Sara's advocacy for homeless clients denied food stamp assistance in Missouri

Social Policy Analysis and Practice

How did Sara help clients to define and resolve their own problems?

Sara became involved in the client's processes or their attempts to do such as apply for food stamps in order to understand the barriers that they were up against. Once the barriers were identified she sought guidance from individuals in high positions within the state in order to identify policy matter and this served as a guide in understanding the best method to use in approaching the problems or points of disconnect within the processes or service provision to clients. Once having identified policy as per state regulations and legislation Sara was diligent in her effort and firm with the agencies from whom the clients sought assistance such as the worker at the food stamp agency and by doing so was able to assist the clients in ensuring that the agencies enacted new protocols.

Provide examples where clients were required to identify resources, assert their rights, or gain a sense of control of their lives.

Assisting homeless individuals in the application process for food stamps resulted in the homeless people in the state being able to assert their rights to assistance and to gain control over their own ability to ensure they had nutrition and sustenance.

3. How was Sara able to identify the effects of legislative policies for the homeless population trying to receive food stamps?

Sara talked to high ranking officials in the state who were able to provide her with the state policy and through this knowledge Sara was able to ensure that the food stamp agency followed state policy.

4. The federal food stamp program is available to the homeless population in Missouri. Why were the homeless people in St. Louis being denied?

The homeless people in Missouri were being denied food stamps because they were being denied the ability to make an application since they did not have a residence or permanent address to put on their application.

Case Study

Photo identification is needed to assist seniors in the scenario in this case study however, the cost presents a problem for these seniors since the identification needed costs $20.00. The social worker should examine all community resources including state resources to assist seniors with the costs of the photo identification and should contact the local government for their assistance in this matter. Since the seniors likely have paperwork to assist the process of obtaining valid IDs legislative aides should be gained as witnesses to support the provision of IDs at no cost to seniors. Since seniors will be utilizing the IDs for purposes other than operating a motor vehicle, there should be some state provision for these types of IDs so that seniors are not barred from applying for much needed assistance. Public awareness can be gained by contacting news media who can report the issue. Social worker skills include macro skills which are applied on a large scale and in this case taking part in changes on a large scale that will affect the community and include working on media representation of the problem and legislative changes. Mezzo skills used would be those in the community and local institutions to bring about change and micro skills are those used working directly with individuals such as interviewing and advocacy. It is reported that Public Law 109-2005 makes it a requirement that residents of Indiana present a photo ID issues by the government in order to cast their ballot at polls in elections.