The Client

What does it mean to live below the poverty level? Determine the income for a family of four living in poverty. Be sure your response identifies income levels for poverty based on current U.S. National averages.

Describe and analyze such a family’s total monetary needs to live one week, including housing expenses, food, childcare, transportation, and all other possible expenses.

Imagine one of the children becomes ill on Wednesday, requiring medical expenses and three days of lost wages for one parent (roughly 100% of the total weekly budget). Explain the consequences for the family, including consequences for the family’s budget and lifestyle. Discuss how they obtain food and cover the various expenses associated with day-to-day living and maintenance of well-being. Suggest one or two human services that might be put in place to serve needs such as those described in the scenario.

Required

Chapter 5 in Introduction to Human Services
Recommended

Kliff, S. (December, 2012). Seven facts about America’s mental healthcare system. Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2012/12/17/seven-facts-about-americas-mental-health-care-system/
Sidmore, E. (2011). The reality of poverty in Bolivia [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxNjeAPONDE