Copyright ©2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 11 Social Work and Poverty,...

Copyright ©2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 11Social Work and Poverty,

Homelessness, Unemployment, and

Criminal Justice Social Work

An Empowering ProfessionSeventh Edition

Brenda DuBois & Karla MileyThis multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:

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Poverty Facts

• Poverty rate (2007) – 12.5 percent

• High percentage of poor – Children– Female-headed households– Non-White families

• Most who are poor are employed full-time


Social Work and Poverty

• Two prevailing social attitudes– Blaming individuals for impoverishment – culture

of poverty– Holding society responsible for conditions creating

poverty

• Social work emphasis on empowerment oriented support to gain self-sufficiency


Human Behavior CSWE EPAS 2.1.7

• Poverty has a pernicious effect on personal and social well-being.

• What are the potential short-term and long-term bio-psycho-social effects of poverty for persons at various life cycle stages?


Homelessness Facts

• Misconceptions and myths– Caused by mental illness or drug abuse– Shelter space available– Homeless persons are unemployed– Government programs sufficient

• Populations at-risk– Domestic violence– Mental illness– Substance abuse disorders– Veterans


Social Work and Homelessness

• Ensure affordable and adequate housing

• Advocate housing subsidies

• Strengthen continuum of housing, income assistance, and income support services

• Fund prevention programs – education and job training

• Promote living wage policies


Human Rights and Justice

• Homelessness is linked to economic factors such as lack of affordable housing, poverty and low income and to social issues such as substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence.

• What underlying social and economic justice issues are related to the root causes of homelessness?


Unemployment Facts

• Double digit unemployment (2009)

• Unemployment rates underestimate joblessness

• Impact on family relations, separation, divorce and desertion

• Expansion of low-wage part-time positions without medical or retirement benefits


Social Work and Unemployment

• Unemployment benefits– Unemployment compensation– Workers’ compensation

• Employee assistance programs– Personal and family counseling for stress, mental

health issues, and chemical dependency– Transitions services for dealing with job loss


Policy PracticeCSWE EPAS 2.1.8

• High unemployment has serious consequences for individuals, families, and communities.

• In addition to unemployment compensation benefits, what other components should be included in a comprehensive economic policy to deal with unemployment issues?


Criminal Justice Facts

• Criminal justice system– Law enforcement, court, and correction officers– Punishment vs. rehabilitation philosophy

• Overrepresentation of minorities• Challenges for special population groups

– Older prisoners– Persons with mental illness and mental retardation– Sex offenders– Incarceration of men and women with children


Social Work and Criminal Justice

• Police social workers• Forensic social workers• Probation and parole officers• Social workers in correctional facilities• Crime victim advocates• Juvenile diversion programs• Mediation for victims and offenders• Victim-witness programs


Practice Context CSWE EPAS 2.1.9

• Although they differ philosophically from their colleagues in the criminal justice system, social workers contribute complementary services to clients in this host setting.

• What unique challenges do social workers confront when working in the context of the criminal justice system?

Copyright ©2011 Pearson Education Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 11 Social Work and Poverty,...

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