Family Self-Sufficiency Program Outcomes for Participants Enrolling During and After the Great Recession

Utilizing administrative data from the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program operated by the Denver Housing Authority, four program outcomes, (a) savings and escrow growth, (b) credit and debt reduction, (c) employment and earnings, and (d) positive exits from subsidized housing, are examined to assess if any differences exist between participants ( n = 424) who enrolled during or after the Great Recession. Propensity score matching with replacement was employed to match FSS enrollees. Compared to post-Great Recession enrollees, results suggest that enrollees entering the program during the Great Recession were more likely to reduce their monthly contractual debt and derogatory debt, increase monthly earned income, and remain in the FSS Program longer. Findings suggest that attaining participant financial capability goals is possible during severe economic shocks and may provide vulnerable families with additional capacity to weather such shocks.

Financial Capability and Asset Building With a Racial- and Gender-Equity Lens: Advances From the Field

This essay explores the enormous potential of social service organizations to contribute to people’s financial well-being. It is informed by the work of four pioneering organizations that use a racial- and gender-equity lens to advance financial well-being. It explores five strategies: (a) embedding financial development into social services; (b) focusing on youth transitioning to adulthood; (c) partnering with asset coalitions to expand financial opportunities; (d) partnering with financial institutions; and (e) developing fintech with equity. These approaches hold promise to help address the racial wealth gap and improve financial security.

Exploring the Disproportionate Impact of Disasters: Social Service Providers’ Perceptions of Factors Increasing Vulnerability Among Hurricane Survivors

Social service providers play a vital role in addressing the physical and mental health needs of vulnerable individuals, families, and communities during and after disasters. Considering the essential role of social service providers during and after disasters, it is vital to understand the challenges their clients encounter during emergencies. Our study explored social service providers’ perceptions of the barriers socially vulnerable individuals and communities experienced after hurricanes Michael and Irma struck coastal communities in Florida in 2017–2018. Seventeen social service workers who provided direct support to survivors during and after the hurricanes participated in four focus group interviews. Providers described five factors that increased vulnerability of their clients including risk perception, socioeconomic constraints, physical and mental health challenges, language and literacy proficiency, and resource dependency.

Becoming Job-Ready? Narratives of Local Welfare-to-Work Programs and Client Experiences Across Differing Economic Contexts in California

Previous research on welfare-to-work exits has focused on individual client characteristics rather than local economic contexts. Drawing on a qualitative comparative case study design, this study enhances our understanding on how welfare-to-work organizational narratives and client experiences of becoming job-ready are shaped across two different economic contexts. In the disadvantaged economic context, a punitive welfare-to-work narrative is operational resulting in clients accepting precarious work. In the more privileged economic context, the individual responsibility narrative dominates as clients struggle to make ends meet. Our findings highlight how regional economic factors shape organizational narratives and impel clients to accept precarious low wage working conditions and unstable housing. Thus, there is a need for alternatives to welfare-to-work, such as unconditional, Universal Basic Income.

When More IS Too Much: Compound Caregiving, Barriers to Services, and Service Support for Older Families of People With Disabilities

Using the theoretical lens of Family Quality of Life, this study evaluated perceptions of older compound caregivers (i.e., caring for more than one family member) regarding their need for services. Quantitative analysis of cross-sectional data collected from 112 caregivers (50 years and older) demonstrated that compound caregivers faced more barriers in accessing services for their families than noncompound caregivers. Although all caregivers shared similar perceptions on the importance, opportunities, initiative, and attainment of service support for their families, compound caregivers had lower stability and satisfaction than noncompound caregivers. Findings highlight the need to develop support programs to equip older caregivers in managing their daily challenges at the individual and family level.

Help When You Need It: Sources of Advice for Student Loan Borrowers Across the Life Course

To promote the financial capabilities of student loan borrowers, practitioners must understand the experiences and needs of borrowers across the life course. A national survey ( n = 1,874) conducted by MIT AgeLab explored perceived loan-related effects across the life course and sources of advice for borrowers. Across age groups, repaying student loans had most regularly imposed negative perceived effects on multiple domains of borrowers’ financial well-being. Younger borrowers reported more negative perceived effects of loans across domains, whereas older borrowers reported fewer negative perceived effects. Few participants had sought professional advice about student loan repayment, although younger borrowers were more likely to have sought loan-related advice in general; perceived levels of helpfulness of advice and comfort consulting with contacts were mixed. Financial social work is uniquely situated to act as a resource for multiple generations of student loan borrowers and their families.

Moral Injury in Social Work: Responses, Prevention, and Advocacy

Throughout social work’s history, some practitioners and their employing organizations have caused harm. This article explores the concept of moral injury and its relevance to the social work profession. The author explores essential components of a meaningful response to moral injury in social work that simultaneously acknowledges the impact of moral injury on individual victims and addresses the need for structural reform. The author discusses the nature and causes of moral injury, prevention strategies (including the need for practitioner self-care and organizational and community advocacy), the role of apology, restorative justice, and moral courage.

A Financial Social Work Certificate Program for Community and Family Practitioners

A Financial Social Work Certificate program launched, responding to a need for greater financial knowledge and skill development among social workers. Community leaders who were alumni of a social work school partnered with educators and researchers to plan and organize an intensive 7-day training over the course of 7 months, through the School’s Office of Continuing Professional Education. Content focused on understanding personal finance, learning about interventions to address clients’ financial needs, exploring critical and emerging macro issues, and focusing on how these dovetail with clinical practice. Preliminary results on financial social work self-efficacy indicate greater self-efficacy over three evaluation time points. Next steps will include a more robust evaluation and fostering a network of engaged graduates.

Neighborhood Collective Efficacy as a Culturally Responsive Resilience Process: A Longitudinal Study of African American Youth From Fragile Families

A reliance on informal supports and neighborhood relationships has its history within the African American community as a useful strategy for building and maintaining overall resilience. It is known that a history of systemic oppression gave rise to distinct cultural barriers to social services and resources, leading to a reliance on community to help foster success in the African American community. Thus, the notion of neighborhood collective efficacy (NCE) is assumed to be a valuable protective process to explore for African American youth. The current exploratory study utilizes multilevel growth curve modeling to examine the relationship between NCE and aspects of resilience over time. Findings reveal a significant, positive relationship and important implications for culturally responsive study and practice.

Understanding Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness Through a Qualitative Approach

This article presents a non-experimental, exploratory study of the experiences of unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC. Using a community-based participatory action approach, researchers conducted open-ended survey interviews with 57 participants, all of whom identified as persons of color. Findings offer insight on where youth stay most evenings, what precipitated youths’ most recent experience of homelessness, strategies used to cope or survive on the streets, primary service needs, and advice from youth experiencing homelessness. The youth’s family experiences were an important factor in their experiences of homelessness. Implications for social work practice, policy, and research are discussed.