1. Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services

2. Main Areas of Social Work Eligibility Medicare VIEW SNAP Social Work

3. Daily Duties Accompanying Social Workers on Home Visits Switchboard Clerical Work Court Transport Clients

4. Agency Impressions Foster Care system doesn’t work well Justice system does not work in favor of Social Services on many occasions -court doesn’t have enough previous knowledge of cases -victimization of clients -slow processing in court system does not provide for swift punishment

5. Gained Knowledge Changed career goals Better understand struggles faced by people in poverty Learned that some people choose to live in poverty - Never taught that hard work is important Many false reports

6. Challenged Ideas Government can and will help those in need - People may choose not to partake in services even if they are needed -Some people in need are making just enough money to be ineligible for services -Some services are not provided by the government that may be very important to the client (i.e. dental)

7. Views on Poverty Very Widespread—Large age range Without more jobs there may not be a way out of impoverishment for some Personal Definition of poverty remains the same – based on financial guidelines – Around $20,000 for a family with 2 children – Poverty affects every aspect of life

8. Ah-Ha! America has a class system and unless we raise the raise pay for typically lower class jobs to decrease the gap between the upper class and the middle and lower classes there will always be poverty.

9. Lexington, VA Not very different than hometown Larger towns mean more poverty – Not necessarily seen in non-urban areas

10. Thank you for Listening. Questions?