Childcare providers face multiple work-related stressors. Small studies of childcare providers have suggested that providers have high levels of depression compared to the general population. However, unlike other caregiving professions, the research examining childcare providers is sparse, and there is little information to inform practices and policies to support childcare providers. This study identifies specific work-related stressors for childcare providers and examines the impact of those work-related stressors on their personal well-being. A total of 26 home-based and centre-based providers participated in seven focus groups in Central Texas. Themes from the focus groups identify parental interaction as the most prominent stressor for providers followed by the public perception of providers as "babysitters." Providers also discussed the impact of stress on their personal well-being manifesting through exhaustion, sleep disturbances, and physical health problems.

This article explores the use of collage portraits in qualitative research and analysis. Collage portraiture, an area of arts-based research (ABR), is gaining stature as a method of analysis and documentation in many disciplines. This article presents a method of creating collage portraits to support a narrative thematic analysis that explored the impact of participation in an art installation construction. Collage portraits provide the opportunity to include marginalized voices and encourage a range of linguistic and non-linguistic representations to articulate authentic lived experiences. Other potential benefits to qualitative research are cross-disciplinary study and collaboration, innovative ways to engage and facilitate dialogue, and the building and dissemination of knowledge.

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The bulk of research on service learning has focused on student outcomes; however, there is a scarcity of research examining the lived experiences of community partners. Additionally, the few studies that exist to date involve agencies and have not included informal networks and civically active citizens. This study consisted of interviews with nine community partners, a combination of agency employees, and active citizens. All of the partners resided in a rural Southern town that worked with a network of service-learning classes on a variety of community-identified projects. The current study supports the contribution of service learning to communities, the importance of investing in reciprocal relationships, and the value added of including community partners who are members of informal networks and civically active residents. Recommendations for further research and strategies to support reciprocal and meaningful community engagement are discussed.

School-based policing has become common practice, but there is limited qualitative research examining what meanings students make of police presence in their schools. This study sought to understand how students construct narratives of police presence in their schools based on their experiences with school resource officers (SROs). Drawing on constructivist grounded theory methodology with a sample of 17 students, this study found that students are continuously integrating multiple conflicting narratives about SROs: students experience SROs as an established yet ambiguous presence, which produces mixed feelings of reassurance, wariness, and intimidation. Students manage the conflicts between these narratives by positioning school-based police as a fixed structure with pitfalls and positives but no alternatives. Additionally, students experience SROs as being available to them in relational capacities. The primary recommendations from this study are for schools and communities to (1) reconsider the appropriateness of SRO programs with student perspectives at the center of dialogue, and (2) invest in non-law enforcement school-based professionals who students experience as available and relational.

Following a positive organizational framework, this study fills a gap in the human service literature by examining what works to boost childcare workers' ability to thrive in their jobs. Drawing from Spreitzer, Sutcliffe, Dutton, Sonenshein, and Grant's model of thriving at work, this study examines effective mechanisms (affirming work conditions, cultivated job resources, and work engagement) that facilitate positive experiences at work for childcare providers. Qualitative data was collected from seven focus groups (n = 26) of childcare providers. Key findings suggest affirming work conditions that offer decision-making discretion about one's approach to care and a climate of trust and respect -particularly with parents -are instrumental to provider engagement. Most notably, findings also highlight the importance of understanding and harnessing the positive attributes of the meaning making process to develop intrinsic motivation and foster team-orientation. This enhances childcare providers' ability to engage and thrive in their jobs, ultimately ensuring quality child care. These findings, as well as implications for organizational management are discussed.Siguiendo un marco organizacional positivo, este estudio llena un vacío en la literatura sobre servicios sociales al examinar lo que funciona para potenciar la capacidad de los trabajadores al cuidado de niñas y niños para desarrollarse en sus trabajos. A partir del modelo de Spreitzer, Sutcliffe, Dutton, Sonenshein, y Grant sobre el desarrollo humano laboral, este estudio examina los mecanismos eficaces (condiciones afirmativas de trabajo, herramientas laborales desarrolladas, y el compromiso laboral) que facilitan experiencias positivas en el trabajo para quienes proveen cuidado de niños y niños. Los datos cualitativos fueron recolectados de siete grupos focales (n = 26) conformados por proveedores de cuidado de niñas y niños. Las principales conclusiones indican que las condiciones afirmativas de trabajo que ofrecen la toma de decisiones discrecionales basadas en el propio enfoque y un clima de confianza y respeto, especialmente con los padres y madres, son fundamentales para generar compromiso por parte de los proveedores. En particular, los resultados también ponen de relieve la importancia de la comprensión y el aprovechamiento de los atributos positivos de la construcción de significado para desarrollar la motivación intrínseca y fomentar una orientación de trabajo en equipo. De este modo, se puede comprometer a los proveedores de cuidado infantil y finalmente desarrollarse mientras hacen su trabajo, garantizando calidad en el cuidado infantil. Estos resultados, así como sus implicaciones en términos de gestión organizativas serán discutidos.Palabras claves: comportamiento organizacional positivo; experiencias positivas en el trabajo; herramientas laborales desarrolladas; el compromiso laboral; los proveedores de cuidado infantil