Social Assistance Sector Research Articles

Intersectorality in a conditional cash transfer programme: Actors, convergences and conflicts

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyse intersectoral arrangements among the health, education and social assistance sectors in the operationalization of the Bolsa Família Program (BFP). A qualitative approach was carried out, in a peripheral region of a large urban centre of Southeast Brazil. Data content analysis was performed on the basis of reference in the Actor–Network Theory (ANT) using statements by the actors and considering ideas in dispute and work processes in the geopolitical territorial context. Seventeen managers of Municipal Secretariats of Health, Education and Social Assistance were interviewed, as were basic education, primary health care and social assistance professionals. One-off, episodic and discontinuous intersectoral actions were identified, with limited integration among sectors. Convergences and conflicts were found with respect to the institutional processes of BFP. The convergences referred to the conceptions shared among the actors about the role of intersectoral collaboration, as they recognize themselves as providing care to the same vulnerable population. Considering the multiple vulnerabilities of these families, the convergence of actions from different sectors can impact factors that condition inequalities. The conflicts were related to institutional conditions, to sectorized work processes and to a lack of understanding by professionals about the duties of their respective sectors.

Scaling up a home-visiting program for child development in Brazil: a comparative case studies analysis

In 2016, Brazil scaled up the Criança Feliz Program (PCF, from the acronym in Portuguese), making it one of the largest Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs worldwide. However, the PCF has not been able to achieve its intended impact. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to achieving the PCF implementation outcomes across the RE-AIM dimensions (Reach, Effectiveness or Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This comparative case study analysis selected five contrasting municipalities based on population size, region of the country, implementation model, and length of time implementing the PCF. We conducted 244 interviews with PCF municipal team (municipal managers, supervisors, home visitors), families, and cross-sectoral professionals. A rapid qualitative analysis was used to identify themes across RE-AIM dimensions. Families' limited knowledge and trust in PCF goals were a barrier to its reach. While the perceived benefit of PCF on parenting skills and ECD enabled reach, the lack of referral protocols to address social needs, such as connecting food-insecure families to food resources, undermined effectiveness. Questions about whether the social assistance sector should be in charge of PCF challenged its adoption. Implementation barriers exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic included low salaries, temporary contracts, high turnover, infrequent supervision, lack of an effective monitoring system, and nonexistence or non-functioning multisectoral committees. The absence of institutionalized funding was a challenge for sustainability. Complex intertwined system-level barriers may explain the unsuccessful implementation of PCF. These barriers must be addressed for Brazil to benefit from the enormous reach of the PCF and the evidence-based nurturing care principles it is based upon. NIH/NICHD.

A atuação da terapia ocupacional no Sistema Único de Assistência Social: mapeamento de produções científicas brasileiras

Abstract Since the formal inclusion of occupational therapists in the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS), the number of these professionals working in this sector has grown in Brazil. Based on this context, this article aimed to understand how specific literature in the area of occupational therapy has proposed or discussed the relationship between occupational therapists and SUAS in the country. An integrative literature review was carried out in three indexed national journals. 20 texts were found, 18 of which were published in the Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy. Nine articles correspond to experience reports, seven refer to the medium-complexity special protection of SUAS and the adult population at social vulnerability/risk is the most addressed. Social occupational therapy has offered theoretical and methodological support for work in the social assistance sector, being the most present reference in the productions studied, which have been growing in the country. The importance of the professional category in the SUAS services is well known to, together with other professions, face the expressions of social issues. It is hoped that this literature review can contribute to disseminating the profession's practices in SUAS and highlighting its challenges, with a view to strengthening professional performance in this sector.

Disparities in Prevalence of COVID-19, Long COVID, Disease Severity, and Mental Health Outcomes among US Adults by Industrial Sector of Employment, September-November 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major adverse impact on people’s health and well-being in the United States (US) and globally. Although inequalities in COVID-19 prevalence and to a lesser extent in Long COVID and related mental health impact among US adults have been documented, disparities in COVID-related outcomes by industrial sector of employment, an important social determinant, have not been studied. Using the latest nationally representative data, we examine disparities in COVID-19, Long COVID, and associated mental health impact among US adults aged ≥18 years by industrial sector. Methods: Using three consecutive rounds of the US Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey from September 14 to November 14, 2022 (N=148,813), disparities in COVID-related outcomes by industrial sector were modeled by multivariable logistic regression after controlling for race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health insurance, and other demographic characteristics. Results: During September–November 2022, an estimated 117 million or 48.7% of US adults reported having been diagnosed with COVID-19; 34.3 million or 29.4% of COVID patients reported developing Long COVID; 14.7 million or 12.6% of COVID patients reported experiencing severe COVID symptoms; 10.7% of COVID patients reported serious depression, and 17.8% reported serious anxiety. Adjusted for covariates, workers in wholesale trade, finance and insurance, educational services, healthcare, social assistance, and accommodation and food services had 30-39% higher odds of being diagnosed with COVID-19 than workers in the agricultural sector. Workers in social assistance, real estate, utilities, construction, and healthcare sectors had 48-102% higher adjusted odds of developing Long COVID than workers in wholesale trade. Conclusion and Implications for Translation: Marked disparities in COVID-related outcomes existed, with workers in employment industries such as healthcare, social assistance, real estate, arts and entertainment, and accommodation and food services being at increased risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, Long COVID, severe COVID symptoms, serious depression, and anxiety. Equitable access to social services and healthcare, including mental and behavioral health services, among workers afflicted with these conditions is critical to reducing inequities in COVID-related health outcomes. Copyright © 2023 Singh et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.

Social Workers in the Social Housing Assistance Sector: Building the Ideal Housing Policy Principles

Social Workers in the Social Housing Assistance Sector: Building the Ideal Housing Policy Principles

Industry and occupational employment projections overview and highlights, 2022–32

Employment and real output are projected to grow from 2022 to 2032. The total economy is projected to add about 4.7 million jobs during this decade, with employment reaching a level of 169.1 million in 2032. Most of the projected employment gains are concentrated in the healthcare and social assistance sector and the professional, scientific, and technical services sector. The retail trade and manufacturing sectors account for the bulk of the projected job losses from 2022 to 2032.

COOPERATION OF LOCAL INSTITUTIONS IN CARRYING OUT ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS. THE EXAMPLE OF COMMUNES OF THE MAZOWIECKIE VOIVODESHIP

The article addresses the problem of planning and organising local government activities that respond to the concept of healthy and active ageing. The results of a pilot project carried out in three municipalities in the Mazovian voivodeship indicate the high organisational potential of local governments in the field of implementing activities for senior citizens, based on a cooperation of institutions representing the social assistance sector, culture, sport and rehabilitation. The process of implementing active ageing measures is participatory, although in the locations studied the role of the Senior Council was very limited.

The demand for competence and qualification of medical personnel in the light of the results of empirical studies

The demand for competence and qualification of medical personnel in the light of the results of empirical studies

Terapia ocupacional e cultura: dimensões em diálogo

Abstract This manuscript aims to deepen and enrich discussions surrounding the intersection of occupational therapy and culture. It explores the relationship between these fields across three different dimensions: i) the cultural aspects of human activities in occupational therapy; ii) the influence of culture in the historical evolution and constitutive processes of occupational therapy, where the arts play a central role; and iii) the potential for culture to serve as a field of practice for occupational therapists, informed by cultural policies and the recognition of culture as a human right. In this framework, culture acquires different contours, providing insights into its relevance for human activities within the scope of occupational therapy. The present debate proposes that culture should be considered in the context of individual, community, and territorial human activities. These activities also participate in hegemonic processes of power that require an occupational-therapeutic approach, one that is cognizant of the complexities of cultural reproduction, hierarchical systems, classifications, violations, and colonization processes, as well as resistance to these factors. The study posits that the links between art, culture, and occupational therapy are merely coincidental but are important to the profession’s historical development and ongoing practice. Moreover, it contends that there exists a specialized field of action directly related to cultural policies, one that requires its own set of theoretical and methodological frameworks. This, in turn, enables potential collaboration with health, social assistance, education, and other sectors.

Workplaces Most Affected by COVID-19 Outbreaks in California, January 2020-August 2021.

Objectives. To describe which industries have the highest burden of COVID-19 outbreaks in California. Methods. We assigned US census industry codes to COVID-19 outbreaks reported to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) from January 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021, and determined numbers of outbreaks, numbers of outbreak-associated cases, and outbreak incidence levels by industry. We determined characteristics of outbreak-associated cases using individual case data linked to COVID-19 outbreaks. Results. Local health departments reported 19 893 COVID-19 outbreaks and 300 379 outbreak-associated cases to CDPH. The most outbreaks (47.8%) and outbreak-associated cases (54.8%) occurred in the health care and social assistance sector, where outbreak incidence levels were highest in skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities (1306 and 544 outbreaks per 1000 establishments, respectively). High proportions of outbreaks also occurred in the retail trade (8.6%) and manufacturing (7.9%) sectors. Demographics of outbreak-associated cases varied across industries. Conclusions. Certain California industries, particularly in the health care, manufacturing, and retail sectors, have experienced a high burden of COVID-19 outbreaks during the pandemic. Public Health Implications. Tracking COVID-19 outbreaks by industry may help target prevention efforts, including workforce vaccination. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(8):1180-1190. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306862).

Assessment of the quality of the food assistance service with the SERVPERF model

Assessing service quality based on user satisfaction is an unavoidable task. That implies not only knowing the perception of users, but also generating new knowledge. That is why the main objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of the food assistance service through the SERVPERF model of Cronin and Taylor (1992) adapted to the public social assistance sector. As well as identifying the dimensions most valued by the user, corroborating the validity of the model in the sector studied. This research was developed under a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive and non-experimental approach (Hernández, et al., 2014; and Bernal, 2016). The sampling was non-probabilistic for convenience with 154 participants, whose ratio was 7 questionnaires in relation to the 22 items of the measurement instrument, fulfilling the criteria of Hair et al. (1999). With this investigation, the SERVPERF instrument was validated for the public sector, with acceptable levels of Cronbach's Alpha greater than 0.700 according to Nunnally (1978) and through descriptive statistics, the normality of the data was identified, in addition to verifying the correlation between elements and by each variable studied.

Research priorities to reduce risks from work hours and fatigue in the healthcare and social assistance sector.

The services of Healthcare and Social Assistance (HCSA) workers are needed by society around the clock. As a result, these workers are exposed to shift work and long work hours. The combination of demanding work schedules and other hazards in the HCSA work environment increases the health and safety risks to these workers, as well as to their patients/clients and the public. This paper has three aims: (1) provide an overview of the burden of shift work, long hours, and related sleep and fatigue problems in this sector; (2) suggest research priorities that would improve these; and (3) discuss potential positive impacts of addressing these research priorities for the health and safety of workers and the public. The authors used a modified Delphi approach to anonymously rank-order priorities for improving HCSA worker health and safety and public safety. Input was also obtained from attendees at the 2019 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Work Hours, Sleep, and Fatigue Forum. The highest rated research priorities were developing better designs for work schedules, and improving the HCSA culture and leadership approaches to shift work and long work hours. Additional priorities are identified. Research in these priority areas has the potential to benefit HCSA workers as well as their patients/clients, employers, and society.

Konstytucyjna ochrona praw osób starszych w zakresie wybranych świadczeń pomocy społecznej - założenia a realizacja

The ageing of the population and the reduction of the caring potential of families result in an increased demand for caring services provided by institutions of the social assistance sector for elderly dependent persons. The article aims to present and evaluate constitutional regulations, supplemented by statutory regulations on the protection of rights of the elderly, especially in the area of institutional support, i.e. social welfare homes, and to identify barriers that prevent obtaining individual benefits. The article analyses legal acts, jurisprudence and statistical data concerning the provision of care services in the community and stationary form. Although the discussed political regulations secure the rights of the elderly in the field of social assistance, there is a noticeable lack of precise regulations, which were included in acts of a lower rank.

Inter-sectorial network for assisting women in situations of violence: handicraft work built by the people.

to discuss the meanings attributed by professionals to the construction of the service network for women in situations of violence. Convergent Care Research developed with the application of a convergence group with 32 participants from the health, social assistance, or public security sectors, in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. The data was produced during ten meetings, based on the problematization methodology, and submitted to analysis of thematic content and interpreted with the referential of networks. the construction of the network is an artisanal work carried out by people continuously, permeated by bonds, communication and partnerships between services and knowledge of work processes. Lashings require permanent movement. building a network implies defining intertwining lines; form nodes that create cross-sector connections. There is a need to institutionalize processes through care continuity protocols, associated with an efficient communication system between sectors.

Quality of the home, daycare and neighborhood environment and the cognitive development of economically disadvantaged children in early childhood: A mediation analysis

The objective of this study was to investigate how socioeconomic factors and the quality of ecological environments affect motor and cognitive development of economically disadvantaged children. This is a cross-sectional, predictive and correlational study using structural equation modeling to analyze data on 147 economic disadvantage children of 24–36 months attending public daycare. The Bayley-III Scales, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory, the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised Edition, a socioeconomic index and a specifically designed questionnaire on neighborhood quality were applied. The ecological environments did not affect motor development, but 25 % of variations in cognitive development were explained by socioeconomic differences and differences in the quality of the neighborhood, home and daycare. However, only the quality of the home and daycare had a direct impact, with the other factors affecting the outcome indirectly and to a lesser extent. In conclusion, this study investigated the association between the ecological contexts of economically disadvantaged children and their cognitive and motor development. The findings showed that the environmental context had effect on cognitive development. The home was the environment that exerted the most significant direct effect, followed by daycare and, indirectly and to a lesser extent, the neighborhood. Therefore, the coordination of public policies between health, education and social assistance sectors, aiming at the three ecological environments is important in order to promote the cognitive development of economically disadvantaged children.

A Systematic Review of Workplace-Based Employee Health Interventions and Their Impact on Sleep Duration Among Shift Workers.

Shift work is associated with long-term health risks. Workplace-based health interventions hold promise for improving or maintaining the health of shift workers; yet, the impact of workplace-based interventions on shift worker sleep duration has not been assessed. We conducted a systematic review of workplace interventions on shift worker sleep. We conducted searches in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, EMBASE, Scopus, and PsycINFO (n = 6,868 records) of all studies published through May 15, 2019. Eligibility criteria included the following: (a) individuals aged ≥18 years; (b) a workplace-based employee intervention; (c) an employee population comprised predominantly of shift workers (>50%); and (d) sleep duration as a study outcome. Twenty workplace interventions met eligibility criteria. Mean intervention duration was 125 (SD = 187) days and mean sample size was 116 employees (SD = 256) with a mean age of 36.4 years (SD = 6.5). Interventions most commonly focused on light exposure (25%) or shift timing (25%), followed by sleep hygiene (20%). Most interventions were conducted in the health care and social assistance sector (60%). Study quality on average was 64% (SD = 7%). A majority of the studies found that a workplace-based health intervention was associated with a desirable increase in 24-hour total sleep duration (55%). The overall average increase in daily employee sleep duration achieved by interventions ranged for RCT studies from 0.34 to 0.99 hours and for non-RCT studies from 0.02 to 1.15 hours. More than half of the employee health interventions, especially yoga or mindfulness interventions, resulted in a desirable increase in sleep duration. Workplaces hold promise as an avenue? for delivering programs and policies that aim to improve sleep duration among shift workers.

Family Support and Teenage Pregnancy

The complexity of the phenomenon of pregnancy among adolescents requires an approach that involves aspects of guaranteeing rights, health, human development, and family relationships. This study aims to identify the perception of pregnant adolescents regarding the family support they receive from their families, in a public health service in the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista (SP-Brazil). Forty pregnant adolescents in prenatal care, aged from 14 to 17 years old, were interviewed, through the exploration of quantitative information, with the Family Support Perception Inventory and Adolescent Social Skills Inventory. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. A total of 39 participants had a mean-low or low result for the mean total perception of family support, and one participant had a medium-high outcome. The younger adolescents, with lower educational level and who lived with their infants’ father, were the ones that had the lowest indices in the evaluation with the IPSF. The lowest rates for the IHSA assessment were found among 16- and 17-year-old participants, especially among those living with their babies’ parents. The interpersonal relationships, from the family context, should be addressed in the processes of prenatal care and pregnant adolescents’ follow-up by health care professionals and the social assistance sector.

Wybrane świadczenia w polskim systemie pomocy społecznej - próba analizy

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie struktury wybranych świadczeń - pieniężnych lub niepieniężnych - w systemie pomocy społecznej oraz zidentyfikowanie kluczowych w Polsce trendów w tym obszarze w latach 2012-2018. Przeprowadzone na potrzeby artykułu analizy sygnalizują, że zapowiedź odejścia od transferów pieniężnych na rzecz świadczeń pozapieniężnych, aktywizacji społecznej czy zawodowej ma jedynie charakter deklaratywny.W analizowanym okresie wystąpił negatywny trend polegający na zwiększeniu się liczby odbiorców świadczeń realizowanych w formie pieniężnej przy spadku liczby osób objętych wsparciem w formie pozapieniężnej. Rosła także liczba świadczeń przyznawanych z powodu dysfunkcji zdrowotnych i niepełnosprawności, malała zaś liczba świadczeń z powodu bezrobocia i ubóstwa.Ponadto nastąpiło zwiększenie zatrudnienia w sektorze pomocy społecznej, ale przy jednoczesnym spadku zatrudnienia pracowników socjalnych.

The Australian labour market in 2019

1 This article provides an overview of the key features of the labour market in 2019, with historical data providing insight into recent trends. In 2019, the female labour force participation rate reached an all-time high of 61.3%, 10 percentage points lower than the male rate. Disaggregated analysis shows this growth stems from rising participation amongst older women. This, in turn, is underpinned by a growth in feminised sectors of the labour market, notably the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. Since 2000 this sector has contributed 22.6% to total employment growth and at 2019 accounted for 13.5% of the Australian workforce. There has also been a growth in part-time and casual employment over recent years, with the latter now accounting for 25% of all employees. These are concerning developments, with estimates showing that 58.6% of casuals are not guaranteed a minimum number of hours of work in their job. The article notes that wages growth remains below that required to stimulate employment growth, and that a continued focus on conventional labour market indicators has the potential to lead to misguided policy formulation.

Supplemental Security Income enrollment and health care and social assistance employment and wages.

We examine the relationship between disabled working-age Supplemental Security Income (SSI) enrollment and health care and social assistance employment and wages. County-level data are gathered from government and other publicly available sources for 3144 US counties (2012 to 2015). Population-weighted linear regression analyses examine associations between each health care and social assistance employment and wage measure and SSI enrollment, controlling for factors associated with health care and social assistance employment and wages. Results show positive associations between county-level percent of the population enrolled in the SSI program and health care and social assistance employment and wages with strong associations identified for social assistance employment. A one standard deviation increase in SSI enrollment is associated with a 5.6% increase in the health care and social assistance sector employment percent compared with the mean and 9.7% and 7.3% increases in health care and social assistance sector employment and wage shares, respectively, when compared with the means. We find working-age adult SSI enrollment is positively associated with employment outcomes, primarily in the social assistance organization subsector and in lower wage paying jobs. Evolving federal disability policy may influence existing and future SSI enrollment, which has implications for health care workforce employment and composition.