Share The Population You Chose For Your Course Project

Share The Population You Chose For Your Course Project Consider Wh

1. Share the population you chose for your course project. Consider which type of agency, Charity Organization Societies or the Settlement Houses, would best meet the needs of that group. Explain why, supporting your analysis with course and outside readings.

2. You are the social worker for Joe's family and are tasked with completing an assessment on the family. What are all of the cognitive factors involved, for each family member? How might these cognitive factors influence family dynamics? How might these cognitive factors influence biological or societal systems with which they are involved?

Paper For Above instruction

For my course project, I have chosen to focus on homeless youth aged 16 to 24 years in urban areas. This population faces multifaceted challenges including housing insecurity, limited access to education and employment opportunities, mental health issues, and exposure to violence and substance abuse. Addressing the unique needs of homeless youth requires careful consideration of the social services and support structures that can most effectively serve them. Two prominent agencies—Charity Organization Societies (COS) and Settlement Houses—offer distinct approaches to community aid, each with differing strengths and limitations when applied to this population.

Population Overview and Needs

Homeless youth represent a vulnerable segment of society, often marginalized and suffering from systemic neglect. Their needs encompass not only immediate shelter and food but also mental health support, substance abuse treatment, educational opportunities, and pathways to stable employment. The transient nature of this population necessitates flexible, accessible, and youth-centered intervention programs that foster trust and long-term engagement. These youth often face stigma and discrimination, which can hinder their ability to access services, further complicating their path toward stability and self-sufficiency (Ferguson, 2018).

Charity Organization Societies (COS) versus Settlement Houses

Charity Organization Societies historically emerged in the late 19th century, focusing on individualized charity and moral uplift through casework. COS aimed to identify the specific needs of individuals and provide tailored assistance, often emphasizing moral reform and personal responsibility. In contrast, Settlement Houses—like Hull House founded by Jane Addams—adopted a community-based approach emphasizing social reform, collective action, and neighborhood engagement. They provided broad services such as education, healthcare, and advocacy within impoverished communities (Lapp, 2010).

When considering homeless youth, Settlement Houses are generally more suited to meeting their needs due to their holistic, community-oriented philosophy. Settlement Houses create inclusive spaces that foster peer support, provide comprehensive services, and address the systemic factors contributing to youth homelessness. Their emphasis on empowerment and community involvement can facilitate social integration, crucial for this transient population. Conversely, COS’s individualistic approach may be limited because homeless youth often require more than moral admonition or individual case management; they benefit significantly from community-based, accessible services that address structural barriers.

Supporting Analysis with Course and Outside Readings

Research indicates that community-centered interventions, such as those employed by Settlement Houses, are more effective with homeless youth because they establish trusting relationships within familiar environments (Shinn & Weitzman, 1997). External studies reinforce that integrated service models combining housing, mental health support, and employment training yield better outcomes than isolated interventions typical of traditional COS models (Burt et al., 2007). Furthermore, holistic approaches promote resilience and self-efficacy among youth, enabling long-term recovery and social integration (Ferguson, 2018).

School-based and outreach programs rooted in settlement philosophy often incorporate peer mentoring, cultural sensitivity, and youth participation, aligning with best practices for engaging marginalized populations (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2016). These programs can dynamically adapt to the unique needs of homeless youth, addressing intersecting issues such as trauma, discrimination, and social exclusion.

Family Assessment in the Movie "Joe the King"

In examining Joe's family, an assessment must consider the cognitive factors influencing each family member's perceptions, beliefs, and decision-making abilities. These cognitive factors include their understanding of their situations, mental health status, past experiences, and cognitive biases affecting their interactions.

Joe's mother, for instance, may exhibit cognitive factors such as limited problem-solving skills, learned helplessness, and possibly depressive or anxious thoughts stemming from her socioeconomic circumstances. Her perceptions of hopelessness may influence her inability to seek or accept support, thereby perpetuating family dysfunction.

Joe himself may experience cognitive distortions, such as post-traumatic stress reactions, impulsivity, or distorted perceptions of responsibility for family issues. His understanding of how his environment influences his behavior can affect his development, resilience, and engagement with social systems.

His father’s cognitive factors might include substance-related cognitive impairments or denial about familial problems, which can hinder effective communication and support-seeking behavior. These cognitive aspects influence family dynamics by fostering misunderstanding, conflict, or maladaptive coping mechanisms.

Furthermore, societal systems such as education, social services, and mental health agencies are influenced by the collective cognitive perceptions of these family members and their community. Negative stereotypes, lack of awareness, or stigma attached to these cognitive factors can reinforce barriers to service access and systemic support.

Cognitive factors influence how each member interprets their experiences: perceptions of blame or victimization can entrench patterns of maladaptive behavior or mistrust toward social institutions. These cognitive influences shape family responses and interactions, potentially escalating cycles of poverty, violence, or neglect.

Understanding these cognitive factors is crucial in devising effective intervention strategies. Tailoring support to address cognitive distortions, improving mental health literacy, and fostering positive perceptions of social systems can promote healthier family functioning and service engagement (Miller & Rollnick, 2013).

Conclusion

In selecting a population for community intervention, homeless youth exemplify a group requiring a holistic, community-based approach embodied by Settlement Houses. Their philosophy of empowerment and integration aligns with the complex needs of marginalized youth and can foster sustainable social change. Simultaneously, thorough family assessments, such as the one exemplified in Joe’s family, must consider cognitive factors impacting individual and collective behavior, influencing family dynamics and interactions with societal systems. Recognizing and addressing these cognitive components are vital for effective social work practice, aiding in developing tailored interventions that promote resilience, stability, and social justice.

References

• Burt, M., et al. (2007). “Pathways to Homelessness: The Role of Family Relations and Systemic Factors.” Journal of Social Service Research, 33(4), 193–205.
• Ferguson, K. M. (2018). “Supporting Homeless Youth: The Role of Community-Based Interventions.” Social Work Journal, 63(2), 143–156.
• Lapp, P. (2010). “Settlement Houses and Their Impact on Urban Communities.” Community Development Journal, 45(3), 364–376.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). “Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change.” Guilford Publications.
• National Conference of State Legislatures. (2016). “Youth Homelessness: Policy and Program Approaches.” NCSL Report.
• Shinn, M., & Weitzman, B. C. (1997). “Homeless Children: Understanding Their Needs and How to Help Them.” Journal of Child and Family Studies, 6(2), 107–123.