Criminal Justice

This discussion board relates to this week’s learning objective:Discussion of the criminal justice system and criminal justice policy in America in addition to the roles, skills, values, and ethics of a social worker. Examine the existence or risk of a crisis, trauma, or disaster in client’s lives and how a social worker navigate their role and ethics within that. Analyze self-care strategies and determine how we can take care of ourselves to prevent burnout or secondary trauma.

The purpose of this discussion board is to introduce you to the justice system and its policies and procedures in America. Additionally you will become more familiar with navigating the resources and structure of the criminal justice system. You will also learn to identify if their clients have experienced (or are in danger of experiencing) a crisis, trauma, or disaster. You will discuss how crises, traumas, and disasters can influence a client’s life.

Lastly, you will learn about self-care strategies and create/discuss your own self-care strategies in order to promote positive and healthy functioning. You will discuss the impact that burnout, secondary trauma, and vicarious trauma can have on a social worker and on any person.

First read the Harjo Case Study. Also read through the supplemental information on the city of Globe.

You need to address the following questions in your response:

1- What is 1 crisis or traumatic experience that has happened to your client, and how has it affected them? If you do not believe that your client has experienced trauma/crisis, what is one crisis/traumatic experience that could arise if the client does not receive proper care?
2- Discuss 2 self-care techniques you would use to manage the emotional stress you would face as a social worker (Ex: hobbies, socializing, diet, exercise, etc.). 3-Why do you think those two would help you the most?
3- How does the criminal justice system play a role in your client’s life currently?
4- How would you work with your client to prevent any future legal/justice issues?
5- What is one question that you have about your case study/client and its relation to this week’s module material?

Mrs. Harjo and Tony:  Mrs. Harjo is 65 year old female who identifies as Latina. She lives in Globe, Arizona, and subsists on Supplemental Security Income, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps), and her garden. Mrs. Harjo has been living alone since the death of her husband five years ago. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, and visits her hometown in Mexico for Semana Santa every other year. Mrs. Harjo identifies as Catholic by has not participated in organized religion since the age of 14, when she relocated to Globe, AZ.

A paternal grandson, Tony (age 13), recently moved in with Mrs. Harjo following his mother’s death from cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholism. Tony’s biological father is serving five years in  prison on a second conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia, a class six felony in Arizona (https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03415.htm) . Tony’s biological parents were never married, and his mother did not obtain a legal divorce from her first husband. When Tony was born, the hospital registrar accidentally listed the first husband as the legal father on his birth certificate.

Mrs. Harjo went to Tony’s school to give notice of a change of address and to put her name on file as guardian and emergency contact. School officials pointed out that Tony was not legally related to Mrs. Harjo, and that therefore she had no authority to authorize medical care, or to enroll Tony in school.

The principal referred Mrs. Harjo to an attorney, where she appealed for help in getting Tony’s paternity corrected. The attorney advised that the biological father adopt Tony in order to change the legal parent, but  refused to take the case because Tony’s father was incarcerated, and the likelihood of an adoption by an incarcerated parent was too low (Garcia, Bain, Avera, Armenta, 2005).

Tony’s grades have dipped to a C average (he typically earns A’s and B’s) since the death of his mother.  He is on the freshman baseball team, and cites this as one of his favorite activities, but will be barred from playing should his grades continue to decline. Tony has no specific academic interests but wants to remain eligible to play baseball. Teachers report that Tony has always been quiet, but has had difficulty concentrating in school since his mother’ death two months ago.

Three months ago, he suffered a knee injury playing baseball and is slowly returning to practice, and was prescribed Percocet (an opioid) for the severed pain. Tony complains that he still has lingering pain and continues to take the prescribed Purcocet. He also shared a few of his pain killers with a friend.

Mrs. Harjo followed up with the principal for a recommendation to get Tony in to see a counselor, but has not received a reply. She is unsure where to go to find something she might be able to afford.Tony has no known medical issues, and has seen a doctor regularly. Tony reports he does not remember the last time he has seen a dentist, and is worried that he may need braces.

ANSWER

Harjo Case Study

Discussion

Tony is at the adolescence human development stage. This information is relevant to the case since social workers can advocate for Tony to be taken into custody by Mrs. Harjo because he is at a stage in life where he needs a family or a guardian to take care of him. He is not an adult. During adolescence, people experience problems such as delinquency, anxious reactions to changes of adolescence, and pressures to experiment on drugs, alcohol, and risky sexual behaviors. A social worker has to recognize the client’s fear and understand their life. As a social worker, I cannot ignore the signs of the adolescent crisis that my client is undergoing. Tony is also under immense pressure to perform well in school to remain eligible for the school’s baseball team. Therefore, he needs an environment where he feels comfortable to speak out and ask for help. He also needs unconditional love and support to be able to counter all the challenges and pressures that he is experiencing at school and within.

Based on the challenges and problems that the Harjo family is facing, social security income and Medicaid. Medicaid is a need-based health insurance program for families and people with income below a certain set amount (Gruber, 2003). By having Medicaid, Mrs. Harjo can enjoy healthcare and also take Harjo for dental care visits. Social security income also plays a crucial role in ensuring that people continue enjoying a good living standard and access to healthcare as they grow older. It ensures that the elder people and families stay out of poverty (Moore, 2011). With a social security income program, Mrs. Harjo will still receive monthly income even after retirement, which will enable her to take care of the family’s basic, financial, and healthcare needs. These two self-care programs would be most beneficial to her and the family.

Mrs. Harjo is currently in her late adulthood stage of life or what is sometimes referred to as the young-old stage of human development. As such, she may likely face discrimination in society and institutions because of her age. People in the young-old stage of life often face discrimination because they are looked at as old, weak, and in need of help. Such people may also get depressed and sad since their family members may treat them differently due to their age. Some often get depressed since they see, think, or believe that their family members are fighting over the inheritance that they will leave behind when they die. This is a common problem for most elderly people in society.

To assist Mrs. Harjo and ensure that she does not suffer from depression or anxiety as she grows older, I would inform her of the different available resources for elderly people upon her retirement. For instance, an adult daycare program would be a good way of ensuring that she spends her time with other elderly people without having to feel discriminated in society or at home. This is a way by which older clients can maintain some level of independence while remaining in their communities or homes.

A question that I have regarding this case study is what course of action Tony would be forced to take if Mrs. Harjo becomes unable to provide care to him. What would happen to Tony?

References

Gruber, J. (2003). Medicaid. In Means-tested transfer programs in the United States (pp. 15-78). University of Chicago Press.

Moore, K. L. (2011). An Overview of the US Retirement Income Security System and the Principles and Values It Reflects. Comp. Lab. L. & Pol’y J., 33, 5.