ADVOCACY PROJECT

1. On the high school level, what are some of the barriers that impede the success of a student(s)?

Homelessness - unfortunately, some parents and teenagers are at a point of no compromise and kids end up getting kicked out or move out. They end up floating from house to house living with friends or other family members. That are usually absent from school a lot. Mental illness - more and more kids are being diagnosed before high school with severe anxiety or bipolar disorder. These kids are usually picked on by other kids or have a tendency to stay in trouble for fighting or skipping class.  Economics - financial hardships can also impact learning. These kids usually don’t have food, water or decent clothing. Many miss school to hold down jobs to help provide for their families.

2. Of those barriers, which one is the most prevalent? Economic issues seem to Ben the most prevalent. Besides working, these kid’s families usually have to move a lot and sometimes live in multi-family homes.

3. Of this one particular barrier, what stakeholders (e.g. family, parents, students, agencies or teachers) would be helpful in addressing the issue? What is their points of views?  The school social worker is usually called in to help set the family up with agencies to help make things easier. Churches, shelters, DFACs, community members who donate food, clothing and offer a place to stay or help pay a water bill or electric bill are the biggest network of assistance for these families. They want to make sure they can help get the family back on their feet enough to be self-sufficient.

4. How could each one help? Churches offer food and some economic help for families in need. They usually do the suitcases for kids and hungry at home projects to help families. DFACs can help families register for TANF, food stamps and peach state health care for kids. Places like Ruth’s cottage offer temporary shelter assistance for mothers with children. Second Harvest is another agency that helps with food. Schools also do food drives and toys for tots to help needy families.

5. What diagnosis would you give this problem?

6. Why is this barrier an issue?

7. What advocacy/treatment plan would you develop? Details of how it will work.

8. How would you evaluate the plan to determine it was successful?

Questions 5-8 is what plan you would develop to help these families with the resources I have listed. You would want to include help with transportation to make sure they can’t come to school, they may need a chrome book am due a hot spot from the school for working at home. You would want to monitor attendance and work with teachers to help make sure they have time to make up missing work, etc