This chapter defines poverty and explores why people are poor, who is poor in the United States, and what types of policies and programs are available to help reduce poverty in the United States.
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Chapter 7 Poverty and How to Help
1. SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE: AN INTRODUCTION
by Ambrosino/ Shuttlesworth/ Heffernan/ Ambrosino
Chapter 7:
Poverty, Income Assistance,
and Homelessness
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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2. Empowering Programs with Resources
that Enhance Social Work Education
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
3. Social Work: A Competency-
Oriented Education
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Defines Educational Policy and Accreditation
Standards (EPAs)
- Developed 10 Core Competencies and 41
Related Practice Behaviors
Every student should master the Practice
Behaviors and Core Competencies before
completing the program
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
4. Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008
The Textbook
- Helping Hands icons call attention to content that
relates to Practice Behaviors and Competencies
- Competency Notes at the end of the chapter
help put the Practice Behaviors and Competencies
in practical context
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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5. Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008 (contd)
The Practice Behaviors Workbook developed
with the text provides assignable exercises that
assist in mastering the Practice Behavior and
Competencies
Additional on-line resources can be found at:
www.cengage.com/socialwork
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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6. Views on poverty and how to help
Multiple views on poverty, what should be done,
and who should do it
Most people want successful anti-poverty programs
in place, but there is lack of agreement about what
those programs should be
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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7. Conceptualizations of poverty
As deprivation
As inequality in the distribution of income
As culture
As exploitation by the ruling class
As structure
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
8. Defining poverty
Inadequate household income when defined by a
specific standard
Relative poverty
Market basket concept
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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9. Federal poverty guidelines (2010)
Household Income Household Income
Size Limit Size Limit
1 $10,380 5 $25,790
2 $14,570 6 $29,530
3 $18,310 7 $33,270
4 $22,050 8 $37,010
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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10. Who are Americas poor?
Who is considered poor depends on:
Overall performance of economy
Household composition and members access to
economic system
Levels of expenditure on social welfare programs
Effectiveness of social welfare programs
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
11. The poor are a diverse group
14% of U.S. population live in poverty
African Americans and Latinos are almost 3 times
more likely to be poor than whites
1 in 10 persons 65 and older is poor
Almost 30% of female householders live in poverty
1 in 3 African American and a like number of Latino
children lives in poverty compared to less than 1 in
10 white children
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
12. Debunking stereotypes about the poor
Not all poor people are on welfare many are
two-parent families with both parents working
full-time, often in minimum wage jobs with few or
no benefits
20% of families living in poverty line have a
working family member
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
13. Social Security Act of 1935
Cornerstone of American social welfare policy
Set tone for federal support for individuals and
families
The act has been modified many times over the
years to create new programs, modify existing
programs, or do away with programs
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
14. War on poverty is lost
Economic Opportunity Act creates a plethora of
domestic anti-poverty programs
Many of these programs were ill-conceived, poorly
run, or not sustainable
White House preoccupied with Vietnam War
Welfare rolls escalate
Economy falters, new demands for belt-tightening
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
15. Last-ditch effort to reduce welfare rolls
Public outcry about evils of welfare intensifies
Welfare reform efforts focus on work and personal
responsibility
Family Support Act (1988) offers glimmer of hope,
but ends up being too little, too late
Lack of jobs that pay living wage keep welfare rolls
high
Contract with America is launched
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
16. End to welfare as we knew it
Republicans cut funds for low-income children,
families, elderly, people with disabilities
Block grants to states
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act (1996) eliminates welfare
entitlement, creates lifetime limit on benefits and
strict standards for complying with the law
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
17. End to welfare as we knew it (contd)
Welfare rolls decline precipitously
Most people who exit welfare are employed in low-
paying, dead end jobs with few or no benefits
Community agencies unable to pick up slack created
by welfare reform initiatives
White House touts declining welfare rolls as proof
that welfare reform work
EP 2.1.3a, 2.1.7b, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
18. Current strategies for addressing poverty
Strong market and family system
Public assistance programs (TANF, Medicaid, SSI,
general assistance)
In-kind benefits and tax credits (Earned Income
Tax Credit, food benefits, housing assistance)
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a, 2.1.8b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
19. Other antipoverty programs
Direct provision of necessities
Empowerment efforts
Job training
Restructuring institutions to produce greater
access to economic opportunity
No easy solutions most experts suggest
multiple strategies needed
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a, 2.1.8b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
20. 2010 and beyond
Single, low-income mothers and those receiving
cash assistance have high rates of psychiatric
illness
Rural mothers, especially poor, single mothers,
face formidable barriers to employment
Reductions in food allotment results in high levels
of food insecurity among non-citizen parents
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
21. Impact of poverty on children
Family stress and conflict
Limited opportunities for learning at home
Lower-quality child care
Inadequate nutrition
Inadequate housing; increased homelessness
Lack of transportation; increased isolation
Factors interfere with brain development
EP 2.1.6b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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22. TANF reauthorization plan (2006)
Strengthen federal-state partnership
Maintain self-sufficiency through work and
additional constructive activities
Promote child well-being and healthy marriages
Encourage abstinence and prevent teen
pregnancy
Improve program performance
EP 2.1.6b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
23. TANF reauthorization plan (2006)
Enhance child support enforcement
Reform food stamps to promote work
EP2.1.6b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
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24. Homelessness
A homeless person:
Someone who lacks fixed, regular and adequate
night-time residence, andhas primary night time
residency that is a supervised shelter providing
temporary living accommodations or a public or
private place not designed for use as regular
sleeping accommodations for human beings.
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
25. Characteristics of homeless individuals
Youth
Elderly
Women and families
People of color
Survivors of domestic violence
Veterans
People with mental illness and addiction
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a
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26. Homelessness and mental illness
20-25% of single adults who are homeless suffer
from some type of severe mental illness
Many people become homeless as a result of a
mental illness
Others experience emotional problems as a result
of being homeless
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
27. Homelessness and mental illness (contd)
Homeless people with mental disorders face more
barriers to obtaining jobs, are in poorer health, and
have more contact with the legal system than housed
individuals
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
28. Homelessness and employment
Inadequate or no employment and lack of
affordable rental housing leave many people
homeless
It is difficult to find a job without a permanent
address
It is difficult to keep a job when homeless, though
20% of urban homeless are employed
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
29. Homelessness and healthcare
Homeless people:
Often experience poor health
Are at risk for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, diabetes,
hypertension, addictive disorders, and mental
disorders
Lack access to good nutrition, and adequate personal
hygiene
Are likely have no health insurance
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
30. Homelessness and Isolation
Homeless people:
Are likely to be isolated from families and
traditional social roles
Often have no ties to a support network; loss of
social support systems extends length of time
being homeless
Tend to remain isolated even when they find
housing because of stigma of being homeless
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
31. Policies and programs
Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act
Housing Affordability for America Act
Other programs focus mostly on emergency
assistance, not long-term solutions or root causes
of homelessness
EP2.1.8a, 2.1.8b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
32. Ending homelessness
Affordable housing
Employment and education opportunities
Discharge planning from institutions
Child care and education for children
Comprehensive health/mental health care
Programs that make it possible for homeless
people to accumulate financial assets
EP 2.1.8a, 2.1.8b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
33. Role of social workers in fighting poverty
Public assistance programs
Faith-based organizations
Housing programs
Health and mental health clinics
School-based programs
Emergency shelters
Advocacy programs
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.
34. Eliminating poverty has been elusive
Its not that we havent tried (e.g., War on Poverty,
Great Society)
Individualist perspective remains strong
Capitalism requires an underclass in order to thrive
Globalism has only amplified the problem
Political will to end poverty doesnt seem to exist
Domestic priorities have taken a back seat
EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a, 2.1.9b
Copyright 息 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
.