NSWM Policy Fellows 2020 Virtual Poster Presentations

The growing awareness of the social determinants of health and the rising prevalence of unmet behavioral health needs have forced us to rethink the definition of health and how we deliver health care. In addressing the complexities of health and wellness, we must consider health care through a systemically bio-psycho-social lens. This requires a trained and competent health care workforce. With demonstrated knowledge and skills in areas such as advocacy, collaboration, care coordination, and clinical assessment, social workers are uniquely positioned to enact change and should be considered as key players and leaders in health care transformation efforts.

In the United States, an estimated three million students receive in and out-of-school suspensions annually. Research has shown exclusionary discipline is associated with student drop out rates, juvenile court involvement, and court-involvement as adults. Drawing from the Bureau of Labor Statistics data and available research, this project will explore the long-term economic implications of in and out-of-school suspensions.

The financial and human costs of childhood trauma are staggering. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) are increasingly in the forefront of screening and implications for treatment. However, like the old proverb underscores, are we doing enough to prevent childhood trauma(s) from occurring in the first place? This explorative project reviews the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for childhood trauma prevention and provides a close examination of how California is implementing the knowledge of ACES into forward-thinking policy. California’s proposed policies are then applied to highlight universal changes all states and communities can be doing to prevent childhood trauma.

This poster outlines of results of a content analysis examining client privacy protections in online counseling environments. These protections are often outlined in the counseling provider’s privacy policy or terms of service agreement. Common themes from the content analysis are presented, with specific attention given to how the providers collect, use, and disclose client data.

Within the United States, funding for health and social care is moving towards a Managed Care environment. With an overall direction to lower costs and increase quality, it is imperative that stakeholders and policymakers look to implement sustainable practices. This policy inquiry looks to identify a brief history of this transformation and considers financial, stakeholder, and legal implications related to Medicaid waivers, integrated models of care, and the Social Determinants of Health. This inquiry aims to support those involved by offering examples of effective solutions.

This project examines the experiences of 15 frontline case managers with their Electronic Health Records (EHRs) within an Adult Health Homes program. This program environment is characterized by large caseloads, considerable documentation burdens, high turnover, and a client population undergoing severe challenges in many concurrent social determinants of health. Case management staff offered their experiences on how effectively their EHRs were designed to support their work with clients in this program environment, how the costs of poor design were passed onto their clients and what they would like to see change.

Although the field of social work was early to create and run institutions that served vulnerable and marginalized populations, social work today has taken a sharp turn toward clinical and direct practice. Students drawn to the values of social work but seeking to affect change at the organization, community, or policy level may feel out of place in the field. Several factors contribute to this displacement, including few social work programs which provide in-depth macro tracks/specializations and established macro-focused field placements, as well as a lack of visibility of social workers in macro positions. This presentation proposes strategies for social work students to obtain the substantive content and skill development necessary to succeed in macro spaces.

Payday loans are seen as predatory in nature because of their aggressive annual percentage rates (APR), unrealistic repayment terms, and geographic locations. The average APR of a payday loan is 26 times higher than most credit cards. The typical loan amount is $500 and borrowers are required to repay it in full, plus fees, within two weeks. Finally, payday loan stores tend to be concentrated in areas with a high rate of individuals with subprime or no credit. There is limited research available on the impact of payday lending and this analysis attempts to highlight the long-term financial effects that the loans have on the communities that they serve.

Achieving the goal of race equity – where one’s racial identity has no influence on how one fares in society, requires focused attention and the incorporation of race equity and inclusion at every stage of our work for social change. The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) submits that “local and regional governments have the ability to implement policy change at multiple levels and across multiple sectors to drive larger systemic change.”

This poster presentation will examine the strategies and outcomes of local governments across the country in their efforts to operationalize race equity as an approach to create a better society for all.

To increase opportunities for older Pennsylvanians and individuals with physical disabilities to remain in their homes and communities, Pennsylvania has initiated Community Health Choices (CHC), a new Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program, as the 22nd states in the U.S.A (State Health Facts, Henry J Kaiser Foundation, 2017). The goal of CHC is to coordinate health care coverage for participants to improve the quality of their health care experience and to serve more people in their communities rather than in facilities. Governed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PADHS), three Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) delivers the services. Far before its implementation, there was substantial confusion and possible health service coverage loss or reduction. PA DHS provided extensive educational sessions and resources. Even so, it is agreed that there has been considerable uncertainty and unpredictability among those involved: Participants, their family members, Service Coordinators (SCs), Personal Assistance Service (PAS) providers, and Direct Care Workers (DCWs). Philadelphia is located in the southeast of PA, and its CHC implementation started in the second year: 2019. It is also well known for its diverse senior population. It is reported that many seniors, especially Asian seniors, are close to 10% of the city population (almost double the national average of 5%, national census 2010), and half of them identify themselves with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Because of these characteristics, many Asian-based community nonprofit organizations working closely under the CHC have faced challenges and difficulties in assisting seniors in enrolling in the CHC and navigating the system. This presentation will discuss the challenges of these community organizations. In doing so, policymakers will pay more attention to ethnic minority groups with LEP in implementing any health plan changes in the future.

From colonial America to the present day, several policies have been implemented throughout history to suppress Black economic growth and progress, and maintain the wealth and income gaps that chattel slavery initiated. Data show that Black Americans experiencing financial instability are more likely to be uninsured/underinsured, be at increased risk for chronic conditions, have less access to healthy food options among other social and health related risk factors. The purpose of this poster is to highlight these policies, the impacts they have had on the Black community (from the perspective of Social Determinants of health) and promote health equity for Black Americans by proposing policy recommendations to eliminate income inequality.

In 2016, New York State (NYS) was ranked 30th in the nation for its maternal mortality rate, with clear racial disparities. Many women remain at risk of postpartum complications even after leaving the hospital and may need additional screening at home. Social workers can bridge the gaps in care. Social workers understand the medical, socio-economic, and structural barriers of their patients. This proposal explores the role of medical social workers in providing timely linkages to care and reducing maternal mortality.

This poster presentation will examine the strategies and outcomes of local governments across the country in their efforts to operationalize race equity as an approach to create a better society for all.

Adults with behavioral health needs have the highest rate of recidivism, in part due to a lack of care coordination. The benefits of rehabilitation are lost, when appropriate linkage does not occur. The concept of care coordination allows for consumers to be connected to services that have the potential to treat mental illness and provide essential resources needed for adults returning to their communities. Therefore, to reduce recidivism, care coordination services is recommended to all adults recently released from prison, in order to avoid disruptions in care.

The Central Oregon region is the size of Massachusettes and counts over 800 people experiencing homelessness. The largely rural region lacks Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for non-veterans, despite this intervention being widely regarded as a critical, lifesaving, and cost-effective response to chronic homelessness. This project examines the impact on the community and the local barriers to implementing this complex intervention. The author makes recommendations to develop PSH by building public awareness of the issue, leveraging federal and state funding with new local funding and Medicaid dollars, promoting strategic partnerships, and involving local government entities in mitigating current barriers.

This poster presentation will examine the strategies and outcomes of local governments across the country in their efforts to operationalize race equity as an approach to create a better society for all.