地方政府购买国土空间规划技术服务价格及效仿特征

地方政府以合同、委托等方式向社会购买空间规划技术服务已成常态,却鲜少有研究关注其价格。根据2017年1月-2020年3月全国市县层级的国土空间规划技术项目政府采购信息,分析地方政府购买国土空间规划技术服务中标价格,辨识价格形成的影响因素及效仿特征,为提高公共财政资金的使用绩效提供参考。结果表明:(1)市级和县级国土空间总体规划的采购均价分别为1928万元/项和847万元/项。经济欠发达西部地区的市级国土空间总体规划采购均价最高,达到2325.27万元/项,远高于东部和中部地区;而东部地区的县级国土空间总体规划采购价格较高,为949万元/项。(2)规划区域的国土面积、人口密度、经济水平、规划内容、城市发展定位等直接影响空间规划技术服务的采购价格。同时,因缺乏计费参考标准及成本核算办法,中标价格与已招标的同群地区趋近,这种仿效行为可能导致市级和县级地方政府的采购溢价分别达347.42万元和153.65万元,约占技术项目采购均价的18%。建议加强国土空间规划技术服务计费标准或成本核算研究,尤其经济落后市县空间规划政府采购的社会监督,重视地方规划研究机构及其人才队伍建设。     

农机服务对小农户土地流转“内卷化”的影响

农机服务的快速发展能否解释农地流转并未推动我国农业适度规模经营趋势而出现的“内卷化”现象,仍有待分析与验证。采用中国农村家庭大数据库（CRHPS）中的小农户样本,分析小农户在土地流转市场中的处境并运用三阶段最小二乘法和中介效应模型实证检验农机服务对其土地流转决策的影响。结果表明,小农户采用农机服务显著地降低了土地转出并增加了土地转入,并验证了包括农业劳动力投入、农业技术应用和农业收入在内的三个主要影响机制。研究论证了农机服务能够在一定程度上解释我国土地流转中参与率增速放缓、小规模转入与部分转出对应的小农户复制以及农地流转对农业生产率作用递减的“内卷化”现象。提出在制定完善农机服务政策时,既要满足小规模农户的生产需求以维持家庭生计,又要衔接土地转入户的服务需求以推动土地适度规模经营。     

小农户融入农业绿色发展：外包服务的考察

小农户融入农业绿色发展主要受制于其经营目标约束与要素禀赋局限。农业分工深化及其外包服务,一方面通过迂回投资,能够有效突破小农户绿色生产面临的瓶颈;另一方面通过市场竞争和声誉激励,能够诱导服务供应商形成农业绿色生产的内生动力。以化肥减量为例的实证研究表明：第一,外包服务能够显著促进农户化肥减量;第二,相较于规模户,外包服务对小农户实施化肥减量的促进效应更强;第三,伴随连片规模的扩张,采纳外包服务的化肥减量效应也显著增强。由此强调应倡导农业横向分工,鼓励小农户开展专业化连片种植,为外包服务积累充分规模的市场容量;同时深化农业纵向分工,培育农业社会化服务主体,发展服务规模经营,以外包服务市场的繁荣促进农业绿色发展的市场化。     

Implementing a case management initiative in high-need schools

States continue to experiment with ways of improving health and human service use by people with complex needs. Such efforts have often sought to increase individual and family control over services as well as to enhance coordination among providers. Paths to achieving these goals are not well understood. This study draws on two previously distinct conceptual frameworks to examine how 71 public schools implemented a team approach to increasing family and agency engagement for children at risk. Results from the longitudinal data fit the core components expected to affect implementation and also indicated sustainability, but in ways distinctive to the initiative's public school settings. Accountability to the state appeared to be a major catalyst, yet in some respects also constrained local agencies from participating as intended. School inertia may have both undermined the program through some evaluation practices and gaps in administrative support, and supported integration into organizational routines and successful experimentation over time in increasing caregiver involvement. Family hesitation about sharing information with multiple agencies may also help explain why the goal of seamless coordination remains elusive.     

Examination of the Child Protective Services Decision-Making Context with Implications for Decision Support System Design

Abstract

The general perception of Child Protective Services (CPS) decision making is that it is inconsistent and prone to error. As a result, risk assessment instruments were developed to enable investigators to make better decisions. The present study uses a qualitative approach with an explicit theoretical framework pertinent to management information systems and decision support system design to examine the context in which investigators operate and make decisions. The resulting information can be used to determine design requirements that would improve the experience of using a risk assessment instrument that serves as a decision support system (DSS) for CPS investigators.     

Adoption Online

ABSTRACT

This review covers the content of the Adoption and Fostering Forum on America Online. It reviews multiple sections and sites for the quantity, quality and scope of information offered to the adoption community.     

Proactive Screening for Health Needs in United Way's 2-1-1 Information and Referral Service

ABSTRACT

Cancer disproportionately affects the underserved. United Way 2-1-1 is an information and referral system that links underserved populations to community services. This study explores the feasibility of integrating proactive screening and referral to health services into 2-1-1. A cancer risk assessment was administered to callers (n = 297), measuring their need for 6 cancer control services. A subset of respondents was randomized to receive generic or tailored referrals to needed services. Nearly all participants (85%) needed at least one of the services. Those who received tailored referrals were more likely to make appointments. Future research will explore approaches to address and eliminate health disparities through 2-1-1.     

Chapter 7 Sexual Abuse of Older Women Living in Nursing Homes

Abstract

Aggregated data from APS case files of sexually abused older women between the agesof70 and 89living in nursing homes were collected over a five-year period, yielding a total of 50 substantiated cases. The most common types of sexual abuse involved instances of sexualized kissing and fondling and unwelcome sexual interest in the women's body. All alleged perpetrators were male; they typically were 70 years of age and older and residents in the nursing home. In only three cases was the alleged offender prosecuted in court and only one of these cases was the offender convicted. Implications of these data for future practice and research are discussed.     

Satisfaction with Personal Assistance Services of People with Disabilities in Korea

An essential component for achieving independence in a community setting for people with disabilities is the ability to perform personal care activities with or without assistance. This paper aims to evaluate the level of satisfaction of people who used personal assistance services (PAS) during 2007 in Korea. People's satisfaction was high when they were able to use all of the assigned hours and when they had been assigned enough hours to meet their needs. Therefore, policymakers must try to increase service hours for people with disabilities so that they have enough help from attendants. The more the opinions of people with disabilities were considered in shaping the plan of care, the higher the satisfaction score. To increase the satisfaction, service users' involvement with the program has to be incorporated into the program as much as possible.