Human Services - Unit 1

social functioning

the ability of an individual to interact in the “normal” or “usual” way in society

Normal is _____

different for everybody!

SIS, IDC

social work core values:

S - Service

I - Integrity (not having it involves taking advantage of other’s info)

S - Social Justice (equal rights and access for all people)

I - Importance of Human Relationships

D - Dignity and Worth of a Person

C - Competence

Generalist Social Work

Viewing problem situations in terms of Person in Environment

Looking at how someone acts but considering everything that caused that behavior

Aspects of a Person

Family

race

ethnicity

gender

religion

education

class

job

mental health

community

etc.

What is PIE

PERSON IN ENVIRONMENT

Generalist social workers

Work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, social policies, and communities in pursuit of social and economic justice

made up by micro, mezzo, and macro levels

Generalist practitioners…

view people from a strengths-based perspective

• This recognizes, supports, and builds upon human capabilities + talents

are able to intervene at different levels

may end up assuming various roles + providing extra support

What is something that is important to build between patient and social worker?

TRUST

MICRO social work (hhs)

Most common kind of social work

Working with Individuals and Families through family therapy and individual counseling

• no matter how big the family is, it still counts as micro

Helping individuals find Housing, Healthcare, and Social Services

MEZZO social work

Deals with Small to Medium Sized Groups

Neighborhoods, school and other local organizations, churches

Helps with community organizing, managing social work organizations, focus on institution/cultural change

MACRO social work

Helping clients by involving them in intervening in Large Systemic change

Ex. Lobbying to change a health care law/other law, organizing a state-wide activist group, advocating for large-scale policy change

Macro is not used in other helping professions

Enabler (positive)

Helps individuals or groups to identify problems and apply strategies

not the usual definition

Broker

Provides resources and referral for people who don’t know what is available

ex. job coaching

Advocate

Provide leadership, speaking up for someone or a group

Can involve the challenging of service providers for client justice

Activist

Seeking institutional change, seeking social justice

People don’t always speak out for a good cause

Mediator

Intervening in disputes

Helping parties compromise

Negotiator

Bringing together those in conflict

Similar to mediator, but aligned with ONE SIDE ONLY
ex. divorce lawyer siding with one parent

Educator

Person who provides information and teaches others

Can be in various levels

Initiator

Calls attention to problems/potential problems

Getting things started by resolving an issue first

Empowerer

Helping people increase their strengths to improve their circumstances

Coordinator

brings components together in an organized manner

What is social welfare?

The wellbeing of society

Two Approaches to Social Welfare

Residual and Institutional

Residual Approach

Secondary help option, only provided when needs are unmet by other institutions

Viewed as a safety net

Stigma attached

CURATIVE AND CONSERVATIVE

social institution

people working for a common goal to help others

What kind of things are stigma attached to with the residual approach?

Being poor, race, sexuality, homelessness, culture, etc.

Curative

people step in to help with preexisting issues

Residual pt. 2

Poor people often seen as incompetent

Second-class citizens get second-class services

Middle class wealthy people help the “unfortunate ones”

Conservatives believe in

Traditional values

limited govt involvement in private sector

free markets

Christian values (WASP)

Being self made

strong national defense

Institutional

Considered the first option for social welfare

The normal and most accepted way of fulfilling social needs

NO stigma

PREVENTATIVE AND LIBERAL

Recognizes need for variety of social services

Early intervention

stepping in early to prevent further issues

Liberals believe in

Equal opportunities for ALL, equality and equity

Government involvement in the private sector

Civil liberties

Inalienable human rights

equality

everyone is treated the same, even with different needs

equity

people’s specific needs are tended to

Chicago History

Home to the first settlement houses

Jane Addams - Mother of social work

Hull House - First chicago settlement house

Offered social, education, and welfare services to migrants + impoverished ppl

Ida B. Wells

Founded the first BLACK settlement houses

Prominent writer + journalist

Investigated and reported on lynchings in the South

worked within women’s suffrage

Advanced standing

getting a bachelor’s in a program makes the master’s quicker

researcher

studying topics, evaluating outcomes

learning about the needs of people/communities

group facilitator

leading group activities/therapies

Prof. Stokes’ Major at Buff State

Secondary education — dropped out

What comes after a MSW?

Exam for LMSW→LCSW→LCSW-R

socioeconomic status

income, education, occupation

relative poverty

the idea that people are poor compared to some standard that is partially shaped by others lifestyles

-determined by comparison

absolute poverty

a fixed economic level below which people are considered poor

this level doesn’t change even as society becomes more rich

2026 Poverty Guidelines - If you make that money, you’re not considered poor

1 person in family/household - $15,960

2 people - $21,640

3 people - $27,320

4 people - $33,000

5 people - $38,360

poverty gap

the difference between the official poverty line and the actual income of the typical poor household

What people are poor?

Disabled people

women

some racial and ethnic groups

certain city + rural areas

the unemployed

economy

the wealth and resources of a place in terms of production and consumption of goods

Functions of Poverty

• the “dirty work” of society will be done by poor people

• subsidizing many of the activities of the affluent

• jobs are created that serve the poor

• creating a market for the cheaper goods