In This Exploration, You Will Identify Two Advocacy Issues ✓ Solved

In this Exploration, you will identify two advocacy issues

In this Exploration, you will identify two advocacy issues/challenges impacting children and families, post an overview of these issues in Discussions, and then provide comments on at least one advocacy issue posted by one of your colleagues. First, define two advocacy issues/challenges: What do you know about each issue/challenge in terms of impact and outcomes?

Identify your personal reasons for selecting each issue/challenge. Identify who is influenced by each particular issue/challenge. Brainstorm possible advocacy solutions for each issue/challenge and their potential consequences. Post your two advocacy issues/challenges in Discussions. After posting, provide statistics and feedback on at least one advocacy issue/challenge posted by one of your colleagues.

Paper For Above Instructions

Advocacy plays a vital role in addressing the multifaceted issues that children and families face in today’s society. This paper will define two significant advocacy challenges: child poverty and access to mental health services for children. Each issue profoundly impacts families and children, shaping their futures and well-being.

Child Poverty

Child poverty remains one of the most pressing issues affecting children's outcomes and quality of life. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2020), approximately 14.4 million children in the United States live in poverty, which equates to one in five children. This socio-economic challenge not only affects children's immediate well-being - such as food security, access to education, and healthcare - but also their long-term mental and physical health. Research indicates that children growing up in poverty are more likely to experience developmental delays, behavioral issues, and poor academic performance (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2021).

I chose to focus on child poverty because it is a barrier to achieving equitable opportunities for all children and directly correlates to other issues, including health disparities and educational inequities. Children in low-income families are often affected by a cycle of poverty, where their socio-economic status limits their opportunities for upward mobility. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated preexisting disparities, making it more critical to address this urgent challenge (Baker et al., 2021).

The individuals influenced by child poverty extend beyond the children themselves to their families and communities. Families suffering from economic strain often encounter stress and instability, impacting family dynamics and overall mental health. Additionally, this economic issue significantly affects community resources such as schools and healthcare services, as low-income communities commonly have insufficient funding and support (Shapiro, 2019).

Bridging the gap in child poverty requires comprehensive advocacy solutions. Possible interventions include increasing access to affordable childcare, implementing universal basic income designed for families with children, and enhancing educational opportunities through tutoring and enrichment programs. Each of these solutions carries potential consequences; while they may improve short-term conditions, they require substantial resources and systemic changes to maintain sustainable impacts (Garner, 2019).

Access to Mental Health Services for Children

The second advocacy challenge that I will examine is the access to mental health services for children. A study by the National Institute of Mental Health (2021) shows that one in six U.S. children aged 2 to 8 years has a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. However, access to necessary services is limited, with only 20% of children needing mental health treatment actually receiving the appropriate care. The stigma surrounding mental health, lack of trained professionals, and insufficient funding perpetuate this issue, leaving many families without resources (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020).

I am driven to advocate for mental health access due to my understanding of its critical role in children’s development and emotional well-being. The consequences of unmet mental health needs can lead to significant long-term effects, including poor academic performance, substance abuse, and increased risk of suicide (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2022). Providing these children and their families with the needed services must be a priority to foster resilience and coping strategies.

Those influenced by inadequate mental health services extend to families, educators, and society. Parents struggling to access supportive resources may experience increased stress and feelings of helplessness. Furthermore, teachers may face challenges in managing classrooms with students who require mental health support, impacting the overall learning environment (Takeda, 2020).

Advocacy solutions for improving access to mental health services for children include increasing funding for mental health programs, implementing mental health education in schools, and advocating for training educators to recognize and support mental health issues. These initiatives could lead to a more aware society regarding mental health; however, they also necessitate robust policy changes and community engagement to ensure long-lasting effects (Zhang et al., 2021).

In conclusion, addressing advocacy issues such as child poverty and access to mental health services requires collective effort and continued dialogue. These challenges not only impact individual children but also ripple through society, affecting families and communities at large. Through defining these issues and proposing coherent solutions, it is my hope to contribute to discussions that can lead to meaningful change.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Children’s mental health: The role of pediatricians.
• Baker, S. J., et al. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on child poverty in America. Journal of Child Welfare.
• Garner, A. S. (2019). Addressing child poverty through policy initiatives. Pediatrics.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2022). Child and adolescent mental health facts.
• National Center for Children in Poverty. (2021). Basic facts about low-income children.
• National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Children’s mental health: An overview.
• Shapiro, A. (2019). The economic effects of child poverty on families. Family Relations.
• Takeda, M. (2020). Supporting children's mental health in schools. Education Research Journal.
• Zhang, Y., et al. (2021). Enhancing access to mental health services in schools. Journal of School Health.