Community Needs Assessment Plan Building a Team

2

Student’s Name: Faiileono Tiumalu

Professor: Dr. Vania Cox Bright

Course: HUMN 6785

Date: September, 20 2021

Poverty in Hawaii

The issue of poverty in Hawaii has was introduced a few years ago after foreigners White colonizers were introduced to the Hawaiian island. The alien lifestyleColonialism affected the native citizens in a significant way, leading to an increased level of poverty. The natives were used to providing for themselves using their own system of subsistence economy, but the new materials and ideas introduced or extracted by the foreigners colonizerss made their subsistence economy disintegrate. This made theresulted in native Hawaiians have having a low averagelower-than-average family income making their struggle to be difficult. The introduction of foreigners in Hawaii introduced poverty, and has also which resulted from in homelessness and unemployment, particularly to the native citizens. The foreigner colonization of Hawaii who came to Hawaii gained high economic power, which caused the Hawaiians to lose their land as well as resources. The introduction of a new economy that used the market system of selling what was produced and not the subsistence economy of barter trade greatly impacted their living style and cost. Based on research by United States Census Bureau, more than 13.7% of Hawaii's population are considered to be living in poverty. Citizens, particularly those from the middle and lower classsocioeconomic groups, have to collaborate with the government officials to make the necessary changes that would enable the citizens to adapt to the market economy (Giannarelli, Wheaton & Acs et al., 2020). The issue of poverty in Hawaii mostly affects citizens who do not have stable jobs that would provide for their families. A huge large population of in Hawaii is in poverty, since they strugglinge financially even if they work three jobs on a daily basis as a result of the poor economic management in the country. Comment by Vania Bright: Its more than a few years, yeah? Comment by Vania Bright: here, you are cycling back to a point you previously made. As you continue to edit for your final project, make sure you state something once and then move on to the next idea. Comment by Vania Bright: Use the MEAL plan as an editing tool M: Main point of the paragraph E: Evidence supporting the main point A: Analysis of the evidence L: Lead into the next paragraph of your essay (I often ignore this last one unless necessary) Reference: http://twp.duke.edu/uploads/assets/meal_plan.pdf

Role of Addressing the Problem

As an advanced human services professional practitioner concerned about the issue of poverty in Hawaii, there are various roles that I can play to address this issue. One of the roles is conducting assessment regarding the country's poverty level, then working creatively and innovatively to help the citizens of Hawaii understand their situation and how they can change their behavior and environment where needed. This can be done by increasing the community's attention towards the issue of poverty that they are experiencing which requires social planning, community analysis, social action, and community organizing. Another role for addressing poverty in Hawaii is taking part in community practices where I help individuals recognize their resources and the ability they have in influencing positive change in their economy (McDonald, Craik, Hawkins & Williams et al., 2020). This would involve working with individuals and families to focus on how to improve their resources and opportunities that would help them develop out of the poverty situations. As an advanced human service professional practitioner, it is also important to provide advocacy for those experiencing poverty in Hawaii since they are natives who may not be able to speak for themselves. I can act as the mediator or intervene directly using social services organizations to assist those in poverty in protecting what they have and show them how they can fight for what belongs to them. Comment by Vania Bright: Both native and nonnative?

Ethical and Moral Dilemmas

An ethical dilemma is a situation that involves two or more conflicting professional, ethical principles. In solving the social problem of poverty in Hawaii, one of the ethical dilemmas that one can face is that of maintaining the dignity and worth of an individual. As a human service professional, one has to support and protect their clients' rights by deciding how they live their lives a free life. However, according to the national association of social workers (NASW) code of ethics, a social worker has to limit their client’s self-determination right if the client’s action poses any serious threat to themselves or others (Barsky, 2017). Due to this, as an advanced human services professional practitioner, it becomes complicated to determine how to support and protect clients' right to self-determination while observing the NASW code of ethics. Through the ethical standards for human services professionals, one of the best ways to solve this ethical dilemma is to be aware of the local and state regulations to avoid breaking the client's right to self-determination. Comment by Vania Bright: Incorporate resources from this course as well. What about the standards of NOHS?

A moral dilemma involves a situation where an individual is unable to choose between right and wrong. One of the moral dilemmas that can arise when solving poverty in Hawaii is determining if it is right or wrong for the Hawaiian government to adapt to the new economy suggested by foreigners. After the government had implemented the suggested market economy by the foreigners, the native Hawaiians started to experienced financial failure, which increased unemployment and poverty level. One of the best ways to prevent this moral dilemma is through using logic rather than emotions when solving the problem since it would assist in having a better understanding of the problem. Comment by Vania Bright: As you continue to write about this issue, keep in mind that this is done. It isn't a suggestion, it has been imposed by colonizers on to the islands of Hawaii.

Increasing Cultural Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Empowerment

One of the opportunities that exist to increase cultural diversity when solving poverty in Hawaii is acknowledging the difference in people to reduce the possibility of having discriminating behavior as a social worker, and one can increase equity by making sure that you treat every individual they encounter with respect and offer equitable access of services to all individuals. To have a better economy, the government should consider including an economic market that the native Hawaiians will easily adapt to so that they are able to manage their finances properly. Empowerment can be increased by making the native Hawaiians the responsibility they can play so that they are able to adapt or implement change in their economy to reduce the increasing rate of poverty in the country. Comment by Vania Bright: Your entire paper is very clear on a power differential until you get to this section, which is the place to really uncover and discuss power. Be sure that you are expressing what that power differential is when you are asked to discuss who holds the power and how do you attend to these issues won some groups hold more economic power than others.

Reference

Barsky, A. (2017). Ethics alive! The 2017 NASW code of ethics. What’s new. Retrieved June, 13, 2018.

Giannarelli, L., Wheaton, L., & Acs, G. (2020). 2020 Poverty Projections. Washington, DC: Urban Institute.

McDonald, C., Craik, C., Hawkins, L., & Williams, J. (2020). Professional Practice in Human Service Organisations: A practical guide for human service workers. Routledge.