Assistance Program Research Articles

Investigation of the Link Between Food Assistance Programs and Physical Activity Among Children and Adolescents.

While the direct benefits of food assistance programs are well-documented, there is a need to explore indirect benefits like increased physical activity. This study examined whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was associated with improved physical activity levels in children and adolescents aged 2-17 in the United States during 2017-2018. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. This cross-sectional study used a subset of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (n=2620). In the NHANES 2017-2018 dataset, physical activity was measured through self-report questionnaires, which captured participants' frequency, duration, and intensity of various activities. We used weighted logistic regression and the Hosmer - Lemeshow - Sturdivant forward model - building strategy to investigate this hypothesized association using SAS version 9.4. In the adjusted model, controlling for the other variables in the model, we found that children and adolescents from households that had received SNAP/Food Stamps had 1.53 times higher odds (odds ratio [OR]=1.53, 95% CI: 1.24-1.89) of achieving the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of daily physical activity compared to those who had not received benefits. Each additional year of age resulted in 0.82 times lower odds (OR=0.82; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.85) of meeting the recommended amounts of physical activity. Additionally, each unit increase in BMI was associated with 0.96 times lower odds (OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.98) of engaging in recommended physical activity. These findings suggest that participation in the SNAP/Food Stamps program may indirectly benefit participants by increasing physical activity levels.

The Importance of Cited-1 and HIF-1α Immune Activity of Granulosa Cells in IVF Treatment

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the Cited-1 and HIF-1α immune activity in granulosa cells in follicular development in patients who underwent IVF for infertility. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 40 patients who were admitted to the assisted reproductive program with the complaint of infertility at the Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic IVF center between January 2022 and November 2022 and had primary or secondary infertility while starting the Ovum-Pick-Up (OPU) procedure. The fluid containing the granulosa cells was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min. The samples were fixed and processed for routine paraffine wax tissue embedding protocol. Sections were taken from paraffin blocks and immune stained with Cited-1 and HIF-1α. The preparations were examined under the microscope. Results: HIF-1α expression was positive in membrane of granulosa cells. The nuclei were apoptotic and pyknotic. Cited1 expression was positive in membrane of granulosa cells. the cells were pyknotic. Conclusion: The high level of HIF-1α immunopositivity and negative Cited1 immunoreactivity in the immunohistochemical staining after the granulosa cells around the oocytes collected from female patients admitted to the IVF clinic and diagnosed with infertility showed that granulosa cell viability may be important on oocyte quality.

Recommendation for Self-Help Housing Stimulus Assistance (BSPS) Recipient Using Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods

The Housing and Settlement Area Office aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of selecting beneficiaries for the Self-Help Housing Assistance (BSPS) program by using the Weighted Product (WP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. This study was conducted in Sungkai Tengah Subdistrict, North Lampung, involving six criteria: land ownership, employment, house condition, income, independence, and household size.The WP method is used to determine the weight of each criterion by calculating the product of the criteria values raised to the power of their respective weights, which helps in ranking the alternatives. TOPSIS is applied to identify the best alternative by comparing the geometric distance of each option to the ideal solution, which is either the maximum or minimum value of each criterion The results indicate that the WP and TOPSIS methods can provide more objective and transparent rankings. The application of these methods resulted in the highest ranking for ID V3 with a vector V score of 0.1317. The decision support system developed from this research is expected to assist the Housing and Settlement Area Office in distributing aid more accurately, fairly, and efficiently, thereby supporting the government's goals in improving housing quality and spatial planning

Modeling the Relationship Between Employee Conflict, Work Stress, and Turnover Intention in the Food-Service Industry

The fast-paced and demanding food service industry faces challenges like employee conflict, workplace stress, and high turnover intentions, which impact both employee well-being and business performance. This study examines the causal relationships among employee conflict, work stress, and turnover intention using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). A sample of 237 food service restaurant workers from Pampanga, Philippines, was selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected using a survey instrument with rating scales. The study evaluated the model’s fit, internal reliability, and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis. Path analysis revealed a moderate fit of the model to the data, indicating acceptable reliability and validity. Findings showed a direct positive effect of employee conflict on turnover intention, with work stress having an indirect influence. Recommendations include the following: implementing conflict resolution and stress management programs, improving communication, offering flexible work hours, task management, employee assistance programs, rewards, and career advancement opportunities. Due to geographical limitations, future studies should also employ qualitative or mixed methods and longitudinal designs to examine these effects over time.

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL AND SOCIOCULTURAL ADAPTATION AMONG CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship and mechanisms influencing the positive psychological capital, social support and sociocultural adaptation of Chinese international students pursuing higher education in Malaysian universities. Through quantitative research methods, the mechanisms that facilitate or hinder the successful sociocultural adaptation of Chinese international students to a new sociocultural environment are revealed. Given the increasing popularity of cross-border international student mobility, this study is highly relevant and provides important insights into the potential opportunities and challenges posed by such mobility. The findings suggest a significant positive relationship between psychological resources (positive psychological capital) and sociocultural adaptation among Chinese overseas students. Meanwhile, social support played a partial mediating role, facilitating the transformation of internal strengths (psychological capital) to external outcomes (sociocultural adaptation). The findings of this study have important implications for university assistance programmes that aim to improve the success and well-being of Chinese overseas students by enhancing psychological resources. Furthermore, this investigation contributes fresh insights to the wider discourse on intercultural education, clarifying how psychological elements impact international student adjustment within such contexts. It serves as a foundation for crafting more impactful interventions targeted at mitigating acculturative stress encountered by international students during their overseas academic pursuits.

Classification of Social Assistance Recipients Using Machine Learning

Social assistance is assistance funds provided by local governments. In the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 32 of 2011, it is explained that social assistance is the provision of assistance in the form of money/goods from local governments to individuals, families, groups, and communities which is not continuous and selective in nature. One of the villages in North Lampung still often experiences problems, including high poverty rates and low education levels. The Naive Bayes algorithm method was chosen to classify aid recipients based on employment, age, and income. The spreadsheet calculations show that the Family Hope Program Assistance (PKH) class is 135 people and the Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) class is 39 people with a total of 176 people in the social assistance recipient data. From the results of Rapid Miner calculations, the accuracy value for the PKH and BLT classes is 100.00%.

Analyzing 'Food Insecurity' Poverty in ASEAN: A Comparative Study of Poverty Alleviation Programs in Indonesia Pre and Post-COVID-19

Countries whose economies depend on or are supported by agriculture are called agricultural countries so agriculture is a country where the majority of the population is engaged in the farming sector. Countries that are successful as agricultural countries and can overcome poverty because they provide many jobs include Japan, the Netherlands, the United States, Australia, and China. These five countries have succeeded in alleviating poverty by maximizing their agricultural potential. This is different from other agricultural countries in ASEAN, including Indonesia, because the poverty rate is still relatively high. This is a dilemma because food-producing agricultural countries experience quite high levels of poverty. This research aims to reveal the facts of poverty in Indonesia and ASEAN as agricultural countries and analyze the relationship between poverty alleviation programs and poverty to obtain their effectiveness. Disclosure of poverty facts in Indonesia and ASEAN as agricultural countries uses secondary data, collected from various sources, such as the ASEAN Report. The relationship between types of aid and poverty in Southeast Sulawesi uses secondary data sourced from various relevant institutions/ministries. The panel data type and time series compare the performance of poverty alleviation assistance programs before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, precisely between 2018 and 2022. The panel data is then analyzed using Path Analysis by carrying out difference tests, classical tests, and linear regression tests. The results of the analysis show that there are significant differences in poverty levels before and after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, no significant differences were found in the variable number of poor people. The BPNT program does not affect poverty alleviation, while PIP and DD can reduce poverty significantly. The research findings for scientific implications are that poverty alleviation assistance with the Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) scheme does not have a significant role in reducing poverty, while education assistance (PIP) and village funds are proven to play a role in reducing poverty. The theoretical implication is the application of these findings so that experts and researchers consider this when including it as an object (variable) in reflecting the correlation relationship with poverty alleviation. The practical implication is that the Government, through TNP2K, will continue the PIP and DD programs and revise the BPNT program. This is because the two poverty alleviation programs are effective in reducing poverty rates, while BPNT is not effective. Furthermore, the government's focus in the future will not only be on how to reduce the poverty rate but also how to reduce the number of poor people.

Does Working Full-Time Guarantee Hospital Service Workers’ Material Well-Being? A Latent Class Regression Analysis

Abstract Despite efforts to maintain a satisfactory quality of life, a significant proportion of American workers face substantial material hardship. However, studies of material hardship have paid scant attention to lower-wage workers; hospital service, clerical, and technical workers represent a crucial yet understudied subset of this population. Using survey data from hospital workers employed by a large hospital in Pennsylvania, this research identified prevailing patterns of material hardship among these workers and investigated contributing factors, including hourly wages, utilization of public benefits, and demographics. The findings revealed the presence of two distinct material hardship groups: the high-hardship group (those with a high risk of experiencing multiple hardships concurrently) and the low-hardship group (those with a low risk). Notably, higher wages, better health, and being White were associated with a reduced likelihood of belonging to the high-hardship group. Conversely, an increased number of children in a household and utilization of a utility bill assistance program were associated with an elevated risk of belonging to the high-hardship group. The results hold several policy implications, including the need to increase hourly wages, enlarge antipoverty policy initiatives, enhance access to preventive health services, and offer more comprehensive childcare support.

Acceptable outcomes of liver transplantation in uninsured patients under the coverage of a state assistance program.

The lack of health insurance is a major barrier in the access to healthcare even in case of life-saving procedures such as liver transplantation (LT). Concerns about worse outcomes in uninsured patients have also discouraged the evaluation and transplantation of patients without adequate health insurance coverage. The aim of this study is to evaluate outcomes from the largest cohort of uninsured patients who underwent LT with the support of a state payment assistance program (also called charity care). This study included all consecutive patients who underwent LT at a single center from 2002 to 2020. Demographic, clinical, social variables and outcome metrics were collected and compared between insured and uninsured patients. Among a total of 978 LT recipients, 594 had private insurance, 324 government insurance (Medicare/Medicaid), 60 were uninsured and covered under a state charity care program. In the charity care group, there was a higher proportion of Hispanic subjects, single marital status, younger age, and high-MELD score patients. The 1- and 3-year patient survival rates were 89.0% and 81.8% in private insurance patients, 88.8% and 80.1% in government insurance recipients, and 93.3% and 79.6% in those with charity care (p=0.49). There was no difference in graft survival between insured and uninsured patients (p=0.62). The three insurance groups presented similar hospital length-of-stay and 30-day readmission rates. In both univariate and multivariate analysis, uninsured status (charity care) was not associated with worse patient survival (HR:1.23, 95%CI: 0.84-1.80, p=0.29) or graft survival (HR:1.22, 95%CI:0.84-1.78, p=0.29). In conclusion, there was no difference in outcomes after LT between insured and uninsured patients. A charity care program may be an effective tool to mitigate socio-economic disparities in both outcomes and access to LT.

Implementation of the Direct Cash Assistance Program for Village Funds

General Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated government interventions in Indonesia to support vulnerable populations. Specific Background: One such intervention is the Direct Cash Assistance Program from Village Funds (BLT-DD), aimed at alleviating economic burdens. Knowledge Gap: Despite its implementation, challenges in recipient targeting and data accuracy remain. Aims: This study analyzes the BLT-DD program's implementation in Sidodadi Village, focusing on success factors and barriers. Results: Qualitative methods reveal that while communication among stakeholders is strong, issues like multiple assistance to some beneficiaries lead to inequalities. Novelty: The study utilizes Van Meter and Van Horn’s implementation theory to provide insights into the program's challenges. Implications: Findings highlight the need for improved data management and stakeholder engagement to enhance equitable distribution of assistance and foster economic recovery in rural areas. Highlights: Targeting Issues: Some beneficiaries received multiple forms of assistance, leading to inequities. Communication Strength: Effective coordination among stakeholders facilitated the program's implementation. Data Management Needs: Improved data validity is crucial for enhancing program effectiveness and fairness. Keywords: BLT-DD, COVID-19, Village Funds, Economic Assistance, Implementation

The association of increased SNAP benefits during COVID-19 with food insufficiency and anxiety among US adults: a quasi-experimental study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent policy response to mitigate disease spread had far-reaching impacts on health and social well-being. In response, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) underwent several pandemic-era modifications, including a 15 % monthly benefit increase on January 1, 2021. Research documenting the health effects of these SNAP modifications among low-income households and minoritized groups who were most impacted by the economic fallout during the first years of the pandemic is lacking. We aimed to estimate the health effects of the 15 % SNAP benefit increase in January 2021, among SNAP-eligible US households. We estimated the effects of the SNAP increase on food insufficiency, mental health, and financial well-being using a rigorous quasi-experimental difference-in-differences (DID) analysis. August 19, 2020, to March 29, 2021. Participants were drawn from the national US Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey waves 13-27 (n 44 477). Compared with SNAP-eligible non-recipients, SNAP-eligible recipients experienced decreased food insufficiency (-1·9 percentage points (pp); 95 % CI -3·7, -0·1) and anxiety symptoms (-0·09; 95 % CI -0·17, -0·01), and less difficulty paying for other household expenses (-3·2 pp; 95 % CI -4·9, -1·5) after the SNAP benefit increase. Results were robust to alternative specifications. Expansions of federal nutrition programmes have the potential to improve health and financial well-being. This study provides timely evidence to inform comprehensive safety net nutrition policies during future economic crises and public health preparedness response plans.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ФІНАНСОВОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ СІЛЬСЬКИХ ТЕРИТОРІАЛЬНИХ ГРОМАД В УМОВАХ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ

Financial provision of rural territorial communities in conditions of sustainable development is an important aspect of the country's economic and social development. The successful functioning and development of such communities depend on their ability to attract and effectively distribute the financial resources needed to improve infrastructure, education, health care and other vital areas. In the conditions of sustainable development, which involves a balance between economic growth, social well-being and environmental protection, the financial support of rural communities becomes especially important for the preservation of their unique natural and cultural heritage. That is why the purpose of the presented work is to determine the features of financial support of rural territorial communities in conditions of sustainable development. The methods that were used in the formation of the current study are: methods of analysis and synthesis to determine the key aspects of the development of rural territorial communities; methods of induction and deduction to determine the features of the financial provision of territories; method of comparison; logical method; graphical and tabular methods for visual display of research results. Also, as a result of the study, it was proved that the necessity of diversifying the sources of financing is a prerequisite for the financial provision of rural territorial communities. In particular, such communities should actively attract local tax revenues, state support, as well as use the opportunities of international grants and technical assistance programs. At the same time, effective management of resources aimed at the implementation of sustainable development programs, which includes energy saving, development of local businesses and support of environmental initiatives, becomes an important task. In the context of reforming the financial system in Ukraine, financial decentralization is of particular importance, which opens up new opportunities for strengthening the financial independence of rural communities, at the same time placing greater responsibility on them for the rational use of funds. Rural communities can direct the received finances to improve infrastructure, develop social services, support local entrepreneurs, as well as to environmental and energy-saving initiatives.

Improving the Cardamom Marketing: Assessing the Marketing Efficiency of Cardamom in Theni District, Tamil Nadu

Introduction: The cardamom is the oldest spices and belongs to Zingiberaceae family. It is cultivated in the thick shady, rainy forests of the Western Ghats of the South India. The major growing states are Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in reference to green cardamom (Small) and its botanical name Elettaria cardamomum. The part of Theni district is constituted by thick vegetations of hills of Western Ghats and Cumbum Valley at Bodi and Uthamapalayam taluk. In these areas, the farmers are cultivating the Cardamom. This study aims to find out the socio-economic characters, marketing behavior, assess the marketing efficiency of different supply channels and ranking the major problems faced by farmers to market their agricultural product. Methodology: The author used both primary and secondary data. The maximum area covered by cardamom was used as criteria for selecting the blocks. Purposive random sampling method was used to select the villages and the data was collected from the 60 farmers and other stakeholders using well-structured questionnaire. The descriptive statistics and percentage analysis were used for interpreting the results. For marketing analysis, marketing costs, marketing margin and price spread were estimated. For marketing efficiency, Acharya’s method (2003) was used. Results: The 34 respondents with 56.67 percent were found to be 21-35 years of age group. It was found that 7 respondents only with 11.67 percent and 26 respondents with 43.33 percent were found to be illiterate and the annual turnover of 1-5 lakh respectively. Using Acharya’s method (2003), the marketing efficiency of the channel I, II, III were 5.92, 9.97, 7.27 respectively. The price spread in the marketing channel I, II, and III are Rs. 295.94 per Kg, Rs. 163.54 per Kg and 229.48 per Kg respectively. It was shown that channel II is efficient due to high efficiency value and less price spread. Producer in the marketing channel II had highest share (90.88) in consumer rupee. The result showed that the Lack of timely adequate funds were major problem faced by the cardamom farmers with garret mean score of 65.23. The financial problems were common in the respondents. Conclusion: Marketing channel II was efficient because the spice auction center plays a vital role in protecting the farmer as well as consumer from the malpractices and exploitation of Intermediaries and to provide the transparency in trading operations of cardamom. The government may increase the financial assistance or technical support program to support the cardamom growers of the Tamil Nadu. The board should educate the farmers to grade or sort the cardamom before entering the e-Auction center to get better price for better quality of the commodity and to expand the pilot project of separate e-auctions for lab tested cardamom for artificial colours and pesticidal residues to potential markets of Tamil Nadu.

Modern aspects of preimplantation genetic testing of embryos in assisted reproductive technology programs (literature review)

Background. The success of assisted reproductive technologies depends on many factors, the main ones being the quality and genetic status of the embryo and endometrial receptivity. Preimplantation genetic testing is a tool that aims to reduce the risk of selecting an aneuploid embryo for transfer. Disputes surrounding the use of preimplantation genetic testing are conducted in the context of older patients, with recurrent miscarriage, with genetic karyotype abnormalities in a married couple, as well as multiple unsuccessful attempts at ART in the anamnesis.Purpose of review. To summarize and analyze the available data on current trends in the use of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A).Materials and methods. The review includes published data over the past 10 years regarding the effectiveness of ART programs and pregnancy outcomes after the use of preimplantation genetic testing. The literature search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley and Cochrane Library databases.Results. According to most authors, preimplantation genetic testing does not improve live birth rates per patient in the general population, but it does improve live birth rates when performing PGT-A on blastocyst-stage embryos in women over 35 years of age, as well as in women with a history of pregnancy loss to reduce risk miscarriage of a subsequent pregnancy.Conclusion. Preimplantation genetic testing is a valid method for assessing euploidy and mosaicism of an embryo before transfer. The feasibility of use, according to research results, is more related to conditions in which the risk of embryonic aneuploidy may increase, and is justified in high-risk patients, while the use of this technique in patients with a good prognosis is still questionable. First, trophectoderm biopsies may not reflect the ploidy of the inner cell mass. Secondly, even if we assume that this is the case, we cannot be sure that the embryonic cell line will not self-correct. In other words, once a diagnosis of PGT-A is received suggesting mosaicism or aneuploidy, the likelihood of a false-positive diagnosis is high.

Inmate Assistance Programs

Abstract This paper analyzes the deterrence implications of different inmate assistance programs (IAPs), carefully distinguishing between deterrence of first offenses and recidivism. All IAPs considered in our model reduce recidivism, and we identify IAPs that also reduce the first offense rate. However, IAPs which increase work opportunities, improve the reintegration of exiting inmates, and moderate individual’s self-control issues may lower the deterrence of first offenses, if this possibility is not adequately anticipated when designing these IAPs.

Impact of Financial Stress on Academic Performance of University Students in South East Nigeria

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine how financial stress affects academic performance among university students in South East Nigeria. By using descriptive statistics and the Chi-Square model, we examined the relationship between financial stress and academic outcomes among 250 participants from five South Eastern universities. Several key factors contributing to financial stress were examined such as students’ monthly income, medical bills cost, ability to save, academic materials cost, student borrowing levels, and cost of feeding. The findings indicate that students’ monthly income and the cost of medical bills are the key determinants of financial stress among students. Based on the second objective, the study revealed that inability to pay bills as student, the inability to purchase required academic materials (books, course packs, supplies) due to their high costs, difficulties in paying school fees, and work schedules are the most significant factors that contribute to financial stress which negatively affect academic performance for students. Therefore, we recommend that government should enhance its financial assistance programs to alleviate financial stress among university students as this will improve their academic performance. Also, Collaboration with external stakeholders, can further enhance the resources available to students in need. Finally, this study illustrates the detrimental effects of financial stress on academic performance among university students in southeast Nigeria and should be interpreted with caution as its limited to South-East Nigeria.

The role of SNAP and WIC in the bidirectional relationship between food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms

BackgroundThe association between food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms has been established by many cross-sectional and longitudinal studies however the understanding of the reciprocal relationship between them remains unclear. Further, previous research demonstrates that federal nutrition assistance decreases food insecurity and promotes maternal mental well-being but further research is needed to elucidate the moderating role of these programs in the association between food insecurity and maternal depressive symptoms. Therefore, the current study examined the bidirectional associations between maternal depression probability and food insecurity using cross-lagged models and then tested the main and moderating effects of SNAP and WIC. MethodsData were from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study and the sample included 1948 mothers who participated in year 3 and year 5 of data collection. ResultsThe cross-lagged paths show that food insecurity at year 3 predicted maternal depression probability at year 5 and depression probability at year 3 predicted food insecurity at year 5. There was a significant moderating effect of WIC receipt on the association between food insecurity at year 3 and at year 5 such that when mothers with high food insecurity at year 3 received WIC, they were less food insecure at year 5. LimitationsThe study oversampled for unmarried mothers only two waves of data were used for the cross-lagged panel models. ConclusionsResults demonstrate the need to incorporate mental health services with the existing food assistance programs and the need to destigmatize the application process and program structure.

Penyuluhan dan Pendampingan Pembuatan Teh Bunga Telang dan Sereh Wangi Untuk Menurunkan Kadar Gula Darah Di Desa Bandar Dawung Tawangmangu

Community Service Lecture (CSL) is a community service program that is part of the higher education curriculum in Indonesia. The purpose of this program is to contribute to the community in Bandar Dawung village, Tawangmangu district, Central Java. One of the contributions given is the assistance program for making telang flower tea (Clitoria ternatea L.) and making jelly candy from citronella leaves (Cymbopogon citratus) is efficacious in lowering blood sugar levels. The main problem faced is the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, due to the body's relative and absolute insulin deficiency. The method used is divided into three stages, namely pre-activity, activity process, and evaluation. The results of this mentoring activity show that the level of public understanding of the benefits and processing of telang flowers and citronella leaves is 80%.

Equitable Access for Persons with Disabilities: Assessing the Effectiveness of Assistive Device Service Provision in San Mateo, Rizal

The Philippines is home to over 1.5 million Persons with Disabilities, with an estimated 0.33% or 5,157 of the population living in San Mateo, Rizal. The country recognizes ten (10) types of disabilities, but availability of assistive devices is only specific to the needs of three (3) types: deaf or hard of hearing, visual, and physical (orthopedic). Despite efforts to break barriers through assistive devices for a livable and sustainable living condition for Persons with Disabilities, access to equal opportunities in education, employment, health services, and meaningful participation in mainstream society remains a prominent limitation, rather than the disability itself. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Assistive Device Service Provision (ADSP) program for Persons with Disabilities, an umbrella program under the social welfare services of the Local Government of San Mateo, Rizal. The assessment is grounded in the principles of New Public Administration, focusing on the program’s relevance, value orientation, social equity and ability to drive change in protecting, promoting, and supporting the rights and well-being of all Persons with Disabilities. A mixed-methodology approach was employed to explore the relationship between Persons with Disabilities and the effective use of Assistive Devices, using surveys and open-ended data collection to quantify responses and deepen understanding. Findings showed that the ADSP is relevant, as it largely meets the needs of Persons with Disabilities in terms of access to mobility, though some devices could be better aligned by considering the specific requirements of each disability. While the ADSP is perceived by recipients as significant in demonstrating a strong value orientation, disparities in distribution—affected by socioeconomic status and type of disability—persist, indicating the need for more inclusive distribution strategies to ensure equitable access for all Persons with Disabilities. The program's ability to drive change varies among individuals, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and support. The study focuses on assessing the effectiveness of a localized assistive device provision program based on its relevance, value orientation, social equity, and ability to drive change in promoting the rights and welfare of Persons with Disabilities (Union of Public Service Commission, 2024).

The effect of extreme temperatures on evictions

Using data on evictions in the United States, we estimate the relationship between temperature and eviction filings. We find that extreme heat days result in a statistically significant increase in filings, while extreme cold days do not have the same relationship. To explain these findings, we show that residential energy expenditures are more sensitive to extreme heat than extreme cold, and that energy assistance programs in the United States prioritize funding for heating rather than cooling. These findings suggest that relative to today, future climate change scenarios with more hot days and fewer cold days will increase eviction filings without other policy or private adaptation.