Getting Started

Imagine you have just started working for a local social service agency. You have been assigned a case with a single mother and a young child. The mother is recovering from substance abuse. She is looking for a job but is running into several issues such as limited income, her possible loss of Medicaid, and childcare. This situation poses a dilemma. What do you do? By understanding your local, state, and federal policies, you can advocate for change or rally community support for service development. 

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

• Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services. (PO 5)
• Demonstrate character, scholarship, and leadership in becoming a world changer through application to personal life and professional social work practice.
• Demonstrate Christ-like attitudes, values, worldviews, and ethical and professional behavior within advanced clinical practice. (ILO 1)

Resources

• Textbook: Social Welfare Policy: Responding to a Changing World

Textbook Reference: Hoefer, R., & McNutt, J. (2016). Social Welfare Policy: Responding to a Changing World. Oxford University Press.

• Media: Families Matter
• Video Link: https://fod-infobase-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=5042&loid=44194

Background Information

In this assignment, you will see how practice and policy come together. You will explore the many ways policy affects clients’ well-being and life chances.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. In your textbook Social Welfare Policy: Responding to a Changing World, read Chapter 10, “Social Services for Children and Family.”
3. Watch Segment 7, Case Study: Single Mother, from the “Families Matter” video.
4. Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following:
   1. Although the video presented some dated hourly pay, there were many relevant aspects to consider. After watching the video, what do you see as working for Jeanette and what do you see as not working for her? 
   2. Citing support from the textbook, how would you redesign the children and family services system?
5. Your initial post is due by the end of the fourth day of the workshop.
6. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings, as well as all instructor follow-up questions directed to you, by the end of the workshop.
7. Your postings also should:
   1. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking by providing evidence from workshop resources to support responses (with APA citation).
   2. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.
   3. Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and provide insight into the discussion.
   4. Be posted on two different days during the workshop.
8. Review the rubric that your instructor will use to evaluate your work. Self-assess your initial post and responses using the rubric and make improvements as needed to meet expectations and ensure that your work fulfills all the requirements.