REFUGEES AND RESETTLEMENT: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF REFUGEE INTEGRATION THROUGH SOCIAL & SUPPORT SERVICES

This dissertation studies refugee resettlement in the United States utilizing the Integration Indicator’s framework developed by Ager and Strang for the U.S. context. The study highlights the U.S. refugee admissions program and the policies in the states of Maryland and Massachusetts while analyzing the service delivery models and its effects on refugee integration in these locations. Though immigration policy and funding for refugee services are primarily the domain of the federal government, funds are allocated through and services are delivered at the state level. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which operates under the Department of Health and Human Services, was established after the Refugee Act of 1980 to deliver assistance to displaced persons. The ORR provides funds to individual states primarily through The Refugee Social Service and Targeted Assistance Formula Grant programs. Since the inauguration of the ORR three primary models of refugee integration through service delivery have emerged. Two of the models include the publicly/privately administered programs, where resources are allocated to the state in conjunction with private voluntary agencies; and the Wilson/Fish Alternative programs, where states sub-contract all elements of the resettlement program to voluntary agencies and private organizations —in which they can cease all state level participation and voluntary agencies or private organizations contract directly from the ORR in order for all states to deliver refugee services where the live. The specific goals of this program are early employment and economic self-sufficiency. This project utilizes US Census, state, and ORR data in conjunction with interviews of refugee resettlement practitioners involved in the service delivery and refugees. The findings show that delivery models emphasizing job training, English instruction courses, institutional collaboration, and monetary assistance, increases refugee acclimation and adaptation, providing insight into their potential for integration into the United States.

Knowledge and perceptions of quality of obstetric and newborn care of local health providers: a cross-sectional study in three districts in Malawi

Aim Quality of service delivery for maternal and newborn health in Malawi is influenced by human resource shortages and knowledge and care practices of the existing service providers. We assessed Malawian healthcare providers’ knowledge of management of routine labour, emergency obstetric care and emergency newborn care; correlated knowledge with reported confidence and previous study or training; and measured perception of the care they provided. Methods his study formed part of a large-scale quality of care assessment in three districts (Kasungu, Lilongwe and Salima) of Malawi. Subjects were selected purposively by their role as providers of obstetric and newborn care during routine visits to health facilities by a research assistant. Research assistants introduced and supervised the self-completed questionnaire by the service providers. Respondents included 42 nurse midwives, 1 clinical officer, 4 medical assistants and 5 other staff. Of these, 37 were staff working in facilities providing Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEMoC) and 15 were from staff working in facilities providing Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEMoC). Results Knowledge regarding management of routine labour was good (80% correct responses), but knowledge of correct monitoring during routine labour (35% correct) was not in keeping with internationally recognized good practice. Questions regarding emergency obstetric care were answered correctly by 70% of respondents with significant variation depending on clinicians’ place of work. Knowledge of emergency newborn care was poor across all groups surveyed with 58% correct responses and high rates of potentially life-threatening responses from BEmOC facilities. Reported confidence and training had little impact on levels of knowledge. Staff in general reported perception of poor quality of care. Conclusion Serious deficiencies in providers’ knowledge regarding monitoring during routine labour and management of emergency newborn care were documented. These may contribute to maternal and neonatal deaths in Malawi. The knowledge gap cannot be overcome by simply providing more training.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas del personal médico y de enfermería de la sala de partos del Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga, en la aplicación de las normas de Bioseguridad en la atención del recién nacido, Cuenca 2015

Antecedentes. La ejecución de las Normas de Bioseguridad, es una responsabilidad de la institución donde se incluye a todos los funcionarios. En el servicio de partos existen elementos nocivos o potencialmente peligrosos, como los productos biológicos provenientes de los pacientes y los reactivos químicos de diferente naturaleza. Es necesario reconocer estos peligros para establecer y aplicar medidas de prevención y seguridad (1). Objetivo: Determinar los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas del personal médico y de enfermería en la sala de partos del hospital José Carrasco Arteaga, en la aplicación de las normas de bioseguridad en la atención del recién nacido, Cuenca 2015. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo - descriptivo, la muestra estaba constituida por 50 profesionales de la sala de partos del Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga. Las técnicas de investigación fueron la encuesta, la observación y la revisión bibliográfica, los instrumentos utilizados fueron ficha de registro, y la encuesta. Los resultados fueron analizados en tablas simples y de contingencia mediante los programas de Word. Excel y SPSS versión 21. Resultados: el 98% del personal desecha correctamente el material corto punzantes, el 86% del personal siempre lava sus manos antes y después de atender a la madre. Conclusiones: Al finalizar podemos decir que el 98% de los profesionales conoce lo que es bioseguridad, pero el 80% de los profesionales no aplica estas normas en el servicio. Para mejorar esto se debe elaborar y mejorar estrategias de capacitación.

South Carolina State Plan on Aging 2017-2021

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging hereby submits the Federal Fiscal Year 2017 – 2021 State Plan on Aging for the State of South Carolina to the Assistant Secretary on Aging of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The plan is effective for the period of October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2020. This document lays out a long-term strategic blueprint that focuses on how the state will modernize its service delivery system, while expanding the service options available for older South Carolinians, adults with disabilities, and their families. It also sets goals for consumer choice, and person centered and self-directed services. It addresses marketing, outreach, and advocacy issues, as well as the development of initiatives geared toward promoting evidence-based, consumer-directed, and community-based long-term services and supports.

Manual de Controlo Interno no Âmbito da Contratação Pública: Uma Proposta para a Direção de Navios

A contratação pública, enquanto universo de formação dos contratos públicos, ao ser abordada numa perspetiva adequada pode ser considerada como um mecanismo para alcançar um crescimento inteligente e sustentável e, para assegurar, simultaneamente, uma utilização eficiente dos fundos públicos. A aplicação de um Sistema de controlo interno, para além de ser um instrumento de auxílio na tomada de decisão, permite incrementar a eficácia e eficiência das operações, uma maior fiabilidade da informação financeira e a garantia do cumprimento dos diplomas legais que a estas se aplicam. Neste sentido, pelo facto de um valor considerável do Orçamento de Estado atribuído à Marinha estar alocado à atividade de manutenção, cuja entidade responsável é a Direção de Navios, é de todo o interesse criar ferramentas que permitam uma melhor gestão dos fundos públicos, bem como, garantir a máxima operacionalidade dos meios que concorrem para o cumprimento da missão da Marinha. O presente estudo tem como objetivos identificar quais os elementos relativos à formação e execução dos contratos públicos que podem ser melhorados de modo a incrementar o controlo interno no âmbito da atividade procedimental referente à aquisição, construção e reparação de meios navais e unidades de apoio à Marinha. De forma a alcançar este desiderato utilizou-se o método do ´estudo de caso´, servindo a Direção de Navios como unidade de estudo, conjugando diferentes técnicas de recolha de dados. Com este estudo conclui-se que é necessário incrementar o controlo interno nesta unidade. De modo a colmatar esta problemática, foi elaborado um manual de controlo interno que tem por principal finalidade garantir um elevado desempenho na área da contratação pública e a salvaguarda do interesse público, se implementado por esta unidade.

Fatores influenciadores do comportamento de decisão e ação dos implementadores do serviço de Proteção e Atendimento Integral à Família (PAIF)

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração, 2016.

Passages inclusifs : le réseau d'organismes communautaires autochtones de Montréal

This research aims to enrich the understanding of the constitution of a sense of belonging to an aboriginal community in Montreal. It has been demonstrated that there is indeed a social cohesion in Montreal based on the collective aboriginal ethnic identity, or aboriginality. This cohesion is supported by aboriginal organizations and associations, whise approaches and engagements have a direct impact on their inclusion into the community. These institutions are considered as the source of communitarian social bond in the city. By the empowerment of a shared aboriginal identity, the representation of community interests, the integration in the urban life, the service delivery to members of the middle class and the creation of secured spaces dedicated to their cultural heritage, aboriginal associations are creating social ties to the community. On the other hand, some problems like the lack of communication between organizations, their hermetic nature, their excessive bureaucratic methods, the way women in the community monopolize the institutions, the presence of non-aboriginal people as well as the gang phenomenon are all experienced in the organizations. These problems produce harmful consequences on the member’s relations to the communitarian system and reduce their participation and attendance. Also, the social bond within the native community is weakened by various factors outside the grasp of the institutions. Some internal discriminations and stereotypes, sometimes tied to the use of administrative indicators of the Canadian Aboriginal Law, the lack of a native district in Montreal, and the different socio-economic members’ situations create divisions and affect the community spirit. This thesis focuses on the native community construction in an urban area through its institutional sphere, which differs from other studies on urban Natives. The objective is to understand the urban realities and the way the urban native communities are developing themselves.

Passages inclusifs : le réseau d'organismes communautaires autochtones de Montréal

This research aims to enrich the understanding of the constitution of a sense of belonging to an aboriginal community in Montreal. It has been demonstrated that there is indeed a social cohesion in Montreal based on the collective aboriginal ethnic identity, or aboriginality. This cohesion is supported by aboriginal organizations and associations, whise approaches and engagements have a direct impact on their inclusion into the community. These institutions are considered as the source of communitarian social bond in the city. By the empowerment of a shared aboriginal identity, the representation of community interests, the integration in the urban life, the service delivery to members of the middle class and the creation of secured spaces dedicated to their cultural heritage, aboriginal associations are creating social ties to the community. On the other hand, some problems like the lack of communication between organizations, their hermetic nature, their excessive bureaucratic methods, the way women in the community monopolize the institutions, the presence of non-aboriginal people as well as the gang phenomenon are all experienced in the organizations. These problems produce harmful consequences on the member’s relations to the communitarian system and reduce their participation and attendance. Also, the social bond within the native community is weakened by various factors outside the grasp of the institutions. Some internal discriminations and stereotypes, sometimes tied to the use of administrative indicators of the Canadian Aboriginal Law, the lack of a native district in Montreal, and the different socio-economic members’ situations create divisions and affect the community spirit. This thesis focuses on the native community construction in an urban area through its institutional sphere, which differs from other studies on urban Natives. The objective is to understand the urban realities and the way the urban native communities are developing themselves.

Researching homelessness: Challenging exclusion?

This themed issue of Social Inclusion provides a timely opportunity to reflect on how contemporary research is addressing the multi-dimensional issue of homelessness around the world. The papers presented here provide a wide range of new evidence on homelessness including theoretical, methodological and empirical contributions. They draw on a range of national experiences in Europe and beyond, and addressing the issue of social inclusion and social exclusion of homeless or previously homeless people from a range of perspectives and approaches. It is hoped that the contributions to this themed issue will prove influential in terms of both scholarship and potential to enhance policy making and service delivery to some of our most excluded citizens.

Mobility and satisfaction with lower-limb prostheses and orthoses among users in Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: To investigate patients' mobility and satisfaction with their lower-limb prosthetic or orthotic device and related service delivery in Sierra Leone; to compare groups of patients regarding type and level of assistive device, gender, area of residence, income; and to identify factors associated with satisfaction with the assistive device and service. Methods: A total of 139 patients answered questionnaires, including the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology questionnaire (QUEST 2.0). Results: Eighty-six percent of assistive devices were in use, but half needed repair. Thirty-three percent of patients reported pain when using their assistive device. Patients had difficulties or could not walk at all on: uneven ground (65%); hills (75%); and stairs (66%). Patients were quite satisfied with their assistive device and the service (mean 3.7 out of 5 in QUEST), but reported 886 problems. Approximately half of the patients could not access services. In relation to mobility and service delivery, women, orthotic patients and patients using above-knee assistive devices had the poorest results. The general condition of the assistive device and patients' ability to walk on uneven ground were associated with satisfaction with the assistive devices and service. Conclusion: Patients reported high levels of mobility while using their device although they experienced pain and difficulties walking on challenging surfaces. Limitations in the effectiveness of assistive devices and limited access to follow-up services and repairs were issues desired to be addressed.

“Who wants to go repeatedly to the hospital?” : Perceptions and experiences of simplified medical abortion in Rajasthan, India

The aim of this study is to explore women's experiences and perceptions of home use of misoprostol and of the self-assessment of the outcome of early medical abortion in a low-resource setting in India. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 women seeking early medical abortion, who administered misoprostol at home and assessed their own outcome of abortion using a low-sensitivity pregnancy test. With home use of misoprostol, women were able to avoid inconvenience of travel, child care, and housework, and maintain confidentiality. The use of a low-sensitivity pregnancy test alleviated women's anxieties about retained products. Majority said they would prefer medical abortion involving a single visit in future. This study provides nuanced understanding of how women manage a simplified medical abortion in the context of low literacy and limited communication facilities. Service delivery guidelines should be revised to allow women to have medical abortion with fewer visits.

Best practice principles for management of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) : results of a scoping review

Background. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a prevalent health condition that is frequently unrecognized despite the substantial evidence that has accumulated regarding how it affects children’s health, education and skills.Most literature focuses on measurement of impairment and description of intervention approaches for individual children; little is known about the principles that should guide best practice and service delivery for children with DCD as a population. The purpose of this study was to identify these principles. Methods. A scoping review was used to ‘map’ the information available to inform intervention and service delivery. Scholarly and grey literature written in English was identified in six databases, using a combination of keywords (e.g. guidelines, management, models and DCD); a ‘snow-balling’ technique was also used in Canada and the UK to access clinical protocols used in publicly funded health care systems. Over 500 documents were screened: 31 met inclusion criteria as they outlined practice principles for children with DCD as a population. Data regarding best practices were independently extracted by two reviewers and then compared with achieve consistency and consensus. Results. Two over-arching themes emerged, with five principles: (1) Organizing services to efficiently meet the comprehensive needs of children (e.g. Increasing awareness of DCD and coordination; Implementing clearly defined pathways; Using a graduated/staged approach); (2) Working collaboratively to offer evidence-based services (e.g. Integration of child and family views; Evidence-based interventions fostering function, participation and prevention). Conclusion Numerous documents support each of the principles, reflecting agreement across studies about recommended organization of services.While these principles may apply to many populations of children with disabilities, this review highlights how essential these principles are in DCD. Researchers, managers, clinicians, community partners and families are encouraged to work together in designing, implementing and evaluating interventions that reflect these principles.

Reflections on using a community-based and multisystem approach to transforming school-based intervention for children with developmental motor disorders

Evidence-based management of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in school-age children requires putting into practice the best and most current research findings, including evidence that early identification, self-management, prevention of secondary disability, and enhanced participation are the most appropriate foci of school-based occupational therapy. Partnering for Change (P4C) is a new school-based intervention based upon these principles that has been developed and evaluated in Ontario, Canada over an 8-year period. Our experience to date indicates that its implementation in schools is highly complex with involvement of multiple stakeholders across health and education sectors. In this paper, we describe and reflect upon our team’s experience in using community-based participatory action research, knowledge translation, and implementation science to transform evidence-informed practice with children who have DCD.

El proceso urbano territorial de Quibdó: una relación entre la gestión de los servicios públicos domiciliarios y las acciones de ordenamiento 2001-2014

El propósito de este trabajo es analizar el proceso urbano territorial del Municipio de Quibdó con respecto a las acciones de ordenamiento y la gestión de los servicios públicos en sus unidades de estudio, Zona Centro, Zona Norte y barrio Niño Jesús. En la primera parte, se describe la importancia de los servicios públicos en la mejora de la calidad de vida de la gente y se desarrolla un recuento histórico de las formas de prestación de los servicios públicos y su situación actual en el municipio. En la segunda parte se describen los principales acciones de Ordenamiento Territorial y, se analiza la forma como estos pudieron guiar, o no, el proceso de ordenamiento territorial del municipio. Finalmente, a partir de elementos como el POT, encuestas focalizadas y fenómenos como el desplazamiento, se analizan los principales factores que afectaron el proceso de ordenamiento territorial y moldearon un nuevo territorio.