Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Afdc Encounters Joint Custody: Business As Usual Is Not The Solution, Jan L. Hagen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In the fifty years since its enactment, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) has become increasingly difficult to administer efficiently and equitably. Most recently, this increasing complexity is illustrated by eligibility determinations for divorced families having joint custody of the children. A recent national survey of state agencies administering AFDC programs reveals a diversity of approaches in determining eligibility under the continued absence requirement for joint custody situations. As illustrated by these joint custody cases, the meaningfulness as well as the usefulness of the continued absence requirement for AFDC eligibility has become increasingly questionable in terms of responding to …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 14, No. 1 (March 1987)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

• Editorial - ROBERT D. LEIGHNINGER, JR.
• Individual Experience and Critical Consciousness: Sources of Change in Everyday Life - DAVID GIL
• AFDC Encounters Joint Custody: Business as Usual Is not the Solution - JAN C. HAGEN
• Role Ambiguity Among Foster Parents: Semi-Professionals in Professionalizing Organizations - KENNETH J. MIETUS, MICHAEL D. FIMMEN
• Older Blacks' Predictions of Their Social Support Networks - BRENDA CRAWLEY
• Setting Funding Priorities in the Voluntary Sector: A Case Study From the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles - SAUL ANDRON
• Stress of the Caregiver: Effective Management of Dementia Patients in Hospital and Community Settings - RUTH …

Rejoinder, Harry Specht

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The comments by Chaiklin and Lause are representative of the sort of scholarly, but sterile and despairing, criticism that pervades social work education today. They have many technical complaints about the Specht-Britt-Frost paper: the conceptualization of the variables is defective; the response rate is too low; the sample is poor; the weightings are inappropriate; gamma is not a sufficiently powerful measure of correlation; and so forth. I have responded to most of these issues elsewhere, (1) so I will address only two here.

The Effect Of Changes In The Federal Disability Programs On State And Local General Assistance Programs, Courtney Scherer Petersen, Eric R. Kingson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Since early 1981, there has been a large-scale removal of persons from the SSI and Social Security disability programs as a result of the Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980. This article reports on the findings of a national survey designed to determine whether the removal of persons from the federal disability programs had an impact on state and local General Assistance programs and the extent to which older recipients of General Assistance are in need of long-term income assistance for health and other reasons.

Some states and jurisdictions have noticed an increase in applications as a result of federal …

Symposium On "Professional Achievement In Social Work", Robert D. Leighninger Jr.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This Symposium is an experiment. It is an attempt to have an argument over a piece of controversial research in a way that will clarify both the methodological and ideological issues involved.

A Response To "Professional Achievement In Social Work", Timothy W. Lause

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper raises several interesting issues for policy and research in the field of social work education. Nonetheless, serious shortcomings undermine its analysis of background factors to professional achievement. Even if one suspends critical assessments of the study's rationale and of its central index, the evidence presented here seems far more ambiguous than acknowledged. The quality of data is the primary subject of these comments. For purposes of this symposium, however, it seems appropriate to preface them with a few questions.

Individual Experience And Critical Consciousness: Sources Of Social Change In Everyday Life, David G. Gil

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Social scientists tend to interpret social change as the result of collective action. However, all collective action is at some level and time initiated and carried out by individuals, who, of course, are rooted in particular social contexts. A theory of social change needs to derive, therefore, not only from the study of collective action, but also from the study of individual initiation of, and involvement in, social change oriented practice.

The following observations on individual involvement in social change practice are based on personal experience and study over several decades. They are not a theory of social change but …

Rold Ambiguity Among Foster Parents: Semi-Professionals In Professionalizing Organizations, Kenneth J. Mietus, Michael D. Fimmen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Because foster parent role ambiguity has been viewed primarily as a micro-level phenomenon, efforts to reduce its negative consequences have emphasized ameliorist solutions which attempt to alter the behavior of individuals. We suggest that consideration of role ambiguity as a macro-level phenomenon provides a sounder basis for developing long-range solutions which can alter the structure of foster care organizations in ways which will complement existing ameliorist strategies. As semi-professionals, the work-role expectations of foster parents are seen as being contradictory to the goals of a profess ionalizing organizational structure. The transitional nature of this professionalizing process, and the contradictions which …

Stress Of The Caregiver: Effective Management Of Dementia Patients In Hospital And Community Settings, Ruth E. Dunkle, Michael Nevin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study explores the management problems among elders with dementia and their medical and family caregivers. Twenty-five patients were interviewed as well as professional health care personnel and a family member. Findings indicated that professional assessment facilitates home caregiving but has little bearing on successful coping by the caregiver. Variability of coping relates to the strategy employed.

Professional Achievement In Social Work, Harry Specht, Doris Britt, Charles Frost

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The authors report on a study of the professional achievements of 719 recently graduated California MSWs. Respondents are assigned an achievement score which is an index based on responses to seven questions. The scores of low achievers and high achievers are compared to analyze associations with: validating factors (e.g., salary), personal factors (race and gender), and pre-MSW factors (e.g., undergraduate education).

Book Review, Jonathan Rabinowitz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

BOOK REVIEW BY ARTHUR B. SHOSTAK AND GARY McLOUTH, WITH LYNN SENG

Editorial, Robert Leighninger

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

As you may have noticed, there've been some changes made. Norman Goroff, our Founding Editor and Publisher, has decided that putting the Journal out by himself while trying to maintain his University's extension program in upper New England is too much work. Norm has published the Journal at the University of Connecticut since its beginning; he and Ralph Segalman, the other Founding Editor, shared the editing chores. Six years ago, they turned that responsibility over to me; but Norm continued to do the publishing. Since this separation of offices has been a constant source of confusion to our authors, subscribers, …

Older Blacks' Predictions Of Their Social Support Networks, Brenda Crawley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Predicting resources for one's later years is risky and evokes feelings of vulnerability. Findings from a study of older blacks reveal that while race and culture may predispose clients to prefer certain resources, such as spouses and children, others realistically expect kin and friends to care for them. The heterogeneous nature of the black elderly suggests an open posture be maintained in assessing support resources for those who face short- or long- term care needs.

Setting Funding Priorities In The Voluntary Sector: A Case Study From The Jewish Federation Council Of Greater Los Angeles, Saul Andron

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Resource scarcity has emerged in the 1980's as a dominant theme in the human services. Although we are acutely aware of the impact that funding cutbacks have had upon human service agencies and their programs, relatively scant attention has been given to the funding body itself as the focus of analysis. The ways in which the funding body addresses the issue of resource distribution under scarcity conditions is of critical concern to the social welfare field. This paper analyzes one model adopted by a large voluntary fundraising and funding organization-planned priorities-setting-to provide a strategic and rational framework for guiding allocations …

The Impact Of Program Centralization On The Utilization Of Social Services: The Case Of The Ssi Program, Yossef Meller, Nancy Mudrick

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

When the Old Age Assistance (OAA), Aid to the Blind (AB), and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD) caseloads were converted to SSI in 1974, only cash payments were transferred to the Social Security Administration; social services remained available through public welfare agencies. This paper assesses the extent to which the service utilization of low income aged and disabled persons changed with the social service delivery system changes associated with the implementation of SSI. We found that the proportion of persons receiving social services decreased slightly between the last year of the old programs and the first year …

Professional Autonomy In Community Mental Health Centers, William E. Buffum

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Professional community mental health workers want considerable autonomy in doing their work, but too much autonomy can lead to frustration and less satisfaction with work. This finding of a study of 93 mental health professionals in three community mental health centers is in sharp contrast with a comparison group of 60 professionals in a chemical plant. The article cautions against the direct translation of research on all professionals to community mental health professionals.

Comment On "Professional Achievement" In Social Work, Harris Chaiklin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Anything which would help explain professional achievement in social work would be an important contribution to knowledge. In the present instance poor conceptualization and weak data analyses do not support such a conclusion.

In Search Of The Continuum: Graduate School Performance Of Bsw And Non-Bsw Degree Holders, Anne E. Fortune, Robert G. Green, Michael S. Kolevzon

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Do students with prior academic preparation in social work perform better in graduate school than students who do not have a BSW? Master's students in a southeastern school of social work were surveyed about their background, general psychosocial adjustment, adjustment to and attitudes toward graduate school, and graduate academic performance. Forced-entry multiple regression was used to control simultaneously for the effect of background and adjustment factors on four outcome variables: Grade Point Average in the most recent semesters; Stress as a Student; Educational Program Satisfaction; and Professional Social Work Commitment. Having a BSW was unrelated to Educational Program Satisfaction and …

Organized Labor At The Crossroads 1987-88, Department Of Economics

Werner Sichel Lecture Series

"Organized Labor at the Crossroads" is the twenty-fourth Annual Public Lecture Series organized by the Department of Economics at Western Michigan University. This year's series is directed by Dr. WeiChiao Huang of the WMU Economics Department, and is co-sponsored by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research . All lectures are open to the public and no admission is charged. A question and answer session will follow each lecture.

17-An Archaeological Survey Of The Middle St. Joseph River Valley In St. Joseph County, Michigan, William M. Cremin, David De Fant, Conrad Kaufman, Sherry Wykstra, Brian Deroo

Archaeological Reports

Between 2-19 Jun 86, a team of researchers from Western Michigan University conducted a reconnaissance level survey of a 63.5 km² transect across the St. Joseph River Valley in Leonidas and Colon Townships, St. Joseph County, Michigan. They gained access to 77 parcels of farmland affording good to excellent surface visibility and aggregating 15.3 km 2 , or 24% of the entire study area. In the process, 87 new archaeological sites were located and recorded; another three sites were recorded on the basis of documentary evidence reviewed during the course of the project.

For each of 16 sampling strata …

76-An Archaeological Survey Of The Eagle Lake And Buchanan Public Access Sites For The Michigan Department Of Natural Resources (Er-9381), William M. Cremin

Reports of Investigations

Pursuant to receipt of authorization from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DPD No. 87-GA8562, dated 3 Apr 87) for a Phase I archaeological assessment of two properties in Kalamazoo and Berrien Counties, Michigan, archaeologists from the Department of Anthropology, Western Michigan Univ.ersity began a literature, documents, and site files search and prepared to conduct on-site evalaution of the.project areas in order to determine if proposed construction of recreational facilities would have an adverse impact on potentially significant archaeological resources. There follows a report of fieldwork undertaken at the Eagle Lake Public Access in Texas Township, Kalamazoo County on 9 …

77-Archaeological Survey Of Department Of Natural Resources Property Including Proposed Boating Facilities At Presque Isle Harbor, Presque Isle County, Michigan (Er-2036), William M. Cremin

Reports of Investigations

Pursuant to receipt of authorization from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (OPD No. 87-GA8903, dated 17 Jul 87) for a Phase I archaeological survey of property including proposed boating facilities at Presque Isle Harbor in Presque Isle County, Michigan, archaeologists from the Department of Anthropology, Western Michigan University began· a literature, documents, and site files search and prepared to conduct on-site evaluation of the project area in order to ascertaih whether proposed construction of recreational facilities would have an adverse impact on potentially significant < archaeological resources. There follows a report of fieldwork undertaken at Presque Isle Harbor on 2-3 Sep 87, together with appropriate background information and the recommendations derived from our program of research.

21-Archaeological Test Excavations At The Stork Site (2dcs45), Porter Township, Cass County, Michigan, William M. Cremin

Archaeological Technical Reports

With the execution of a Cultural Resource Investigation work authorization (#5-86/87) under contract #85-1115 (MODS ER #1594) between the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of State, and Western Michigan University, calling For Phase II archaeological excavation of that portion of the Stork site (20CS45) lying within the expanded right-of-way on the north side of US-12 in Section 1 of Porter Township, Cass County, Michigan, researchers from the Department of Anthropology began a literature, documents, and site file search, reviewed reports of previous work on the site, and undertook limited test excavations on 1-2 Nov 86 in order to …

22-Phase I Archaeological Survey And Reconnaissance Survey Of Above-Ground Resources Along Us-12 Fadm Us-127 In Woodstock Township To M-50 In Cambridge Township, Lenawee County, Michigan, William M. Cremin, Joann Sporleder

Archaeological Technical Reports

With the execution of a Cultural Resource Investigation work authorization (#6-86/87) under contract #85-1115 (MOOS EA-00096), on 23 Jan 87 between the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of State, and Western Michigan University, calling for a Phase I archaeological survey and reconnaissance survey of above-ground resources along a 12.1 km (7.5 mi) stretch of US-12 between US-127 and M-50 in Woodstock and Cambridge townships, Lenawee County, Michigan, the University undertook the following:

1. established an agreement with Crumlish/Sporleder and Associates, Inc. of South Bend, Indiana whereby this architectural firm would undertake the survey of above-ground resources in the zone …

78-Archaeological Site Location Survey Of The Patten Corporation Michigan Property On Lake Allegan In Allegan County, Michigan (Er-87396, Easement File #64), William M. Cremin

Reports of Investigations

Pursuant to receipt oF authorization From.Mr. Patrick C. Regan, Manager Technical Specialists, Patten Corporation Michigan (dated 17 Sep 87), for a Phase I archaeological survey of 119 acres (48 ha) of corporate holdings on Lake Allegan, Allegan County, Michigan, archaeologists in the Department of Anthropology, Western Michigan University began a literature, documents, and site file search and prepared to undertake an-site evaluation oF the project area in order to ascertain whether proposed development of the property would adversely impact potentially significant archaeological resources. There follows a report of fieldwork conducted on 24-25 Sep 87, together with appropriate background information and …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 13, No. 4 (December 1986)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Table of Contents

• The Definition of Social Problems: Differing Perceptions of Israeli Social Workers and Women - VARDA MUHLBAUEP, CLAIRE RABIU, NADINE HOLLANDER - pp. 701
• Professional Contacts and Perceived Occupational Prestige - MOSHE SHERER - pp. 721
• Social Worker's Satisfactions: Methodological Notes and Substantive Findings - Y. MELLER, D. MACAROV - pp. 740
• Social Service Needs of Migrants in Limbo; Israelis in New York - JOSEF KORAZIM - pp. 762
• Holidays as Multiple Realities: Experiencing Good Times and Bad Times after a Disabling Injury - MARY JO DEEGAN - pp. 786
• Assessing the Needs of Mothers With Mentally Retarded …

Measuring Domestic Violence In An Alcoholic Population, Larry R. Livingston

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A survey of 107 adults receiving residential treatment for substance abuse was conducted, to determine characteristics of domestic violence in relationships. The survey incorporated instruments to measure the degree of substance abuse (the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test or MAST) as well as types and frequencies of domestic violence (the Conflict Tactics Scale or CTS-N). Findings are then compared to a national study of 2143 normals (Straus, Gelles, & Steinmetz, 1980) to ascertain differences in domestic violence.

Findings indicate that 83% of alcoholic subjects behaved violently in past relationships, compared to 28% of the normal population. Fifty-five percent of the alcoholics …

A Critical Analysis Of The Impact Of Day Care On The Pre-School Child And The Family, John T. Pardeck, Jean A. Pardeck, John W. Murphy

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Maternal employment has increased dramatically over the last two decades. The result of this increase in the number of working mothers is the expanded use of day care programs for children. Examined in this paper are research findings on the impact of day-care on the child and the family. The implications of these findings for policy development are discussed.

Currently in the United States, over 50 percent of mothers work outside the home; this figure is expected to rise to 75 percent by 1990. The fastest growing segment of the working mother population is among those with children under two …

Peyote And Peyotism, Brian P. Akers

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to provide a general comparative discussion of the native use of peyote, past and present.

Historic sources and ethnographic accounts are reviewed in light of relevant botanical, pharmacological, and ethnological considerations.

A Time-Management Procedure For Helping Graduate Students Accomplish Academic Tasks, Yousef Abdulwahab Abuhmaidan

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of time-management and a task checklist on task completion, the amount of study time and students' grade point average (GPA). A package consisting of a time-management calendar and a task checklist was provided to five Jordanian students. A multiple-baseline across subjects design was used. Individual weekly meetings were conducted to assess the progress of the students on the use of the time-management calendar and task checklist. Students were asked to bring proof of accomplishments for the completed tasks. During the study the completion of tasks went from 64.6% to 92.2% …