Institute for Social Capital Colloquium Series

One of the goals of the Institute for Social Capital is to create community dialogue around issues such as social capital, children’s well-being, data sharing, university-community partnerships, interdisciplinary research, and community accountability – and other topics related to ISC.  The following upcoming ISC events present locally or nationally recognized speakers to engage agency representatives, university researchers, and the community at large.

Upcoming Events:

May 20, 2008, 2:00-5:30 p.m. - The First Annual Institute for Social Capital Research Symposium in Room 281, College of Health and Human Services, UNC Charlotte.

The First Annual Institute for Social Capital Research Symposium will represent the official “launch” of the pilot ISC Community Database and include five presentations on projects utilizing shared data from the database. The pilot ISC Community Database currently combines data records from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department, and Communities in Schools.

The Research Symposium will feature the following five presentations:

An Examination of the Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and School Performance.
Sharon G. Portwood, J.D., Ph.D., and Tamera Murdock, Ph.D.

Project Abstract: Research previously conducted by the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) evidences a gap between the academic performance of those children in DSS custody and other students in the Charlotte Mecklenburg (CMS) schools. However, the reasons for this gap are unclear. This study will explore further the relationship between children’s being brought to the attention of DSS (i.e., children’s protective services) for child maltreatment and their school performance. Overall, the study will examine what factors are associated with increased and decreased risk for negative academic outcomes among maltreated children. The overarching research question is “What is the impact of child abuse and neglect on academic achievement and other school behaviors (i.e., attendance and disciplinary referrals)?”

An Examination of Student Absenteeism and High School Dropout
Laurie J. George, Ph.D., Jason Schoeneberger, M.S., Mike Massey, Sharon G. Portwood, J.D., Ph.D., and Tamera Murdock, Ph.D.

Project Abstract: Research demonstrates that students with higher rates of absenteeism are more likely to dropout before completing high school. From a life course perspective, dropping out of school is viewed more as the culmination of a process rather than an event. A comprehensive model would best explain the process of school dropout. The proposed study will examine multiple risk factors over time leading to high school dropout. It is hypothesized that students with higher rates of school absenteeism will be more likely to dropout of high school. Data needed to address these issues will be drawn from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Communities In Schools, and Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services.

An Examination of Persistent Juvenile Offending and the Career and Academic Development of Juvenile Offenders
Michael G. Turner, Ph.D. and Erick Porfeli, Ph.D.

Project Abstract: The purpose of these studies is to examine how academic progress and family dysfunction influence juvenile offending behavior and career development with a sample of incarcerated youth. This two-fold study draws from several theoretical perspectives and related empirical research suggesting that child abuse and neglect, academic development, career development, and juvenile offending behavior are interrelated in a complex and dynamic fashion. For example, child abuse and neglect increases the risk for delinquent behavior. Those people who were abused and/or neglected are more likely to be arrested as a juvenile or an adult, and to be arrested at an earlier age, and to commit more crime and more violent crimes compared to those people with no reported history of abuse and/or neglect. Moreover, criminal activity and incarceration limits career possibilities and limited career possibilities may prompt or at least fail to limit criminal behavior. Recent longitudinal research with criminal offenders suggests that, “the most significant characteristics of violent [adolescent and young adult] offenders are their remote chances of employment. This research found that only a small fraction of violent offenders graduated from high school and had vocational training and many of them experienced bouts of unemployment before committing their first violent crime. Estimates indicate that drop-outs represent 67% of prison inmates in the United States and place at least an additional $250 billion burden upon the U.S. economy. This research suggests that academic and career development may be linked to criminal behavior during adolescence and throughout adulthood. The data needed to address these issues will be drawn from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff s Office.

Longitudinal Follow-up Evaluation of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Bright Beginning Pre-Kindergarten Program
Richard G. Lambert, Ph.D. and Jason Schoeneberger, M.S.

Project Abstract: The goal of this project is to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of the CMS preschool program Bright Beginnings. The majority of American young children have no non-working parents. Delivering high quality preschool services that help young children become ready for school, provide childcare to working parents, and enhance the economic infrastructure of the community by facilitating employment for the workers needed by local businesses has become an important task for many large urban school systems like CMS. This study will examine the effectiveness of Bright Beginnings by comparing the academic performance on North Carolina 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade end of grade testing of children who attended the program as compared to demographically similar children who did not attend the program. The comparison group will be created using propensity score matching and growth curve modeling will be use to conduct the group comparisons.

**RECEPTION TO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THE SYMPOSIUM**
 

Past Events:

February 2, 2007, 8:00-4:30 p.m. - "Setting the Community Standard for Best Practices For Children & Youth in Charlotte-Mecklenburg" at the Cone University Center, UNC Charlotte.

This invitational, one-day working conference is the result of the collaborative efforts of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Institute for Social Capital, the Council for Children’s Rights, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Children’s Alliance.  The conference has been designed to engage key stakeholders and other experts across child welfare, juvenile justice, children’s mental health, and education in developing a shared  community standard to be applied in identifying, evaluating, and establishing “best practices” across systems serving youth in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg community.

Guest speaker Dr. Ben Saunders, will discuss "Evolving Standards for Best Practices and 'The State of the Art.'"  Dr. Ben Saunders is a Professor and Director of the Family and Child Program of the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center. He received his Ph.D. in clinical social work from the Florida State University in 1982; a M.S. degree in marriage and family Therapy from Virginia Tech in 1979; and a B.A. in religious studies from the University of South Florida in 1977. Dr. Saunders is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, and a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work.  He also is a clinical member of both the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. Dr. Saunders has published numerous scientific papers and made many scientific and training presentations concerning child traumatic stress, child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual offenders, and family relationships. Dr. Saunders’ research, training, and clinical interests include the initial and long term impact of violence and abuse on children and adolescents; the epidemiology of trauma, violence, and abuse; treatment approaches for abused children and their families; and effective methods for disseminating evidence-based practices.  His work has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute of Justice, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, and the U. S. Department of the Navy. In addition to his research and teaching activities, Dr. Saunders maintains a clinical and consulting practice, and often is called as an expert witness in legal cases. 

Photo Gallery:

February 16, 2006, 8:30-9:45 a.m. - "Understanding the Development of Criminal Offending in Three Prospective Perinatal Cohorts: Philadelphia, Providence, Baltimore" at the Levine Museum of the New South.
 

The Institute for Social Capital and the Department of Criminal Justice, UNC Charlotte, are pleased to present:

Dr. Alex R. Piquero

University of Florida

Center for Studies in Criminology and Law
 

Printable flier available.

September 22, 2005, 8:30-10:30 a.m. - "Community Partnership: What Makes It Work" at the Duke Mansion.  Partnership can be a forceful tool when we understand what makes it work. We will look at qualities each partner brings to the problems and the solutions. And how everyone can use the essential tools that make community partnerships effective.  You will learn what partnership is and is not. what must be invested and what will be the payoff. You will further learn how to bring people together, structure the partnership to produce results, and move everyone to take action — together.  And we'll have some fun!  Michael Winer of 4Results Together has more than 25 years of national experience in working with a wide variety of organizations throughout the country to grow the resources they have into results they can achieve. He is the author of Collaboration Handbook: Creating, Sustaining and Enjoying the Journey, a practical guide to making effective joint efforts work. 

February 23, 2005 2:30-4:00 p.m. – Community Presentation, “From the Voice of Experience: The Value of Integrated Databases for Child and Family Policy and Practice” at the Mint Museum of Art.   A nationally recognized expert in child welfare services and child and family policy, Robert Goerge will discuss the impact data has on children’s services and social policies. He will talk about how research can have a direct impact on services provided to children and their families.  During his presentation, Goerge also will discuss how to successfully create an integrated database that can be used by various agencies and researchers, as well as what pitfalls to avoid.  In the late 1980s, he developed the Integrated Database on Children’s Services in Illinois for the Chaplin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago. The center has a long history of integrating data across human services agencies and providing systems and tools that help agencies monitor their progress. This database links information from multiple service agencies to provide a comprehensive picture of children’s use of publicly provided or financed service programs, which is one of the goals of the Institute for Social Capital.  

December 2, 2004 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Community Presentation, “Improving Community Quality of Life Through Longitudinal Data and a Collaborative Approach” at the Mint Museum of Art.   

A national expert in early childhood interventions, Dr. Ramey will discuss his experiences in identifying community and child needs, taking systematic approaches to change, and the role of community-academic partnerships in driving change.  He will also share lessons learned from his experiences with community intervention efforts seeking to increase the quality of life in specific sections of cities such as Atlanta, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia and Richmond.  Dr. Ramey is the Georgetown University Distinguished Professor in Health Studies and co-founding director of the Georgetown University Center on Health and Education.
 

View presentations:   presentation#1     presentation#2   

October 19, 2004 1:30-3:00 p.m. – Discussion Panel:  “Creating a Culture of Evidence: Challenges and Opportunities."  A discussion moderated by Michael Marsicano, CEO and President of the Foundation for the Carolinas and featuring panelists from a diverse set of area organizations to discuss evidence-based practice in the community, the challenges and opportunities associated with using data, and the benefit to organizations and the community of using data to inform practice and policy.