Assessing the Usage of Services for Single Mothers Abstract Barriers of single mothers often include minimal education and skills, non-existence of resources, absence of financial and emotional support from the child(ren)’s father. These barriers are reinforced by low paying employment, lack of or improper assistance, and lack of knowledge of assistance available in their community. This study is designed to offer insight on these barriers, and to promote education of social service programs that may benefit this population. Identification of details of cases, extent of predicament, and the impact needed for improvement of policies, may advance the development of policies that benefit single mothers and their families. Keywords: Empowerment; Disparity; Stability; Single mothers Objectives Research will describe barriers single mothers face and provide an analysis of theoretical framework, strengths, limitations, ethical considerations, and implications for social work practice. Educating single mothers about resources, may create opportunities for realistic goals, to acquire family-sustaining earnings, opportunities for advancement, and the ability to obtain stability. Hypothesis When single mothers are educated on social service resources available in their community, there may be an increase in the stability of their lives. Theoretical Framework Social Cognitive Theory: “unemployment and welfare receipt can weaken mothers’ self-assurance” (Jackson & Scheines, 2005). Karl Marx’s Social Conflict Theory: Barriers single mothers and their children face are unfair; even when housing is obtained it should be affordable and the environment should be healthy as well (Shriver, 2010). Methodology Anonymous quantitative face-to-face survey; 17 questions regarding demographics and the usage and knowledge of social services. Participant qualifications are single mothers between ages Participants resided in the Fort Worth area. 38 participants Background Nationally, women are one and half times more likely to live in poverty than men (DeNavas-Walt, Proctor, and Smith, 2013). Previous research has shown that single mothers are “likely to report multiple and serious barriers to work, including low education, learning disabilities, health problems” (Blank, R. M. 2007). Results Education:Did Not Answer (2.7%); High School Diploma (18.9%); Some College (24.3%); Associates Degree (35.1 %); Bachelors Degree (13.5%); Other (5.4%) Lifestyle Concerns: Food (35.1 %); Clothing (13.5%); Housing (29.7 %); Finances (64.9%); Healthcare (40.5%) Services Received Medicaid (56.8%); TANF (10.8%); SNAP (43.2%); Housing Assistance (18.9%); Unemployment (0%); Childcare Assistance (5.4%) Services Applied : Medicaid (70.3%); TANF (40.5%); SNAP (59.5%); Housing Assistance (51.4%); Childcare Assistance (24.3%) Service Denied: Medicaid (16.2%); TANF (29.7%); SNAP (18.9%); Housing Assistance (21.6%); Childcare Assistance (24.3%) Received Information of Other Services: Yes (8.1)%; No (48.6%); N/A (40.5%); Did Not Answer (2.7%) Strengths Survey respondents were engaged and eager to participate. Limitations Our research only focused on 38 participants, which does not provide accurate statistical information. Implications for Social Work Practice By supplementing welfare and low wages, the federal government provides several forms of assistance. Low-wage earning single mothers may still be concerned about sufficient income to provide food, clothing, health care, work transportation and child care. On a micro level, social service agencies can provide information and resources that aid single mothers in gaining stability. On a macro level, social work practitioners can advocate for policy changes that may provide education of services, consequently allowing stability and breaking the chain of poverty. Tarleton State University References Blank, R. M. (2007). Improving the safety net for single mothers who face serious barriers to work. The Future of Children, 17(2), DeNavas, C., Proctor, B.D., and Smith, J.C. (2010) Who are the poor?. Gale, Cengage Learning. Sullivan, A., in “HMS Pinafore” quoted in Andrews, R.; Biggs, M., & Seidel, M., et al. (1996). Jackson, A. P., & Scheines, R. (2005). Single mothers' self-efficacy, parenting in the home environment, and children's development in a two- wave study. Social Work Research. Schriver, J. M., (2010).Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Shifting Paradigms in Essential Knowledge for Social Work Practice. Pearson. 5th Ed.