Government-funded nonprofits and self-imposed lobbying restrictions

Should Nonprofits that Receive Government Funds Be Inhibited by Lobbying? Effects of Trauma
Part 1
Do you think that nonprofits that receive government funds may feel inhibited from lobbying? If yes, do you feel such concerns are realistic or not? If no, why not?
Nonprofits depend upon donations to sustain their programs. Some of the contributions will come from government organizations. When a donor gives funds to a nonprofit, they might expect some form of quid pro quo. The same would apply to funds received from the government. While it is not stated when the funds are being distributed, the nonprofit might feel uneasy trying to lobby about something not supported by the government. There is a chance that the nonprofit will not receive funds next time if it lobbies for something that the government does not support. Lobbying, in essence, is an attempt to influence legislation. Nonprofits tend to try to influence legislation to implement laws, resolutions, or proposals that will benefit the nonprofit (Lu, 2018). However, there are times that the lobbying might be to prevent some laws from being implemented. The goal of lobbying for nonprofits is to educate their donors regarding specific legislation that will harm or benefit the public, the nonprofit’s mission, or its constituents. Therefore, if a government is trying to implement legislation that will harm the nonprofit’s mission and the nonprofit receives funds from the government, the nonprofit might feel intimidated to fight the legislation (Lu, 2018). Without the funds from the government, the nonprofit might not manage to meet its financial needs and will struggle to survive.
The concerns regarding being inhibited from lobbying are realistic. There is no way a person or organization can continue to support you financially, and you are working hard to fight it when it comes to legislation. Humans are vengeful, and they will ensure they limit your ability to prevent you from fighting them too much. The same will apply to nonprofits, they will feel inhibited when they receive government funds, and they will tend to reduce their lobbying efforts when it comes to fighting what the government proposes. The phrase “you do not bite the hand that feeds you” comes to the fore. Government funds support or feed nonprofits, and nonprofits will find it hard to bite the hand that feeds them by lobbying for legislation that the government does not support. Nonprofits cannot act badly toward the donors that help them or have been helping the organization. Lobbying could be seen as being unthankful, unappreciative, or ungrateful.
Lobbying comes in many forms, and when a nonprofit is involved in lobbying that supports the government, there will be no repercussions. The government will see the nonprofit is reinforcing its efforts, and its lobbying will not result in the nonprofit being penalized or denied funds in the future (Lu, 2018). However, the challenge arises when the government wants to implement a policy or legislation that harms the nonprofit and the nonprofit tries to lobby others to fight the legislation. The government will view the lobbying as being unthankful or unappreciative, and it might deny the nonprofit funds in the future. The goal would be to prevent the organization from having the financial means to lobby against the government. In most cases, the denial of funds might not affect the nonprofit, especially if the nonprofit has other donors. The nonprofit that will be impacted is the one that heavily relies on the government or is still young.
While the concerns are genuine, the nonprofit can use its non-federal funds to participate in lobbying. In this manner, the nonprofit will not be inhibited from lobbying, and the chances of them being denied funds are reduced. Please note the word used is reduced because we know human nature and if the nonprofit seeks funds from the same government, and the people in charge of approving the funds were there when the nonprofit lobbied against the government, they might refuse to approve the funds. Even if the nonprofit proves that it did not use the government funds for its lobbying, it did lobby against the government and prevented legislation from being implemented.
Part 2
Organization: Big Brother Big Sister of America
Policy of Analysis: Diversity and Inclusion
• Introduce the policy you are analyzing. Clearly explain how this policy is relevant to your client population and/or the organization.
All Big Brothers Big Sisters of America employees are mandated to carry out their duties to maintain the highest degree of ethical rigor. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America will adhere to federal and state laws focusing on human rights. Towards this, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America believes there are inherent benefits in having an inclusive and diverse organization that recognizes and values differences in its employees and clients. The organization is committed to inclusivity and diversity and makes the same promise to its employees, the community, and the clients it serves. The diversity and inclusivity policy demonstrates the organization’s belief that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their differences. Celebrating the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all its stakeholders is one way of ensuring that there is no discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or color. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is focused on offering mentorship to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds, and different people are willing to support the organization either by being mentors or financially. Therefore, mentors should not be allowed to select the mentees they can work with, and the policy ensures that there is no discrimination when it comes to matching mentors with mentees.
• Define the problem. What problem does the policy attempt to address? Discuss the prevalence of the problem. Consider different potential explanations in terms of causes of the problem.
The policy attempts to address the problem of differences in race, gender, ethnicity, or other things that make people different. Inclusion focuses on ensuring that people feel a sense of belonging in the organization (Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2022). The diversity and inclusion policy addresses the issue of an organization not having employees from different backgrounds and only hiring employees who meet specific criteria. The result is that some people will be qualified and will be denied the opportunity to work in the organization. In the United States, there is discrimination across different sectors, and specific organizations are discriminatory in their hiring processes. Racial and gender discrimination is the most prevalent discrimination people face in America. However, there is growing discrimination against people who identify differently due to their sexual orientation. Inclusion issues stem from the failure to treat employees fairly and respectfully. An organization might be favoring specific individuals, and they have the power to do as they will even if it ends up hurting others. If other employees attempt the same, they will be harshly punished or fired. The major causes of these problems stem from the slavery days when certain people are seen as better than others.
• Define the policy and alternatives. Summarize the basic tenets of the policy. How is the policy expected to help address the problem (i.e., what cause does it seek to address)? What alternative policies were considered, or could have been considered?
The diversity and inclusion policy aims to ensure that the organization hires a diverse workforce and that employees cooperate regardless of their differences. Employees and volunteers must follow the policy guidelines when interacting with each other, youth, and other organizational stakeholders. The policy seeks to address the lack of diversity in the organization by pushing for the inclusion of different people based on gender, sexual orientation, race, or color. Discrimination of any kind is not entertained in the organization since all employees are equal (Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2022). The organization is also an equal employee in that it only considers the qualifications of its employees and no other personal features like color, race, or gender. The policy will ensure that the organization hires qualified personnel from different backgrounds and it has mentors willing to work with youth from diverse backgrounds. With agencies located across America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America needed to ensure that its agencies do not deny youths an opportunity to work with a mentor due to their race, sexual orientation, gender, or color. The policy addresses all kinds of discrimination that might hinder youths from accessing services or being assisted by the organization. With diversity and inclusion, there are no other alternative policies that could be considered to address the problem.
• Describe policy implementation. Who is in charge of implementation? How is the process working? Have there been problems in implementation? Is a monitoring and evaluation system in place for the implementation? Describe it.
The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Council is responsible for implementing the diversity and inclusion policy in the organization (Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2022). The council was formed in 2021, and its purpose is to support the organization’s long-standing commitment to empowering the youth. The council members are charged with dismantling any inequities in the organization’s policies, programs, systems, and services. The JEDI council ensures the organization lives to its values of upholding diversity and inclusion. The challenge the organization faced was resistance from employees. However, resistance was overcome through training that started before the council was formed. The training informed the employees on the importance of diversity and inclusion and how it can propel the organization to greater heights. Monitoring and evaluation are done by the JEDI council, where the members check to ensure that employees and volunteers adhere to the policy through their work and how they relate to other stakeholders. The council hires people with experience to cultivate strategies, curate concepts, and advise the organization on JEDI issues affecting youth, volunteers, employees, and communities. The council members formulate strategies the organization can use to improve its diversity and inclusion policy. They monitor and evaluate the impact of the policy by interviewing employees, volunteers, youths, and mentors. The council members will also observe the interactions of employees and the youth to determine if they are being treated fairly.
• Evaluate the policy. Has the policy achieved what it intended? What were the costs and consequences of the policy? Overall, was the policy a “success” or a “failure”?
The diversity and inclusion policy has achieved what was intended in the organization. The first step towards inclusion was to hire a CEO of color who would represent the face of many youths who receive assistance from the organization. With a CEO of color, the organization would demonstrate to the youths it serves its desire to welcome and support them. The JEDI council pushes for the elimination of inequities in how the organization operates, and it analyzes all the policies, programs, services, and systems offered by the organization to ensure they meet the threshold of diversity and inclusion (Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2022). The organization had to provide training to the employees and volunteers on diversity and inclusion, and it also hired JEDI council members who are paid for sitting on the board. The consequence is that the organization now has a diverse workforce, representing the differences we have in America. The policy is a success because the organization has attracted more donors and new members willing to join the JEDI council. The employees and volunteers are more diverse, and they understand the different needs of youths supported by the organization. Stakeholders have noted the changes in employee treatment, and they appreciate the implementation of the policy.
• Make a recommendation. Recommend a policy action based on your analysis of the set of alternatives and your evaluation of the current policy. Articulate reasons, supported by facts and evidence, why the policy proposal you have chosen would be the best avenue for addressing the issue in question.
I would recommend the organization implement an evaluation that uses metrics to measure the performance of the policy. Using the JEDI council to determine the effectiveness of the policy might be limiting because the council members have no way of determining if what they observe translates to the clients. All policies should be measured to assess their effectiveness. Therefore, using a performance measurement with set targets, the organization can conduct annual analysis and measurements to see if the policy is bringing the results expected (Worth, 2020). Performance measurement should include aspects that focus on clients (youths) and other stakeholders. These are the individuals who can give an accurate measure of how they perceive the organization regarding diversity and inclusivity. Clients could also be requested to provide feedback on their interaction with volunteers and employees of the organization. The input would demonstrate how the client was handled and how they felt after the exchange. While having a diversity and inclusion policy might encourage employees to be friendly to all clients, there is a chance that their body language might be saying otherwise. These are the measurements that determine if the policy is working or not. Clients’ perceptions will determine the organization’s image to the public, and a positive image will set the organization apart from others.
Part 3
Identify the trauma reminders and the loss reminders for Geraldine. Discuss how the grandmother’s prior trauma history, her current trauma, and her loss reactions challenge her capacity to care for Geraldine and her sister.
Geraldine’s trauma reminders and the loss reminders are sirens, strong voices of adult men in positions of authority, hospitals, hearing her grandmother and godmother talk about the incident and upcoming trial, violent TV shows, her baby sister crying, smelling or seeing blood, smelling alcohol, seeing men who look like her dad, being around family members who resemble her mom, teachers yelling at students, and seeing people getting into a fight. The grandmother’s trauma history limits her ability to care for Geraldine because she cannot handle the negative emotions Geraldine experiences. The grandmother’s prior trauma was never dealt with, and she might be blaming herself for what happened to her daughter. She could never care for her daughter after leaving her husband because she did not have the emotional capacity to raise her. Now she is forced to care for two young children placed on her due to her daughter’s death. The grandmother has stated she feels overwhelmed because there is additional responsibility placed on her, and she still has to deal with her daughter’s death.
There are chances of the grandmother developing PTSD symptoms because she is reminded of the trauma she underwent every time she sees the children. She knows and understands the reason she is caring for the children is that an abusive husband killed their mother. The information would remind her of the trauma she suffered from her husband and how he used to beat her. Since she never underwent therapy to learn how to manage the negative emotions, she is not the right person to be left to raise the children. Her strategy was to run away from the trauma, and constant reminders could make her emotionally unstable, and she might harm or hurt the children. She is already struggling to care for Jasmine, whom she claims is always crying.
Describe how Geraldine’s supportive ties with her godmother are protective factors that can help reduce the adverse effects of her severe stress.
Protective factors increase a child’s well-being and reduce the likelihood of the child suffering. The godmother was very close to both Tanya and Geraldine, and she was a constant visitor to their house. Sarah is concerned for the two sisters, and she seems interested in offering her support to care for them during this challenging time. The godmother has not suffered any trauma, and she can support Geraldine through her trauma by nurturing and building an attachment. Geraldine needs nurturing and attachment, which she lacks now that her mother is unavailable. Geraldine’s supportive bond with her godmother could offer her the nurturing she needs and improve her behavior and development. Geraldine can develop trust that her godmother will provide what she needs to thrive and the protection she requires. The grandmother has her trauma that she has to deal with, and she is reminded of her trauma whenever she cares for the grandchildren, reducing her ability to offer nurturing and attachment.
To overcome the adverse effects of severe stress, Geraldine needs support from a person who is not trying to deal with their trauma. Someone who can understand and support her without bringing onto her additional trauma. The godmother does not have a history of trauma, allowing her to develop a close bond with Geraldine. The godmother genuinely shows care, and she offers positive guidance to Geraldine. Therefore, Geraldine will learn to trust her and feel safe in her hands with time. Having a consistent and caring adult in a child’s life is associated with an increased ability to cope with stress. The godmother can be the caring adult and offer Geraldine the protective factor of attachment, allowing her to form a close association with her godmother. When Geraldine knows she has someone supporting and cheering her, she can be vulnerable with the person and face the world’s challenges since she knows there is enough support coming from her godmother.
Identify the secondary adversities and intra-familial disruptions for Geraldine and Explain the difference between normal grief and traumatic grief as it relates to Geraldine.
The secondary adversities for Geraldine are social stigma and legal proceedings. The intra-familial disruptions are witnessing domestic violence, physical violence, and physical abuse of her grandmother and her incarcerated father. Normal grief is a natural emotional process of healing after a loss, allowing for the intensity of the pain and sadness to decrease over time as one moves forward in their life. Traumatic grief is the emotional response to a terrible event like the death of Geraldine’s mother. Geraldine is still in denial that her mother is gone, and she keeps hoping that her mother will come back soon. Geraldine blames God for not listening to her mother when she called out to him before she died, which demonstrates she is in the denial and bargaining stage of normal grief. However, she also shows traumatic grief when the intensity of her denial increases, leading her to nightmares and an increased heartbeat. Geraldine has severe flashbacks that prevent her from overcoming the grief she suffers from losing her mother. Normal grief is losing her mother, and she struggles to process the effects of the loss.
Geraldine is processing her mother’s death from an emotional point where she recalls the events of the night and how helpless she was to assist her mother. She scans her environment for reminders of her mother, which is why she has triggers every time she sees someone who resembles her mother. Geraldine is hypervigilant caused by her mother’s death, and she keeps wishing she could be reunited with her mother. When she attended the funeral, Geraldine did not demonstrate normal grief. She displayed little emotion, which might hinder her from accepting her mother’s death. With normal grief, Geraldine would have cried during her mother’s funeral, and this would have assisted her in coming to terms with what happened. However, she was in denial, and she did not want to believe that her mother was gone.
Part 4
a. Research a natural disaster or community violence event that occurred inside or outside the United States, provide a link to an article. After researching the event in your opinion, was the event treated from a trauma-informed approach?
Erie High school shooting is a gun violence event that took place in Pennsylvania on 5 April 2022 (Blanco, 5 April 2022). The shooter was a student at Erie High School, and they fired up to eight shots injuring another student. While the details of the event are still emerging, the shooting reminded the country of the numerous school shootings that have taken place in America in the past. The school was closed for two weeks, and no student was allowed to attend classes physically or online (News Editorial Board, 13 April 2022). The school stated that it would make counselors available to the students to process the trauma they might have undergone (Blanco, 5 April 2022). The move made by the school of availing counselors recognizes that students could suffer trauma related to the shooting, and the school was trying to assist them in handling or dealing with the trauma. By availing counselors, the school recognizes the effects of the shooting and understands how best to address the trauma students might have undergone.
The decision made by the school to avail counselors was a good move, and it would assist students who find themselves struggling to manage the effects of the shootings. However, there was also a need to inform the parents about signs to look out for and how parents can talk to their children about trauma. Parents will be the closest guardians and support system the students will have after the shooting trauma. Therefore, they need to know how to assist their children. Advising parents on how they can talk to their children and what they need to do if they notice certain new behaviors would have increased the support for the students. The school should ensure it provides services to the students when they resume school, and counselors should still be availed to the students in the weeks after they continue school. High school students might have unhealthy coping strategies like taking drugs or alcohol. Behavior changes after the shooting should not be assumed to be misconduct. The students should be directed to a counselor who would advise if they need therapy. The counselor should have the experience to recognize the differences between trauma and behavioral misconduct.
b. Were concepts that you learned in the NCTSN Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) used in this event? If they were not what concepts from the Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) training could you apply to this event? Did any protective factors emerge from this event and was resiliency created by the event?
During the Erie High School event, the school administration identified that some of the students might need counseling services, and this is what informed them to avail counselors for the students. The idea behind availing the counselors was to conduct an assessment to identify the students’ needs, concerns, and priorities (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, 2022). After the initial counseling session, it would be determined if a student needs a referral to a higher level. The school cannot determine how many students were traumatized by the event. It can only encourage them to make use of the counseling services provided. Promoting healthy activities would be the skills training that could apply to the school shooting. The students should be encouraged to perform pleasant activities like reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music, writing a letter, or setting a goal. These activities will assist the student to focus on something they enjoy and give them a moment to not focus on the traumatic event.
The protective factors that came from the event were how the students assisted each other during the shooting. Students kept each other safe, and they offered to help the wounded student. The school provided social support to the students by availing counselors. In the aftermath of the shooting, students need to know they can speak to someone who understands what happened and would guide them to manage their stressful thoughts or emotions. Other students avail social support in that they could talk with each other about the event. The event might have created resiliency, but it is too soon to determine. Considering the event took place two weeks ago, we cannot tell how the students will cope with the trauma they experienced. The good thing is that there have been no reports of struggling by the students. However, based on past shooting events, we expect the students to become more resourceful and resilient when it comes to handling the event. References