Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Populations

Throughout history, groups of people have received mistreatment that has little to do with who they are as people and more to do with their age, gender, socioeconomic status, skin color, or physical disability. People who face such challenges are more at risk for developing mental health and other life problems. Such problems might include substance abuse, trouble with law enforcement, and homelessness. Human services professionals may be motivated to assist such groups in addressing the challenges they face; however, helping may be difficult because of mistrust, cultural stigmas, and institutional barriers. Whatever the difficulties, social change agents, leaders, and advocates in the human services professions must find ways to help disadvantaged and vulnerable groups face challenges.

To prepare:

• Select a disadvantaged or vulnerable population, and reflect on the challenges people within this population might face in society. This population can be local, regional, or from another country.
• Select a code of ethics that might be applicable to this population, and identify specific guidelines that might guide your work with this population. 

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 4

Post a brief description of the disadvantaged or vulnerable population you selected. Then, explain three of the greatest challenges this population faces, as well as the influence that addressing each of the challenges might make in the lives’ of members of this population. Finally, identify a professional code of ethics and explain two guidelines from within that code that might pertain to working with this population. Be specific, and provide examples to illustrate your points.