Teens and the Media

Learning about teenagers and families at- risk, I understand that there are many influences outside of the home that promote unhealthy behavior. From a parental perspective, lack of education, generational habits, and preferences of unhealthy life styles all may have an effect on a parents ability to understand and properly nurture their teens as they go through complex developmental phases. From a teenagers perspective, outside influences greatly stem from peer pressure, natural inhibitions to explore risky behavior, and the media messages. the articles below will expose examples of how the media portrays the healthy romantic, family, and peer relationships.

Article 1
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=9236579
Article 2
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2009/11/23/2009-11-23_with_tough_rated_r_rihanna_looks_back_in_anger.html
Article 3
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/new-substance-abuse-facility-rural-nc-fill-urgent-need
Article 4
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1226896/Gossip-Girls-Hilary-Duff-shares-lesbian-kiss-star-controversial-threesome-episode.html
Article 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxzsTSRXY9w&feature=player_embedded
Article 6
http://www.examiner.com/x-27195-SF-Movies-Examiner~y2009m11d17-Movie-Review-Good-Hair-2009

Economics and the Evolution of the American Family

Economics is comprised of statistics that express how social welfare and governmental policies combine to effect the way Americans use resources, prefer certain lifestyles, and labor on a daily basis. All of these choices affects how families develop based off what resources they consume, can afford, and utilize when competing with the rest of society. Lack of , or over consumption, of resources, also influence social stratus amongst families. This differentiation in social status can either promote or burden families when developing an identity as to how they contribute to society.
Also, with advances in technology, family structure and communication is changing. Families who were once separated by distance are closer through Internet allowances. Parents now have the responsibility of protecting their children from the vast dangers of the web compared to what used to be local predators. Articles below express how economics and change in the idea of the "all American family" has affected lives all over the nation.



Article 1
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/18/job-losses-deliver-09-baby-bust/

Article 2
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/In-the-Literature/2008/Feb/Its-a-Family-Affair--Consumer-Advocacy-for-Nursing-Home-Residents-in-the-United-States.aspx?view=print

Article 3
http://www.divorcesource.com/AZ/ARTICLES/stewart2.html

Article 4
http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/011909p18.shtml

Article 5
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-04-22-santorum-gays_x.htm

Article 6
http://www.startribune.com/nation/31419064.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUJ

Article 7
http://www.newsweek.com/id/194886/output/print

Article 8
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/us/17census.html

Article 9
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27well.html?pagewanted=print

Mental Health

Having a total of three years working with disability services I have gained a sensitivity to the needs of those who are physically and mentally challenged. Experiences with all ages have helped me to better distinguish differences between disabilities, procedures taken by many organizations to ensure proper care and health of clients, how to respond to various crisis situations ( injury response, anger management, etc.), and some of the organizations out there that aid disabled individuals in gaining a voice within their communities. Two organizations ( funded by the ARC and other contributors) have had a profound effect on my interest in mental health affairs; Career Opportunity Development Incorporated (CODI) of Egg Harbor, New Jersey and Beyond Academics (BA) of Greensboro, North Carolina.

Working with CODI taught me skills regarding how to effectively facilitate vocational skill trainings, the importance of having an supportive and well educated staff, as well as, the importance of gaining a positive relationships with clients that leads them to trust me with their needs. This helps me to better understand and assist them while also gaining meaningful friendships along the way.


Some of the wonderfully supportive CODI staff

CODI family

Ms. Liz- my adopted mom and cafeteria supervisor

BA gave me a strong insight into the lifestyle of a disabled individual. Think of simple everyday rituals that the average individual takes for granted like, grocery shopping, being able to budget money, traveling to town, associating with individuals within our immediate communities. Beyond academics is a program that teaches vocational skills to a select group of disabled young adults to older individuals and connects them with local college students to help them assemble easier into surrounding college communities.

These college community supporters are trained to participate and coach students in activities like taking the city bus to shop and travel to in- town locations, attending church, doing domestic inventory, associating with other college students, etc. However, due to tough economic times, BA , along with many other government funded programs, are funding it harder to effectively maintain employees while servicing clients. The students have a great deal of skills and optimism to offer to our community and working with both programs have fueled me to gain a higher concern and respect for both the clients and variety of professions that aid in disability services.

With Rob and co- worker Katlyn at a community gathering

On the way to church with Raeshika.

Article 1
http://njcodi.org/CODI/News/Codi_Pride_2008_Summer.pdf
Article2
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/02/112480/the-bournewood-case.html
Article 3
http://www.lincolntribune.com/modules/news/print.php?storyid=13573
Article 4
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/07/mental-health-reform-for-virginia//print/

Article 5

http://pr-usa.net/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=279790&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=30

Article 6

http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/exc_082009.shtml

Article 7

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/21/health/21patient.html

Article 8

http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/government-medicine/20091202state-leg-reform.html

Article 9
http://suburban.gmnews.com/news/2008/0117/Editorials/016.html

Today's Social Worker

The future of the social work profession is progressing everyday. From development of organizations such as National Association of Social Workers, to the roles of social workers within legislation, social work is a profession that takes care of the public as well as the nurtures the well being of it's own laborers. The following articles serve the primary function of bring attention to the struggles that social workers may face in the field and actions taken to protect social workers physically, as well as, economically. These also display the many positive accomplishments of everyday social workers, resources developed and provided through their work, and fresh ideas for programs that can be used by others or made stronger through further exploration (focus on youth and elderly.)

Article 1
http://www.kentucky.com/471/v-print/story/982278.html

Article 2
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/baby-p/3630234/Government-to-reform-social-services-after-Baby-P-case.html

Article 3
http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/socialwork

Article 4
http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/112309p8.shtml

Article 5
http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/070708p38.shtml
Article 6
http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/072009p12.shtml
Article 7
http://www.naswnyc.org/1199.htm
Article 8
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113345/resources-barrier-to-taskforces-practice-based-masters-plan.htm
Article 9 ( NC' s social worker of the year: Daniel R Beerman)
http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/article_981e124c-dc2e-11de-8ae0-001cc4c002e0.html

Community Support and Networking

Experiences from this semester have taught me how valuable having a good network is. My plans to facilitate ( or aid in a present organization) that promotes social development of underprivileged youth lead me to search for the processes and trainings required to efficiently establish and maintain such an organization. My volunteer experiences have taught me the chain of commands, boards, councils, and community support that all combine to financially, and effectively run a program. Content from classes have expressed how involved religious groups are in supporting the disadvantaged and how network through churches has historically sustained the welfare of many communities. The following articles discuss the advantages of networking between legislators, social workers, and community activists and ways community support helps in the accomplishment of ameliorating the state of social welfare.
Article 1
http://www.swnebr.net/newspaper/cgi-bin/articles/articlearchiver.pl?153459

Article 2
http://gidedicated.com/stories/12302007/fea_youtnotes30.shtml

Article 3
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/obama_signs_service_bill_that_expands_volunteer_programs.html

Article 4
http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/10/30/article/nonprofit_provides_free_legal_advice

Article 5 (*)
http://www.uncg.edu/hes/alldocs/sweethome.html

Article 6
http://www.4029tv.com/news/19783177/detail.html

Article 7 ( how reforming econonomy supports community socially and environmentally)
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/world/china-pours-billions-into-social-policy/2008/03/05/1204402555954.html

Article 8
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/new-substance-abuse-facility-rural-nc-fill-urgent-need

Education System

One of my career goals consist of the plan to develop a recreational program that aims to aid youth ( with a focus on underprivileged communities) by providing the educational, emotional, pshycological, and ethical support needed to thrive in today's society regardless of economic background. The school system plays an important role in the lives of our youth due to the variety of influences that it exposes them to. I feel that by combining the recreational interest of the youth, the educational and influential opportunities offered ( or required) through schools,with the expertise that social workers posses to connect communities with the resources to thrive, constitutes a recipe for progression. In the following articles, I aim to expose both the negative and the positive effects of our school systems and the role that technology plays in the development of our youth. I also share the roles that social workers can have to make future educational experience a better one for tomorrow's youth.

Article 1
http://www.ncrecovery.gov/news/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?newsItemID=62

Article 2
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/04/future.library.technology/index.html?iref=newssearch

Article 3
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090907-NEWS-909070332

Article 4
http://www.tuttlesvc.org/2009/06/social-work-school-reform.html

Article 5
http://asunews.asu.edu/20090806_conexiones

Article 6
http://www.startribune.com/local/east/41068207.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiacyKUHDYaGEP7eyckcUs
Article 7
http://www.lelandtribune.com/default.asp?dismode=article&artid=1827
Article 8
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/fashion/03sexed.html?hp

Poverty

In my opinion, poverty continues to be a large social problem in America due to negative stigmas attached to the disposition and the government’s inefficiency to handle the cyclic occurrences associated with poverty that make it a struggle for most individuals or families to work their way out. Poverty has been associated a lack of effort to work, a statistical outcome of lesser developed environments, lack of personal responsibility, etc. Since the early 1600’s, the poor have been considered a nuisance to society. I believe that that view travels into the minds of the public and professionals (doctors, conservatives) and aids in the establishment of a caste system that makes the poor out to be individuals undeserving of compassion and assistance from those in more advantaged situations. Having experienced homelessness, I believe that although many who experience poverty have influenced their position, there are many who have fallen on hard times due to the high standards within market cost and economic declines. These articles give insight into specific poverty cases and services offered to alleviate disadvantages of the poor.

Article 1
http://poverty.suite101.com/article.cfm/community_outreach_programs_provide_assistance

Article 2
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2009/08/07/2435

Article 3
http://poverty.suite101.com/article.cfm/poverty_in_north_carolina

Article 4 (*video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx760Wv2oS4

Article 5
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/62911.html

Article 6
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/12/02/article/emergency_shelters_open_for_the_winter
Article 7
http://www.digtriad.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=102160&catid=57
Article 8
http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/09/07/daily29.html
Article 9
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/state/story/161245.html