Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
8-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Social Work
Degree Name
Master of Science
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Kyeonghee Jang
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Stephen Baldridge
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Heather Melchor
Abstract
ABSTRACT This exploratory study aims to explore the unknown needs among the unaccompanied youth population within a small urban community in West Texas. This cross-sectional study surveyed a convenience sample of 10 unaccompanied youth attending school within an independent school district. Data were collected using a social worker’s case load during the spring semester of 2020, during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Findings showed a certain level of need within this community, such as emergency shelters and further research on food insecurity for this population. This implies the need for practice and policy on multiple levels to help this population who is particularly vulnerable in times of crisis. It is observed in the literature that communities should provide comprehensive wraparound care instituted for this population if they do not currently do so. Although the research intended to uncover many unknown needs of this population, the study sample was small and was not representative of the population. Further research on the needs of this population is recommended using a more rigorous research method in a more stable and predictable time of normal social interactions and functioning.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Weiss, Amy Grace, "A Needs Assessment: Exploring the Unknown Needs of the Homeless Unaccompanied Youth Within a West Texas Independent School District" (2020). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 254.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/254
Included in
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Education Policy Commons, Food Studies Commons, Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Policy Commons, Social Work Commons