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FOSTER CARE ALUMNI AND THEIR EXPERIENCES COPING WITH LIFE AFTER CARE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PERTINENT PROFESSIONALS
Get PDFABSTRACT
Background: Children in foster care face significant challenges, and their transition to independent living presents even greater difficulties, such as securing housing, accessing healthcare, and achieving financial independence. Although recent policy reforms, such as increased emphasis on family reunification and support services, have aimed to improve the outcomes of foster care, alumni of the system continue to face disproportionately high rates of mental health disorders, substance abuse, and social instability. Existing literature highlights the significant barriers foster youth encounter during and after their time in care, yet there remains a critical gap in understanding the experiences of these individuals before and after emancipation. Specifically, little is known about the coping mechanisms employed by foster care alumni post-emancipation and the factors that influence their ability to navigate life after leaving care. This study sought to explore these experiences, with particular focus on identifying the psychosocial and environmental influences that shape the well-being of foster youth both during their time in care and after they transition to independent adulthood. Through this investigation, the research aims to inform policy and intervention strategies that better support foster youth throughout their journey to adulthood and mitigate the long-term consequences of their experiences in care.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the experiences of foster care alumni and the coping strategies they employ after leaving the system. It specifically examined the emotional, cognitive, and physical impacts of foster care and evaluates the effectiveness of post-care interventions to support the transition to adulthood.
Methodology: A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing snowball sampling to interview 8-10 professionals in California who have worked with foster care-involved individuals for at least one year. These professionals provided insights into the coping mechanisms employed by foster care alumni and the gaps in services and resources that may hinder their post-care transition.
Results: The study revealed that foster care youth experience significant emotional, psychological, and practical challenges at each stage of their journey. Before entering care, they often face neglect and unstructured home environments. While in care, systemic instability and inconsistent services disrupt foster youth’s development and contribute to their struggles. After aging out of the system, foster alumni often feel unprepared for independent living and the loss of support networks heightens their transition challenges. These insights underscore the need for continuous, long-term support to help foster youth navigate these transitions and prepare for life after care. The study also found that foster care alumni commonly utilize problem-focused, emotion-focused, and social coping strategies. Those with access to stable resources such as housing and mental health support tend to have better outcomes. Additionally, a lack of adequate support, particularly in areas like healthcare and social connections, increases the difficulties these youth face after aging out of care.
Discussion/Implications: The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive support systems, including mentorship, community-based programs, and trauma-informed interventions. These strategies are critical for addressing the emotional, cognitive, and physical health needs of foster youth. Social work practice should advocate for stronger transition planning, expanded access to resources, and systemic policy changes to improve the outcomes for foster youth aging out of the system. Additionally, future research should focus on exploring the long-term effectiveness of existing post-care interventions and further investigate the unique challenges faced by youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds
NTIER CODE GENERATOR
Get PDFThis project presents a software tool designed to automate the generation of standardized code for all layers of an n-tier architecture, including the Database Layer, Data Access Layer (DAL), and Business Logic Layer (BLL). By employing object-oriented principles and parsing the database structure, the tool ensures modularity, scalability, and maintainability. It efficiently formats code templates for CRUD operations, enhancing development efficiency and consistency, while streamlining database interactions and enforcing business rules.
This project presents an innovative software tool designed to automate the generation of standardized code for all layers of an n-tier architecture, including the Database Layer, Data Access Layer (DAL), and Business Logic Layer (BLL). By employing object-oriented principles and parsing the database structure, the tool ensures modularity, scalability, and maintainability of the application.
The tool efficiently formats code templates for CRUD operations, which stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete functionalities, enhancing development efficiency and consistency across various projects. Its ability to streamline database interactions and enforce business rules is particularly noteworthy, as it significantly reduces development time and potential for human error.
Moreover, the nTier code generator offers immense value by ensuring that the generated code adheres to best practices and industry standards, thus promoting high-quality software development. By maintaining synchronization across all layers of the application, it provides a robust foundation for future modifications and extensions.
The n-tier architecture model itself is a sophisticated design pattern that separates an application into multiple layers, each with a distinct responsibility. Typically, it consists of the Presentation Layer (PL), Business Logic Layer (BLL), Data Access Layer (DAL), and Database Layer. The Presentation Layer is responsible for user interaction, the Business Logic Layer handles core application logic, the Data Access Layer interacts with the database, and the Database Layer stores structured data.
By adhering to this architecture, the project not only ensures a well-structured and organized codebase but also facilitates easier maintenance and scalability. The automated code generator represents a significant advancement in software development tools, offering developers a powerful resource to enhance their productivity and the overall quality of their applications
THESE THINGS HAPPEN
Get PDFMy artwork emerges from moments of emotional and physical violence—both small and large. Although rooted in my lived experience, the truths I tell in my work are far from unique. Violence often hides in plain sight, buried in the mundane spaces of daily life. Through ceramic sculpture, I spotlight these moments, inviting viewers into a world that is familiar and simultaneously unsettling.
Scale plays a crucial role in this narrative—objects shrink or expand based on their emotional gravity, their object authority, or my own relationship to them. By amplifying the small and shrinking the overwhelming, I reshape how viewers interact with these forms, shifting the relationship between the human body and the work. A full-scale piece may trick the eye with its authenticity, while a miniature scene creates a more distant, voyeuristic experience. This manipulation of scale serves a dual purpose: it renders the unbearable more digestible, and the overlooked impossible to ignore.
Beneath the discomfort, there’s always a layer of whimsy that cushions the subject matter and acts as an invitation to lean in closer. I want viewers to feel what they feel: unease, rage, tenderness, humor, or joy. There’s no one way to engage. Instead, I offer a space to confront, reflect, and maybe even recognize something that’s been quietly living in your own walls
Forced Sterilizations and Reproductive Control: A Legacy of Eugenics and White Supremacy in the United States
Get PDFWomen of color have suffered racial reproductive abuse by the hands of government-funded white supremacist institutions. From federal government agencies to the highest court of the land, they have all played a crucial role in the reproductive oppression of women of color and have failed to protect their bodily autonomy. This thesis examines legal cases like Buck v. Bell, Madrigal v. Quilligan, and Relf v. Weinberger to showcase how the bodies and reproductive capacities of women of color have been targeted and controlled under the guise of public health, to advance supposed economic stability, and through a racially charged eugenics movement.
This thesis analyzes federal policies, court decisions, and personal accounts to demonstrate that reproductive control stems not only from racism and sexism but also from a calculated approach to racial oppression. These effects persist today, influencing modern reproductive justice efforts. The U.S. government\u27s inability to safeguard the reproductive rights of women of color underscores the enduring consequences of historical injustices and the critical need for institutional reform
COMMUNITY MEDIA COALITIONS: BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT HEALTHY LOCAL NEWS ECOSYSTEMS
Get PDFLocal U.S. journalism is in crisis. Communities across the country are suffering from a loss of local outlets, journalists, and a shortage of original coverage that addresses critical information needs. Yet, community media coalitions (CMCs) offer a promising solution. These coalitions bring together media outlets, educational institutions, and civic organizations to collaboratively support local news ecosystems. However, little is known about these coalitions or how to effectively build and operate them from the perspective of their creators.
To address this information gap, a guidebook was created titled A Best Practices Guide for Community Media Coalition Building: How to Wrangle All Your Cool Cats & Kittens to Make a Successful Clowder. The guidebook offers practical recommendations for media organizations and communities seeking to address their local journalism crisis through coalition-building. It is informed by interviews with eleven community media coalitions nationwide and an analysis of their organizational documents. It is organized around five key themes: starting with a clear mission and vision, establishing a democratic structure and culture, maintaining neutrality, building trust among stakeholders, and avoiding harmful practices. It is hoped that, by adapting these recommendations to local conditions, news outlets, educational institutions, and civic and community organizations can effectively collaborate to meet their communities’ information needs.
Keywords: Local journalism, Community media coalitions, Collaborative journalism, News deserts, Best practice
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON ETHNIC STUDIES CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACULTY
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to add to the research about ethnic studies faculty. This study’s goal was to understand the experiences of ethnic studies faculty, post AB-1460. Prior to AB 1460, few colleges offered tenure track positions and few ethnic studies departments existed Ethnic studies faculty increased at college campuses throughout the state after AB 1460 passed. While many studies focus on ethnic studies, few center on faculty and their experiences. This study employed a qualitative research design, and it was a phenomenological study and used the lens of critical race theory. 12 full-time, tenure track faculty members participated in semi-structured interviews.
The findings showed that themes that emerged from the study were a.) exclusion, b.) hiring: finding home, c.) navigating, and d.) action. Ethnic studies faculty experienced exclusion prior to AB 1460. A major finding was through getting hired, faculty found a home space. Ethnic studies faculty navigated their department building through networks, relying on past experiences taking action through creating a pathway, teaching, and serving on campus committees.
A major recommendation was for ethnic studies faculty lead the ethnic studies discussion. As ethnic studies grows, ethnic studies faculty lead the development in the 4 autonomous disciplines at their sites. Because of the status of ethnic studies, there is potential for creating schools of ethnic studies
Voces de inspiración: Testimonios of Mexican-American/Chicano/-Latino/a Educators across the Pk20+ Higher Pipeline pursuing higher education from San Bernardino . (A Qualitative study)
No full textABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to explore the motivational and inspirational factors that contribute to the academic success of Mexican-American / Chicano/a-Latino/a in K-12 students, particularly those who are mentored and guided by educators within the PK20+ educational pipeline in San Bernardino. By documenting and analyzing the lived experiences and testimonios of these students, this research aims to serve as a source of inspiration for others facing similar challenges in their pursuit of a four-year degree.
As a Mexican-American researcher, my shared cultural background may establish a foundation of trust and rapport with participants, facilitating the collection of rich and authentic testimonios. This cultural alignment strengthens the research by allowing for deeper engagement with participants\u27 experiences and insights. Moreover, I am committed to the principle of reciprocity, ensuring that the knowledge generated through this study will reinvest into the community, an advocate for educational and social change. We must have the notion of breaking the cycle of poverty.
In this qualitative research, my positionality as both a researcher and a member of the community is central to the study’s methodology. My cultural background not only enhances my connection with participants but also informs my understanding of their narratives. This reflexive awareness underscores my ethical responsibility to conduct research that is respectful, authentic, and transformative. Through a process of continual reflexivity and ethical engagement, I seek to place in the foreground the voices of my participants while maintaining the integrity and cultural sensitivity required for impactful research. Furthermore, I will approach the research with a mindset that all participants have a voice.
My role as the researcher is multifaceted therefore, intertwining with the cultural, social, and historical context of the study. This multifaceted approach will guide the research process, ensuring that it is conducted with the highest standards of academic rigor, cultural awareness, and ethical responsibility
THE EDUCATIONAL IMPERATIVE OF INSPECT: A TRAUMA-INFORMED, NEURODIVERGENT-AFFIRMING CLASSROOM CULTURE FRAMEWORK
Get PDFThis project introduces the INSPECT Framework, a trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming classroom culture model that challenges traditional, compliance-based behavior systems in inclusive educational settings. INSPECT—an acronym for “I first, Nurturing environment, Structure, Planning, Engagement, Consistency, and Time”—provides educators with a sequential, research-informed framework for cultivating emotional safety, engagement, and regulation among students, particularly those with ADHD, Autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing differences, and trauma histories.
The issue being addressed is the widespread use of punitive behavior management strategies that intensify student distress and misinterpret neurologically based behaviors as defiance. Drawing from recent literature in neuroscience, trauma theory, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and inclusive education, this project creates a proactive framework rooted in connection and co-regulation.
The methodology synthesizes peer-reviewed research and practitioner-based insights to design and articulate each framework component. Tools for implementation, educator reflection, and long-term sustainability are also provided to support practical integration across diverse classroom contexts.
The major findings indicate that transforming classroom culture begins with educators practicing self-regulation and creating relational safety. INSPECT offers educators an accessible and adaptable framework that shifts their role from being behavior enforcers to engaged co-regulators and advocates. This shift allows them to focus on what they originally entered the profession to do: teach and inspire.
The project concludes that equity-centered education requires emotionally responsive environments. Every student—especially those who are neurodivergent or have experienced trauma—deserves a teacher who approaches them with empathy, structure, and a belief in their abilities and potential
Effectiveness of Mental Health Interventions Amongst Parents with Child Welfare Involvement
Get PDFThis study explores the effectiveness of mental health interventions provided by child welfare agencies to parents involved in the child welfare system. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the research aims to assess intervention outcomes, identify barriers to service utilization, and provide qualitative insights into parents\u27 experiences with mental health services. The quantitative component will gather data on mental health outcomes through structured surveys, while the qualitative component will explore the lived experiences of parents through semi-structured interviews. Findings from this study will contribute to the development of culturally competent interventions and inform policy changes that address systemic inequities in mental health service delivery for marginalized populations involved in the child welfare system
CAR DAMAGE DETECTION USING DEEP LEARNING
Get PDFGrowing vehicle usage has resulted in a notable increase in road accidents, so it is imperative to have effective systems for identifying and evaluating vehicle damage. This work aims to create a computer vision and deep learning-based automated car damage detection system. This project\u27s main goal is to develop a model that, using visual cues, can categorize car photos as either damaged or undamaged.
The algorithm operates in two steps: first, determining whether the picture features an automobile; then, it classifies the state of the car—damaged or undamaged. We thus employ the InceptionV3 model for damage classification and the MobileNet SSD (Single Shot Multibox Detector) for vehicle detection to do this.
The image contains an automobile detected using a pre-trained object detection model called MobileNet SSD. Downloaded automatically during the procedure, the pre-trained set of weights injected into the model is once a car is spotted. The image is then fed to the InceptionV3 model, which has been optimized specifically for damage detection. Using a dataset of automotive photos, where every image is tagged as either damaged or undamaged, the InceptionV3 model was trained. With a 94% accuracy, the algorithm forecasts the car\u27s damage status, proving great real-time predictive efficiency.
Training uses a dataset of manually labeled car photos for damage and undamaged categories. The model detects vehicles using the COCO dataset labels; the car is classified as class 7 there. The algorithm responds with an invalid image when no car is detected in the image, handling random images with unknown backgrounds—such as objects or landscapes.
The project also combines other methods, including data augmentation to lower overfitting and enhance the generalization of the model. A major benefit of the model is its capacity to manage changes in illumination, angles, and image quality, therefore qualifying it for use in practical environments.
This method may be expanded to assist many sectors, including automotive insurance, where it can automate the damage assessment process, saving the time and effort needed by human assessors. To speed damage assessment, it might also be included in mobile apps or used in systems handling insurance claims.
The effective execution of this research shows the possibilities of deep learning for automating automotive damage detection. Expanding the dataset, increasing model accuracy, and investigating real-time implementation to handle video streams or live photos for instantaneous predictions will be the main priorities of the following work