Program Sponsors Research Articles

Capitalizing on Religious Pluralism in U.S. Prison Ministry: Lessons from LSP Angola’s Inmate Seminary

The renewed growth of immersive “faith-unit” programs operating inside U.S. maximum-security prisons has brought with it a heightened emphasis on the practice of religion in correctional settings. Modeled from a prototype Christian seminary planted inside Louisiana State Penitentiary Angola, newer programs utilize outside religious educators for the credentialing of inmates into work assignments on behalf of prisons. As resource-challenged wardens deploy religiously credentialed inmates for leading new forms of prison ministry inside state facilities, research has not kept pace with the rapid growth of programs. Based on previous research, this article offers a retrospective account of the establishment of “offender ministries” at the Angola prison seminary planted at Louisiana State Penitentiary in 1994. While correctional leaders are obliged to accommodate the diverse religious identities of prisoners, private sponsors of immersive religious programs must balance doctrinal fealty with religious pluralism. Drawing from fieldnotes and on-site interviews in previous research, lessons from the history of Angola’s ecumenical prison seminary and “inmate ministry” programs are discussed while strengths and weaknesses are also highlighted.

As Teachers Not Tourists: Creating Knowledge During a Short-Term Study Abroad Program

Here, I address the call for teacher education programs to feature international elements to help pre-service teachers craft powerful classroom instruction and successfully work with students from culturally diverse backgrounds. I share a qualitative investigation of participants’ experiences during a short-term study abroad program in Japan that explored contemporary disaster preparedness as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The program sponsors, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hoped participants would develop an appreciation for the people and culture of Japan while they learned about disaster preparedness. I wondered if collecting curriculum items during a short-term study abroad program could help social studies pre-service teachers create—not just receive—historical domain knowledge? In Japan, participants collected items to use as featured resources around which they designed classroom activities for secondary students. Their activities demonstrated three levels of second-order historical domain knowledge and two elements of civic competence. This study suggests that pre-service teachers with no previous international experience may require explicit modeling and scaffolding to translate their short-term study abroad participation into dynamic learning. Another implication is that participants need strong support to consider the photographs they capture as artifacts of contemporary material culture.

Examining some dynamics related to YouTube ad clutter in a high–clutter context

PurposeThis study aimed to test some dynamics related to YouTube advertising clutter and viewers' attitudes towards YouTube channels operated by traditional television (TV) companies (These YouTube channels tend to have a greater ad clutter since their videos have embedded ads of programme sponsors in addition to regular YouTube advertisements).Design/methodology/approachEmploying a positivistic, quantitative methodology, the study collected data through an online survey from a sample of 295 YouTube viewers in Sri Lanka. Data were analysed using the regression-based PROCESS macro, utilising the SPSS software.FindingsAd clutter has a negative impact on viewers' attitudes towards the YouTube channel, but only indirectly, through irritation. Skippability of advertisements does not moderate the relationship between ad clutter and ad irritation, but non-skippability increases ad irritation (direct relationship).Practical implicationsYouTube channel owners should pay careful attention to having an optimum level of advertising because clutter resulting in high ad irritation leading to a negative attitude towards the channel could reduce subscriptions. Offering an ad skippability option is unlikely to reduce irritation if there is high clutter.Originality/valueAlthough ad clutter is well-researched, its impact on viewer responses to online media channels is uncommon. With YouTube poised to become a top ad revenue-generating medium, this study contributes by examining some dynamics related to ad clutter in a possibly high-clutter context.

Editorial introduction

Editorial introduction

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Experiences and Operations of Sponsors of the Summer Food Service Program in Maryland, USA: A Multiphase Mixed Methods Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was allowed to operate in untraditional non-summer months to ensure children did not lose access to free and reduced-priced nutritious meals when schools were mandated to close in the United States. This study assessed the impact of the pandemic on the operations and experiences of Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors in the state of Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (Phase I) and 2021 (Phase II). This study used a multiphase explanatory sequential mixed methods design with qualitative prioritization. Maryland SFSP sponsors completed an online survey (Phase I: n = 27, Phase II: n = 30), and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with a subset of sponsors who completed the survey (Phase I: n = 12, Phase II: n = 7). Inductive and deductive analyses were used for qualitative data, and descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data. The COVID-19 pandemic caused SFSP sponsors to change their operations. Sponsors were primarily concerned about staff safety/burnout and decreased participation. Sponsors perceived waivers implemented by the United States Department of Agriculture to be crucial in enabling them to serve meals to children during the pandemic. The findings from our study support advocacy efforts to permanently implement waivers and provide free school meals for all children.

THE ROAD MAP STRATEGIST INITIATIVE: A NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO BUILD LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH CAPACITY ON DEMENTIA

Abstract The Road Map Strategist Initiative is a nationwide effort to build local health department (LHD) capacity to address cognitive health and dementia. Through a collaboration between the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the initiative aims to make policy, systems, and environmental change, with a focus on health equity. Participating health departments receive funding, training, and technical assistance to establish a part-time Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Strategist, a public health professional serving as a system change agent. With support and education from the program sponsors, Road Map Strategists conduct a community health needs assessment, train LHD staff and leadership, and collaborate with community partners to implement and accelerate public health actions on dementia. Actions taken by the Road Map Strategists are informed by the Healthy Brain Initiative’s State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia, The 2018-2023 Road Map. Presenters will share lessons learned from the first cohort of eight (8) LHDs during each stage of the initiative, with a focus on approaches used for Road Map implementation efforts in their communities. This session will share evaluation findings on successes and barriers for changing health department capacity to support local dementia efforts. Data from key indicators related to knowledge gain and capacity change will be shared, including the way LHD characteristics influenced success. The session will also cover effective approaches toward advancing health equity in dementia in local communities and plans for future iterations of the initiative.

New Mexico Sponsors Identify Time and Money as Factors Affecting Home-Based Provider Child and Adult Care Food Program Engagement

ObjectiveDescribe Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sponsor perspectives on barriers and facilitators to home-based provider CACFP eligibility, enrollment, and participation and ways to improve provider support. MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 11 New Mexico CACFP sponsor staff representing 9 out of 13 agencies (69% response rate) from August to September, 2020. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis with an essentialist/realist epistemological approach. ResultsSponsor-perceived barriers to provider CACFP: eligibility (costs, background checks, fear/stigma, and delays in becoming state-approved providers); enrollment (lack of translated/low-literacy materials and cumulative systems requirements); and participation (challenges maintaining qualifying menus and documentation and accessing qualifying food, inadequate reimbursements, and unannounced visits). Sponsors suggested systems changes to improve provider support (eg, more assistance with becoming state-approved and for start-up costs and accessible, progressive nutrition training opportunities). Conclusions and ImplicationsSponsors noted CACFP barriers for home-based providers and identified corresponding systems changes that could be tested.

Summer Food Service Program Meal Participation in Maryland Increased during the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides meals to children during out-of-school time, such as emergency school closures. This study assessed the trends in participation and operations of Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors in Maryland from 2016 to 2020 and evaluated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2020. The total number of summer meals served significantly increased from approximately 3 million meals in 2019 to over 9.5 million meals in 2020. The number of breakfasts, lunches, and operating days also significantly increased from 2019 to 2020, but there was no significant change in the number of sites.

Current global regulatory landscape for biodistribution & shedding assessment of rAAV gene therapies & recommendations of the IMI ARDAT consortium on future directions

An understanding of the biodistribution and shedding profile of a gene therapy product following in vivo administration is an important element of the development program. Recommendations for biodistribution studies have been issued by various regulatory authorities with the most recent draft International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guideline S12 ‘Nonclinical biodistribution considerations for gene therapy products’ released for public comment on 3 June 2021. In this paper the Innovative Medicines Initiative, Accelerating Research & Development for Advanced Therapies consortium provides an overview of the current regulatory landscape for conducting shedding and biodistribution studies and makes a call for harmonization across regions. In addition, over the last three decades, a significant body of literature on biodistribution and shedding of AAV-based gene therapies has amassed, and we describe herein the initial stages of construction of a formal database of published biodistribution and shedding data. The outputs from the database could be leveraged by Sponsors of AAV programs in regulatory submissions. This would reduce the need for unnecessary duplicative studies, streamline nonclinical development and expedite the arrival of this important class of novel medicines into clinic.

Serving Summer Meals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of 2 Summer Food Service Program Sponsors in Maryland.

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free and nutritious meals to children under age 18 during out‐of‐school times. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, Maryland sponsors served over 9.5 million meals to children through an expanded version of the SFSP. This study aimed to explore and compare the factors that enabled 2 SFSP sponsors in Maryland to dramatically increase meals distribution during the pandemic.METHODSSponsors were selected based on their responses in the larger study and demographic characteristics of the area in which they served. Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted over Zoom—4 interviews with Sponsor A (3 interviews with the sponsor, 1 interview with their vendor) and 1 interview with Sponsor B. Qualitative data were analyzed inductively and deductively. Participation data from 2019 and 2020 were obtained from the Maryland State Department of Education and analyzed.RESULTSDespite their differences in organization type and geographic region, they identified similar facilitators to their success—communication with the community and utilization of the United States Department of Agriculture‐issued waivers.CONCLUSIONSStrengthening community communication networks and permanently integrating more flexibility into regulation of the SFSP may increase meals participation during future out‐of‐school times.

Predictors of Television Programmes Quality in Tanzania: Analysis of Stakeholders’ Perspectives

There have been complaints over the quality of television programmes in Tanzania from various groups including; professionals, viewers, television programme sponsors and media authorities. Recognizing the role played by the availability of diverse programme quality perspectives on the amount such compliments, this study sought to establish an understanding on how stakeholders view quality in TV programmes. The study triangulated quantitative and qualitative methods in order to establish a better understanding. The study involved a total of 70 respondents that included; television programmes producers, television programmes viewers, programme sponsors, television programmes managers, and telecom/electronics engineers/technicians. The study has used questionnaire and interviews to collect data from these respondents. Based on the data collected, the study has found that the term “quality” in the context of television production is “erratic” due to the absence of specific standards for measuring it save for different perspectives of professionalism, viewers, business/sponsorships, editorial polices, creativity and cultural orientations. In order to sustain quality control, the study recommends among other things, the establishment of quality control boards or quality assurance unit by the government to spearheading standards in television production and bridge professionalism.

Five moments of truth: presenting business results to senior executives

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the executive request for program results. With major programs in place and other programs planned, executives want to know if they are working. The executive’s perspective focuses on whether these programs impact the organization and do they deliver a positive return on investment (ROI).Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes how an executive’s request for ROI will lead human resources professionals to plan an evaluation, collect data, analyze data and present the results to the program sponsors and funders. The success of the results presentation will influence program support and future allocation of funding to HR programs.FindingsTo be credible, the presentation must include five moments of truth. These five moments of truth require credible data, collected from credible sources, presented in five categories, and a conservative analysis that executives can believe, including proof the program has made a difference. Executives must believe the results are true, or the presentation becomes a waste of time.Originality/valueThe critical challenge for the HR team is to involve executives in each of the five truths. In the findings, the most successful programs have high executive involvement, beginning with investment alignment and business alignment, and moving through to solution implementation and capability development, and motivation attainment.

Extracurricular activities can play a central role in K-12 education

Schools are pivoting to rebound from the negative effects the COVID-19 pandemic created for student development, academic achievement, and school culture. As all school constituencies collaborate to reinstitute normalcy, support student development, and maximize academic achievement, extracurricular activities may become more essential than ever. Chad Lang proposes that educators include extracurricular participation in their overall school improvement vision by increasing stakeholder collaboration in goal setting, broadening student participation, and providing professional development for teachers and program sponsors.

AAMC Data Shows Effect of Surgery Faculty Diversity on General Surgery Resident Attrition Rate at Programs Sponsored by LCME-Accredited Medical Schools

General surgery resident (GSR) 5-year attrition rates of 12% to 20% are currently reported. This study explores the impact of full-time surgery faculty (FSF) diversity on GSR attrition. Deidentified data were obtained from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for FSF at US Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)-accredited medical schools and GSR at the affiliated general surgery residency programs (2001-2016). Data included annual GSR attrition rate and the number, gender, and race of FSF and GSR. Data were analyzed using linear and logarithmic regression. The study was conducted at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. The data obtained included FSF from US LCME-accredited medical schools and GSR from those residency programs affiliated with US LCME-accredited medical schools. Data were included only if available for both FSF and GSR at a single institution. There were 107,300 annual FSF positions and 39,504 annual GSR positions from 61 U.S. LCME-accredited medical schools included in the analysis. Data included 107,300 FSF positions (26% non-white; 20% female) and 39,504 GSR positions (41% non-white; 33% female) summed across 1034 institution years. Increased female FSF is associated with decreased GSR attrition (R2 = 0.009, p = 0.002, Fig. 1). For every 1% increase in female FSF, GSR programs were 4% less likely to have an attrition rate in the top quartile (odds ratio 0.96, confidence interval 0.94-0.98). Gender diversity of FSF has an impact on GSR attrition; more female FSF correlates with lower GSR attrition rates.

The future of health professions education: Emerging trends in the United States.

The future of health professions education: Emerging trends in the United States.

Independent Early Childhood Education Centers’ Experiences Implementing the Revised Child and Adult Care Food Program Meal Pattern Standards: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

BackgroundNationally, approximately one-third of early childhood education centers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are independently owned and operated (ie, not owned by a corporation, not affiliated with Head Start, and with no food program sponsor). Independent providers are less likely to meet CACFP standards and best practices and would benefit from additional support and technical assistance. ObjectiveTo explore independent early childhood education center key informants’ (KIs) (ie, directors or relevant staff) perspectives on implementing the revised CACFP standards. DesignFollowing qualitative exploratory design, semistructured, in-depth, telephone interviews were conducted with KIs individually. Participants/settingIn summer 2018, 30 randomly sampled KIs from independent CACFP-participating early childhood education centers serving children ages 2 to 5 years nationwide were interviewed. Participants were sampled from respondents to a previously completed nationwide survey of providers. Main outcomesKIs’ perspectives on the CACFP program and revised meal pattern standard implementation. Analysis performedAfter audio recordings were professionally transcribed and reviewed, constant comparative analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti v8 qualitative software (Atlas.ti. version 8 for Windows, 2018, Scientific Software Development GmbH). ResultsKIs indicated that program benefits (eg, health and nutrition benefits, reimbursement, guidelines, and training) outweighed challenges experienced. Challenges associated with revised CACFP standards implementation (eg, availability or acceptability of new, creditable foods) were impacted by enhanced CACFP standards status, reported revised standards, and availability or utilization of outside support. KIs desired more contact with their state representative. KIs found the training and technical assistance on the revised standards useful and suggestions to enhance future training and technical assistance (eg, increasing accessibility, training resources, and audience-specific training). ConclusionsOverall, KIs desired additional resources, training, and increased communication from CACFP state representatives specific to CACFP-approved and reimbursable products, menu ideas, recipes, and cooking demonstrations. The present study suggests that a more tailored training and technical assistance approach is necessary as reported benefits, challenges, and program needs varied based on state-enhanced CACFP standards, reported familiarity with the revised meal pattern, and reported outside support.

P83 A Creative Approach to Developing Branding and Marketing Materials for the NC Summer Nutrition Program

<h3>Objective</h3> To support NC Summer Nutrition Program (NC SNP) sponsors and sites with marketing the program by developing statewide branding and marketing materials. <h3>Use of Theory or Research</h3> Federal SNPs, including the Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option, provide free meals to children in low-income areas during the summer. These programs are highly underutilized and a major challenge faced by sponsors and sites is marketing and awareness of the SNP. <h3>Target Audience</h3> 2018 and 2019 NC SNP sponsors and sites. <h3>Program Description</h3> In the spring of 2017, the NC Department of Public Instruction and No Kid Hungry NC held a NC SNP logo contest for high school students. A logo and mascot, a sun character named Ray, were selected from the entries. Over the course of the next year, a variety of promotional materials were developed featuring the logo and Ray including posters, postcards, banners, stickers, refrigerator magnets, yard signs, and videos. Ray was brought to life with a mascot costume and makes appearances throughout the state. Ray even has his own social media pages. The materials were made available to organizations running the SNP prior to the summer of 2018 and are promoted through trainings, events, websites, email campaigns, and social media. <h3>Evaluation Methods</h3> Online surveys with questions related to marketing strategies, including use of NC SNP marketing materials, were sent to NC SNP sponsors and sites in October of 2018 and 2019. <h3>Results</h3> The percentage of respondents using at least one type of NC SNP marketing material was 93% for sponsors and 68% for sites in 2018 and 83% for sponsors and 67% for sites in 2019. Sponsors and sites also gave positive feedback on the materials. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The statewide branding and marketing materials developed for the NC SNP were well-received by sponsors and sites, and helped them with marketing the program.

Evaluation of the Integrated Tuberculosis Research Program Sponsored by the Spanish society of pulmonology and thoracic surgery: 11 years on

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to determine the trend of variables related to tuberculosis (TB) from the Integrated Tuberculosis Research Program (PII-TB) registry of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), and to evaluate the PII-TB according to indicators related to its scientific objectives. MethodCross-sectional, population-based, multicenter study of new TB cases prospectively registered in the PII-TB between 2006 and 2016. The time trend of quantitative variables was calculated using a lineal regression model, and qualitative variables using the χy test for lineal trend. ResultsA total of 6,892 cases with an annual median of 531 were analyzed. Overall, a significant down-ward trend was observed in women, immigrants, prisoners, and patients initially treated with 3 drugs. Significant upward trends were observed in patients aged 40−50 and >50 years, first visit conducted by a specialist, hospitalization, diagnostic delay, disseminated disease and single extrapulmonary location, culture(+), drug susceptibility testing performed, drug resistance, directly observed treatment, prolonged treatment, and death from another cause. The scientific objectives of the PII-TB that showed a significant upward trend were publications, which reached a maximum of 8 in 2016 with a total impact factor of 49.664, numbers of projects initiated annually, presentations at conferences, and theses. ConclusionsPII-TB provides relevant information on TB and its associated factors in Spain. A large team of researchers has been created; some scientific aspects of the registry were positive, while others could have been improved.

Custom management development program architecture: in pursuit of critical mass for impact

Purpose This article highlights two potentially overlooked and undervalued features of custom management development program architecture that can facilitate and further the positive impact of program participants upon their return to work. Design/methodology/approach The insights presented are based on having worked with a number of large, custom management development program clients and seeking to foster greater, better, and a longer lasting impact accruing to the program sponsor when the program participants returned to work. Findings Two program design features are highlighted and discussed: (1) tiered critical mass participant throughput and (2) program transportability. A real-world based example is provided to depict these two program design aspects. Practical implications The two program design ideas presented are easily understood and immediately actionable for anyone engaged in responding to a custom management development program opportunity with an eye towards enhancing the impact for a sponsoring client. Originality/value Organizational sponsors of custom management development programs are interested in their program providers enhancing returning program participants’ ability to impact their work teams, departments, and business units with their program learnings. This article is unique in identifying and describing two potentially overlooked program design considerations that can aid in that pursuit.

Demystifying the use of mail survey in developing countries: a case of Nepal

ABSTRACT The mail survey is a popular data collection tool in developed countries, but little is known about its use and efficacy in developing countries. Grounded on social exchange and diffusion of innovations theories, this study sought to ascertain whether the mail survey works in Nepal – one of the developing countries, by looking at how long respondents take to respond to mail surveys, and what the determinants are of the response time. A mail survey was conducted in June–September 2012 among 863 village animal health workers. Analysis of the data derived from 500 usable surveys shows that if properly planned and executed, the mail survey will perfectly work in developing countries as well. However, response period greatly varied by respondent’s home region, program sponsor, income groups, but not by gender, age, and education. The paper concludes by outlining suggestions to improve the mail survey.