Engaging in Micro Policy Advocacy- Why Is It Particularly Needed by and for Low-Income People of Color

Engaging in Micro Policy Advocacy- Why Is It Particularly Needed by and for Low-Income People of Color

How Social Workers Need Considerable Expertise in So-Called Safety Net Programs Such as Medicaid and SSI

Due to the large incidence of low-income persons of color who depend on these programs for crucial support, social workers must be competent in safety net programs like Medicaid and SSI. Medicaid and SSI are essential for giving those in need access to healthcare and financial support (Rennane & Dick, 2022). For social workers to effectively help their clients access these resources, they must be aware of the requirements for eligibility, the application process, and the advantages these programs provide. For social workers to advocate for policy reforms that meet low-income people of color’s particular needs and advance social justice, they must be aware of the unique difficulties and disadvantages they experience (Balderrama et al., 2023).

Why Jim Felt Far More Comfortable With African American Health Professionals Than European American Ones

Jim felt more at ease around African-American healthcare professionals than European Americans because he thought they would be more sensitive to his cultural experiences and potential biases in the healthcare system for persons of color. Jim and other African Americans find it difficult to access these specialists because of structural hurdles like regional inequalities and a lack of diversity in the healthcare field. In the interim, they might need to use tactics like looking for community health centers or clinics that specifically serve minorities, fighting for greater diversity in healthcare institutions, and collaborating with culturally competent social workers or patient advocates who can help them navigate the healthcare system and address any disparities or discrimination they may encounter.

Sheer Range of Micro Policy Advocacy Interventions the Social Worker Employed in Helping Jim and Ava

To assist Jim and Ava, the social worker used a variety of micro-policy advocacy interventions. Ava’s educational needs were supported by providing information about school programs, and the doctor advocated for Jim’s healthcare needs. These interventions also addressed Jim’s transportation issues by connecting him with a local transportation program and managing his healthcare needs with the doctor. When all of these interventions are combined to meet the many needs and difficulties experienced by Jim and Ava, they can be seen as spokes on a wheel with the social worker at their core.

References

Balderrama, E., Garcia, A., & Moya, E. M. (2023). Decolonized approaches to human rights and social work in the United States. Springer EBooks, 149–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33030-8_8

Rennane, S., & Dick, A. (2022). Effects of Medicaid automatic enrollment on disparities in insurance coverage and caregiver burden for children with special health care needs. Medical Care Research and Review, 107755872211061. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775587221106116

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Review the policy advocacy learning exercise 4.4 Engaging in Micro Policy Advocacy: Why Is It Particularly Needed by and for Low-Income People of Color? on pages 96-98 of your textbook. In a minimum of 300 words, write a discussion board post answering questions 3, 4, and 5 from the end of the learning exercise.

Learning Exercise:
3. Discuss how social workers need considerable expertise in so-called safety net programs such as Medicaid and SSI.
4. Why did Jim feel far more comfortable with African American health professionals than European American ones? And why is it difficult for him and other African Americans to gain access to them? What strategies do they need to use in the meantime?
5. Identify the sheer range of micro-policy advocacy interventions that the social worker employed in helping Jim and Ava. Can we view the advocate as at the center of a wheel