Program Matters: Whose Values Should Prevail?

By Senior Director of Programs and Operations, Jeannine Short

 

A primary tenet of social work case management practice is cultural competence—the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.  The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) expands this principle to include the elements of self-identification and self-awareness;  and suggest that such is fundamental to recognizing and addressing how one’s own cultural values, beliefs, biases, experiences, and practices affect interactions with clients. They state “the social worker who practices such self-assessment can then recognize how cultural identity, in its multifaceted expressions, is central to the resilience of the individuals, families, and communities with whom [they] interact” (NASW, 2013, p. 29). What this implies is that where personal values conflict with those of the client, the propensity for ineffective (if not harmful) relationships is intensified.

 

To exemplify this point, Community LINC has seen a significant increase in the number of two-parent families entering the program. Of note, however, is that in many of these family systems, the “wife” has historically assumed primary financial responsibility. Consequently, it is she who demonstrates the fortitude and tenacity in utilizing the employment services component of our program to secure employment.  While this may be consistent with the values of these families, it may prove troublesome for the social work case manager whose personal values hold that such responsibility should be shared at the very least.  What results then is the question of whether or not failure on the “husbands” part to seek employment should affect the family’s successful completion of the program, or should acknowledgment of the family’s value system determine such? Perhaps NASW (2013) provides the answer:

 

The social work case manager needs to appreciate and affirm client’s cultural values, beliefs, and practices, especially the ways in which culture influences perceptions and practices related to… definitions of family, family communication patterns… and decision-making related to education, employment, financial or legal matters, health care, and housing. (p. 29)

 

Reference: National Association of Social Workers (2013): NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management

Are we really that different?

In the last couple of weeks I've heard the resentment of a friend and my son toward how the money they pay in taxes is spent. I say I've heard it because so often those of us who are considered liberals (either social or political), don't hear what more conservative people have to say. We dismiss them as having no empathy and as claiming everyone who receives some form of public assistance has a sense of entitlement.

That isn't true of either of them.

My friend is very generous in giving to causes that break the cycle of poverty, especially for the children.

My son has less to give financially, but he appreciates the same thing. What he struggles with is a cousin who didn't work, lived rent free off of parents and friends, and got food stamps for her kids. He has always worked hard for his family and resented it when his taxes went to provide her with food stamps. What surfaced it again for him recently was standing in a checkout line behind a guy using his food stamp debit card to pay for beef jerky and Mountain Dew. His view of people who get public assistance has been tainted by his cousin's sense of entitlement. The guy in the check out line just reinforced his impression of bad judgment and selfishness.

My friend's resentment arises from knowing that his income is being targeted for tax increases. Rather than getting to direct his money to invest in charities he believes in, he will lose control of what it funds.

I respect both of them, so I started thinking about what makes me feel the same way. We definitely see people who make ridiculous demands when they come into our program. I have the same feelings my son does when I hear about one of those demands. Thankfully, the people who make them are unusual enough that they become a "can you believe it" anecdote. I doubt that any of our staff would last in a program serving homeless families if most of them came in with a massive sense of entitlement.

When I think about losing the deduction for the interest I pay on my mortgage, I get the resentment my friend feels at the idea of being taxed more.

There isn't a solution to the dilemma inherent in the fiscal cliff that will overcome the resentment that either of them feel.  Actually, I suspect there isn't a solution that any of us will really like.  We may come at it from different directions, but we usually can find more to understand than the liberal and conservative labels might lead us to believe.

Tackling Homelessness in Kansas City

By the time this is published, the KCMO City Council hopefully will have passed a resolution to establish a Homelessness Task Force.

That’s a good thing.

The task force will be charged to identify the issues related to homelessness and develop a plan with both immediate and long term strategies. Hopefully, our City will be as successful in reducing homelessness as some of the cities that have already created 10-year plans to end homelessness.

A point in time census conducted on a single day in January of this year determined that there we about 1,400 homeless individuals and an additional 1,200 people in families. Unfortunately, that doesn't count people who are doubling up or couch surfing (staying with family or friends).

Based on our experience, I would guess the number is significantly higher now. The number of families calling us or dropping in to request services has climbed steeply this year. Thirty four families requested our services in January and 105 in June. Compared to the first six months of 2008, the cumulative total number of walk-ins and call-ins has increased by about 280% this year. Our waiting list is now up to 114 families.

Thank you, City Council. The City couldn’t have picked a better time to form the Homelessness Task Force.

- Laura Gray