1. Module Two Research Continuum April 2011 Update

2. Module Two Research Continuum OBJECTIVES 1.Understand the causes of poverty in order to assist people in poverty to build resources. 2.Understand what is needed to build sustainable communities.

3. Module Two Research Continuum/Causes Activity Think, Pair & Share 1.Work in groups. 2.Create a list of what you think are the causes of poverty in Dauphin County. 3.Choose two or three to share with the larger group.

4. Behaviors of the Individual Absence of Human and Social Capital Within the Community Human Exploitation Political/Economic Structures Research Continuum

5. Research Continuum – Causes Research Topics Behaviors of the Individual 1.Dependency 2.Single parenthood 3.Behavior or individuals and groups 4.Values/work ethic 5.Breakup of families 6.Addiction, mental illness, domestic violence

6. Behaviors of the Individual 1.By studying the poor, we will learn what changes need to be made. 2.The poor are somehow “lacking” either by choice or circumstance. 3.Poverty is a sustainable condition; it will always be with us. 4.Don’t blame the system – change the individual. Research Continuum Assumptions

7. 1.Lack of employment 2.Lack of education/skills 3.Declining neighborhoods 4.Middle class flight 5.Lack of career ladder Human and Social Capital Research Topics

8. By studying human and social capital, we will learn how to work within the community to create acceptable conditions for those at the bottom. Human and Social Capital Assumptions

9. Human Exploitation Research Topics 1.A Minimum Wage versus a living wage 2.Temporary jobs 3.Employers that hire only less than full time employees 4.Jobs that lack benefits 5.Global outsourcing 6.Predatory lending – pay day lenders 7.Locating trash incinerators in poverty sections – decreasing property values

10. Human Exploitation Assumptions 1.In America the belief is that if one works hard, he/she can overcome all existing exploitations. 2.The dominant culture is reluctant to legitimize this category and to acknowledge existing exploitations – and is often resistant to new strategies.

11. Political/Economic Structures Research Topics 1.Economic disparity 2.Undue influence of corporations on legislation 3.Tax structures that shift tax burden 4.Decline in wages for the bottom 90% 5.De-industrialization 6.CEO-to-line-worker ratio

12. Political/Economic Structures Assumptions 1.Studying the poor is not the same thing as studying poverty; political/economic structures contribute to poverty. 2.The middle class and people in poverty have the right to influence structures in their own interests just as other classes have done. 3.Don’t blame the individual: change the political/economic structure.

13. Since 1977 20,000,00013,000 Poorest═ Richest Families Families Source: The New York Times Magazine, October 2002

14. Dauphin Quick Facts Source: www.city-data.com/county/Dauphin (2009)www.city-data.com/county/Dauphin Dauphin County Population Harrisburg City 258,934 47,418 85% Urban 15% Rural % of folks living in poverty (2009)Dauphin Co. 13.3% U.S. Poverty Rate 12.5% Poverty by Race White/non Hispanic 8.4% (76% of population Hispanic 14.2% poverty 4% of population African/American 23.6% poverty 17% of population

15. Budgeting for Poverty 2011 Poverty Guidelines A family with two adults and two children making $22,350 a year is living in poverty, according to the federal government's 2011 poverty guidelines. (Federal Register, Jan 20, 2011) 2 adults working full time at minimum wage – annual income = $30,160 How far does that money go? –Housing = (in Harrisburg city, median rental = $659) $7908 –Child Care = (1 child @ $120 week) = $6,000 –Food = ($75 per week) = $4,000 –Transportation = $1,200 –Health Care = $12,000 (family coverage – low deductable) –Miscellaneous = (utilities, shoes, clothing, etc.) TOTAL = $31,108

16. Budgeting for Poverty, continued And the family still doesn't have everything it needs. Now the decision is - what to leave out: cleaning supplies, beds, furniture, education, life insurance. And what happens when unexpected expenses such as emergency car repairs, home emergencies, and uncovered emergency medical expenses arise?

17. Strategies Behaviors of the Individual –Jobs –Job skills and training, education, literacy –Support families –Affordable child care – quality child care Human and Social Capital –Improve education, enhance job skills –Full employment opportunities –Safe communities, Neighborhood associations –Head Start –Hold systems accountable

18. Strategies Continued Human Exploitation –Educate ourselves about current exploitation –Recognize our own involvement –Make the system fair Political/Economic Structure –Whole system planning –Create intellectual capital –Economic stability for all –Accountability beyond shareholder profits

19. Module Two Research Continuum/Causes Activity Think, Pair & Share 1.Work in groups. 2.Use the Community Sustainability Grid. 3.Identify some strategies that you/your agency are currently doing/can do to combat poverty. 4.Choose two or three to share with the larger group.

20. This work is based on patterns. All patterns have exceptions. Key Point # 1

21. We can’t blame the victims of poverty for being in poverty. Key Point # 2

22. Poverty is relative. Key Point # 3

23. Schools and businesses operate from middle-class norms and use the hidden rules of middle class. Key Point # 4

24. For some folks, we must understand their hidden rules and teach them the rules that will make them successful at school, work, and in the community. Key Point # 5

25. Module Two Research Continuum Conclusions 1.There is valid research in all 4 areas. 2.A continuum of strategies covering all 4 areas is needed.