Paper: Teens Who Fight Influenced by Parental Behaviors
| May 9, 2012 | Posted by M. P. under Behavorial Health, Children and Family |
A paper presented at the recent 2012 Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting explored the link between the behavior of aggressive teenagers and that demonstrated by their parents. A series of focus groups with middle and high school students found that attitudes and behaviors of parents were highly influential in shaping the violent reaction to conflicts exhibited by their teenage children. Many of the youth involved in physical altercations (fighting) reported that family members had pro-fighting attitudes and (anecdotal) histories of altercations. Fighting teens tended to lack knowledge of, or positive perceptions for, alternative methods of conflict resolution.
This study offers up yet another piece of evidence for the use of family-centered, not merely youth-based, interventions to discuss strategies for coping with stress, addressing conflict, and non-aggressive ways to mediate issues both within the family and with external players.
Community Assessment Identifies Priority Issues in the Laurel Highlands
| May 7, 2012 | Posted by M. P. under Children and Family, Drug and Alcohol, Health, Policy |
Last month the United Way of the Laurel Highlands announced the results of their 2011 Community Needs Assessment Survey, an endeavor used to inform their own strategic planning process. It is also a helpful resource for nonprofits, foundations and businesses operating in or around Cambria and Somerset counties in Pennsylvania.
The report identified the following priory issue areas for the region:
- Helping Children Succeed, including use of alcohol and drugs, parenting issues, family and domestic violence and school readiness.
- Supporting Vulnerable and Aging Populations, including affordable medical care, mental illness and emotional issues, gaps in family support systems and social support systems, and affordable and appropriate housing.
- Strengthening and Supporting Families, including affordable medical care and insurance, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence.
- Promoting Self Sufficiency, including unemployment and under-employment, job training, drug and alcohol use, criminal histories, credit histories and personal savings.
- Promoting Health and Wellness, including obesity, unhealthy lifestyles and affordable medical care and health insurance and drug and alcohol abuse.
The report contains demographic, education, economic and health profiles on Cambria and Somerset counties as well as a discussion of methods to best support and empower individuals and communities in the Laurel Highlands. It is available for download on the United Way of the Laurel Highlands website.
You Really Can’t Stop the Beat – the Arts are Alive & Kicking in Public Schools (For Now)
| May 2, 2012 | Posted by M. P. under Budget, Education, Policy |
In April, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the release of findings from a Congressionally mandated study on arts education in elementary and secondary public schools, calling it “an important milestone in arts education in our nation,” as it is “the first survey in a decade that carefully documents the state of arts education in the United States.” The study, which included public school students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, looked at the degree to which students received education in arts (music, dance, drama and visual arts) and variables related to both the work/learning environment and the instructors. Findings include,
- In 2009-10, 94 percent of elementary schools offered music education and instruction, 83 percent offered instruction in visual arts, 4 percent offered drama/theater instruction, and 3 percent offered dance.
- During the 2008-09 school year, 91 percent if secondary schools offered music education and instruction, 89 percent offered visual arts, 45 percent drama, and 12 percent dance.
- 57 percent of secondary schools required completion of coursework in the arts as a condition of gradation during the 2009-10 school year.
The complete report, Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: 1999–2000 and 2009–10 is available for download at the National Center on Education Statistics website. For more information on how to advocate for arts education in Pennsylvania schools, check out the recent report from the Arts and Education Initiative (AEI) of the Harrisburg-based Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC).
Report citation: Parsad, B., and Spiegelman, M. (2012). Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: 1999–2000 and 2009–10 (NCES 2012–014). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC.
SAMHSA Report Shows Increases in Medication Fills, Spending in Mental Health
| April 26, 2012 | Posted by M. P. under Behavorial Health, Research |
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) just released Mental Health United States, 2010 a comprehensive look at the state of mental health including prevalence, provider coverage, services, and payment trends at both the national and state level. Also in the report are descriptive data on children’s mental health needs and the impact of the 2009 budget crisis on mental health services.
Highlights include:
- Approximately 1 in 8 persons in the United States received mental health treatment in 2009.
- In 2009, 11 million, or 4.8 percent of adults in the United States had a serious mental illness (SMI) although 40 percent reported that they did not receive any treatment. Over 25 percent of the 11 million adults with a SMI also reported co-occurring substance dependence or abuse issues.
- Between 1996 and 2008, medication dispensation increased substantially for mental health diagnoses, primarily among antidepressants for adults and stimulant medication for youth. The amount of psychotropic medication dispensed to youth nearly doubled between 1996 and 2008.
- Between 1986 and 2005, spending on prescribed medications increased faster than other mental health treatments.
- Trends in Medicare spending on mental health services indicate it is lower than consumers’ out-of-pocket spending. In 2005, direct spending by mental health consumers was higher than Medicare spending (Medicare mental health spending was approximately $9 billion spent compared to $14 billion in consumer out-of-pocket spending).
If you are in the behavioral health/human services field and are involved in program development, health policy, grant writing or program evaluation this biennial report is a must-have, and is available for download (4 PDF files) at the SAMHSA website.
Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2012). Mental Health, United States, 2010. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4681. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Nonprofits: Yes to Facebook & Twitter, Blogging…Not so Much
| April 20, 2012 | Posted by M. P. under Management, News, Technology |
The latest snapshot of nonprofit social media use and strategy comes from a recently released report from Sage, a company specializing in software solutions for business and nonprofits. According to first quarter data from their Nonprofit Insights 2012 survey, the majority of nonprofit organizations used social media (84 percent) and reported that that it was important to their organization’s overall mission (75 percent), with 46 percent indicating satisfaction with their social media outcomes.
Other key findings include,
- The top 3 social media sites among those surveyed were Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
- Just over 1/3 (35 percent) of survey participants used a tool to manage their multiple social media accounts
- 71 percent of the nonprofits surveyed indicated that public relations or creating “buzz” was their primary reason for using social media
- Determination of social media “success” was often through the number of social media clicks, friends or followers (reported by 61 percent of participating nonprofits), although 17 percent link it to the amount of dollars raised
- Less than 1/3 (29 percent) of nonprofits blog
Download the report Sage Nonprofit Insights, Q1 2012 Social Media Study for additional survey data as well as social media tips for nonprofits.
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