workers discretion

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="c128dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Metis Calgary Family Services Society</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Metis Calgary Family Services Society"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id421.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ASP article New Tribe 2007"><U><B><IMG SRC="c140e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="previous" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>       </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>   </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#660033" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <I>workers discretion</I><I>; </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I>a testimonial</I></FONT></div> <div> <B>Discussion Paper on `Worker Discretion' </B>by Jen Silverhorse  <I>reproduced with permission from Skyworks</I></div> <bR> <div> "In trying to write about the topic of worker discretion, it is hard to put it all down in a way that makes sense as it raises feelings and thoughts that are difficult to put into a coherent order. First, I cannot stress enough how humiliating and soul-scorching it can be when a worker who holds your future stability in her hands sits across the table from you and informs you that it is your own poor judgment and decision-making ability that has put you in crisis in the first place. You hold your breath as this stranger with the authority to insure you have a roof over your head and food on the table tells you why you need to change the way you live your life, alter your approach to problem-solving and, worst of all, be a better parent. She batters you with her view of the life-choices you should make for your children and yourself while you sit and listen and nod because you have no idea if your application will be accepted or not. Any hint of disagreement can mean that you and your children are sleeping in the car tonight. It all boils down to "worker discretion". </div> <div> You are told that you must be an advocate for your children. But if you make informed choices on behalf of your child, you can be informed that there is a list of choices that the worker does not need to support. This discretionary worker support translates to the <I>provision </I>or <I>denial </I>of benefits and services. </div> <div> For example, if your child is struggling at school and you choose to home school, a worker's personal view means she does not need to support your choice and may, at will, deny your application for welfare benefits. </div> <bR> <div> If your child has ADHD and the school is demanding medication, you may choose the medication you feel will work best with the least risk, but if the worker disagrees with that decision, you may have no other option but to use a medication on the "approved list". </div> <bR> <div> If you choose not to use medication at all, you may be informed (as I was) that your "issues with authority figures is penalizing your child". I know of a mother of five whose worker insisted that the only way for her to break the cycle of poverty was to return to school. But this woman had had a very negative experience with daycare and did not trust her children in the care of others. When she informed her worker of her experience and that she intended to remain at home to care for her two youngest (ages 2 and 3) until they were school-aged, the worker cited her for "non-compliance" and terminated all supports until such time as she chose to take some sort of schooling. The mother complained that she was doing what she felt was best for her children. The worker responded that as a parent, she was well within her rights to make such a choice, but that she, as the case worker, was not required to support a choice that she did not agree with. </div> <bR> <div> I, personally, have been told by an intake worker that if I had known enough to keep my legs together I would never have gotten into a state of crisis. I have been told that if I went to church more often I would have the supports I needed and a stronger moral compass. I have also been told that by not taking my son to church to have a "proper Christian upbringing" I am denying him a spiritual foundation. (Once, I told a worker that the reason I do not go to church is because I was of the Pagan faith. She looked at me, quite obviously surprised and said: "Really? You seemed so well-spoken, I would have thought you would have been too well-educated for that.") I have been told that if I were just to lose some weight and put on a bit of make-up my self-esteem would improve. At the same time, I have tried to be honest within the same system and have been verbally abused, harassed and placed in a position where I have had to fight for the most basic of needs. Apparently I don't present as "pathetic" enough. I have been told that by not placing my child in public school I am damaging him for life. It all boils down to "worker discretion". </div> <bR> <div> Upon reflection, however, it seems that a certain twisted logic is at play here. Here are a series of assumptions that I believe have been made by some of the welfare workers who I have encountered. These assumptions informed their decisions about discretionary benefits: </div> <bR> <div> Assumption 1: You are unemployed; therefore your ability to future-plan is substandard. I am not unemployed; therefore my ability to future-plan is better. </div> <div> Result: My ability to plan your future is better than yours; therefore you should abide by my assessment of what would be best. </div> <bR> <div> Assumption 2: You are in a state of crisis, therefore your decision-making ability is impaired. I am not in a state of crisis; therefore my decision-making ability is greater than yours. </div> <div> Result: The decisions I make about what will work best for you and your family should be a priority. </div> <bR> <div> Assumption 3: You are in a state of poverty; therefore you are uneducated/ignorant. I am not in a state of poverty; therefore I am not uneducated/ignorant. </div> <div> Result: You are obviously unable to make an informed decision; therefore my decision is obviously more sound. </div> <bR> <div> Assumption 4: You seem bright enough to find supports without requiring this office. If I can force the correct sequence of events, I can make you support yourself. </div> <div> Result: If I deny you any and all supports, survival instinct will force you to take any/all action to support yourself and I can list you as a "success" because you are no longer in the system. Your independence is assured. Since all of the above is so, certain extrapolations can be made: </div> <bR> <div> Extrapolation 1: My child does well at public school. Since you are apparently unable to future-plan or make an informed decision, your choice to home school is inappropriate and should not be supported. </div> <bR> <div> Extrapolation 2: I have read the materials relating to various medications for children. Since you are uneducated/ignorant and unable to make an informed decision, your choice not to medicate is unsound and should not be supported. </div> <bR> <div> Extrapolation 3: I go to church and find a great deal of support there. Since all of the above assumptions are supposed to be true, you should also seek out church supports. </div> <bR> <div> The list goes on and on, but I suspect you get the idea. In the end, "worker discretion" can be the most damaging, victimizing aspect of dealing with agencies and individuals that are supposed to be "helping" people in need. I must also say that this kind of action is not limited to income support workers. I have seen it in shelter volunteers, children's aid workers, nurses, counselors and a range of others that are supposed to be society's "helpers". </div> <div> For those who are experiencing crisis or poverty it does nothing to end the cycle, but only serves to ingrain feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, ignorance and dependency. </div> <bR> <div> I hope these thoughts help in understanding the issues. "</div> <bR> <div> Prepared by Jen Silverhorse for Sky Works Charitable Foundation January 2008 </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>