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The Revolving Door of Recidivism
Get PDFWith the rise in the use of prisons, recidivism also grew. Recidivism, in the broadest sense, is the act of a past offender coming back into contact with the justice system. Prisons have been used as far back as the fourth century, but over time their purpose has changed. Today in the United States, the main purpose of prisons is rehabilitation. The most recent law, the First Steps Act, reflects the desire to reduce the trend of recidivism. Many programs have been used as a method of reducing recidivism. Recidivism is a cycle of pain, creating jaded prisoners and placing them back in a society filled with people who doubt and fear them. They have to work around laws that hinder an easy return to the community. Recidivism leaves houses empty of fathers and mothers, which destroys families and increases the likelihood of juvenile offenders. It causes more people to face the pain and suffering of others’ actions. Recidivism is not declining because no one is cooperating. The lack of cooperation is shown by varying definitions, incomparable studies, and only partial participation. There is also a lack of effective action by the United States government. The problem of recidivism in the United States will only improve when people care not only about themselves but also others. It is better for citizens if recidivism is reduced. A reduction in recidivism would be safer and provide a better use of the citizens’ taxes. It is also necessary for citizens to have compassion and empathy for past offenders. If the citizens had compassion, then reducing recidivism would become a real possibility
THE TREATMENT OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE IN RELATION TO MULTIPLE THERAPIES AND THE FUTURE
Get PDFParkinson’s disease has become a growing issue worldwide and has yet to be presented with a cure. Various treatment methods have been introduced that include physical exercise, genetic therapy, pharmacological treatment, and/or alternative methods. An extended literature review was conducted evaluating numerous articles and focus was given to an ongoing research project in an effort to present current information. As a result, various routes of effective treatment have been evaluated for treating Parkinson’s diseases by observing if symptoms or the progression/prevention of the disease is hindered/reduced. Thus, a summary is given concerning what methods are effective in treating the disease. Regarding the future, suggestions are given considering what can be done to improve current methods and what other opportunities may be available. In all, this thesis presents a discussion of Parkinson’s disease in terms of its history, current methods of treatment, and future studies
THE VULNERABILITY OF GOD: TOWARD A BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND PASTORAL VIEW OF DIVINE P ASSIBILITY
Get PDFThe issues surrounding the debate of the aspect of God\u27s passibility versus impassibility are important enough to give the topic its due respect and attention. Engaging with the debate itself promises to grant the hearer revelation of the nuances of who God is and how He works in the world. This author will in the end argue for divine passibility, but the intent of this work is not to stake a claim in the debate or merely contribute some nuance to one side of the discussion. Rather, it is to discover more richly a biblical, theological and pastoral vision for a God who is in relationship with human beings. Historical and modem perspectives across the spectrum of the discussion will be considered while giving attention to biblical/theological touchpoints for the subject and some major concerns for how the topic is approached
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND COUNSELOR SATISFACTION AMONG SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONALS IN FLORIDA
Get PDFThe purpose of this quantitative non-experimental research study was to determine whether a supervisor’s leadership style affects a counselor’s job satisfaction and their decision to remain with or leave an organization. The researcher-designed survey involved collecting data from counselors to elicit their perceptions regarding the supervisory leadership style. For the comparison of leadership styles, the researcher explored the following styles in this research: autocratic leadership, participative leadership, servant leadership, situational leadership, transactional leadership, and transformational leadership. The implications of this research are twofold and include the decision of substance abuse organizations regarding hiring leaders who exhibit the traits of a specific leadership style and whether leadership training should be provided to assist the currently employed leaders. The results suggest that the leadership styles of participative leadership and transformational leadership were the most effective in developing a positive relationship between the supervisor and the counselor
A CASE STUDY OF SCIENCE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SELF-EFFICACY IN TEACHING THE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES
Get PDFThis case study examined South Carolina public school science teachers’ perceptions of self-efficacy related to planning and executing STEM-centric lessons. The adoption of the South Carolina Academic Standards and Performance Indicators for Science in 2014 required science teachers to make substantial pedagogical shifts in their instructional practices, which influenced their self-efficacy. The standards included science and engineering practices (SEPs) embedded in the standards. Understanding how science teachers’ perceptions of self-efficacy influence their instructional competence for planning and executing SEP-integrated lessons might guide schools and districts to create focused instructional support for the teachers designed to meet their unique pedagogical needs. An examination of 10 South Carolina teachers’ lived experiences and their STEM-centric lesson plans provided insights into what type of professional development they needed to make the necessary pedagogical shifts to integrate the SEPs successfully. The insights gained from the teachers’ interview and lesson plan data revealed that they preferred one-on-one mentoring from expert-teachers who model SEP integration. The findings from this study may be valuable for school and district level educators as they explore alternative professional development options for science teachers. The information may also expand the types of professional development offered by the South Carolina Department of Education
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MANAGERIAL AND NONMANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS ABOUT READINESS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
Get PDFTo remain competitive, organizations must learn to successfully manage change. Despite significant research on change management processes, a review of the literature indicated a need for further research on employee readiness for change. The purpose of this study was to compare employee perceptions about readiness for change in one organization. Factors of readiness between managerial and nonmanagerial employee groups (e.g., discrepancy, appropriateness, efficacy, principal support, and valence) were compared. Additional factors such as personal mindset, trust in leadership, respect for others, and employee involvement in organizational planning were also integrated for study purposes. This quantitative, nonexperimental research study utilized survey research. A convenient, purposive sample of managerial and nonmanagerial employees from a large global consulting firm served as the study’s data source. The survey sample (n = 68) was representative of the overall participant population. Descriptive, associative, and inferential statistical techniques were used to address the three quantitative research questions used in the study. A noteworthy finding was that among both managerial and nonmanagerial employee groups, the factor, “Leadership presents a clear and effective innovation strategy that aligns with the organization’s values” appeared in the top three factors of change readiness. This was also the top factor of perceived change readiness among nonmanagerial employees
MENTEE VOICE: MENTEE PERSPECTIVES OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS
Get PDFThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of youth mentoring programs from the mentee perspective. An extant survey instrument, the Youth Strength of Relationship (YSOR) was utilized to provide data necessary to address the study’s topic and research problem. The YSOR yielded a good level of internal reliability (George & Mallery, 2016) in addressing study participant perceptions of satisfaction with the mentoring program featured in the study. A nonprobability sampling approach was adopted, featuring a convenient, purposive methodology. The study’s sample of participants were youth mentees (n= 1,183) specifically accessed from a Central Florida agency that provides youth mentoring programs. A noteworthy, statistically significant level of overall study participant satisfaction with the mentoring program was achieved in the study. The research instrument domain of “comfort” manifested the highest mean score for study participant response effect of perceived satisfaction amongst the five domains. Study participant satisfaction levels were similar for both genders and all ethnicities represented in the study. The duration of the mentor/mentee match represented a statistically significant correlate and predictor of mentee overall satisfaction with the mentoring program featured in the study
IMPROVING UPON TRADITIONAL AMERICAN PREMARITAL COUNSELING METHODS: TEACHING A FOUNDATIONAL THEOLOGY FOR A MARRIAGE OF SERVANTHOOD
Get PDFThe intention of this thesis is to stir up marriage counselors into taking a fresh look at their methods for preparing and educating American couples for marriage, as the research will show that couples need much more than mere test results and analytics. Couples need more than a diagnosis; they need the prognosis of the path for healing. The programs developed by Christian therapists that are used in many churches in America do a great job at showing areas where couples are strong and where they need work, but too little is done to address their core beliefs about marriage or otherwise teach a scriptural theology for marriage. How can the focus of traditional premarital counseling methods in American churches be improved from merely providing test results and analytics, to teaching couples the skills and core beliefs they need to adequately build a grace-filled, soul-deep intimacy for a supportive marriage of a lifetime? Through a review of relevant Scripture, a theology for a marriage of servanthood will be presented. Once this foundation is established, chapter three will discuss the research of the methods of the popular pre-marital education programs used in the American church, and whether they provide any sort of path to overcome the deficits exposed by their assessments of couples. It will be shown that such methods could be improved by laying a foundation based on a biblical theology for a marriage of servanthood. This theology provides the motivation for couples to become more holy as they become more whole. Chapter four will present a key ingredient for applying this theology, one which builds on an existing premarital education concept and offer ways for premarital counselors to use it in the premarital counseling process. The ultimate goal of this work is to generate a fresh discussion in the improvement of church-based premarital counseling so that many more couples can sustain a thriving marriage for a lifetime
ACI-35 AND AADVAC1 ACTIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY AS PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
Get PDFOne of the most common, as well as one of the most dangerous injuries amongst athletes today is mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion. Aside from physical symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches; concussions have can have longterm effects on brain physiology. A common neurological disease that can result from multiple concussions is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), characterized by symptoms such as severe depression, anxiety, confusion, and aggression; amongst others.1 On the cellular level, CTE is classified by a unique pathway that leads to the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and subsequent clumping of tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs).2 Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation is also a key characteristic of a similar neurological condition, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Emerging active immunization treatment methods, including the ACI-35 and AADVac-1 vaccines, have been clinically tested in Alzheimer\u27s patients with the goal of reducing hyperphosphorylation of tau and its effects.3 Because of the similarity between the two diseases, this paper takes a look at the possibility of applying this active immunotherapy treatment to patients who are likely to develop CTE
Healthy Church Multiplication in Modern Churches
Get PDFJesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 leaves no room for interpretation. The role of the followers of Jesus and of the church is decidedly clear. We are called to make disciples of all nations. An honest assessment of my local ministry context, Access Church, reveals that we, as a church, have fallen short of Jesus’ Great Commission. The intention of this research project is to understand the biblical mandate to make disciples as taught throughout Scripture, study Jesus’ discipleship methods in the book of Matthew, and, ultimately, create a new rubric to help Access Church—and other churches—understand how to measure its effectiveness. Chapter One is an overview of the entire project and research plan. Chapter Two provides a theological framework and current literature review on discipleship. Chapter Three is an in-depth look at the cross-sectional quantitative methodology and survey used to research Access Church members. Chapter Four provides a detailed look at the survey results and growth. Chapter Five presents a conclusion, contextual changes we are making at Access Church, and suggestions for churches who want to multiply in discipleship in a way that is healthy and sustainable