Life in the Cycle of Poverty

Level: Advanced Practice – Lineworker

Credits: 6

Intended Audience: Line Workers, Income Maintenance Workers, Public Health Nurses and others interested in deepening their understanding of the life faced by clients caught in the cycle of poverty.

Objectives:

• To define the cycle of poverty
• To identify characteristics of the poor
• To examine fairness/equity issues of those caught in the cycle of poverty
• To discuss the challenges/barriers to escaping the cycle of poverty
• To present techniques for delivering more fair and equitable services for better client outcomes

Topics Include:

• The culture of poverty: blame the victim
• The meaning of being poor
• Characteristics of the poor
• Values of the poor
• Environmental stressors
• Coping strategies
• Social inequity and its impact
• Transitioning out of poverty
• The role of the CSW worker

ASFA Outcomes Addressed:

• Child Well Being
• Family Well Being
• Child Safety

CalSWEC Competencies Addressed:

2.10 Student is developing an understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice when engaging clients living the Cycle of Poverty.

3.3 Student demonstrates the ability to understand the influences, effects and impacts of living in poverty