Chap 4

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SW 2300 Introduction to Social Work
Chapter 4 - Poverty and Populations at risk


Working with a partner, review Chapter 4 in Suppes and Welles.

Part I. Begin by answering the following questions.

1. What is meant by a population at risk? What populations are usually considered to be at risk? At risk of what?





2. Using the ecological perspective (person-in the- wnvironment) discuss why are the groups that you've identified above at risk.




3. What is unique about how the profession of social work/social workers view populations at risk and the causes and dynamics of poverty?





Part II. Review the case in the beginning of Chapter 4.



1. Would you consider Juan, the client to be a "person at risk"? What conditions would put Juan at risk? What is he at risk of?



2. Taking turns being the client (Juan) and the social worker (George) with your partner, role play the case. Begin practice asking questions to clients and try to gather information in the following areas:



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• physical problems

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• mental health issues

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• relationship issues

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• social/legal issues

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• economic issues.


3. Now pick one of the problems areas and explore it in depth.





4. Switch roles and repeat the exercise.