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Fighting poverty: The role of the social work profession in creating class justice

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Fighting poverty: The role of the social work profession in creating class justice

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    1. Fighting poverty: The role of the social work profession in creating “class” justice Mitchell Rosenwald, Ph.D., LCSW Sharron M. Singleton, D.S.W. School of Social Work (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    2. Poverty (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    3. Poverty line – the minimum level of income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living in a given country. (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    4. (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    5. (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    6. Poverty and social work: A historical review The development of the social work profession is related to the development of social welfare in the United States Churched-based “friendly visitors” Charity Organization Society Settlement Movement (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    7. Charity Organization Society Established in the U.S. in1877 Utilized principles of “scientific charity” to reorganize the public and private charities that proliferated during the 1870 depression Included an actual treatment component (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    8. Settlement Movement Appeared in the U.S. in 1886 and focused mainly on new immigrants Fueled by two miseries Plights and trials of the poor who lived in urban tenements College-educated women’s need for new roles (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    9. Settlement Movement Focused more on the causes of poverty Utilized scientific thinking to effect change Research Reform Residence Provided basic treatment services (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    10. “Class Justice” “Privilege” and “Oppression” Ensuring that individuals who are members of the lower economic classes (working class, underclass, poor) have as much opportunities as possible to receive a reasonable income upon which to support themselves and their families. (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    11. “Class Justice” and Social Work “NASW [National Association of Social Workers] supports a national economic policy that invests in ‘human capital,’ recognizing that a nation’s well-being derives not only from an economic balance sheet but also from the well-being of its members.” - Social Work Speaks, 6th ed. NASW Policy Statements 2003-2006, p. 69 (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    12. How Social Workers Help Create “Class Justice” Macro Level (addresses poverty’s root causes) Community Organizing Legislative Advocacy Micro (Clinical) Level (addresses poverty’s consequences) Care Management Information and Referral Counseling Crisis Intervention (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    13. Community Organizing to Fight Poverty Drawing on community assets (leaders, networks, space) with added assets (technical expertise, funds) to promote physical, mental, financial and social health. - NASW Issue Fact Sheet (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    14. Community Organizing to Fight Poverty - NASW Issue Fact Sheet (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    15. Community Organizing to Fight Poverty Agency example is The Belafonte Tacolcy Center in Liberty City. Community Partner with Barry University School of Social Work. Helps involve youth who experience poverty among other social conditions to help themselves and their community - NASW Issue Fact Sheet (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    16. Legislative Advocacy to Fight Poverty Working to influence society to accept responsibility to care for the most vulnerable and challenged members of society. Providing non-stigmatized assistance to those unable to work Providing sufficient, affordable and available childcare and access to affordable transportation - Social Work Speaks, 6th ed. NASW Policy Statements 2003-2006, p. 96 (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    17. Legislative Advocacy to Fight Poverty Creating a living wage – a minimum wage that can support individuals above the poverty level Helping retrain workers who are displaced or low-income Advocating for time limits of welfare (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) should be tied to availability of jobs Related issues such as comprehensive and preventive health and mental health and safe and affordable housing - Social Work Speaks, 6th ed. NASW Policy Statements 2003-2006, p. 96 (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    18. Care Management to Fight the Effects of Poverty Assisting clients with a plan to help improve their overall functioning and ward off the ill-effects of poverty. Partnering with client to identify their various needs they have and then prioritizing and implementing these tasks. (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    19. Information and Referral to Fight the Effects of Poverty Linking client to both agency and community resources that provide temporary/ permanent financial assistance and other assistance (e.g. G.E.D) Resources can be federal, state, local and private Spotlight: Miami –Dade County Department of Human Services (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009 Supplemental Security Income Social Security Veterans Benefits Temporary Aid to Needy Families Medical Assistance Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program Section 8 Food Stamps

    20. Counseling to Fight the Effects of Poverty Poverty and mental health (e.g., depression) are correlated Counseling provides an opportunity for the client to share feelings and thoughts, identify resiliencies and invest in a solution to feel more empowered (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    21. Crisis Intervention to Fight the Effects of Poverty Assistance with food, housing, medical emergencies, suicidality At times, child maltreatment (e.g., neglect) is associated with poverty and need to intervene for children’s welfare. (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    22. Conclusion The Social Work Profession helps lead the efforts in fighting poverty at both the micro (individual, family) and macro (community, societal) levels We hope this presentation provided you with useful information on our profession’s role in fighting poverty and its effects (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

    23. Thank You! Questions and Comments (c) Rosenwald & Singleton, 2009

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