Effectiveness of service-enriched programs in affordable housing to low income Latino families: It is about quantity and quality | Journal of Sociology and Social WorkAraque, J.C. & Vergara, A.S.
2016
The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee awards select financing to affordable housing developers based on an accrual of points during an annual bidding process. Project proposals which include a service- enriched model of affordable housing amass more points, and are thereby more likely to be awarded the tax benefits. This study examines the effectiveness of the service-enriched affordable housing model in Southern California. Onsite health, nutrition, and educational programs in three low-income complexes were evaluated on the bases of effectiveness and service dosage. This longitudinal research design included both qualitative and quantitative methods and followed three sample groups corresponding to each site. Variables included participating subjects’ health, nutrition, education, and quality of life perceptions. Although crime and occupancy rates in the three complexes yielded no significant differences over a 3-year period, the data results indicate that residents receiving full-time programs (experimental group) increased health and nutritional knowledge and developed a greater sense of community than the group receiving part-time services (comparison group) and the group receiving no services (control group). Comparisons between preliminary (year 1) and final results (year 2) also suggest that cultural competency and quality of services is a determinant factor and may contribute to more favorable program outcomes.
Empathy in social work education | Contemporary Behavioral Health CareKristen L. Zaleski, Juan Carlos Araque, Kimberly Finney, Bianca Harper, Jennifer Lewis, Michal Sela Amit, Caroline Tamas, Jennifer McCrea Steele, and Jessica Castronuo
2016
Empathy is at the core of the provider-consumer relationship in social work; without it, successful outcomes for psychological treatment are unlikely (APA Presidential Task Force, 2005). The use of empathy is considered an essential part of the professional encounter and a standard in providing ethical care. Therefore it is expected and assumed that the mental health practitioner possesses the ability to be empathetic and that s/he is capable of providing empathetic social work services to clients who are experiencing physical, psychological, and/or emotional pain.
Computer usage and access in low-income urban communities | Computers in Human BehaviorJ.C.Araque, R.P.Maiden, N.Bravo, I.Estrada, R.Evans, K.Hubchik, K.Kirby, and M.Reddy
2013
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of home computer access on low-income families participating in the Computer for Families program. The study focused on participants (1) general computer usage, access and knowledge; (2) employment; (3) education; and (4) their children’s-computer access, usage and academic performance. The study methodology consisted of a quasi-experimental design using qualitative and quantitative approaches, including focus groups, pretests and post-tests, and self-reported surveys with experimental and control groups. Statistically significant findings suggest that participants in the Computers for Families program were more likely than non-participants to have access to the Internet from home, use a computer for more than 1 h per day, complete online job applications, and submit job applications and resumes electronically. Social and behavioral implications regarding computer access and usage in low-income urban communities are discussed.
