deficits have been a problem for decades. There are many signs and published reports demonstrating that financial stability is needed. The revenues for the state of California are volatile, the debt is growing out of control, and operational costs are on the rise. The allocations and expenditures in California's budget need to be reduced in order to address this crisis. There are countless alternatives to consider in repairing these years of compounding deficits. There were four key alternatives that this study focused on. The four alternatives consist of improving operational process efficiency, setting a limit and requirements for new allocations, creating and promoting citizen engagement, and maintaining the status quo. This study identifies and applies the evaluative criteria of political feasibility, effectiveness, timeliness, and equity to the alternative selection process. The alternative that most productively and effectively meets the set criteria is improving operational process efficiency. This alternative has some short term consequences. They can be overcome by support from all individuals and departments of the state. There are also constraints which can be minimized. The state of California's financial recovery requires immediate action. Reducing allocations and expenditures by improving operational process efficiency is a productive beginning. By setting limits and requirements for new allocations and increasing citizen engagement, the recovery can be ignited.
99. "Plague in the boomtowns: the Spanish influenza in Bakersfield, and Kern County, 1918-1920"
Milam, J. Garth
Late in the summer of 1918, Bakersfield and Kern County was consumed by news of the war in Europe. Many hoped they were nearing the end of the deadliest war in history. But as one tragedy was ending another was just beginning. Today, ninety years after the Spanish Influenza epidemic swept the world, few are aware of the devastation it wrought. In fact, a sort of social amnesia enveloped much of the western world. Bakersfield was no exception. A present day resident of Kern County would not put the 1918 influenza on any list of local disasters. Though when the facts are examined, the Spanish Influenza mortality rate in Bakersfield exceeded every other major city in California. But even Bakersfield's numbers were dwarfed by two regions of rural Kern County. The rapidly growing towns on the West Side and Oildale, just north of Bakersfield, were bustling, youthful, oil boomtowns. In little more than a decade these non-existent towns grew to contain a third of the county's population. Sadly, the youth of the boomtowns made the Spanish Influenza even more devastating to these rural communities. In only four months of flu, these towns would loss many times more victims from plague than two years of war. How could such an event not be remembered, memorialized, and indelibly imprinted in our social consciousness? Yet, the influenza of 1918 proved to be much more than a forgotten tragedy in our collective past. It was a physical loss felt by nearly every family in the region. Globally, the effects of four years of war followed by a pandemic that took millions more lives, left twentieth-century society reeling. Kern County dealt with the great loss like the rest of the world; it tried to forget it.
100. The Distribution of sexes across a rainfall gradient in a subdioecious southern California chaparral shrub Rhus ovata S. Watson (Anacardiaceae)
Keldgord, Heather Elayne
Rhus ovata is an evergreen shrub species that is common to low elevations in southern California. This species is subdioecious, i.e. some individuals are functionally females and produce fruit while others are functionally male and produce flowers with pollen. I hypothesized that because female plants allocate greater resources to reproduction through the formation of both flowers and fruit, female plants have fewer resources available for vegetative growth, survival, and defense. Therefore, I predicted that female plants would be smaller and less competitive. I sampled Rhus ovata populations at six sites across a rainfall gradient (221mm/yr to 701 mm/yr) and predicted that populations would be male dominated at drier sites because of their greater stress tolerance. At each site I measured the ratio of male to female plants within the sampled population. For a subset of individuals at each site, I measured crown size, stem tissue density, specific leaf area, reproductive investment, and distance to the nearest neighbor. As expected, female plants had greater total reproductive investment although the amount of investment was highly variable and females exhibited more variability than males. However, this differential reproductive investment did not lead to sexual size dimorphism. Ratios of functional male plants to functionally female plants differed among sites, but these differences were not correlated with rainfall and across sites the ratio of males to females did not significantly differ from a one to one. Plasticity in allocation to reproduction among females in this long-lived woody species may mitigate reproductive costs and reduce sexual dimorphism.