Discussion: Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Populations

Throughout history, groups of people have received mistreatment that has little to do with who they are as people and more to do with their age, gender, socioeconomic status, skin color, or physical disability. People who face such challenges are more at risk for developing mental health and other life problems. Such problems might include substance abuse, trouble with law enforcement, and homelessness. Human services professionals may be motivated to assist such groups in addressing the challenges they face; however, helping may be difficult because of mistrust, cultural stigmas, and institutional barriers. Whatever the difficulties, social change agents, leaders, and advocates in the human services professions must find ways to help disadvantaged and vulnerable groups face challenges.

To prepare:  Select a disadvantaged or vulnerable population,      and reflect on the challenges people within this population might face in      society. This population can be local, regional, or from another country.  Select a code of ethics that might be applicable to      this population, and identify specific guidelines that might guide your      work with this population.  

With these thoughts in mind:

Post a brief description of the disadvantaged or vulnerable population you selected. Then, explain three of the greatest challenges this population faces, as well as the influence that addressing each of the challenges might make in the lives’ of members of this population. Finally, identify a professional code of ethics and explain two guidelines from within that code that might pertain to working with this population. Be specific, and provide examples to illustrate your points.

Required Readings

Homan, M. S. (2016). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.

· Chapter 5, “Knowing your Community” (pp. 113–151)

Wronka, J. (2017). Human rights and social justice: Social action and service for the helping and health professions (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

· Chapter 4, “At-Risk and Clinical Social Action and Service Strategies Toward the Creation of a Human Rights Culture” (pp. 187–239)

Kyounghae, K., Choi, J. S., Eunsuk, C., Nieman, C. L., Jin Hui, J., Lin, F. R., & … Hae-Ra, H. (2016). Effects of community-based health worker interventions to improve chronic disease management and care among vulnerable populations: A systematic review. American Journal of Public Health, 106(4), e3–e28. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302987. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Johnson, K., & Bonner, M. (2013). Utilizing the six generic human service competencies and ecological systems theory as a basis to understanding barriers faced by marginalized clients. Journal of Human Services, 33(1), 47. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

National Organization for Human Services. (n.d.). Ethical standards for human service professionals. Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals

Laureate Education (Producer). (2009e). Social change application—Disadvantaged populations [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.