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Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs: Examining WIOA Impact on Disconnected Young Adults' Academic, Career, and Personal Development
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to investigate the perceptions of disconnected young adults’ participation in a WIOA program on the impact of their academic, career, and personal development. Methodology: This study used quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore how disconnected young adults perceived their academic achievement: reading, writing skills, and educational attainment; and career and personal development, in terms of motivation, life, people, and professional skills as a result of participating in the WIOA program. Findings: The findings suggest that, overall, disconnected young adult WIOA participants’ academic, career, and personal development have been positively impacted as a result of participating in a federally funded WIOA program. Participants expressed how motivation played a key role in their academic achievement. However, a significant number of WIOA participants did not need the academic support services focused on high school diploma completion. WIOA program empowerment strategies designed to motivate WIOA participants impacted their personal development. Participants believed that their career development had the greatest impact. However, the findings revealed that participants had barriers that created challenges for transitioning into the workforce. Participants thought that WIOA career counselors and coaches lacked training and cultural sensitivity. The need for more career and technical education (CTE) certifications, paid internships, and work-based learning activities was also a concern among WIOA participants. Conclusions: The study’s findings supported the need for federally funded WIOA programs to develop work-based learning activities that are directly aligned to participants’ needs. Businesses and community partners are needed to implement job training programs that lead to middle-skilled career jobs. At the federal, state, and local levels, WIOA administrators, in partnership with policy makers and politicians, must introduce legislation and policies that bring more funding to WIOA programs. Recommendations: Further research on federally funded WIOA programs is needed to provide a greater understanding of what barriers prevented participants from successfully transitioning into the workforce. Research examining career counselors and coaches’ perceptions on effective work-based learning activities will provide needed data for program success. Additional research on how WIOA programs were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will add to future WIOA program and development strategic plans
Quantum Trajectories and Their Extremal-Probability Paths: New Phenomena and Applications
No full textQuantum theory posits that measurements are invasive: It describes an interactive process, mediating all knowledge of quantum properties, in which an observer probes a quantum system and draws inferences about its behavior based on the outcomes they receive. This dissertation emphasizes the theory, and several applications, of time-continuous monitoring of quantum systems. The particular results described below follow two threads: One concerns the behavior of extremal-probability trajectories, derived from a path integral description and action-extremization principle applied to diffusive quantum trajectories. The other concerns the use of continuous measurement for generating and preserving entanglement between two remote qubits. Two new phenomena arising in the optimal paths, derived as the first--order variational solutions of a stochastic action, are presented herein. Multiple solutions which extremize the probability of the measurement record may connect the same initial and final quantum state over the same time interval; these groups of multipath solutions arise as dynamical instabilities in the optimal path dynamics, and in close mathematical analogy with the formation of caustics in optics. Furthermore, the proliferation of these quantum caustics is closely connected to chaotic behavior among extremal-probability paths. This optimal path chaos that we characterize fundamentally relies on measurement, and can occur in a system with no immediate classical analog, such as a qubit; this is in contrast with typical explorations of quantum chaos. The other thread developed herein concerns methods to generate and protect entanglement between two remote qubits by joint continuous measurement of their spontaneous emission. We characterize the entanglement dynamics arising in quantum jump trajectories due to continuous photon counting, as well as in diffusive trajectories arising from homodyne monitoring. These processes generate equivalent entanglement yield on average, despite qualitatively different dynamics in their respective individual realizations. Finally, some strategies for feedback control based on these measurements are developed, with the goal of increasing the entanglement yield and lifetime. Specifically, we illustrate how implement a measurement un-doing and control procedure, that traps the two-qubit dynamics in limit cycles around Bell states for each type of measurements mentioned
Predicting Substantiation of Office of Inspector General Investigations Using Multinomial Naïve Bayes and Natural Language Processing
No full textLow substantiation rates are pervasive across the federal Office of Inspector General (OIG) community due to high levels of uncertainty and limited data availability at the time of case selection. OIG management often selects cases based on intuition and past experience. Intuitive project selection has proven unsuccessful because the methods are often subjective, prone to bias, and lead to error. The high uncertainty surrounding case selection and the current selection method employed by OIG management teams results in a significant loss of investigative resources spent on unsubstantiated cases. This research presents a novel approach to predict OIG investigative case substantiation using natural language processing techniques and multinomial naïve Bayes to retrieve information from complaint intakes. It aims to improve OIG substantiation rates and reduce the cost associated with unsubstantiated cases. The model developed in this study significantly outperformed OIG management and was 20% more accurate in the prediction of substantiated and unsubstantiated cases. This model will augment investigative case selection and improve investigative targeting, increase impact of investigative work, and improve OIG investigative resource allocation. Its application will result in a significant savings by reducing the resources dedicated to cases with a low probability of substantiation.
Canvassing the X-Ray Content of the Inner Galactic Plane
No full textThe Swift/X-Ray Telescope Deep Galactic Plane Survey (DGPS) is an ongoing 1.83 Ms effort to establish the transient population in the inner Scutum and Norma arms of the Milky Way (10 deg.3 sigma above background); and created three catalogs in the 0.3−3 keV, 2−10 keV, and 0.3−10 keV bands. I have published a multiwavelength analysis for the data for two bright DGPS sources, one Type I X-ray burster and one Intermediate Polar Cataclysmic Variable. Finally, I summarize future prospects for DGPS−related research
Implementation of a Fall Prevention Program for the Elderly in a Long-Term Care Facility
No full textOne out of 4 older people fall each year. By the year 2030, it is estimated that 49 million older adults will fall and that 12 million will incur injuries as a result. A rise in the trend in falls among older adults represents a growing burden; the cost for falls billed to Medicare in the year 2015 was an aggregate of over $31 billion. The purpose of this quality improvement evaluation project was to assess the effectiveness of a fall preventative pilot program to reduce the number of falls among the residents of a rehabilitation and long-term care facility in New York City. Lewin’s theory of change was used as a guide for this project. The Operation No More Falls initiative included a 10-day interdisciplinary staff educational intervention (N = 57) and a 30-day multifactorial fall prevention program with for residents (N = 68). Sources of evidence were obtained from pre and post secondary data on learner gain and fall rates and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the project showed learner gain in pretest score (M = 65.9; SD = 16.13) to posttest score (M = 88.04; SD = 13.26). The fall rate over a 14-month period prior to the initiative indicated a mean rate of falls between 14 and 16 per month with the exception of two months where the rate was lower than 10 falls per month.. In the 30 days following the initiative, there were only 10 falls, which suggests that a consistent fall prevention program may decrease the number of falls. Adhering to an identification protocol and comprehensive fall risk assessment as part of an effective multifactorial fall prevention program can reduce the financial burden of falls on these facilities and society at large
Transformational Effects of Holotropic Breathwork® in Practitioners’ Orientation and Mental Well-Being: Correlational Study
No full textThis study explored the transformational aspects of Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness (NOSC) induced through Holotropic Breathwork® (HB) practice by examining the correlations between number and period of HB practice and scores on mental health and self-actualization levels, measured by the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI); meaning and purposefulness in life, measured by the Purpose in Life test (PIL); and quality of life, measured by the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS), respectively. The number of HB practice represents how many HB sessions a practitioner has experienced; period of HB practice indicates how long a practitioner has been practicing HB. The study employed a quantitative correlative method to address the research problem and discover the usefulness of the intervention and associated factors. Correlations were assessed using a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (N = 119). Results showed that both independent variables, period and number of HB practice, were significantly positively correlated with all dependent variables (PIL, QOLS, and POI), with the exception of 2 out of 12 POI subscales. The correlation between number of practice and the scales signified positive correlation of PIL (r = .362, p ≤ .0036) and QOLS (r = .388, p ≤ .0036). Out of 12 POI subscales’ correlation, 11 ranged from .244 to .415. Similarly, period of practice and scales were significantly positively correlated. Both PIL and QOLS were significant at the .0036 level with a positive correlation of .330 and .342. For POI, one of 2 major subscales, IDS (Inner Directed; r = .376, p ≤ .0036) was shown to be significantly positively correlated
Attending Anyway: A Qualitative Case Study of the Intersections of Family Stress, School Climate, and School Attendance Choices Within a Northeast Urban High School
No full textThis was a basic qualitative case study with an extreme purposive sample to understand those factors that former students of one particular northeast high school, who lived with significant family stress, believed influenced their school attendance choices. Since certain out of school factors limit what schools can accomplish on their own (Berliner, 2009), the focus was to understand if the influences that encouraged daily attendance for these former students were present in the school via specific academic programs, extra-curricular programs, connections with staff members, or connections with peers. All participants lived with significant family stress while enrolled at the high school of study. Half of the sample attended school over 90% of the time and met diploma requirements for graduation. The other half of the sample were chronically absent during their last year of attending the school and did not meet diploma requirements, nor graduate. The graduates identified strong pedagogy, caring teachers and strong extra-curricular programs as contributing positively to their attendance choices and perceived the school community as being a main reason attending regularly. The non-completers identified building entry experiences, academic needs and negative relationships with adults as contributing negatively to their attendance choices and perceived the school community as being a main reason for their school refusal behaviors. Three overarching school experiences were shared by all participants and influenced, for the graduates, their daily attendance and for non-completers, their chronic absence. They were: the classroom experiences, relationships with adult staff and relationships with peers
Welcome to the Family: Establishing Sustainable Assimilation through Small Groups at Calvary Church, Maumee, OH
No full textPeople in the twenty-first century search for authentic relationships and a place to belong. While the surrounding culture and social media provide options that seem to offer solutions to these challenges, often people find them ultimately lacking. However, the Church not only provides solutions to authentic relationships and belonging, it also offers the solution to a real relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The challenge remains for the Church to find a way to hospitably and effectively welcome strangers and outsiders whom God sends and offer them a chance to find relationship, belonging, spiritual growth, and everlasting life. The ministry intervention step in this project, the Assimilation Training Seminar, offered the necessary foundation for leaders of Calvary Church to accept the challenge of welcoming the outsider into the family of God. These leaders now more fully understand the biblical mandate for reaching out to those searching for connection and possess a clear path forward for the implementation of sustainable assimilation. The Assimilation Training Seminar was a two-day intensive seminar resulting from deep theological reflection and literature research that centers on utilizing specialized small groups as the focal point of Calvary Church’s assimilation components. As a result of this seminar, Assimilation Leadership Team members can provide the church with a proactive, effective, and sustainable assimilation process that stewards well he newcomers God sends to Calvary Church
A Mixed Methods Item Response Theory Investigation of Teacher Well-Being
No full textThis study used a convergent, quantitative dominant mixed methods design to investigate the construct of teacher well-being. Three-hundred-forty-five teachers participated in quantitative data collection which included the Teacher Well-being Scale (TWBS; Collie et al., 2016), the Teacher Subjective Well-being Questionnaire (TSWQ; Renshaw et al., 2016), the Workplace PERMA Profiler (Butler & Kern, 2016) and the Brief School Climate Inventory (La Salle et al., 2018). Among these participants, thirteen participated in additional semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Data were brought together through joint displays and analyzed using a novel process, integrated factor analysis. Quantitative findings suggest that existing teacher well-being scales hold pre-established structural properties and are associated with other, related scales, but item fit varied. Item response theory revealed model-fit challenges using recommended response categories. Model-fit improved for both the TWBS and TSWQ once response categories were reduced. Additionally, some items were flagged for poor fit. Qualitative findings indicated that teacher well-being includes factors at both the individual and environmental level. Specifically, individual dispositions such as having a positive attitude or ability to handle setbacks, supportive leadership, and collaborative school climates emerged as key facilitators of well-being. Job specific stress related to workload and negative relationships emerged as key barriers to well-being. Integration of quantitative and qualitative data was supported by a process of integrated factor analysis. Scale items and qualitative codes were compared for areas of convergence (alignment) and divergence (disagreement). A revised teacher well-being scale is proposed based on integrated findings. Synthesis of quantitative, qualitative, and integrated results suggest the following key findings: (a) teacher well-being is a multidimensional, psycho-social construct that must include both individual and environmental factors; (b) individual dispositions contribute to teachers’ experiences and well-being at work; (c) the primary barriers to teacher well-being include job specific stress external to teaching; and (d) revising response categories can lead to stronger use and interpretation of teacher well-being scales. Implications for policy, research, and practice are discussed
Impact of Social Barrier Removal on Primary Care Use by Managed Care Enrollees
No full textPersonal health represents a complex relationship among social, physical, and emotional factors that can be influenced by health-seeking behaviors. Prior research indicates that greater use of preventive services leads to longer life and lower healthcare costs. For some populations, evidence suggests that social barriers hinder access to preventive services. To better understand the relationship between social factors and the other personal-health factors, de-identified healthcare claims and social service encounter data for 4,480 low-income individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage or Managed Medicaid at one national health insurance were examined using a retrospective, quasi-experimental design for services rendered between October 1, 2014 and October 1, 2016. The claims experience (represented by current procedural terminology or CPT codes) between enrollees who accessed social services (like healthy food or transportation assistance) and those who did not as well as the experience between Medicare Advantage and Medicaid enrollees were compared. The Meikirch model was the theoretical framework of the study. Study results revealed that, with a few exceptions, social service access alone was not significant. However, the combination of social service access with comprehensive case management support was significant in driving the use of preventive services in a primary care setting, particularly among female Medicare Advantage enrollees. These study results create positive social change by offering evidence as to the importance of social factors that create barriers for vulnerable populations in accessing preventive services as well as methods to integrate social support coordination with healthcare delivery for increased efficiency and improved health outcomes