Social Work
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/141113
2024-03-29T11:30:13ZAccessibility and affordability of the Affordable Health Care Act among latinos in Watsonville,CA
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/213891
Accessibility and affordability of the Affordable Health Care Act among latinos in Watsonville,CA
De La Cruz, Noah Daniel
This research examined health access for Latinos in Watsonville, CAby looking into the
Affordable Care Act (ACA) and if the ACA has made a significant change in the ability for
Latinos in Watsonville to have a yearly visit to the doctor or dentist for preventative care. This
research investigated the 2017-2018 California Health Interview Survey and the 2015 and 2017
American Community Survey to find if health care has increased for Latinos. The research has
also collected informal interviews with local Latino residents from Watsonville to gain a more
personal perspective to go with the larger state perspective. The purpose of seeking these
answers were to find what gaps in the ACA exist with the intention to improve health equity for
Latinos. Results from this research showed that while health insurance has increased, no change
was found in frequency of doctor visits. The implications for this research pointed to California
legislation along with groundwork needed in social work.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZA culturally humble bioethics practice model for pediatric medical social workers
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/213842
A culturally humble bioethics practice model for pediatric medical social workers
Claudeanos, Emma Marie
Ethics in general are a complex and nuanced matter, and this is especially so in medical
settings where patients and families are facing decision-making related to health and
well-being. The inherently complex nature o f ethics in medical decision-making is
compounded in pediatric settings when questions arise in the context of the larger family
system with multiple players engaged in the process of seeking answers (Ronen &
Rosenbaum, 2017). This is especially so in cases of complex and life-threatening illness
in children, when intense emotions such as guilt, fear, confusion, misery, and desperation
are added to the equation introducing further ambiguity into the ethics o f decisionmaking.
The nuanced nature of bioethical considerations and the inherent complexity of
medical decision-making indicate the importance of a patient/family-centered culturally
humble approach to bioethics consultation. Social workers are uniquely suited to work in
this capacity due to the foundational ethical principles that define social work ethos,
govern curriculum in academic settings, and guide practice and research within the field.
The information and suggested model of ethics consultation presented in this thesis are
intended to promote increased engagement of pediatric medical social workers in ethics
consultation services in hospital settings, which are currently led primarily by physicians,
nurses, and other medical professionals.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZA model of implementation for end of life option act in hospitals
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/204024
A model of implementation for end of life option act in hospitals
Peck, Sarah Cathryn
While California has been one of the states to take the lead in implementing policy
around end of life options (End of Life Option Act), there remain a number of major
issues and challenges directly involved in the implementation of the policy. In order for
different hospitals within California to implement high quality/safe/ethical end-of-life
options for patients, they must address the need for provider education, a streamlined
process, and a clearly stated institutional policy. The resulting guidelines and procedures
will serve as formative components in the framework for social work practice in the area
of end of life options. This study works towards the development of a high
quality/safe/ethical end of life options-oriented model of social work practice. It uses
research on the many different areas related to patients at the end of life and takes a look
at implementation plans of other healthcare institutions with similar patient populations.
This model will help social workers (and other providers) fulfill ethical responsibilities to
patients opting for quality end of life care and create a structure for social workers to lead
implementation of such policies.
2018-01-01T00:00:00ZComparative analysis of transgender youth policy in Marin County child welfare
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/204019
Comparative analysis of transgender youth policy in Marin County child welfare
Peasley, Andrew Richard Strobel
Youth who identify as transgender are among the most vulnerable populations to come into child welfare
system. Child welfare agencies may not have the policies in place to meet their needs, deliver appropriate
services and most importantly, keep them safe. This comparative policy analysis aims to look specifically
at the Marin County Child Welfare Agency and what policies are in place that currently protect and serve
transgender youth and to develop practice recommendations to better serve this vulnerable population.
Currently there is little specific policy with regard to transgender youth in foster care at the state and
federal level, and no specific policy and /or protocols in Marin County Child Welfare system. Given that
most local policy comes out of state mandates driven by state and/or federal policy, there is a need for a
significant policy development that speaks directly to the needs of transgender youth in the child welfare
system. Especially with regards to access to appropriate gender affirming medical care and mental health
services. The majority of policy that did speak specifically to transgender youth in the child welfare system
addressed training of service providers and caregivers with regards to the unique needs of transgender
youth. Local agencies, like Marin County Child Welfare, could use this existing policy to further develop
awareness campaigns, training programs, as well as adoption of more sensitive and inclusive
practices. The consideration and implementation of such policies can provide important standard of care
guidelines for social work practice.
2018-01-01T00:00:00Z