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Chapter 11 Social Work and Poverty, Homelessness, Unemployment, and Criminal Justice
Social Work An Empowering Profession
Seventh Edition
Brenda DuBois & Karla Miley
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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
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3. 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
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4. 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?
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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
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6. 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
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7. 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?
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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
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9. 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
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10. Policy Practice CSWE 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?
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11. 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
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12. 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
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13. 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?
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