Community Service Organizations Research Articles

Passing Rhetoric’s Kaleidoscope

Passing Rhetoric’s Kaleidoscope

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OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The Rockefeller University-Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Clinical Directors Network (RU-CCTS/CDN) community-academic-partnership engaged with Carter Burden Center for the Aging (CBCA), a multisite senior community services organization serving Upper Eastside and East Harlem, NY, to develop community-engaged research. Many seniors served by CBCA are racial/ethnic minorities, live in poverty, suffer from multiple chronic conditions, depression, and food insecurity; there is no simple measure routinely used to characterize the health/health risks of program participants. Multiple biological, musculoskeletal, psychosocial and nutritional factors collectively contribute to frailty a construct that is variously defined, and has been used as a surrogate or predictor for health outcomes. Aim 1: We will engage seniors, CBCA leadership, New York City Department for the Aging, staff and other stakeholders in research priority-setting, joint protocol writing, research conduct, analysis and dissemination to cultivate a population of elder stakeholders interested in designing and participating in this and future research. Aim 2: We will characterize the health status of the resident and nonresident populations by collecting data across 3 sessions to include validated cardio-metabolic, musculoskeletal, chronic condition prevalence, quality of life, psychosocial, and nutritional assessments. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Stakeholders will be engaged through the process of Community Engaged Research Navigation and a series of meetings and exercises to refine priorities and research design, co-write the protocol, provide feedback on conduct, analyze and disseminate results of the project. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Outcomes will include rates of participation and retention in assessments and engagement activities, themes from qualitative research, contributions to study design, placement of aims on the T0-T48 spectrum, social network analysis, classification of engagement on the spectrum of Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) and partnership assessment. The primary outcome is frailty (6-minute walk test); We will examine associations among these measures with services utilization data captured electronically by CBCA. A key deliverable of this project will be a REDCap data capture platform that integrates and displays these measures that will be sustainable for CBCA. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This practice-based research partnership will allow us to extract, replicate and extend the lessons learned about engaging stakeholders in generating hypotheses, operationalizing research, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating results. The collaboration is built around generating and testing rigorous clinical an health services hypotheses that are derived from real-world practice-based needs and also incorporate basic science measures to embed and examine mechanistic hypotheses. Testing a simple to implement validated surrogate frailty measure will accelerate progress on evidence-based practices to test interventions that enhance healthy aging and serve as a model for future similar partnerships to form a network for community-based senior research. This work aligns with the RU-CCTS grant Hub Research goal to engage populations across the life span, including hard-to-reach and underserved populations, such as minority seniors.

Placement Instability Among Young People Removed from Their Original Family and the Likely Mental Health Implications.

BackgroundYoung people in out-of-home care are more likely to experience poorer mental and physical health outcomes related to their peers. Stable care environments are essential for ameliorating impacts of disruptive early childhood experiences, including exposure to psychological trauma, abuse and neglect. At present there are very few high quality data regarding the placement stability history of young people in out-of-home care in Australia or other countries.ObjectivesTo undertake the first systematic census of background, care type and placement stability characteristics of young people living in the out-of-home care sector in Australia.MethodsData was collected from four non-government child and adolescent community service organisations located across metropolitan Melbourne in 2014. The sample comprised 322 young people (females 52.8%), aged between 12 – 17 years (mean age=14.86 [SD=1.63] years).ResultsMost young people (64.3%) were in home-based care settings (i.e., foster care, therapeutic foster care, adolescent care program, kinship care, and lead tenant care), relative to residential care (35.7%). However, the proportion in residential care is very high in this age group when compared with all children in out-of-home care (5%). Mean age of first removal was 9 years (SD=4.54). No gender differences were observed for care type characteristics. Three quarters of the sample (76.9%) had a lifetime history of more than one placement in the out-of-home care system, with more than a third (36.5%) having experienced ≥5 lifetime placements. Relative to home-based care, young people in residential care experienced significantly greater placement instability (χ2=63.018, p<0.001).ConclusionsPlacement instability is common in the out-of-home care sector. Given stable care environments are required to ameliorate psychological trauma and health impacts associated with childhood maltreatment, well-designed intervention-based research is required to enable greater placement stability, including strengthening the therapeutic capacities of out-of-home carers of young people.

What factors are associated with abstinence amongst socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers? A cross-sectional survey of use of cessation aids and quitting approach.

This study aimed to compare current and ex-smokers' sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, use of cessation aids and abrupt versus gradual quitting approaches. A cross-sectional survey of financially disadvantaged adults attending a community service organisation was conducted in New South Wales, Australia, between February 2012 and December 2013. Sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, use of cessation aids and gradual versus abrupt quit approach were assessed. χ2 tests and logistic regression compared characteristics of current and ex-smokers. Of 905 individuals who completed the survey, 639 (71%) were current smokers and 107 (12%) were ex-smokers. Ex-smokers were older [odds ratio (OR)=1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01, 1.05], had higher odds of being female (OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.06, 2.65), lower odds of being financially stressed (OR=0.87, 95% CI=0.76, 0.99), lower odds of anxiety and depression symptoms (OR=0.91, 95% CI=0.84, 0.98) and lower odds of having friends and family who were smokers (ORs ranged from 0.30-0.43). Ex-smokers had lower odds of using cessation aids and higher odds of reporting abrupt quitting during their last quit attempt (OR=4.48, 95% CI=2.66, 7.54). Lower levels of disadvantage, less smoking in social networks, less use of cessation aids and abrupt (vs. gradual) quitting approaches were associated with being an ex-smoker. Lower use of evidence based methods to quit by disadvantaged ex-smokers requires further exploration. [Twyman L, Bonevski B, Paul C, Bryant J, West R, Siahpush M, D'este C, Oldmeadow C, Palazzi K. What factors are associated with abstinence amongst socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers? A cross-sectional survey of use of cessation aids and quitting approach. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;00:000-000].

Building evaluative culture in community services: Caring for evidence

An organization with a strong evaluative culture engages in self-reflection, evidence-based learning and experimentation. It sees evidence as essential for managing well, but building such a culture is challenging. Community service organizations seek to provide effective services for their clients. To build an evaluative culture, they need to acquire basic monitoring and evaluation capabilities, be provided with opportunities for using these capabilities and be adequately motivated to care about evidence as a means to improve services to their clients. Leadership along with a phased in approach are key in bringing about these behaviour changes.

More Spirit in That Little Madera Church

This article coalesces historical grassroots developments in the Central Valley: the growth of Mexican Pentecostalism and its production of music, brewing legal tensions regarding voting rights and undocumented immigration, and the fledgling career of Cesar Chavez as a community-organizer-turned-labor-activist. At a time when Pentecostals were believed to be anti-union and apolitical, they joined the Community Service Organization and, through their singing, inspired Cesar Chavez to incorporate singing when he later formed his union/association. This article shows how the social conditions of labor and religion proved to be fertile soil for a productive encounter between Chavez, a Catholic, and a Pentecostal congregation in need of legal assistance. The well-publicized grape strikes and marches of the late 1960s, for example, incorporated religious iconography and music, the latter of which came from an idea Chavez developed from this unusual, productive encounter over a decade earlier with Mexican Pentecostals in 1954. The latter part of the article focuses on the religious overtones of music produced about Chavez and La Causa.

Variation in Population Vulnerability to Heat Wave in Western Australia.

Heat waves (HWs) have killed more people in Australia than all other natural hazards combined. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, duration, and intensity of HWs and leads to a doubling of heat-related deaths over the next 40 years. Despite being a significant public health issue, HWs do not attract the same level of attention from researchers, policy makers, and emergency management agencies compared to other natural hazards. The purpose of the study was to identify risk factors that might lead to population vulnerability to HW in Western Australia (WA). HW vulnerability and resilience among the population of the state of WA were investigated by using time series analysis. The health impacts of HWs were assessed by comparing the associations between hospital emergency department (ED) presentations, hospital admissions and mortality data, and intensities of HW. Risk factors including age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), remoteness, and geographical locations were examined to determine whether certain population groups were more at risk of adverse health impacts due to extreme heat. We found that hospital admissions due to heat-related conditions and kidney diseases, and overall ED attendances, were sensitive indicators of HW. Children aged 14 years or less and those aged 60 years or over were identified as the most vulnerable populations to HWs as shown in ED attendance data. Females had more ED attendances and hospital admissions due to kidney diseases; while males had more heat-related hospital admissions than females. There were significant dose–response relationships between HW intensity and SES, remoteness, and health service usage. The more disadvantaged and remotely located the population, the higher the health service usage during HWs. Our study also found that some population groups and locations were resilient to extreme heat. We produced a mapping tool, which indicated geographic areas throughout WA with various vulnerability and resilience levels to HW. The findings from this study will allow local government, community service organizations, and agencies in health, housing, and education to better identify and understand the degree of vulnerability to HW throughout the state, better target preparatory strategies, and allocate limited resources to those most in need.

Understanding the Anti Money Laundering Act, 2013: Implications on the Work of Civil Society and Non Governmental Organizations

The charitable sector is a vital component of the Ugandan economy and of many national economies and social systems. It complements the activity of the governmental and business sectors in supplying a broad spectrum of public services and improving quality of life, and safeguarding fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of association. This indeed is the very foundation of the UDHR, the ICESR and the ICCPR, on which the entire charitable sector is based. NPOs can also play an important role in preventing the causes of radical ideology from taking root and are, therefore, potential allies in the fight against terrorism and other societal vices such as bad governance and the suppression of fundamental rights and freedoms. It is important therefore, to safeguard and maintain the practice of charitable giving and the strong and diversified community of institutions through which it operates. In particular, it is important that any regulations and actions in the fight against anti money laundering do not harm the legitimate activities of non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations can take on a variety of forms, depending on the country and legal system. Within FATF members, law and practice recognizes associations, foundations, fund-raising committees, community service organizations, corporations of public interest, limited companies, and public benevolent institutions, all as legitimate forms of non-profit organizations, just to name a few. This paper discusses how the provisions of the new Anti Money Laundering Act in Uganda may affect the work of NGOs and how they ought to prepare for that impact. Admonishing compliance with the law, the paper cautions NGOs on governance challenges and possible disruptions with fundraising and other aspects of their work.

Financial Stress and Smoking within a Large Sample of Socially Disadvantaged Australians.

Financial stress is associated with fewer quit attempts and higher relapse rates. This study aimed to compare financial stress among smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers in a highly socioeconomically disadvantaged sample. The study also aimed to determine whether specific indicators of financial stress differ according to smoking status. Adult clients seeking welfare assistance from two Social and Community Service Organisation sites in New South Wales, Australia, were invited to complete a cross-sectional survey between March 2012 and December 2013. Responses to a financial stress scale, smoking status and demographics were collected. Linear and logistic regression modelling was used to examine associations between smoking status and financial stress. A total of 1463 participants completed the survey. Current smokers had significantly higher total financial stress scores than ex-smokers and non-smokers respectively. Current smokers also had higher odds of severe financial stress indicators, such as going without meals (Odds Ratio = 2.2 and 2.0), than both non-smokers and ex-smokers. Even among a highly socioeconomically disadvantaged sample with high levels of financial stress, smoking status further exacerbates experiences of deprivation. Given the relationship between financial stress, socioeconomic disadvantage and difficulty quitting, it is important to provide enhanced cessation support to smokers experiencing financial stress.

Continuous quality improvement in substance abuse treatment facilities: How much does it cost?

Continuous quality improvement (CQI) has grown in the U.S. since the 1970s, yet little is known about the costs to implement CQI in substance abuse treatment facilities. This paper is part of a larger group randomized control trial in a large urban county evaluating the impact of Plan-Study-Do-Act (PDSA)-CQI designed for community service organizations (Hunter, Ober, Paddock, Hunt, & Levan, 2014). Operated by one umbrella organization, each of the eight facilities of the study, four residential and four outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities, selected their own CQI Actions, including administrative- and clinical care-related Actions. Using an activity-based costing approach, we collected labor and supplies and equipment costs directly attributable to CQI Actions over a 12-month trial period. Our study finds implementation of CQI and meeting costs of this trial per facility were approximately $2000 to $10,500 per year ($4500 on average), or $10 to $60 per admitted client. We provide a description of the sources of variation in these costs, including differing intensity of the CQI Actions selected, which should help decision makers plan use of PDSA-CQI.

(No) Access T.O.: A Pilot Study on Sanctuary City Policy in Toronto, Canada

The “Sanctuary City” movement is a grassroots, human rights-based response to increased numbers of non-status migrants living and working in global cities. This paper shares the results of a one-year pilot study on Sanctuary City policy in Toronto, Canada. Styled Access T.O., Toronto's Sanctuary City policy is meant to provide non-status residents access to municipal and police services without fear of being detained or deported. Recent reports indicate that the policy is faltering. Based on interviews with city staff and politicians, Community Service Organizations, NGOs, professionals (e.g. doctors, lawyers), and non-status migrants, we identify barriers to the implementation of the policy. We argue that Access T.O. will fail unless City Council provides the funding and mandate for: more comprehensive training tailored to specific City Divisions, dedicated Access T.O. portfolios within many (if not all) City Divisions, “service integration” geared towards better community engagement and capacity-building, and revisiting the City’s position on the collection and protection of demographic data.

Communication and nurturing to sustain collaborative partnership

One of the major challenges of sustaining collaborative partnership in a longstanding community service organisation in the study involves ambiguous communication and cultural constrains among the stakeholders which due to the lack of communication and nurturing in the relationships. Based on the responses of multiple stakeholders, this paper brings forward the discussion on the need for communication and nurturing, the aspects which importance is commonly known but often being disregarded in the collaborative settings.

Millennials, Technology and Perceived Relevance of Community Service Organizations: Is Social Media Replacing Community Service Activities?

This mixed-methods qualitative study examined the relationship between perceptions of the importance of social media (i.e., Facebook, Twitter) with community service projects and volunteerism. Participants (n = 80) were interviewed and surveyed regarding their experiences in participating in a variety of community service work (CSW) projects (i.e., urban forestry, community gardening) with their perceptions of the importance of social media. Results supported the hypothesis that a significant correlation exists (r = .286, p < .05) between perceptions of technology as an important part of my life and reduced importance of CSW activities. A significant correlation (r = 287, p < .001) also developed between perceptions of “connectedness” to one’s community, increased technology use and reduced perceptions of the importance of CSW activities. Additionally, a significant positive correlation (r = .454, p < .001) was found between reports of improved perceptions among ethnically diverse populations and the overall importance of CSW activities within the community. Results and suggestions for further research are offered regarding the application of theory to “real world” perspectives and problems involving education and environmental issues.

The association between cannabis use and motivation and intentions to quit tobacco within a sample of Australian socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers.

This study aimed to (i) describe concurrent and simultaneous tobacco and cannabis use and (ii) investigate the association between cannabis use and motivation and intentions to quit tobacco in a sample of socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2013 and 2014 with current tobacco smokers receiving aid from two community service organizations in New South Wales, Australia. At least weekly cannabis use for the month prior to survey, motivation to quit tobacco and intentions to quit tobacco were measured in 369 participants (77% consent rate). Regressions were carried out to investigate associations between weekly cannabis use and motivation and intentions to quit tobacco.Concurrent tobacco and cannabis use was reported by 19% (n = 71) of the sample and of these users, 100% reported simultaneous use. Although regular cannabis use was significantly associated with lower motivation to quit tobacco, it was not significantly associated with intentions to quit tobacco in the next 30 days. Concurrent cannabis use is common in disadvantaged smokers and may play a role in decreased motivation to quit tobacco; however, it does not appear to be associated with intentions to quit in a sample of disadvantaged smokers.

Two steps forward, one step back: Achievements and limitations of university-community partnerships in addressing neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage

This article discusses a partnership initiative that involved a major Australian research university (University of Melbourne), a local government and a network of local community service organisations. The partnership projects aimed to promote public access to university infrastructure for poor and marginalised residents, enhance the local value of research and teaching activities, and create employment opportunities. The article draws on an evaluation of the partnership, which focused on four keynote projects. It found that the partnership appeared to achieve positive outcomes for residents but was limited by tensions associated with the university’s ambivalent commitment to the value of such partnerships. These tensions remained difficult to resolve because they signalled present contestation over the foundational values of contemporary public universities.Keywords: university-community partnerships, neoliberalism, neighbourhoods, community development

Workplace Spirituality among Malaysian Community Service Employees in the Public Sector

&lt;p class="a"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;Despite the number of individuals who engage in pursuits for spirituality in their daily lives, there is still lack of studies examining spirituality in the workplace especially in the public sector. This study explored the experience of spirituality at the workplace among community service employees in a public sector organization. The dimensions of spirituality studied include meaningful work, sense of community and alignment of individual values with organizational values. Survey data from 180 community service employees revealed that overall the employees experienced a reasonably high level of spirituality, and employees experienced meaningfulness of work more as compared to the sense of community, and alignment of values. The results imply that the community service organization studied serves as a favorable environment that fosters the experience of spirituality among its employees. Though limited by the monosectoral nature of this investigation and the Eastern context, future researchers are encouraged to compare employees’ experiences in workplace spirituality in both the public and private service sectors as well as in both the Eastern and Western contexts. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

What’s RITE in St. Louis? Empowering Urban Youth Through a Community Tutoring Collaborative

This study profiles tutoring programs that empower urban youth within the Regional Institute of Tutorial Education (RITE), a community collaborative of universities, youth agencies, community service organizations, and school districts. Representative members of RITE detail how they address shared urban problems of academic deficits, school dropout, and pregnancy in St. Louis’s urban school districts. Tutoring models of targeted, cross-curricular, collaborative, community directed, and youth-led instruction are described as delivered by Gene Slay’s Girls &amp; Boys Club of St. Louis (GSGBCSTL), the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), the Clayton-Ladue Rotary community service organization, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), a nationally licensed college preparation program and Conscious Choice (CC), a University of Missouri–St. Louis and St. Louis University student retention and pregnancy prevention program. Data, narratives, and tutoring structures describe how some members of the RITE collaborative assist in addressing both the academic and social needs of urban schools. The achievements of these RITE members demonstrate how frequently unrecognized and underutilized university and community resources are able to empower urban youth.

Access to Philanthropic and Commercial Income Among Nonprofit Community Service Organisations

Governments depend on nonprofit, voluntary sector organisations to deliver social and community services, and public funding is the sector’s most important income source. However, in many countries, public funding for social services is becoming more limited, conditional and precarious, and governments are encouraging nonprofits to diversify their funding base, and shift their reliance to income from market activity and private donations. This article is concerned with access to philanthropic and commercial funding among nonprofits, and the factors affecting it. It firstly discusses an emerging policy agenda to promote private funding among nonprofit community service providers. Then, multivariate analysis of survey data from 521 Australian nonprofits shows which organisations access income from client fees, business activities, community fundraising, and philanthropic foundations. By exploring inequalities in the distribution of these main sources of private funding, the article helps identify the types of organisations that face challenges in establishing and sustaining streams of private income, and which are likely to require ongoing public support.

The extent and effectiveness of knowledge management in Australian community service organisations

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent and effectiveness of knowledge management (KM) in community service organisations (CSOs) in Australia. CSOs are focussed on support, care and encouragement, thereby improving the quality of life of many in the community. This study contributes to a wider acceptance and management of knowledge, from a national perspective, and assists CSOs to improve practice. Design/methodology/approach – KM theory and practice is expanded through a national online survey from 89 Australian CSOs, represented by 538 employees. CSOs, as a subset of not-for-profit organisations, were selected because they contribute significantly to the economy. Existing research generally relies on case studies, offering scope for wider quantitative research to address the gap. Findings – The extent and effectiveness of KM were moderate. KM was more extensive in CSOs with a formal KM policy. Face-to-face exchange of knowledge was the major transfer method. Recognition or other incentives are needed to encourage learning and disseminating new ideas. Research limitations/implications – Other CSOs and other countries could be included, along with very small CSOs. Practical implications – Shortfalls in practice were discovered. Recommendations should improve client service by enhancing the appropriateness, consistency, quality and timely delivery of assistance. This will aid CSO sustainability by maximising limited resources. The challenge is to harness informal learning for organisation-wide learning and for hard outcomes, such as reducing costs and competing for government funding. Originality/value – A synthesised large-scale survey integrates more elements of KM practice. Existing KM ideas are combined in new ways, applied in a fresh context, indicating elements of KM that are more significant in not-for-profit CSOs.

Stuck in the catch 22: attitudes towards smoking cessation among populations vulnerable to social disadvantage.

To explore how smoking and smoking cessation is perceived within the context of disadvantage, across a broad cross-section of defined populations vulnerable to social disadvantage. Qualitative focus groups with participants recruited through community service organizations (CSO). Metropolitan and regional settings in Queensland, Australia. Focus groups were held at the respective CSO facilities. Fifty-six participants across nine focus groups, including people living with mental illness, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness (adult and youth populations), people living with HIV, people living in a low-income area and Indigenous Australians. Thematic, in-depth analysis of focus group discussions. Participant demographic information and smoking history was recorded. Smoking behaviour, smoking identity and feelings about smoking were reflective of individual circumstances and social and environmental context. Participants felt 'trapped' in smoking because they felt unable to control the stressful life circumstances that triggered and sustained their smoking. Smoking cessation was viewed as an individual's responsibility, which was at odds with participants' statements about the broader factors outside of their own control that were responsible for their smoking. Highly disadvantaged smokers' views on smoking involve contradictions between feeling that smoking cessation involves personal responsibility, while at the same time feeling trapped by stressful life circumstances. Tobacco control programmes aiming to reduce smoking among disadvantaged groups are unlikely to be successful unless the complex interplay of social factors is carefully considered.