Respond by Day 5 to at least two colleaguesby explaining a change for which you might advocate with regard to the policy your colleague described. Then, explain what responsibility Eboni's social worker has to identify lapses in services and advocate for policy changes
Discussion
In the case of 16 year old soon to be mother Eboni, there are a few options in the State of California for her to receive assistance. The first option for her is the Cal-Fresh program, known federally as Supplemental Nutritions Assistance Program or SNAP, which "provides monthly assistance to low income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional level.
These benefits are for food or food products for human consumption"(Benefits.gov). To attain these benefits Eboni would need to be a resident of the state of California. Another option for Eboni would be the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWorks) program, "the CalWorks program gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families.
The program assists families that has little or not cash and needs housing, utilities, clothing or medical care, they may be eligible for immediate short term help. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses"(CDSS,2017).
Eboni is also eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC). This program will provide supplemental food for infants not being breast fed, referrals for women to health care, and nutrition education.
If Eboni remains in California and attends her meetings with the various programs, she would be allowed to remain on the WIC program until her child is 5 years of age. As for the CalWorks and CalFresh programs, Eboni will remain eligible as long as she meets the income requirements for the program. She will be eligible to sustain housing, health-care, and energy assistance to lower her bills as well.
California offers great support to single parents and if the parent cooperates can manage to use the welfare system to attain a degree and job skills needed to help provide a job for herself.
The state public assistance policies are in place to aid families to not feel like their life is over once they have have children. The guidelines will help Eboni to finish school and look to further her education on find employment.
References
California Department of Social Services. (2017).California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids.