use reference db 1 julia — H u m a n i t i e s

Respond to your colleagues’ responses by offering alternative strategies for presenting policy proposals to one or more colleagues.

Be sure to use reference

DB 1

Julia—

How might you communicate the needs of vulnerable populations to policy makers who may not share your views about the need for services?

When communicating needs of vulnerable populations to policy makers who may not share your views about the need for services, it is important to analyze which approach should be used. Legislators often make decisions on policies or programs when they will receive tangible benefits from them (Jansson, 2018). They might favor specific programs or policies that will benefit their constituents and other times they may favor them because a loved one would be positively affected by the specific program or policy (Jansson, 2018). As noted by Jackson-Elmoore, findings from the in-depth interviews noted that every person interviewed believed it was important to get to know legislators personally (2005). By getting to know the legislators despite believing they do not share your views, it can assist to find a connection from your proposed policy or program to the legislator. For example, during a conference, meeting, or workshop where it is intended to educate and exchange information with legislators, you can speak with the legislator in a smaller setting and perhaps have the chance to speak one on one. In that same setting, someone might provide evidence about a specific vulnerable population and share a story about a specific family that gets the legislator to realize the proposed policy or program can also assist one of their loved ones or someone within the community they have grown to know personally (Jackson-Elmoore, 2005).

An example story can be of a single mother who reached out to the organization, that the legislator is visiting for this conference or workshop, for help because she just got out of an abusive relationship and her child’s father is now in prison; she has nowhere to go, because the shelters in the area are at capacity and there is no known time for when there will be an opening. Perhaps, the legislator had a sister, aunt, friend, extended relative, who also dealt with domestic violence in the past before, but to her benefit she had family who took her in.

Additionally, legislators speak with constituents all the time to hear from them, perhaps the legislator met a woman a few times at his rallies and debates, who has shared with him a similar experience. Policy advocates should not assume they cannot find allies amongst legislators who they might initially think are opposed to specific proposals, because perhaps the advocate can make a personal connection from the legislator to the policy and change their minds. Of course, this will not always work, but it is important to try and persuade them by using soft tactics such as advising them of those who would benefit from the policy or program.

Additionally, they may not agree with your initial proposed policy or program, but you can begin educating and sensitizing those policy makers about the specific issue or problem (Jansson, 2018). Furthermore, when you continue to advocate for vulnerable population’s needs you should diagnose the audience you will be speaking to (Jansson, 2018). Just like when trying to direct a policy or program specifically towards a legislator who may have some type of connection, the policy advocate should address different beliefs and views within their speech, so despite the differences of opinions of those in the audience, their thoughts are addressed and hopeful persuaded to side with you (Jansson, 2018).

Additionally, other approaches exist when trying to convince policy makers of a policy or program that they may not agree with. Some of those include debating an adversary, coercive strategies, and negotiations (Jansson, 2018). It is important to determine which strategy would work best with the specific policy makers you are addressing. It is also important to acknowledge that some of the strategies can backfire, so your strategy should be well thought out (Jansson, 2018).

Resources

Jackson-Elmoore, C. (2005). Informing state policymakers: Opportunities for social
workers. Social Work, 50(3), 251–261.

Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to
social justice. (8th ed.). (pp. 284–326). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage
Learning Series.

DB 2

Ruth—

How might you communicate the needs of vulnerable populations to policy makers who may not share your views about the need for services?

Summary of the Problem

Have you ever felt sorry for the homeless lining the streets of your city? From cold winter nights to sweltering summer days, these people have often experienced the worst elements of the outdoors. And, of course, that stress is on top of whatever other hardships contribute to their homelessness or result from it. Whether it’s unaffordable housing or lack of somewhere to sleep, these individuals have been subjected to some of the toughest adversities of everyday life.

Homelessness has been on the rise in The United States for the past few years. Currently, there are over 500,000 people on a daily basis who do not have a home (Kushel, 2019). The state of California is among one of the highest for homelessness and accounts for 20 percent of the nation’s total (Kushel, 2019). A recent count was conducted in 2020 during the period of January 23-25 to determine the actual number of homeless individuals in San Diego (KPBS, 2020). The process concluded that 7,619 people were without a home with 3,648 living in some type of sheltered situation and the remaining 3,971 being unsheltered (KPBS, 2020). Of the unsheltered count, 17% were labeled as chronically homeless, 8% were youths, and 8% were veterans, and 37% were 50 years old or older (Kushel, 2019).

Appeal to their sense of humanity

Older adults tend to have more chronic conditions than those in their younger years. Maintaining a health regimen, especially when medications are involved is difficult for those who live in their cars or on the street. Much of the older homeless population are in the situation because of an unexpected illness, loss of their job, a new disability, or loss of a loved one especially if that loved one was their sole source of financial support. Seniors find it harder to handle these life situations and are frequently unable to “bounce back” especially when they find themselves without a home.

The high cost of housing in San Diego is a major contributor to senior homelessness. California is one of the states with the highest housing costs and they are rising still (Kushel, 2019). Over 30 percent of people who rent end up using more than 50% percent of their income to pay rent (Kushel, 2019). This can be almost impossible for older adults living on a fixed income such as social security. Having a safe place to park, especially for older adults is important. Many of these people have spent their lives taking care of others and now when they need our help, are we really going to say no?

Logical argument

The first course of action is to get the San Diego Municipal Code 86.0137 (f) otherwise known as the “ vehicle habitation ban”, repealed. The ban states, “It is unlawful for any person to use a vehicle for human habitation on any street or public property, unless the street or public property is specifically authorized for such use by the City Manager, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; at any time, within 500 feet of a residence, meaning a building used for living, including a house, condominium, apartment unit, or other similar dwelling unit affixed to real property; and at any time, within 500 feet of a school that offers instruction on those courses of study required by the California Education Code or that is maintained pursuant to standards set by the State Board of Education” (San Diego Municipal Code, 2019).

This would allow those who live in their vehicles to park overnight on city streets without fear of a ticket or police action. It is understandable that there are residents who object to the idea of the homeless “invading” their neighborhoods. These are the ones who agree with the ban. There are two possible solutions to this, one is a compromise where the ban is repealed but with designated hours at night when it is okay to park on the city streets. Or, create more safe parking programs using empty lots so those living in their cars will not have to park on the street. The second option should appeal to both sides, the ones who agree with the ban and the ones who do not. Funds can either be spent creating more alternatives to street parking or they can go to the officers who have to police neighborhoods and ticket people sleeping in their cars and the city workers who get called in to clean up after the homeless.

Good for San Diego Argument

Another way to approach my issue is by looking at the impact more safe parking programs could have on our economy and society. Parking programs need to have the staff to run them. New programs mean new jobs which would be great for our economy, especially now. Organizations such as churches could earn money by renting out their lots at night. This could motivate church members to get involved in the cause by volunteering or advocating for the homeless. San Diego could become the pioneer for safe parking programs helping to spread the idea to other states experiencing the same issue. Lord knows California could use some good publicity about now.

References

KPBS. (2020, April 29). Homelessness Drops In San Diego County. Retrieved December 19,

2020, from https://theconversation.com/how-the-homeless-popul…

San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC). (2019, July). Chapter 8: Traffic and Vehicles. Retrieved

December 19, 2020, from https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter…