Working Effectively with Families Impacted by Poverty

Several years ago, I attended a conference at which I was introduced to the book "Bridges Out of Poverty," by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D., Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith. It really is "must-read" material for CASA volunteers and anyone who is working with families impacted by generational poverty.

The book presents, in language that is clear, highly readable, and thought-provoking, a slice of what life is like for people who are living in poverty. Not all of the families we work with are poor, but I can think of several examples of families where generational poverty was one of the key issues of the case. This book helps those of us who have never experienced poverty at this level to try to understand why and how it happens and the specific challenges these families face.

For the next several weeks, I plan to blog about some of the issues and insights I gleaned from this book. I am toying with the idea of having an in-service series based upon it, and would like your input about whether or not you would be interested in participating. You can email me or leave me a comment about whether or not this would be of interest to you.

One of the most important aspects of working with families touched by generational poverty is an analysis of their support systems. We all need support systems to function in this life. Most of us have good support systems, which we often take for granted. These include: a savings account and/or a family member willing to lend money in a pinch; parents, grandparents or other trusted adults willing to care for our children in the event of an emergency; a working automobile and very often, a back-up vehicle; and other examples too numerous to mention here. You get the idea. Most of us aren't flying solo.

Linda Hall Whitman, in her book "Welfare-to-Work Management" states, "Welfare recipients can get hung up on the same everyday needs that draw from our momentum and focus: childcare, parenting, relationships, housing. But in the absence of financial or family backup, bumps can become insurmountable obstacles: reasons to miss work, or worse, quit."

In "Bridges Out of Poverty," support systems are defined as, "the friends, family, and backup resources that can be accessed in times of need." According to the book, these backup resources fall into seven general categories:

1. COPING STRATEGIES - the ways in which one copes with daily living: the disappointments, the tragedies, and the triumphs. Coping strategies are ways to think about things, attitudes, self-talk, strategies for resolving conflicts, problem-solving techniques, and the avoidance of needless conflicts. Coping strategies are also ways of approaching tasks, setting priorities, and determining what one can live with and what one can live without.

2. OPTIONS DURING PROBLEM-SOLVING - Options are all the ways to solve a problem. Even very capable adults often talk over a problem with another adult just in order to see other options they haven't considered.

3. INFORMATION AND KNOW-HOW - When a child has homework, who in the support system knows enough math to help the child? Who knows the research process? Who knows the ropes for going to college or getting a new-car loan? Who knows how to talk to the insurance agent so the situation can be clarified? Who knows how to negotiate difficult situations with a teacher and come to a resolution? Who understands the court system, the school system? Information and know-how are crucial to success.

4. TEMPORARY RELIEF FROM EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, FINANCIAL, AND/OR TIME CONSTRAINTS - When you are upset, who provides relief for you? When you aren't sure how you will get everything finished, who helps you? Who takes your children when you are desperate for a break? These people are all part of a support system.

5. CONNECTIONS TO OTHER PEOPLE AND RESOURCES - When you don't have the information and know-how, who are the people you turn to for assistance? Those people are your connections. Connections to people and resources are an integral part of a healthy support system.

6. POSITIVE SELF-TALK - Everyone has a little voice inside his/her head that talks to him/her all the time. This little voice gives encouraging messages. These encouraging messages help one finish tasks, complete projects, and get through difficult situations. If an individual does not listen to this encouraging little voice, the success rate is much lower.

7. PROCEDURAL SELF-TALK - Procedural self-talk is the voice that talks an individual through a task. It is key to success. Many individuals in poverty have a very limited support system - and particularly missing is procedural self-talk. Many tasks are never finished. In numerous dealings with clients, social workers and employers often find that self-talk is simply not available to the client.

Parents who are on a track to be reunited with their children must have a support system in place to make a go of it. CASA volunteers should look at the family dynamics and find out where the resources and supports in these seven areas will come from.