Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Social work with youth Australia'

Although the concept of mental health issues among foster youth has been researched since the early 1980s, a challenge for children and family services has been working with foster youth with mental health issues. This study explored factors relevant to mental health issues among foster youth in the County of Ventura between the ages of 14 and 18. This case review study included 50 cases of foster youth from the County of Ventura Children and Family Services Youth Services Division. It was found that 76% of foster youth suffer from various mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders, oppositional defiance disorder, and Pervasive Development Disorder). The most frequently noted was multiple disorders. No difference was found for the presence of a mental health disorder and ethnicity. There were also no significant differences between those with and without a mental health disorder in terms of years in the system or number of placements.

The purpose of this project was to partner with a host agency, locate a potential funding source, and write a grant to obtain funding for a preventative program for at-risk youth. A literature review was conducted in order to analyze the background and prevalence of juvenile delinquency, and past and current prevention and intervention efforts to address it. The preventative program will be located at Boys Republic's Monrovia Day program, located in Monrovia, California. The program will provide at-risk (male and female) high school aged (13-18) youth with education, independent living skills, and recreational activities to develop or improve social skills, emotional growth, and self-sufficiency. The program will also assist youth with developing meaningful relationships with nonfamily adults through the use of mentorship. The actual submission or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion ofthe project.

Foster youth face significant challenges as they navigate higher education; estimated rates of those who obtain Bachelor Degrees vary from 1 to 11% (Casey Family Services, 1999; Emerson, 2006; Pecora et al., 2003). Grounded in identity, attachment, development, and student success theories and rooted in relational cultural therapy, this proposed program applies components to help counter and shrink the achievement gap of foster youth. Utilizing case management, a mentoring program, and across-system collaboration and communication, educational outcomes for foster youth can be improved, avenues for positive and consistent interpersonal adult connections can be provided, and access to existing services across campus, local, and county systems for foster youth attending a community colleges can be improved. The challenges facing foster youth, associated theories and proposed intervention components are examined and supported by the literature. Intervention strengths, limitations, and implications are also explored.

The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to fund a program which would concentrate on teaching and equipping emancipating foster youth with basic life skills in order for them to successfully transition to young adulthood. The target population for this program are dependent youth of the County of Los Angeles, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). While there are currently existing program models which promote independent living skills, there are restrictions on the eligibility requirements. This grant writer identified the Stuart Foundation as an appropriate funding source for the proposed program due to the foundation's commitment to education and improving the child welfare system. The grant was written to provide the vulnerable population of emancipating foster youth with knowledge and access to community resources in hopes they will become successful, law abiding and contributing members of society. In addition, the proposed program will provide transitioning foster youth with support and reinforce their self-confidence to reduce and/or counteract effects of childhood abuse and neglect. Securing the funding was not a thesis requirement.

The purpose of this project was to identify potential funding sources and write a grant proposal to fund a program that supports both transitional and emancipated youth aged 13-25 in becoming successful, self-sufficient and independent adults. The program will focus on providing support through group and individual counseling, education and fostering connections through peer mentorships to improve the chances of positive outcomes for transitional and emancipated foster youth. By providing guidance and support, this program is aimed at reducing negative outcomes due to history of abuse and neglect, inadequate education and lack of emotional support, all of which often affect transitional aged and emancipated foster youth. The host agency for the proposed program is Hannah's Children's Homes. The funding source identified for the proposed program is California Community Foundation. The actual submission and funding of this grant proposal was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this project was to partner with a local community agency and locate funding sources for a grant to fund a teenage pregnancy prevention program. The goal of the program is to prevent, educate and reduce teenage pregnancy among foster care youth through comprehensive education. The goal will be accomplished through an evidence-based program that focuses on the strengths and struggles of the foster care youth. Foster care youth will benefit from having accurate sexual health information through peer advisors. This grant project seeks funding for the teenage prevention program for foster youth through The Office of Adolescent Health (OAH). The host agency is Human Services Association (HSA) a non-profit community based agency serving residents of Bell Gardens, California. Human Services Association will partner with the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family services to provide education for the foster youth in the prevention of teenage pregnancy. The submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this project was to implement a comprehensive readiness program for emancipated foster youth that were in need of job skills and support to assist with stability. Research indicates that instability leads to mental health concerns such as depression when multiple stressors and variables are combined. Emancipated foster youth run the risk of higher rates of depression as this population is more susceptible to negative outcomes such as joblessness, lower rates of higher education attainment, and few sources of support. This program entails the need for emancipated youth to acquire employment skills, mentoring support, and educational information in attempts to prevent higher rates of mental illness. Funding sources were researched and located to create the program based on the mission, geographic location, and monies awarded. This grant aims at supporting a readiness program as a part of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services Transition Resource Center which provides referrals to emancipated youth.

This grant proposal examines the risk factors of Transitional Age Youth (TAY) and outcomes that influence a successful transition to adulthood among dependent and non-dependent TAY. Additionally, the grant examines the negative outcomes this population is at risk for, such as higher rates of substance abuse, pregnancy, mental health issues, and lower rates of employment and education. Based upon research and the effectiveness of particular programs such as Independent Living Programs, Mentoring Programs, and Transitional Housing Placements that help decrease the negative outcomes.

Overall this grant proposes the need for further transitional services for the nondependent TAY through an employment position titled as the Transitional Services Case Manager (TSCM) employed by the nonprofit Agency of True to Life Connections (TLC) Child and Family Services located in Sebastopol, California. Actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this project was to locate a prospective funding source and write a grant to provide services to homeless and runaway youth. An extensive literature review was completed to explore the social problem, identify the needs of homeless youth, and create a program which would provide specialized services to homeless and runaway youth in Orange County. An internet search was conducted to identify the best possible funder; the funder selected is the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, which fits the grant writer's mission of providing supportive services to at risk youth in Orange County. The grant-funded program, a drop-in resource center, will be conducted for the organization Community Service Programs, and will provide immediate needs, case management and individualized educational support, individual/group counseling, and linkages to community resources. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.

The purpose of this project was to design a comprehensive program for emancipated foster youth, identify potential funding sources and write a grant application for United Friends of the Children (UFC) located in Los Angeles, CA. An analysis of the literature revealed emancipated foster youth display high rates of low educational attainment, poor employment outcomes, homelessness, and mental health disorders when compared to the general population. The program goals are to improve emancipated foster youth's educational, employment, income, housing, and mental health outcomes. The Stuart Foundation was selected as the possible funding agency for the proposed program. Actual submission and/or funding of the grant was not a requirement for completion of this project. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

The purpose of this grant proposal was to develop and fund a wellness program incorporating yoga for at-risk youth in Los Angeles County, California. Operation Jump Start and United Dream factory were the agencies selected as the potential hosts of this project.

A thorough review of the literature indicated that youth are particularly vulnerable to issues that may negatively affect their healthy development and well-being (physical, psychological, social and environmental). Previous research also indicated that the best way to address the issues of adolescent health include collaborative approaches that address a variety of factors. Therefore, the grant writer designed a comprehensive wellness program that incorporates yoga, physical activity, mindfulness training and nutrition education; Mindful Active Teens Stretching, Practicing Awareness and Cultivating Ease or MAT SPACE. Private and public potential funding sources were researched and The Give Back Yoga Foundation was identified, as their goals are similar to the goals of MAT SPACE.

Actual submission and/or funding of the grant were not required for the successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this thesis project was to write a grant proposal to develop and fund a group mentoring program for transitional-aged youth (TAY) ages 16 to 18. The proposed program will be located in Los Angeles, California. The Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) was selected as the host agency for this project. A literature review was conducted to examine topics related to TAY including their challenges and outcomes. The ultimate goal of this proposed project is to increase the independent living skills in the areas of education, employment, and finances for the TAY population. This grant was written for the Ralph M. Parsons Foundations (RMPF). The actual submission or funding of this grant proposal was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.

Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) house youth with severe behavioral, psychological, psychiatric, or substance abuse problems. These youth are unsuccessful in other treatment modalities, including outpatient services, or they are too ill or unmanageable to be placed in non-secure settings, day treatment programs, or foster care. Services include special education, individual/family/group therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, psycho-educational counseling, behavioral management, and medication management.

This study examines relevant research regarding RTCs, specifically the factors that influence outcomes for clients such as trauma, post-discharge factors, costs and benefits of RTCs, and finally alternatives to RTCs. The study assesses outcomes and continuum of care of thirty youth who were admitted to an RTC in Los Angeles County. The purpose is to examine factors associated with success in terms of recidivism and social/family functioning post discharge to determine how effective Level 14 is based on admission characteristics, discharge plans, and outcomes.

The purpose of this project was to develop a grant proposal seeking funds for the implementation of a youth-led nutrition and education program utilizing the development and maintenance of a community garden. The participants will be youth from low income and minority backgrounds in San Diego, California. The service partners of San Diego Youth Services TAY Academy will have the opportunity to participate in this community garden program to learn about healthy eating habits, the risks of obesity, and food desert communities.

Through a review of the literature on obesity, food deserts, and community gardens the writer proposed and designed a youth-led community garden program. The writer explored potential public and private funding sources, which yielded the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a potential funding source.

The actual submission and/or funding of this grant proposal were not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this project was to create a youth development program with the goal of promoting resilience among adolescents in foster care. Foster youth are especially vulnerable during the transition to adulthood and experience a higher rate of negative outcomes. A review of the literature revealed little support for the effectiveness of traditional approaches to transition-age youth such as independent living and transitional housing programs. Resilience, the ability to thrive when faced with adversity, is discussed as a theoretical framework for positive youth development. Summer camp and adventure therapy represent promising interventions for building resilience and developmental assets as protective factors. A leadership development program, using summer camp, adventure therapy, and experiential education to promote resilience and provide an additional support network for adolescent foster youth, is proposed. The actual submission and/or funding of the grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.

The purpose of this project was to investigate the efficacy of a social enterprise intervention’s ability to ameliorate anti-social behaviors amongst at-risk teenagers ages 15-19. An extensive literature review was performed to investigate effective intervention strategies for teenagers exhibiting risky behaviors. The findings from this review suggested that the integration of positive youth development, and social emotional learning into a social enterprise would be an effective model of intervention with at-risk youth. Upon a review of the literature it was found that there is a lack of research regarding the efficacy of social enterprise interventions, particularly with youth, and this study should serve as motivation for further investigation. The findings of this study have several implications for practice that include considerations for diversifying and improving the methods used to prevent and intervene with at-risk youth. Submission for funding was not required to successfully complete this project.

The purpose of this project was to locate a potential funding source and write a grant to fund a mentoring program for youth who have one or both parents incarcerated. The objective of this program is to provide youth with a positive role model in order to increase the youth’s social, emotional, and academic development.

In the United States approximately 1 in 50 children have one or both parents incarcerated. A great number of families affected by parental incarceration are of color, specifically African American and Hispanic families, thus there is a vital need for this program. This proposed mentoring program will be at the Elizabeth Wellness Center through Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) School Mental Health and serve youth in grades 9th – 11th in the city of South Gate, California. The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation was chosen to provide funding for this mentoring program due the foundation’s mission and funding priorities.

This potential mentoring program is based in an ecological approach. The program is designed to be inclusive of parents and caregivers. Mentors and mentees will meet once per week, there will be monthly mentor support groups and trainings, and caregivers will be will be contacted at least once every 2 weeks. Actual submission of and/or funding of this grant proposal was not required for successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this project was to identify a potential funding source and write a complete grant in order to implement a mentoring program for juvenile gang members and at-risk youth in San Luis Obispo County, California. The objective of the program was to identify, screen, and train adults volunteering to mentor at-risk youth and juvenile gang members identified by the San Luis Obispo County Independent Living Program. The adult mentors were expected to develop a positive and supportive relationship with the youth. An extensive literature review was completed to develop understanding about the factors contributing to gang involvement, as well as the benefits to youth working with adult mentors. An investigation of potential funding sources resulted in identifying The California Endowment Innovative Ideas Challenge as the funding source for this project. Actual submission and funding of this grant were not required for successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this proposal was to secure funding to implement a new program tailored to the unique needs of transition-age youth (TAY) with disabilities in Orange County. As a result of this new program, TAY with disabilities will receive the extra attention and support they need to increase their independent living skills and thus their likelihood of success as they transition out of the foster care system. An extensive literature review brought awareness of the vulnerability of TAY and the unmet needs of TAY with disabilities as one ofthe more high-risk subgroups of TAY. Consequently, this research led to the design ofthe proposed program to meet the many needs of TAY with disabilities. The Weingart Foundation was identified as an appropriate funding source after conducting an online search for potential funders interested in the targeted population and project. The actu~J1 submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.