Cathryne L. Schmitz

Educating Professionals for Practice in a Multicultural Society: Understanding Oppression and Valuing Diversity

The United States is a society diverse in culture, race, ethnicity, religion, and income; one struggling with a past involving oppression, inequality, and buried knowledge. In order to heal and strengthen, we must educate ourselves about the many strands of our history; grow to appreciate and enjoy the multiple cultures, races, and realities; and recognize the consequences of current and historical oppression. Social work professionals can and should play a lead role. Social work educators can provide leadership in developing learning opportunities with parallel foci on the history and impact of oppression, and the strength and joy of diversity. After a review of the issues, a model is presented for guiding/facilitating this early learning.

The Interconnection of Childhood Poverty and Homelessness: Negative Impact/Points of Access:

Child poverty negatively impacts the development of children; family homelessness compounds the issues. Both have dramatically increased over the last two decades with far-reaching, poorly understood consequences. The impact of the instability of poverty and homelessness on children is often hidden or difficult to comprehend. Few studies critically examine the impact on a childs sense of safety and security. Using mixed method inquiry, this research sought to examine the effects of poverty and homelessness on children 8 to 12 years of age. The voices of the children illuminate the underlying strengths and vulnerabilities. Results indicate that homelessness leaves children feeling a decreased sense of support and an increased sense of isolation.

Homelessness as One Component of Housing Instability and Its Impact on the Development of Children in Poverty

The number of families with children living in poverty and experiencing housing instability and homelessness has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Current public policy decisions will lead to further increases. Understanding the impact of this instability on the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development of children is imperative. Few studies critically examine the effects of instability on both domiciled and homeless children. This research examined the effects of homelessness and housing instability on 133 children 8 to 12 years of age living in poverty. Results indicate that whether a child is currently homeless is not as significant as overall stability which may have a long ranging effect on a childs future development.

Immigrant and refugee communities: Resiliency, trauma, policy, and practice

Summary Children and families from immigrant and refugee communities entering new lives in the United States are at risk of traumatic adjustment. Federal policies impact them directly and indirectly, privileging some while challenging others. It is incumbent upon social workers, as professionals committed to social and economic justice, to comprehensively understand the range of obstacles facing immigrants and refugees and empower them in their struggle to make a healthy adjustment. This article weaves together multiple policy and practice strands with discussion of the needs, strengths, and traumas experienced by immigrant and refugee individuals and families. The responses of a small metropolitan community to the needs of diverse immigrant and refugee populations are presented as an exemplar.

Reframing the Dialogue on Female-Headed Single-Parent Families

The increase in female-headed single-parent families, and the high rates of poverty among them, caused by changing economic and social support structures, is an international phenomenon. The traditional negative focus on the deviance of this family structure has led to blaming unmarried women, rather than implementing economic and social support structures that could lift their families out of poverty. This article presents data on these families and suggests ways of reframing the dialogue to broaden the lens under which social work educators, students, and practitioners view single-mother families.

Developing a community-based care system for seriously emotionally disabled children and youth

The needs of emotionally disabled children and their families are not optimally served within traditional mental health service delivery systems. Policies are inadequate, delivery systems are insufficient and underfunded, and supporting research is sparse. As communities begin addressing the needs of the seriously emotionally disabled child and family, planning should address community coordinated services. Such systems, however, are not easily established and maintained in communities accustomed to addressing childrens needs in terms of existing fragmented categorical structures. National models exist but care and time are required to adapt critical elements from these models to local need. This article will review the rationale for integrated community-based, case management services for children and adolescents. A case example is offered illustrating issues affecting the development of one community support system.

Stress and Violence in the Workplace: Theory and Practice

Work in the human services—whether on the frontlines or as a policy analyst, grant writer, researcher, manager, or teacher—is potentially satisfying and rewarding. It can also be extremely stressful, beyond the expectations of those starting out in a career. Educators are sometimes reluctant to tell students about the extent of the stress they might encounter in work, fearing that to do so might frighten them. Yet students, new entrants to practice, and seasoned workers find it helpful to receive information that normalizes the impacts of work pressures. They need the tools to identify unreasonable expectations and the knowledge to challenge those expectations. When overstressed workers receive information that recognizes the negative impacts of highly demanding and poorly resourced jobs, they often feel relieved. Critical sociological perspectives help us to challenge discourses that pathologize workers who become distressed when they face pressures, lack appropriate control over professional decisions, or receive too little support. Social work knowledge builds on these theoretical insights, adding to them with understandings derived from practice.

Expanding the Story of Single Parents: Bringing the Vision to Completion through Writing and Editing

This issue of Families in Society marks the inauguration of “Writers at Work,” a section of the journal created to allow readers to “meet” authors and learn about the personal inspirations and influences that compel them to write for publication. In this issue, writer Cathryne Schmitt tells us about what it was like for her to bring into existence her forthcoming book Diversity in Single-Parent Families: Working from Strength. We hope hers will be the first of many such personal essays and invite you to share your literary experiences with our readers. — Howard Goldstein, Editor