Discuss some of the most significant welfare programs and policies in the American human services system, and describe the impact these programs and policies have made throughout history.
Discuss some of the most significant welfare programs and policies in the American human services system, and describe the impact these programs and policies have made throughout history. Think about the many program that we have for the elderly, the underserved, children, and veterans – what would we do without them? Consider the effectiveness of policies for social security benefits, medical care, and food vouchers. Are the policies successful in providing necessary assistance? Why or why not?
Review the case It’s Not Because We Made Bad Choices. What are your overall thoughts on this case? Does this story represent much of America right now?
CASE STUDY It’s Not Because We Made Bad Choices
I work as a home health aide and have to get up at 4:45 in the morning to be to work by 6:30, three days a week. I’m also trying to finish a program to get my associate’s degree in nursing and am looking for an apartment so I can get out of the homeless shelter where I live. I’m looking for a place, but it’s hard to find anything. I only make $200 a week, and most two-bedrooms are $700 a month. I tried to find a studio, but most landlords don’t want kids in a studio. I also need to buy a car to be able to get back and forth to school (I’ve been borrowing a friend’s car but can’t for much longer) and welfare keeps giving me a hard time—telling me I don’t need a car and I should be saving money. But I live in Lowell and go to school in Lawrence, and I have a 4-year-old! Do you know how hard that would be to get back and forth without a car and still do the housing search and all the other things we have to do at the shelter?
We have to turn in forms that list where we looked for housing each week, and we have to have 177178twelve—no matter what. If the landlord doesn’t return your call, it doesn’t count. Even if there are only six listings in the paper, they tell you that’s not enough—that you have to try harder. It’s so degrading. You know, besides being homeless, we have other issues, and we should be treated with respect. I have low self-esteem, and it’s really hard to keep myself going, but they just keep piling more things on us. There are all these mandatory meetings that you have to go to even if they don’t have anything to do with you. Like going to these employment sessions on how to get a job. I already have a job! But I still have to go because it’s mandatory. You know, anybody could end up in this predicament—it’s not because we made bad choices. That’s the way life is. Some people are lucky, and some are not. And a pat on the back would be so much better than constantly putting us down. (Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, 2000)
2. Many of the people with whom you will work in the human services field will be economically disadvantaged or near economically disadvantaged. Review the video, The Truth About Poverty In America. Consider your attitudes toward this population and the homeless, and discuss whether you think there is prejudice against the poor. In light of the high unemployment rates in our country and the current economy, does this seem to be more of a personal issue or a systemic one? What are some of the reasons for financial instability right now?
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