Community Needs Assessment Essays - Deinstitutionalisation

Community Needs Assessment of the Mentally Ill Homeless Individual Cynthia Diane Hancock Excelsior College Nursing 541 Judith Treschuk Ph.D Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe the vulnerable homeless population, while focusing on the specific health related problem of mental illness, and the resources available for an effective care program in Kerr County Texas. The vulnerable population of the homeless and the specific health related problem of mental illness is a dilemma that requires improving social and economic resources with which to manage their care. Kerr County Texas has many individuals who are homeless with mental illness and in need of assistance with finding the minimal resources available. Persons who are homeless and mentally ill are generally recognized as the most difficult people to engage and provide with affordable permanent housing. The visibility of the homeless mentally ill persons on street corners, in parks, or under bridges here in America serves as a poignant sign that communities are not meeting the needs of these vulnerable citizens. There is much Kerr County Texas can do to help the homeless persons who are mentally ill. This dilemma calls for improving social and economic resources with which to manage their care. The homeless are in need of advocates to lobby for change on their behalf and provide essential elements of support. The purpose of this paper is to describe the vulnerable homeless population, while focusing on the specific health related problem of mental illness, and the resources available for an effective care program in Kerr County Texas. Description of Aggregate The vulnerable population of homeless people with the existing health related problem of mental illness is a social group which has limited social and economic resources that separates them from mainstream society (Di Martile Bolla, 2008, p. 784). The homeless mentally ill are more disadvantaged than others because health planning focuses on the majority and not this vulnerable group that is disenfranchised in that they are from a low income group with the highest levels of unmet needs for housing assistance and health care. SSI income and housing costs has resulted in an increased number of people with mental illness who either cannot afford housing, and have lost it or hold onto their housing by foregoing other essentials such as food, health care, and clothing (Herb, Miller & O?Hara, 2010). According to the US Surgeon General, as many as one-third of individuals who experience homelessness has a mental illness. Persons who are homeless and mentally ill are generally recognized as the most difficult people to ?engage? and provide with affordable, permanent housing that they can maintain. It is often said that these individuals are ?system resistant.? The system in place doesn?t adequately address their needs and desires (Schwartz, 2005). Several commonalities exist amongst the homeless mentally ill individuals who are often treated with disdain and/or scorned which makes it much easier to ignore their needs. This type of stigmatization frequently causes the mentally ill to avoid seeking the very help that they need. This is a very serious issue because they frequently have multiple health issues in addition to their mental health problems. Another important factor in this area is the fact that many health care professionals have condescending attitudes toward this vulnerable group. Often these caregivers possess some of the same prejudices and misguided ideas about the homeless as those of the society at large (Clark, 2008). These types of attitudes often create communication barriers at the point of first patient provider encounters, thus greatly reducing the likelihood of an effective resolution of the medical issues presented by the homeless individual (Buck, Clark, Kneuper, Melillo Monteiro, Rochon, & Volk, 2005). Frequently the mentally ill homeless resort to various modes of self medication which often lead to use of alcohol or other elicit drugs in an effort to deal with their problems. The use of injectable street drugs presents an array of potential negative outcomes including addiction as well as a high probability of exposure to serious transmissible diseases. This in turn tends to create a self perpetuating cycle involving the elements of mental illness, drug abuse and poor health care seeking behavior. Taken together these conditions also make stable employment and residency problematic. Also, they have

UK Food Waste Management following the European Union (EU) Directives The WritePass Journal

UK Food Waste Management following the European Union (EU) Directives Introduction UK Food Waste Management following the European Union (EU) Directives IntroductionWhat is food waste?Sources of food wasteEffects of food waste to the environmentNew EU directives on food wasteThe Waste Hierarchy  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Least preferred management method   FIG 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ORDER OF WASTE MANAGEMENTConclusion  REFERENCESRelated Introduction Global warming is a well known problem facing our society today however, food waste which contributes about 30-31% of global warming is not largely recognised (EIPRO) Environmental Impact of Product. Food waste, a biodegradable waste is largely disposed in landfill due to unawareness of its effect on the environment. Methane gas is released during the degradation process of food waste and this leads to depletion of the ozone layer and eventually global warming. Food waste also leads to waste of fresh water, fuel for transport, soil nutrient and finance Humpries (2010). European Union  Ã‚   ( EU) knowing the effect of food waste to the environment and life in general has established laws and made targets to reduce food waste. What is food waste? Waste and Resource Action Programme (2009) defines food waste as waste made up of raw food materials or cooked materials such as vegetables, spoiled food, meat trimmings and leftovers. It can also be defined as agricultural products unused, worthless or unwanted. Examples of food waste are leftovers from our homes and food service sectors, bones, spoilt food and food that have exceeded their shelf life. Sources of food waste The sources of food waste have been grouped into three major sectors by Waste and Resources Action Programme (2009) Manufacturing and Processing: In this sector food waste is unavoidable particularly with products such as meat. Bones and animal organs which may not be consumed are examples of unavoidable waste in this sector. Legislative restriction on outsize production of fruit and vegetables is another unavoidable means of food waste Commission Regulation NO 1221/2008. Retail Sector: The sector includes all sales outlets, wholesale and retail. Food waste in this sector is generated due to overstocking of food products with short shelf lives without matching of demand, Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development (OECD) (2002). Marketing strategies (two for one deal) is used by retailers to reduce food waste from their sector however, ends up shifting the waste to household where is to enough time to consume these products. Household and food service sector: This sector was analysed in UK by Waste Resources Action Programme (2009) as of one the major sources of food waste. It further states that almost half of food waste is generated at this sector. In disagreement with Waste Resources Action Programme, Laura and Jon (2008) argues that the percentage of food waste contributed by household and food service sector is less than half with constant development of food industries and supermarket in the UK. European Commission (2008) reveals that unawareness of the effect of food waste to the environment, finance and percentage of waste produced by this sector to total food waste accumulated yearly as one of the major causes of food waste in this sector. Effects of food waste to the environment Environmental Impact of Product (EIPRO) points out that for proper analyses of the effect of food waste on the environment, research should be carried out on the general life cycle or stages of food (production, distribution transport) before and after it becomes waste. According to Kassem (2010) food been biodegradable has lead to increase level of food waste in land fill leading to increased emission of methane gas and further depletion of the ozone layer causing global warming.   Similarly, Kassem (2010) and Vidal (2002) agreed that food production consumes 70% of the world’s fresh water. The work of United Nations Environmental Programme (2009) reveals that most of the food produced ends up as waste thus leading to wastage of fresh water. In reference to Jodie Humpries (2010) other resources wasted as a result of food waste includes soil nutrient, energy put in during agricultural process and fuel for transport. New EU directives on food waste The European Union is a body that controls or Legislates environmental issues. Food waste, an environmental issue is under control by some binding laws. The new EU Directives on food wastes 2008/98/European Commission simplifies how food waste should be controlled or managed. The Waste Hierarchy Preferred Option   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Least preferred management method    FIG 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ORDER OF WASTE MANAGEMENT Fig 1 illustrates the New EU Waste Directive Hierarchy (2008) which directs member state (MS) on the path to follow for effective management of food waste. This waste hierarchy gives high priority to waste prevention and very low priority to landfill. However unavoidable food waste can either be re-used, recycled or use for energy recovery Article 22 of Revived Waste Framework requires member states to set up separate collection of bio- waste, treat bio- waste in ways that is friendly to the environment and use   materials produced from recycled from bio- waste that are safe. The Directive also instructed member states (MS) to recycle 50% of waste from household by 2020. Salmon (2009) points out that the fundamental laws outlined in the food waste directives (prevention, re- use, recycling, energy recovery and landfill for last resort) are been practically employed in the UK. Conclusion Proper management of food in UK following the European Union (EU) Directives (prevention, re-use, recycling, energy recovery and landfill for last resort) will reduce food waste disposed in landfill and eventually methane gas and global warming.   REFERENCES Commission Regulation (EC) no 1221/2008 0f 5 December 2008: eur-lex.europa.eu/Lexuriserv/Lexurisev.do?uri=oj:l:336:0001:0080:EN:PDF EC   (2008). Green paper on the management of bio-waste in the European Union, Brussels, Belgium. Jodie.H.(2010). The impact of domestic food waste on climate change. Retrieved March 10, 2011 from nextgeneration food.com/news/looking-at-food-waste/ John. V (August, 2002). Earth’s liquid asset. The Guardian, p.6. Laura.B and Jon.H (2008). How to break the habit of wasting food. Retrieved March 10, 2011, from guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/08/food.ethicalliving?INTCMp=SRCH Norem. K. (2010). How to reduce food waste waste .Retrieved March 8, 2011 from suite101.com/content/how-to-reduce-food-waste-a212264. OECD (2002). Environmental Impacts and Policy Responses.Retrieved March 10, 2011 from oecd.org/department/0,3355,en_2649_34331_1_1_1_1_1,00.html Salmon.B (2009).The waste frame work directive explained. Retrieved March 10, from hg.org/law-firms/USA-Environmental -and-Natural-References.html. United Nations Environmental Programme. (2009). environment’s role in averting food crisis. United Nations Environment Programme:GRID-Arendal Waste and Resources Action Programme (2009). Household and drink waste in the UK.Retrieved March 8,2011 from wrap.org.uk/retail_chain/grocery/food/index.html

Family Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Family Law - Essay Example The professional license itself would not have separate value. However, if the license was acquired during the marriage to the other partner’s detriment, the court would likely seek to equalize the benefit accrued to the licensed partner. The court has adopted the rules pertaining to the dissolution of business partnership to apply to the division and distribution of property in divorce cases. See Gussin v. Gussin, 73 Haw. 470, 483–84, 836 P.2d 484, 481 (1992). â€Å"Under general partnership law, each partner is entitled to be repaid his contributions to the partnership property, whether made by way of capital or advances.† Tougas v. Tougas, 76 Hawai‘i 19, 27, 868 P.2d 437, 445 (1994) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Then, absent â€Å"agreement to the contrary, ‘partners share equally in the profits of their partnership, even though they may have contributed unequally to capital or services.’ â€Å" Id. (quoting Gardner v. G ardner, 8 Haw.