Current Applied Social Science Research Projects

• Board of Education and Services for the Blind. Vocational Rehabilitation Division

William Atchison O'Neill (August 11, 1930 - November 24, 2007) was a twentieth century U.S. political figure, most notably serving as Governor of Connecticut from 1980 to 1991.

The archives were established by Central Connecticut State University’s (CCSU) Center for Public Policy and Social Research to serve as a “repository for the papers of Connecticut’s political leaders - - former governors, members of congress, principal legislators and noted appointed officials.”

John J. Woodcock III, a Connecticut State Representative, was the proponent of the first "Lemon Law" enacted in the United States. Governor William A. O'Neill signed the bill (PA 82-287) into law on June 4, 1982. An Act Concerning Automobile Warranties provided "for a statutory warranty of two years or twenty-four thousand miles, whichever is less, on new cars sold in this state and . . . require[d] the replacement of vehicles under warranty when repeated attempts to repair them are unsuccessful."

This collection primarily documents John J. Woodcock's introduction, implementation and improvement of Connecticut legislation created to protect consumers from poorly made automobiles. The records also document the impact of Connecticut's first in the nation law upon other states seeking similar redress for their citizens. The collection is divided into six Series-passage of Lemon Laws, Lemon Laws in other states, Federal attempts at pre-emption, court cases and legal challenges, publicity including scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and video and audio tapes, and elections and campaigns

The Veterans History Project Archives digitally preserves materials donated by area veterans and civilians. These materials or collections of personal papers contain oral history interviews in which participants recount their military, combat, and civil service experiences.

Along with oral history interviews, collections may include personal and military correspondence, diaries, journals, intelligence reports, maps, photographs, and memorabilia.

Research has identified significant rates of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other compelling needs of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Center for Public Policy & Social Research (CPPSR) at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and the Connecticut Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) recently released their needs assessment of returning Connecticut veterans. Based on the data, CPPSR has recommended fresh strategies to help veterans readjust to civilian life, and hopes to share its new research model with other VA departments nationwide.

Based on over 20 years of research and classroom application, the award-winning Second Step program integrates academics and social and emotional learning.

Children from preschool through eighth grade learn and practice important skills like anger management, cooperation, respectful behavior, and problem solving. These skills help decrease students' negative and violent behaviors-name calling, fights, and stereotyping-and return the focus of classroom time to where it belongs: learning.