Psychologists’ roles in ending homelessness

Homelessness in the U.S. remains a pernicious social problem despite national coordinated efforts to end it. Psychologists are well positioned to address homelessness through direct service, advocacy, research, and policy work. Results of a survey of psychologist members (n?=?197) and student members (n?=?209) of the American Psychological Association highlighted activities they engaged in related to helping people who experience housing instability and showed psychologists are more compassionate toward those who experience homelessness than is the general public. Respondents suggested a number of factors that would encourage their greater involvement with homelessness issues including receiving more focused training, increased funding for services, and simply being asked by someone to help. Given the continued problem of homelessness, psychologists can play an important role in supporting those who are in this situation. Suggestions for increasing training and engagement of psychologists are discussed.     

关于体育中考200米项目训练的思考

本文通过介绍学校教学管理、体育教师指导和家长与学校之间的沟通配合等环节,对中考体育200米训练产生的影响的现状进行分析,使我们更加直观地了解影响学生中考体育成绩的各项因素,进而科学合理地进行教学与训练,全面提高学生的中考体育成绩。     

Developing Financial Management Training in Low-Income Communities

Abstract

As welfare policy contractions and declines in real wages have placed severe financial pressures on low-income families, programs to improve financial management practices and to help the poor accumulate assets have grown. This article examines the need for such programs and the implications associated with implementing two prominent training strategies-one that focuses solely on financial management training and another that combines such training with savings incentives.

Based on data from a large financial management training program, we find that knowledge deficits about basic financial issues are substantial, and that the type of financial training program offered has important implications with respect to the subgroups of low-income people likely to be served within a community. We discuss program issues critical to the implementation of such programs in low-income communities, with a focus upon more carefully attending to their participant empowerment and community development potential.     

Preparing to work: dramaturgy,cynicism and normative ‘remote’ control in the socialization of graduate recruits in management consulting

This paper examines the socialization of graduate recruits into a knowledge intensive labour process and organizational culture. Theoretically the paper draws upon the idea of ‘preparing for work’ to position this early socialization as a crucial moment in the production of subjectivities suited (and booted) for the labour process of management consulting. Empirically the paper reports on a two‐day induction session for new graduate recruits joining a global management consultancy and their responses to this training. Particular attention is given to the use of role‐play and a dramaturgical workshop used in part of the training process. The paper argues that the utilization of dramaturgy in training is consistent with the overall approach to control developed in the firm in response to the fact that the labour process of consulting is often conducted on client sites, away from any direct supervisory gaze. As such, the consultants were subjected to a form of cultural control that was designed to function independently of direct supervision. This control did not operate directly upon the new employees professed values, however, but at one step removed so that a ‘cynical distance’ from the content of the organization’s culture was accepted so long as a professional ‘ethic of behaviour’ was established. By focusing on an ‘ethic of behaviour’ these young professionals were encouraged to internalize a self‐control akin to that of an actor, rather than internalizing the corporate values entirely.     

Reshaping to serve evolving communities: Addressing immigrant needs in the library

Abstract

Libraries face evolving communities and must constantly reorient themselves to serve new needs. This article examines the impact of emerging immigrant communities on library services. It discusses the emergence of library services to immigrants and the diverse faces of these services, which may include foreign language collections, access to technology and connections with local services, as appropriately determined through community analysis. The Atwater Library and Computer Centre in Montréal, Québec is examined as a case study of community analysis informing service reorientation. This article will be useful for organizations working with immigrants or community service providers confronted with changing demographics.     

Utilizing and Evaluating ITV Workshops for Rural Community Leadership Training

SUMMARY

Interactive television has potential merit as a medium for reaching rural audiences. The Blandin Foundation has recently explored the use of ITV for its workshops for leadership training in rural Minnesota communities. This paper presents the findings of a formative evaluation of a pilot ITV workshop on “Attracting and Sustaining Community Volunteers,” in terms of its technical aspects, acceptability to participants, learning impacts, and accessibility. Criteria for selecting distance learning modalities and ITV networks and providers are suggested.     

Practical Issues for Newcomers to Computer-Based Education

Summary

After reviewing some applications and reports of evaluation of computer-based education (CBE) in higher education, this paper provides a discission of environmental, instructional, and managerial issues in development, implementation and maintenance of computer-based education processes and materials. A short list of guidelines for development is also provided.     

Computerizing the Small Non-Profit

Summary

Small non-profit organizations that computerize their operations face a number of problems because of their lack of financial resources and technically trained personnel. A group of computer consultants discuss typical experiences of computerization that bear on organizational and personnel issues, the organization's relation to consultants, and training. Factors emphasized are the importance of using informal computer champions; management involvement; obtaining second opinions on consultants' recommendations; paying consultants after satisfactory results are obtained; and training staff in small, incremental steps growing out of their job functions.     

Developing Family-Centered Models of Genetic Services

Abstract

This article reports the findings of an exploratory, multi-method study conducted for a state health authority to examine stakeholder perceptions of existing genetic services and service ideals using survey and focus group methodologies. A web-based survey of medical providers and allied health professionals (N = 567) examined the knowledge needed by service providers to deliver competent genetic care. A second web-based survey of programs (N = 15) viewed as potential partners in the delivery of genetic services was conducted to explore the potential for interagency coordination, the family-centered nature of these services, existing training, and general agency ideals and values. Focus groups were also conducted with 4 groups of families and 3 groups of service providers to explore their perceptions of current and ideal services. The strategies yielded important information around service needs, resource issues, barriers to service, psychological issues, and education and information needs related to the delivery of genetic services. Implications for professional education, especially social work education, are also covered.