Assistance Program Research Articles

Implementation of the Gianyar Aman Sejahtera Regional People's Business Credit Program (KURDA GAS) in Pre-Prosperous Community MSMEs

KURDA GAS was launched to help the community in obtaining capital without the need for collateral, especially for the underprivileged. The purpose of this study is to find out how the Implementation of the Gianyar Aman Sejahtera Regional People's Business Credit Program (KURDA GAS) in MSMEs of the Underprivileged Community. This study uses a qualitative descriptive research method with an inductive approach. This research was conducted at PT. BPR Regional Bank Gianyar (Perseroda) The results of the study show several factors that cause the KURDA GAS program to not be maximized. Inhibiting Factors: Lack of Understanding and Knowledge, Complicated Administrative Procedures, Weak Business Capacity and Management, Limited Guarantees, Market Competition. Supporting Factors: Local Government Support, Training and Assistance Programs, Improved Economic Conditions, Partnerships with Financial Institutions, Infrastructure and Access to Technology.

From Unemployment to Self-Employment: An Evaluation of Self-Employment Assistance Programs

From Unemployment to Self-Employment: An Evaluation of Self-Employment Assistance Programs

Socialization and Assistance in the Implementation of Social Assistance for the Dalegan Village Community, Gresik Regency

One of the government's efforts to improve the welfare of the Indonesian people, especially for people living below the poverty line, is the social assistance program. However, some people cannot utilize the social assistance program effectively due to a lack of understanding and access to information about the program. The purpose of community service activities is to increase public awareness and understanding of the various types of social assistance available so that community service activities can help the community in the process of applying for and receiving social assistance. It is expected that the social assistance program will be distributed on target through an approach and assistance involving village officials, community leaders, and direct assistance to village communities. Direct assistance to village communities can also be carried out to ensure that the social assistance distribution information system runs well. The results of community service activities can improve the welfare of village communities, reduce social disparities, increase the transparency of social assistance data, and improve the ability of village officials to manage social assistance. Community service activities can be a model for other villages in managing social assistance.

From Traditionally Extensive to Sustainably Intensive: A Review on the Path to a Sustainable and Inclusive Beef Farming in Brazil.

Brazil is the second largest beef producer and a leading exporter, contributing to some 3000 t CWE in global markets (27.7% of market share). The sector has experienced substantial development, but yields remain far below potential, and there are growing concerns regarding land use change and greenhouse gas emissions. The need for sustainable technologies, such as sound pasture management and integrated farming systems, is evident, but adoption may be low amongst farmers unable to keep up with technological advances. This article describes the historical developments of Brazilian beef farming towards sustainability and discusses possible socioenvironmental outcomes. We combined an extensive literature review, public data, and our own insights as senior researchers to achieve that. The trajectory shown here evidenced the technological intensification of Brazilian beef farming, with strong support of public policies for decarbonizing agriculture. Nonetheless, the pace of this transition may affect small to medium farmers with limited access to information, technologies, and credit. Our recommendations involve a broad program of technical assistance and training on sustainable technologies, including financial and digital literacy. A novel approach to financing farmers is suggested to support a sustainable and inclusive transition in beef farming in Brazil.

Comparative Study of Airport Layer Thickness Planning Between US Army Corp Graphical Method and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) PCN-ACN and PCR-ACR Method

Airport pavement is designed following the US Corporation of Engineers method or better known as the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) method and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) method which issues regulations for calculating airport pavement structures, namely AC (Advisory Circular) 150_5320_6D which same as the method CBR. In 2021, the FAA issued a standard for calculating airport pavement structures, namely AC (Advisory Circular) 150_5320_6G which uses the FAARFIELD assistance program. The difference in pavement thickness is at most 7.6 cm, on the flexible pavement type base course. In the FAARFIELD Auxiliary Program, all aircraft loads are taken into account as a contributor to pavement damage indicated by the CDF value that can accommodate aircraft loads, in contrast to the graphical method where aircraft are converted to design aircraft. The thickness of the base course using the graphical method is greater than that of the FAARFIELD Assistance Program, this is because when performing calculations, the initial base course value is the minimum value based on the minimum base course table for the use of top foundation layer material (AC No.150_5320_6G). The thickness of the surface course pavement is the same according to FAA provisions for the critical thickness of the surface course which is 4 in or 102 mm.

Implications of Requiring the Physician Assistant College Admissions Test on Physician Assistant Program Applicant Pool: Lessons Learned.

To present a physician assistant (PA) program's experience and lessons learned by requiring a new standardized test as an admissions requirement. A state academic PA program changed an admission requirement by requiring the Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT) instead of the Graduate Record Examination. The admissions requirement change correlated with a 72% drop in the applicant pool. Data from previous literature present background information on standardized testing and predictors of student success. The program-specific data retrospectively evaluate changes in application numbers. Several studies have evaluated various preadmission metrics and their correlation to student success. However, the PA-CAT and its predictor of student success in the program and passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam still need to be evaluated. Requiring standardized testing increases the barrier to applicant PA school admissions. Despite its potential, the PA-CAT has yet to be extensively studied to predict success in matriculated PA students and should be used cautiously. The implications of using the PA-CAT as an admissions requirement are a potential decrease in the strength of applicants, the number of total applicants, and the overall decline in the quality of graduating PAs. This cautionary note is crucial for maintaining the quality and integrity of our PA programs.

Implementation of Distribution Non-Cash Food Aid (BPNT) in Reducing The Expenditure Burden of Poor Families Based on an Islamic Perspective

Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) is a central government program to help the poor who are food insecure. The purpose of this study is the implementation of non-cash food assistance expenditures in reducing the expenditure burden of poor families. This research uses a qualitative approach that produces descriptive data, by interviewing two poor people and one government. The data collection techniques applied are interviews, observation and documentation. The results of this study indicate that poverty reduction so far has only changed from the food subsidy system (Raskin / Rastra) with an in-kind scheme to the BPNT food assistance system with a non-cash scheme. each poor family receives assistance of Rp. 200,000, -. The implementation of the assistance program in reducing the expenditure burden of poor families reaches an effectiveness level of 66.57%, this shows "good enough" and can reduce the expenditure burden of poor families by 55%. This is in accordance with Islamic values, namely Nafs (soul), Maal (property), Nasab (offspring) in sharia. The implementation of the BPNT program in various regions has been quite effective but the implementation has not met the 6 Target principle (right target, quantity, time, price, quality, and administration). The main obstacle related to the achievement of the program's target is that the data on Beneficiary Families (KPM) has not been updated properly. In terms of food groups, the food assistance received by poor families classified as KPM participants is quite diverse but with a decreasing quantity over time.

Elementary school teachers candidates’ perceptions of tpack ownership: Teaching assistance program

The TPACK mastery parameter signals qualified elementary school teacher candidates. The aim of the present study is to investigate a) how elementary school teacher candidates in the Teaching Assistance program perceived TPACK ownership and b) what factors influenced TPACK ownership. This is a case study for Ganesha University of Education's Elementary School Teacher Education study program in Indonesia. Mix methods were employed, with an explanatory sequential mixed method design. This study included elementary school teacher education students in semester VI who participated in the teaching assistance program. There were 174 people in total, with an 87% response rate to the questionnaire. We collected data through a questionnaire, interview, and document study. We analyzed the data to determine the percentage of quantitative data and used thematic analysis for qualitative data. The findings revealed that primary school teacher candidates' perceptions of TPACK ownership were not optimal, particularly in certain aspects that were critical for becoming teachers. This paper describes TPACK ownership in each domain, as well as factors that influenced TPACK, and gives some recommendations.

Cross-Site Evaluation of Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Implementation Programs in Healthcare Systems Serving Individuals of Reproductive Age.

With US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding, from 2018 to 2022, 4 large healthcare systems (n = 53 health centers across 7 states) serving people of reproductive age trained staff and provided implementation support for alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI). This cross-site evaluation explores each healthcare system's implementation approach to implement SBI, reduce excessive alcohol use, and prevent prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) Program Matrix framed the multilevel strategies to implement alcohol SBI programs from 2018 to 2022. Qualitative and quantitative data sources examined outcomes, guided by one logic model, through systems-level process data and provider-level performance metrics. Data analyses utilized frequencies and means for quantitative data and themes for qualitative data according to an established framework. Successful approaches within systems included using electronic health records, flexible implementation and workflow protocols, customized training and technical assistance programs, quality assurance feedback loops, and stakeholder buy-in. Centralized management structures were efficient in standardizing implementation across health centers. Decentralized management structures used tailored approaches, enhancing provider/staff SBI acceptance. Across systems, 1259 staff (eg, clinicians, medical assistants) were trained to provide alcohol SBI services and reported pre-post training increases in self-efficacy in performing brief intervention; skills in PAE counseling; and confidence in screening. Fifty-three (48 providing data) health centers implemented alcohol SBI, screening 106 826 patients over the study period with most of the 10 087 patients who screened positive for excessive alcohol use receiving a BI. Maximizing the use of technology, employing flexibility in program delivery, and institutionalizing processes and protocols improved workflow, efficiency, and program reach. Ongoing partnership and stakeholder communication identify areas for ongoing improvement, engagement, and best practices for sustainability around substance use screening, which are essential with increases in substance use since the pandemic.

Association Between Food Insecurity and Developmental Delay and Behavioral Problems in US Children 2 to 5 Years of Age.

To investigate the relationship between food insecurity and developmental delay and/or behavior problems (DD/PB) in US children aged 2 to 5 years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 14,464 children aged 2 to 5 years from the National Survey of Children's Health from 2016 to 2017 were analyzed. Children with food insecurity came from families reporting they sometimes or often could not afford nutritious meals. Diagnosis of DD/PB by a professional was obtained through a caregiver report. A quarter of children aged 2 to 5 years lived in food insecure homes, and 9% were diagnosed with DD/PB. Children in food insecure households were more likely to be from minoritized populations publicly insured, with single parents, without high school education, living =< 130% Federal poverty line, and receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits (all p < 0.001). Adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, poverty, family structure, and parent education, children in food insecure households had 1.57 times the odds of being diagnosed with DD/PB compared with children in food secure households. In similarly adjusted models excluding poverty and stratified by SNAP use, homes not receiving SNAP maintained this association between food insecurity and diagnosis of DD/PB, whereas in homes receiving SNAP, the association was not significant. In this population-based study, US children aged 2 to 5 years in food insecure households were more likely to be diagnosed with DD/PB compared with those in food secure households. When stratified, there was no association between food insecurity and DD/PB among those receiving SNAP; the association remained for those not receiving SNAP. The potential long-term impact of this safety net program on our most vulnerable citizens must be considered as policymakers contemplate federal spending priorities.

Empowerment of Ultra Micro MSME’s Through Financing of Sharia Non-Bank Financial Institutions

Economic growth, especially MSMEs, cannot be separated from the role of the microfinance institution sector. Financial institutions are intermediation institutions whose function is to connect parties who have excess funds with parties who lack funds. Based on Law No.10 of 1998 concerning amendments to Law No.7/1992 concerning banking, bank financial institutions consist of commercial banks and people's credit banks. The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, issued Ultra Micro Financing Products (UMI) which are The advanced stage program from the social assistance program to business independence targets micro businesses at the lowest levels, which cannot yet be facilitated by banking through People's Business Credits. UMI is a maximum financing facility of IDR 20 million per customer group and is distributed by non-bank financial institutions (LKBB). This research was carried out in North Sumatra (SUMUT) with the aim of identifying differences between Ultra Micro (UMi) business actors before and after receiving financing assistance from sharia non-bank financial institutions. This research was carried out between June and August 2023. This research uses quantitative analysis methods. The Normality Test is carried out with the aim of finding out whether the data used in a regression model is normally distributed or not. If the distributed data is proven to be normal, this means that the sample used can represent the population used by the measurement. If the significant value is 0.05, it can be declared to have a normal distribution. From the results of research on the Empowerment of Ultra Micro MSMEs through Sharia Non-Bank Financial Institution Financing in North Sumatra before and after receiving Ultra Micro Financing (UMi): There is a development between daily income before and after financing. Sales revenue after getting financing is better than sales revenue before getting financing

Impact of a health system vertical integration program on patient expenditures and healthcare utilization: Evidence from county hospitals in East China

In 2009, China launched a vertical integration pilot program to promote collaboration between tertiary and county hospitals to reduce rural-urban disparities and strengthen capacity building in healthcare services delivery in county healthcare facilities. Through the program, tertiary hospitals implemented a workforce mobility program to temporarily assign selected physicians and healthcare staff to paired county hospitals. This study uses hospital-level data from 2009 to 2015 to investigate the program's impact on medical expenditures and healthcare utilization among patients visiting the paired county hospitals. A difference-in-differences method with hospital and year-fixed effects is used to address the unobservable heterogeneity of hospitals and the potential impact of national healthcare reform. We find that the average outpatient expenditure experienced a 4.0% decline after the county hospitals received paired assistance from tertiary hospitals. The decline is mainly driven by a reduced proportion of diagnostic testing expenditures. However, there is no evidence that the program affected inpatient expenditures. In addition, county hospitals had 5.1% more outpatient visits after receiving paired assistance, while the average length of stay remains stable. These results are robust when we control the effect of the Zero-Markup drug policy and conduct permutation tests of sample assignment. We conclude that the paired assistance program has successfully improved hospital healthcare services delivery and controlled patient expenditures. Vertical integration has improved healthcare system performance in East China from 2009 to 2015.

Immunotherapy is a new opportunity for managing patients with “thin” endometrium in cycles of transfer of thawed embryos

The trend of recent decades has been the search for therapeutic effects on the so-called “thin” endometrium. However, to date there is no optimal management scheme for patients with “thin” endometrium in assisted reproductive technology programs. Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of using recombinant IL-2 before cryotransfer in women of late reproductive age with “thin” endometrium and repeated implantation failure after transfer of good quality embryos. The study included 63 patients of late reproductive age with “thin” endometrium. The first group consisted of 25 patients of late reproductive age with a history of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization programs with good quality embryos. Cryotransfer to the patients of the first group was carried out in a modified natural cycle. The second group included 38 women of late reproductive age with a history of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization programs with good quality embryos. Cryotransfer for women of the second group was carried out in a cycle with hormone replacement therapy. Recombinant IL-2 in the cycle before cryotransfer were prescribed to all women. In both groups, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates following administration of recombinant IL-2 were valuable. In both groups, the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were assessed after administration of recombinant IL-2. Statistical data processing was performed using application software package Statistica 6.0 (StatSoft, Ink. 1994-2001), adapted for biomedical research. p 0.05 was considered significant. After recombinant IL-2 treatment of patients with infertility and thin endometrium, endometrial thickness increases statistically significantly in the first two menstrual cycles after treatment, so transfer of thawed embryos should be planned in the first two menstrual cycles after immunotherapy. In order to increase the thickness of the endometrium during cryotransfer in a modified natural cycle, as well as in a cycle with replacement hormone therapy, recombinant IL-2 can be used in women with “thin” endometrium with repeated unsuccessful implantation attempts when transferring good quality embryos. Cryotransfer should be performed in the first two menstrual cycles after immunotherapy.

The expanded Child Tax Credit and low-income families’ food insecurity: Associations across and within months of receipt

In response to the pandemic-induced economic crisis for U.S. families, the federal government expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC) via the distribution of monthly payments in the second half of 2021. Studies have found that these monthly payments corresponded with reductions in food insecurity, but what is not yet clear is whether these declines were stable across and within the months of receipt. Using novel, daily survey data among a sample of low-income families at high risk of food insecurity (N = 146), we tested whether the CTC payments were associated with stable rates of day-to-day food security. We found consistent declines in food insecurity across CTC months, though smaller declines for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who experienced lower food insecurity rates, on average. Within a CTC month, we found that food insecurity was stable for non-SNAP families for the first few weeks, but spiked in the week prior to the next payment. SNAP families’ within-month patterns of food insecurity, however, appeared to be tied more to their SNAP benefit timing than CTC payment timing. Both groups saw end-of-the-month spikes in food insecurity among those who received higher CTC amounts, suggesting the money may have been more difficult to stretch across families with a greater number of children. These results suggest that the effectiveness of cash payments like the CTC in reducing economic hardships may depend on family characteristics like receipt of other federal benefits and household size. Accordingly, future provisions of cash assistance may benefit from going beyond income alone and tailoring the amount to a family’s benefits package.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation gaps within a pediatric leukemia clinical trial cohort.

Poverty-exposed children with cancer are more likely to experience adverse outcomes. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits improve food insecurity and child health outcomes, and could be used to mitigate disparities. We conducted a secondary analysis of parent-reported data collected in a frontline pediatric leukemia trial (NCT03020030) to assess SNAP eligibility (proxied by other means-tested program participation) and participation. At diagnosis, 105/287 families (37%) were SNAP-eligible, of whom 53 (50%) were SNAP participants. At 6months, 104/257 families (41%) were SNAP-eligible, and 59 (57%) were SNAP participants. Interventions to increase benefits participation during childhood cancer treatment represent an immediate opportunity to reduce disparities.

A produce prescription program for patients with low incomes in North Carolina resulted in increased produce purchases

ObjectivesTo assess if participation in a North Carolina produce prescription program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants with diet-sensitive health conditions (SuperSNAP) is associated with changes in purchase composition and spending source. MethodsThis study used loyalty-card transaction data (October 2019–April 2022). We applied a linear mixed-effects model with overlap weights to perform a difference-indifferences analysis of purchases by SuperSNAP program enrollees compared to the control group. ResultsThe sample included 1440 SuperSNAP shoppers and 45,851 control shoppers. Compared to shoppers only on SNAP, SuperSNAP shoppers spent $82.98 (95% CI (75.6, 90.3), p-value <0.001) more per month, $76.09 (95% CI (69.4, 82.8), pvalue <0.001) of which were spent strictly on food and beverage products. Among SuperSNAP shoppers, out of the $40 SuperSNAP benefit each month, an estimated $34.86 (95% CI (33.9, 35.8), p-value <0.001) of it was spent on fruits and vegetables. ConclusionsThis study shows the promise of targeted produce prescription programs for SNAP participants in encouraging shifts in purchase composition.

Neighborhood-Level Social Determinants of Health and Presenting Characteristics for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments

Functional outcomes after repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) are highly dependent on baseline visual acuity and foveal status. Adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) can present barriers to timely presentation for repair and limit vision outcomes. To evaluate the association between neighborhood-level SDOH with baseline severity (visual acuity and fovea status) of RRD. This was a retrospective cohort study that included adult patients 18 years and older who underwent primary repair of uncomplicated RRD at the Wilmer Eye Institute from January 2008 to December 2018. Study data were analyzed from December 2023 to April 2024. The census block group of patient home addresses were matched to multiple neighborhood-level SDOH including the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), per capita income, percentage of renters, percentage of rent burden, percentage of people using a food assistance program, percentage of uninsured individuals, mode of transportation to work, distance to the nearest transit stop, total road density, National Walkability Index, Index of Medical Underservice score, and aggregate cost of medical care. Odds of presenting with vision worse than 20/40 or fovea-involving RRD using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, and insurance. A total of 700 patients (mean [SD] age, 57.9 [12.4] years; 432 male [61.7%]) were included. Every decile increase in ADI, indicating more socioeconomic disadvantage, was associated with an increased odds of presenting with worse visual acuity and fovea-involving RRD (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.24; P = .004 and OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.22; P = .005, respectively). Each $1000 increase in per capita income was associated with lower odds of presenting with worse vision (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99; P = .001). Every 1% increase in percentage of workers who drove to work was associated with an increased odds of presenting with worse vision and fovea-involving RRD (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; P = .005 and OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P = .04, respectively). Results of this cohort study suggest that patients with a residence in neighborhoods with more socioeconomic deprivation or a higher percentage of workers who drove to work were more likely to present with more severe RRD even after accounting for multiple individual-level characteristics. These findings support consideration of public policy changes to address the barriers faced by patients residing in certain neighborhoods who seek prompt surgical intervention for RRD to reduce health disparities in RRD outcomes.

Comprehending the disruptive influence of workplace gaslighting behaviours and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment: A multi-centre inquiry.

To explore the disruptive influence of workplace gaslighting behaviours and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment across multiple healthcare centres. A multi-centre cross-sectional. Data were collected from 483 nurses from various healthcare settings in Egypt, spanning from January 2024 to February 2024. The Gaslighting at Work Questionnaire, Luxembourg Workplace Mobbing Scale and Career Entrenchment Scale were employed for data collection. The study revealed moderate levels of gaslighting, mobbing and nurses' career entrenchment. Also, there is a negative correlation between nurses' career entrenchment and both gaslighting and mobbing, while gaslighting and mobbing exhibit a positive correlation. The study also highlighted regional disparities in the prevalence of these phenomena, with the highest incidences noted in urban healthcare settings. The findings underscore the critical impact of workplace gaslighting and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment. The relevant reporting method has been adhered to, that is, STROBE. The future of the nursing profession requires building productive nurses who can cope with negative workplace experiences. This could be achieved by cultivating a workplace culture that has zero tolerance for these experiences. Offering counselling services or employee assistance programmes to help nurses cope with the emotional toll of these negative experiences is a promising strategy. This study is the first to examine serious workplace practices like gaslighting and mobbing in a nursing context, emphasizing their effect on nursing-sensitive indicators like career entrenchment. It is one of the important initiatives geared towards upgrading the competitiveness and magnetism of healthcare organizations in the era of green human resources management. Results provide valuable insights for nurse leaders to control nursing turnover and shortage crises in different endeavours. In our study, nurses from diverse geographical regions and varied specialties actively participate, offering a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives.

Racialized Administrative Burden in Disability Assistance Programs in Two Rural Counties

Racialized Administrative Burden in Disability Assistance Programs in Two Rural Counties

Efektifitas Pelaksanaan Program Bantuan Stimulan Perumahan Swadaya (BSPS) di Kecamatan Pantai Cermin Kabupaten Solok

One important step in an effort to meet the housing needs of the community is the construction of housing and settlements whose main goal is to prepare prosperous housing with adequate and affordable infrastructure, facilities and utilities. This study aims to be able to see the extent of the effectiveness of the implementation of the self-help housing stimulant assistance program which refers to technical guidelines. The analysis uses a descriptive qualitative approach, by taking assessment indicators about habitable houses based on technical instructions for the implementation of activities, After that, questionnaires were distributed to 26 houses receiving aid, 14 houses in Nagari Surian and 12 houses in Nagari Lolo Sampling take with using a Likert Scale using a Scale of 5, starting from Very Unsuitable (STS) to Very Suitable (SS), so that the implementation process can run optimally to be able to see threats that occur and also see opportunities to be able to optimize the implementation process is carried out also analysis using the SWOT MethodThe results of the study show that the application of assessment indicators taken from technical implementation guidelines falls into the "appropriate" category where for Nagari Surian it is at 4.14 out of a maximum scale of 5 and for Nagari Lolo it is at 4.16. However, in the aspect of assessing access to adequate tap water in Nagari Lolo is included in the "Quite Appropriate" category, this is because not all houses can be reached by water from Water Suplly Company, so people still rely on tap water from residents' wells or spring sources. The results of the analysis for the value of self-help are also very good because the value of community self-help is 83% - 94%, The role of the facilitator is also very influential on the implementation of the self help housing stimulant assistant program because it can help the community to understand the purpose of the BSPS program itself.