Five Services for At-Risk Families Living in Poverty in Western Sydney region Australia - Essay Example

?Introduction In Western Sydney, there are a variety of agencies, in every township, which cater to the poor. Many of these agencies provide legal advice for child custody situations, and help for domestic violence. Still others provide more basic services, such as food and information. That said, these agencies have a long ways to go until they can address the issues which are paramount when dealing with the impoverished – studies about the poor show that health issues are crucial, in that health issues both cause poverty and are caused by poverty; that lone parents are at a particular disadvantage and are much more likely to live in poverty than intact families; that Aborigines have an extremely high rate of poverty; that the poor are much more likely to simultaneously suffer from food insecurity and obesity; that the poor overwhelmingly face social exclusion; and that low academic achievement among children from poor families continues the cycle of poverty. This essay will examine five agencies in the Western Sydney area which serves the poor, and the literature review will examine the studies which are done regarding the poor. Finally, this essay will critique the agencies by looking at what the literature cites as being most important, and reviewing if these agencies meet these urgent needs. Body There are several agencies which serve the impoverished in the Western Sydney area. Below are listed five of these agencies. 1. Community Links Wollondilly, Camden, Campbelltown, Wingecarribee. Contact Information Wollondilly 6 Harper Close Tahmoor NSW 2572 Phone-02-4683-2776 Camden 70 Topham Road Smeatong Grange NSW 2567 Phone – 02-4647-4550 Goal – to support disadvantaged families and communities, to provide with the capacity to manage their lives. Target population – all disadvantaged families. Structure – Divided into four programs. One provides support to families. Another provides support for children, young people and their families. Three provides a child and family worker. Four provides intake services and family support teams. Program outcomes – Families are able to get support, information, activities and referrals as necessary. Duration – Indefinite. Content For families Support, information, activities and referrals. Events. Social inclusion programs for people with mental health concerns. School activities. Asperger’s support. Workshops, talks and events. For children, young people and their families. Information and referral. Advocacy. Activities and groups. Skills development. Child and family workers offer Information, advice and referral regarding Family breakdowns – what to do when there is an issue with the family, such as separation, dissolution or death. Legal and financial matters, which might include advice regarding child protection services, dissolution of marriage, custody issues, etc. Barriers to employment Mental health concerns. Alcohol and drug addictions. Isolation – such as when families are living in isolated areas. Playgroups. Workshops on children. Toy library. Intake service and family support team provides Assistance through crisis. Groups, referrals, information. Help with reaching goals. 2. Marist Youth Care 36 First Ave. Blacktown NSW 2148 Phone – 02-9672-9200 Goal - The stated goal of this operation is to provide young people and their families with housing and support, as well as housing and support for unaccompanied minors. They also provide education, training, accommodation services for homeless and high-risk youth. Also, out of home care for young people living in residential programs. Structure – Is divided into 6 different categories – 1) Accommodation services; 2) Education; 3) Training; 4) Support and Therapy; 5) Engagement services; 6) Aboriginal Specific services. Target Population – Youths and their families. Outcomes – Youths are helped with their education, training and support, and rough sleeping youths are brought into residential programs. Duration – Indefinite. Content Accommodation services Out of home care for young people living in residential programs. Youth specialist homeless programs. Education services Restorative justice. Youth connections. Pete’s Place school. Unaccompanied minor’s program. Community Detention program. Training services Youth connections. Affordable housing for life. Community engagement Community outreach. Community support program. Indigenous youth services. Aboriginal Specific Aboriginal youth services. Community support. 3. Wollondilly Shire Council – The Dilly Wanderer Contact Information Fiona Devine 4677 8211, 0408 219 393 Goals – To work in partnership with the local community, service providers and other levels of government to provide a mobile outreach service to isolated rural areas across the Wollondilly Shire. To provide a flexible free mobile activity, community information and community development service, including parent support, mentoring, social skill development. To provide access to outreach components of local and regional community service providers, information and local and regional services promotion. Structure – Operates as a mobile community, and visits nine different locations throughout the Wollondilly Shire every month. Operates year round, including school holidays. Outcomes – Families are provided with services through the mobile community which helps them navigate issues regarding their family situation. Duration – Monthly. Target Population Families who have a baby, toddler or primary school aged child; Parents who may be feeling the demands of parenthood; Families who are socially isolated or new to the area; Parents who have possibly been parenting alone. Content Provides information to families on: parenting skills; developmental stages of children; health issues; and community events and services. Outreach services. 4. Birthright - Lone parent family support service Contact Information 126 Marsden Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150 T      : (02) 9893 8249  F      : (02) 9687 2106 E      : admin@lpfss.ngo.org.au Goals – to provide support for single parent homes. Structure – Is divided up into different departments. 1) Counselling; 2) Family support; 3) Support Groups; 4) Newsletter; 5) Library; 6) Courses. Target population – Lone parents. Outcomes – Single parents are provided with a broad range of services that are targeted for their unique situation. Duration – Indefinite. Content Counselling Provides counselling for lone parent families who are experiencing a crisis situation. Family support Provides families with a social worker who can help the family navigate the social services system. The social worker may guide the family in obtaining benefits, such as through the Department of Community Services. Information may also be provided to families regarding groups and services. Court support may also be provided. Support Groups These are support groups for lone mums and dads, where other lone mums and dads may meet and talk about their issues. Guest speakers are invited every week to address the group. Topics at these groups include budgeting, home management and parenting skills. Newsletter Provides both articles regarding topics which might be of interest to the lone parent, as well as posts information regarding upcoming events. Library Provides a small selection of helpful books. Courses Parenting skills courses are available. Self-esteem courses are also available. Other courses include courses which are specifically geared towards the lone parent. 5. Gateway Family Services Contact Information 70 Old Bathurst Rd. Blaxland 2774 NSW (02) 4739-5963 Goals – To provide support for families. Structure – Provides both emergency relief and on-going family worker programs. Each of these different programs under the umbrella of Gateway Family Services. Target Population – Low income families. Outcomes – The desired outcomes is to that families can have emergency relief when they need it, for food, financial relief and advocacy. Another desired outcome is that families can have information about government programs, as well as family counselling, support for pregnant women and domestic violence relief. Duration – Indefinite. Content Family Worker Program Provides information to families about governmental programs. Provides counselling. Provides information and relief from domestic violence. Provides support for pregnant women. Provides support for children who have behavioral problems. Emergency Relief Provides food assistance – both food vouchers and fresh food. Provides financial assistance up to $150 for families. One of the reasons why services are needed is to assist the indigenous population. According to Altman (2007), one of the groups which is hardest hit by poverty in Australia is the indigenous population, with 40% of indigenous peoples living below the poverty line in Australia. The indigenous population of Australia also has a very high fertility rate, a low life expectancy, very low formal employment levels, very low income levels, very low education levels, and most indigenous peoples live in sub-standard housing (Altman, 2007). And, although the poor are more likely to have health problems, which is explained below, Burns (2009) states that this issue is especially stark with the indigenous populations, as one-third of indigenous peoples have some kind of serious health problem, and this is true for both the high and the low income indigenous groups. Despite this, the per capita expenses of indigenous peoples on health care is only 46% of the overall Australian population, indicating that access to health care is problem for this population (Schofield et al., 2008). Another group which should be singled out is that of lone parents. According to Miranti et al. (2006), lone parents in Australia have a high rate of poverty, much higher than the poverty rate of two parent households. Brady & Burroway (2010) state that the rate of poverty is higher among lone parent households, regardless of country, therefore this is a global problem, not just limited to Australia. Marsh & Vegaris (2004) found that families headed by a lone parent received approximately 35% of their income from governmental benefits, verses just 5% of income for families headed by two parents. Rinback Weitoft et al. (2003) found that lone parent families are more likely to be headed by labourers or other low-paid workers than are two-parent families, and that they were seven times more likely to be on social welfare than are families with two parents. Saunders and Adelman (2006) state that lone-parent families, in both Britain and Australia, are among the most likely to be in poverty, along with families with many children, as well as older single adults. The Poverty and Social Exclusion Project, conducted in Northern Ireland, further found that 79% of lone parent households headed by a parent under the age of 34, is living in poverty. This is compared to 54% of lone parent households headed by a parent between the age of 35 and 54, indicating that the younger parents have even more of a tough time surviving (Scullion & Hillyard, 2005). Turner & Smith (1983) argue that part of the reason for the prevalence of poverty in lone parent households is because women usually head these homes, and women typically earn less than men. Moreover, women often have problems receiving child support from the fathers of their children (Turner & Smith, 1983). Furthermore, Nock (1988) found that children of lone parent homes tend to have less academic achievement than children from two parent homes, finding that, the longer the child lives in a lone parent home, the less the child achieves academically. And, since Nock (1988) also found that low academic achievement as a child negative impacts the earning potential as an adult, this is a factor which leads to the cycle of poverty continuing from one generation to the next. This study is echoed by Lee (2011), who found that persistently poor children are much more likely to have educational and learning difficulties than children who are from families who are never poor. This led Lee (2011) to conclude that there should be increased services to persistently poor families, and that families should have services available to them which relieve poverty, and the effects of poverty, in early childhood, so that adequate educational development is more likely for these families. Another reason why services are needed for those impoverished is because there is a close link between health and poverty. According to Buddelmeyer & Cai (2009), there is a link between socioeconomic status and health, and this link remains for different populations and for various health issues. Buddelmeyer & Cai (2009) state that, in Australia, the Poverty Commission, in the 1970s, stated that poor health causes poverty, and that poverty also causes poor health. They found that having poor health is very predictive of being in poverty. Poverty may cause poor health because of the issues with malnutrition, as well as the fact that the poor do not have proper access to health services (Buddelmeyer & Cai, 2009). Moreover, according to Buddelmeyer & Cai, the poor are more likely to engage in activities which would increase their chances for poor health, such as smoking, drinking to excess and using drugs. On the other end of the spectrum, ill health leads to poverty, because those in ill-health are less able to work (Buddelmeyer & Cai, 2009). Callandar et al. (2009) state that 49% of the individuals living in poverty, who are out of the labour force, cite ill health as being the chief reason why they are not working. Schofield et al. (2012) specifically cite chronic back problems as being one major reason why individuals are unable to work in Australia, finding that, regardless of labour participation status (full-time, part-time, unemployed), individuals with chronic back problems are significantly more likely to be in poverty than those not experiencing these problems. Schofield et al. (2012) further found that the presence of cardiovascular disease also has an adverse impact on economic and poverty. Their study found that the individuals not in the labour force who do not have any chronic health problems are 93% less likely to be in poverty than individuals in the labour force who have some form of cardiovascular disease. Related to the health issue is that of food insecurity, which basically means that those living in poverty might not know where their next meal is coming from. According to Burns (2004), defines food insecurity as the unavailability of nutritious of safe foods. The main reason for this is that the budget is not sufficient to provide oneself or ones’ family with health food. Paradoxically, perhaps, Burns (2004) also states that obesity is more of a problem for the impoverished in Australia than those who are not in poverty – individuals living in poverty, in Australia, are 30-40% more likely to be obese than individuals who are not living in poverty. Burns (2004) states that the most likely reason for this paradox is that cheap foods are more likely than more expensive foods to be high in fat, sugar and low in nutrition. Moreover, in poor areas, there are less likely to be markets where healthy food may be purchased. Lastly, the poor do not have adequate education to know about proper nutrition. Social exclusion is another issue with those living in poverty, which means that many people living in poverty are left out of key activities in society, which means that they do not have the same kinds of connections to their community as do those who are not experiencing this type of exclusion (Saunders, et al., 2008). Scutella et al. (2009) indicate that social exclusion has three major dimensions - disengagement, which means that the individual does not participate in social or community activities; service exclusion, which means that the individual or the family does not have access to services; and economic exclusion, which means that the individual or the family does not have access to economic resources and they have a low economic capacity. Hays et al. (2008) describe social exclusion as not having access to the social insurance system. Huston (2011) states that social exclusion has led many societies to increase their assistance to families, as social exclusion has adverse effects on children’s well-being, health and safety, behaviours and risks, subjective well-being, and peer relationships. In critiquing the services which are provided by the agencies listed above, there are several key issues which stand out. The first issue is that the services listed on each of their websites are pretty vague – for instance, many of the agencies state that they offer education and training, but are not really specific what this entails. It is more like bullet points, with very little elaboration. This might be discouraging for individuals and families who are looking for more specific services. Likewise, community engagement and community outreach is often listed as a service. This has very little meaning, and the impoverished people might not understand what this means. This is, of course, assuming that that these impoverished individuals are looking at these services on the website, as many poor people might not have access to. That said, the fact that many of the agencies provide education and training is a good thing, as there is indication that education is lacking among lone-parent families, at least among their children, and that this is a major reason why poverty perpetuates. This is a strength, although it would be more of a strength if these agencies could offer some kind of educational assistance to the children of the impoverished families, such as tutors. Therefore, this would be a strong recommendation to services which are serving families, that they provide tutors for students who are experiencing academic hardships, along with the education and training of the parents. Another strength of many of these agencies is that they provide connections to services, although the services are not specified. This could be made even stronger if these agencies emphasized that they provide connection to health services, such as general practitioners. This is because health issues are so prominent in the poor in Australia and other countries, and there is such a clear correlation between poor health and poverty. To this end, there should also be more services available through these agencies which emphasize wellness – such as nutritional counseling, exercise education, how to shop for nutritious food, how to purchase nutritious food on a budget, etc. There is a clear link between obesity and health issues, therefore, this kind of counseling might go a long ways towards alleviating poverty. Other wellness programs might include smoking cessation, and alcohol education. One of the agencies is dedicated to helping lone parents, although this agency is not limited to lone parents living in poverty. Therefore, while it is good that there is an agency which is dedicated to lone parents, there should be more agencies which are also dedicated to lone parents, specifically those in poverty. That way, the agency can have additional funds which might help these lone parents who are in poverty. Lone parents have been shown, again and again, to have a much higher risk of poverty than two parent households, so this is an area which should be more emphasized by the agencies helping the impoverished. Moreover, the agencies do not really emphasize any special help for aborigines, except for the Marist Youth, which lists aboriginal services as one of the specific services that they provide. As indicated above, the aboriginal population has much higher poverty rates than do the overall population of Australia, therefore there should be more emphasis, in all agencies, on helping this specific population. Having generic poverty programs might not serve this population as well, because there will be cultural issues which need to be addressed, as well as language barriers. Another positive aspect of many of these agencies is that they include group counseling. This is helpful, because it might enable these individuals and families to meet others, and find out information that they need. Further, it might alleviate social exclusion, as these groups might be able to help these families with this issue, while providing emotional and social support. Therefore, the weaknesses that can be seen would be that most of the agencies do not specifically help Aborigines, none of the agencies emphasize wellness, and virtually none of the agencies are geared towards lone parents. None of the agencies specifically state that they are geared towards finding primary care physicians, and helping the impoverished negotiate the health system. Very few of the agencies are geared towards helping the poor obtain food, and none seem geared towards helping the poor make the right food choices and towards helping the poor fit proper food choices into their meager budget. Social exclusion is not really addressed, either. These are all crucial areas which these agencies should do more to address, and they are not addressing these issues enough, if at all. It also seems to be difficult to find agencies which address poverty, per se, as opposed to agencies which address the effects of poverty. What this means is that there are many agencies which address domestic abuse, especially child abuse, and helps the parents navigate the court system. That said, when the research was conducted, it was very difficult to find agencies which address the needs of impoverished people with their everyday lives. While domestic violence counseling is a worthwhile goal, the agencies should focus on other aspects more keenly, and they are not doing this enough. The recommendations are as follows: that agencies should offer tutoring to low-income children. Agencies should help the poor obtain a primary care physician. Agencies should help the poor negotiate the health care system. Agencies should offer education programs which emphasize the importance of well child care checkups, annual checkups for themselves, and preventive care. Agencies should offer nutrition programs, smoking cessation programs, and obesity programs. Agencies should help the poor make proper food choices in the supermarket, while showing them how to obtain better food on a budget. Agencies should provide food to the poor, and this food should meet certain guidelines regarding salt, sugar and fat. Agencies should offer specific aboriginal services, because of the language and cultural barriers of this population might discourage them from seeking help. Agencies should further emphasize lone parent help. Agencies should address social exclusion by helping the poor find activities and social groups which are free and within their neighborhood, and further encourage the poor to attend their support groups. Conclusion The agencies in Western Sydney which serve the poor provide many good services, but there is so much more that they can do to try to help the poor out of their desperate situation. Nutritional guidance and providing healthy food might help the poor with the obesity issue, which would, in turn, also help the poor with the health issue. Wellness programs and emphasizing the importance of regular checkups for themselves and their children may also help with the health issue. Services specifically directed towards Aborigines are crucial, since this is a group which has a very high poverty rate and have cultural and language barriers which will be a hindrance to them when they seek help. Lone parents, and the challenges that they face, should also be addressed in a more direct manner. Social exclusion should also be factored into poverty services, as these services should provide a way for the poor to get out and meet others and socialize. These are all ways that the poor may be helped further, and ways that these agencies may be strengthened while strengthening their clientele. Bibliography Altman J. (2007) “Alleviating poverty in remote, indigenous Australia,” Development Bulletin, 72: 1-9. Brady, D. & Burroway, R. (2010) “Targeting, universalism and single mother poverty: A multi-level analysis across 18 affluent democracies,” Available at: http://www.lisproject.org/publications/liswps/554.pdf Burns, C. 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