What are Social and Human Services?

Imagine a family… Mother (31), father (29) and three children (7, 4 and 2). Mother and children are American citizens. Father is undocumented, having come to the U.S. with his family at age 12. Both parents have been working, but due to decline in economy, father has been unemployed off and on, mostly off, for the last 2 years. They barely make it from month to month on moms income and father has become ill. They have no insurance. They have family in the area that are supportive in many ways except financially…everyone is struggling. Mother has two year college degree; father has high school education.

Think, pair and share 1.What does this family need? 2.What factors are affecting their ability to get their needs met? 3.What are we, as a society, responsible for helping them obtain? 4.What is a minimally decent life? 5.What is the social minimum

Systems Theory Micro – who is closely involved in the clients day to day life? Meso – what are the interactions like between those in the clients microsystem? Exo – what social systems does the person interact with? Macro – What values, beliefs, worldviews of society influence the person?

Delivery of Human Services Where do people go to get help? Charitable work Mutual aid systems Faith-based organizations Nonprofit organizations For profit organizations Private entities Government

Funding of Human Services Private pay Foundations Grants Charitable contributions Tax revenues

Current Situation Large cuts at: City –2.1% from HHS County –7.4% from Public health –2.1% from Law, Safety & Justice State –280 million from DSHS; 113 million from healthcare

Washington State Tax System 1.Sources of income-General Fund Retail sales tax: 52.5% Business & Occupation tax: 19.5% Property tax: 10.4% Real estate excise tax: 4.1% Public Utility tax: 2.6% All other taxes: 10.8% 2.The reliance on sales tax results in a regressive tax system. 3.It also has resulted in a projected decrease in revenues of 1.4 billion between now and 06/13

Initiative http:// 2 What it does: –Taxes income above $200,000/400,000 –Doubles the tax credit for Business and Occupation Tax –Reduces state portion of property tax by 20% –$$$ goes to education and healthcare

Influences on Social and Human Services

Values of the profession Respect integrity of the client. Right to self-determination Recognize and build on client strengths Awareness of laws, advocate for change Understand the complex interaction between individuals, families, community Etc.

Belief systems/philosophies Institutional view or Residual view Irritation response theory or Self- actualization

Client advocacy groups Childrens Alliance King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Washington Tax Fairness Coalition SHARE/WHEEL Etc.

Oppression Racism Sexism Classism Heterosexism Etc.