Social Welfare Office Research Articles

Exploring Belief Systems in Kinship Fostering Practice in Igbo Indigenous Communities of Southeast Nigeria

ABSTRACTKinship fostering in Igbo indigenous communities is an enduring alternative child care practice that promotes collective responsibility for child care in a family environment. The practice is believed to be fundamental for family and community continuity. Weakening extended family ties and a lack of social work support services in this care arrangement have cast doubt on the continual viability of this alternative child care practice This is an exploratory study using grounded theory. In‐depth interviews with six community leaders and six senior public social welfare officers provided insight on belief systems promoting kinship fostering in Igbo indigenous communities. Findings were thematically analysed to show continuity of lineage, preservation of family name and challenges associated with kinship fostering. Belief systems on kinship fostering provides insights on how children are viewed in Igbo culture, which can help policymakers design intervention programme that are culturally relevant in child‐care formation in Nigeria given challenges in kinship fostering. The study promotes indigenous knowledge that is vital for social work education and practice in Nigeria. Further study suggests exploring the belief of foster children and their experiences in kinship fostering.

What competencies should be prioritized in the training of social welfare officers at grade 8 and below? -Utilizing the Borich Needs Assessment and the Locus for Focus Model-

What competencies should be prioritized in the training of social welfare officers at grade 8 and below? -Utilizing the Borich Needs Assessment and the Locus for Focus Model-

A Proposal for Integrated Information System of Municipal Welfare Development Office Using Data Mining Methods for Decision Making Support

Technology's pervasive influence shapes contemporary communication, learning, and societal interactions. While its advancements bring benefits, they also pose challenges. This study addresses the complexities of technology in social welfare delivery, focusing on the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Placer, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. The current system of MSWDO faces operational hurdles particularly in managing social protection programs efficiently, leading to delays and frustrations among beneficiaries. Using a mixed-method approach, the study reviews the current provision through an online survey completed by the respondents selected by purposive sampling method. The findings show that respondents have a high level of agreement for the provision of an enhanced integrated information system. The proposed system, with the utilization of data mining techniques such as clustering, classification, and association rule method, can cater to Cash Assistance Budget Monitoring and Sectoral Records Digitalization. The recommendations prioritize Focal Persons, enhanced communication tactics, regular evaluations, and program designs that are adapted to meet local needs. The significance of digital solutions in optimizing social welfare delivery. By implementing recommended features, the MSWDO can enhance program efficiency, responsiveness, and impact, thereby better serving the community and maximizing resident welfare

Challenges Faced by the Department of Social Welfare in Empowering People with Disabilities (PWD): A Qualitative Study

Empowering people with disabilities and mainstreaming their needs into the national agenda should increase their development opportunities, improve development outcomes, and enhance their quality of life. However, people with disabilities face numerous barriers that impede their full participation in the social, economic, and cultural aspects of life. The Department of Social Welfare plays an essential role in improving the well-being of people with disabilities and makes significant efforts to empower them and combat exclusion. Therefore, this study focuses on examining the role of the social welfare office in empowering people with disabilities. The study aims to identify key factors that facilitate or hinder the empowerment process within the department for persons with disabilities. In this qualitative research, data was collected through focus group discussions with officials from the Department of Social Welfare in Putrajaya. Two main themes emerged from the analysis, namely the strength and support system and the limitations faced by the Department of Social Welfare. The findings emphasize that monitoring progress and offering opportunities for people with disabilities can contribute to their empowerment. Collaboration between the Department of Social Welfare, other government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other parties is critical in promoting positive social change. By leveraging their respective strengths, resources, and expertise, they can create innovative solutions, implement effective policies, and significantly impact society.

Assessing Weekly Wellness Sessions: Cordillera Administrative Region's Social Welfare Impact

This literature review examines the efficacy of workplace wellness initiatives, focusing on the Weekly Wellness Sessions (WWS) conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region. The study evaluates staff participation rates, the effectiveness of wellness programs, and challenges encountered in availing the WWS. Primary and secondary sources materials were used in the analysis of this literature review. Casual observations were also integrated. Findings reveal coffee sessions as the most popular activity, while limited facilities and costs hindered participation in other activities. The WWS were perceived as highly effective across multiple dimensions of well-being, with minimal variation based on gender or age. However, differences in effectiveness were noted among different positions and offices/divisions. Common challenges included time constraints, financial limitations, and personal barriers. Recommendations include enhancing financial accessibility, tailoring interventions, offering flexible scheduling, promoting awareness, and cultivating a culture of health and wellness. Addressing these recommendations can optimize the impact of the WWS and contribute to a healthier, more productive workforce within DSWD FO CAR.

Of Bombs and Bonds: Healing the War-Fractured Internally Displaced Families through Therapy

The article examines the relationship dynamics among families who were uprooted from their traditional communities because of conflict in Marawi City in the southern Philippines. The study specifically explores the areas of family communication, family intimacy, and family conflict domains in households of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Data were drawn from 266 IDP marital couples through an assisted survey. Through statistical comparisons, the study was able to establish that the frequency and quality of communication and intimacy patterns fell while family conflict increased. A t-Test also indicates the decreased trajectory of the quality of familial relationship in displacement compared to prior displacement. These results underpin the fact that war harms family harmony. The study argues that the government, through their social welfare offices, being at the forefront of social care intervention, should consider providing family therapy as a specific assistance to IDPs. More than ensuring a strengthened family bond, the benefit of undergoing family therapy is vital because it may have implications for the pace by which IDP families build back better. Future studies may explore the effectiveness of family therapy intervention to strengthen its place in the social services arena in the context of internal displacement.

An Investigation of the Determinants of Child Sexual Abuse in Tanzania: A Case of the Kilwa District-Lindi Region

Child sexual abuse (CSA), which includes assault and rape, encompasses all sexual activities involving a child. Internationally, there has been a recent surge in reports of CSA and other forms of violence against children. This substantiates the global significance and gravity of the matter, given its magnitude and impact on children. The current study on assessing CSA determinants in Tanzania for the Kilwa–Lindi region is presented as a case study, intending to uncover the socioeconomic determinants of CSA. The primary data were collected from 32 parents/guardians, who were systematically selected from 384 individuals who had reported CSA to social welfare offices. The presented findings were based on the observed meanings and realities that family members and the community ascribed to CSA through the lens of social construction theory. The qualitative data were analysed using Atlas.ti, and the quantitative data was analysed using Microsoft Excel. The following factors influenced CSA in the study area of Kilwa district: the socioeconomic status of women; the belief of community members in witchcraft as a method of purging misfortune and acquiring wealth; the use of remedies for HIV and other incurable diseases; the excessive workload and passivity of parents or guardians; the apathy of community members; the prevalence of myths and sexual taboos among parents or guardians; the ignorance of parents or guardians regarding indicators of CSA; and the scarcity of parental competence. Having the presented findings, it is therefore timely for the government to consider investing in prevention measures such as the early warning signs of CSA among children and parents and the reporting points, among others. The study recommends a comprehensive study on the awareness of CSA warning signs among children and parents in Tanzania

MULTISECTORAL CAPABILITIES IN IMPLEMENTING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND WELFARE ACT: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS TOWARDS ENHANCED COMPETENCIES

This study evaluates the multisectoral capabilities in implementing the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344 as amended by RA 10630) in major urban areas of the Philippines, specifically focusing on the Philippine National Police (PNP), Barangay Personnel, and Social Welfare Officers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diverse proficiencies involved in the implementation of this legislation, with a specific emphasis on the implementers and logistical capabilities of each sector. By employing a quantitative and descriptive methodology, this study aims to ascertain the level of competence and disparities among different demographic categories, with a specific focus on urban regions like Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela. The results indicate that the professionals of the Child and Social Welfare Department (CSWDO) have satisfactory levels of competence in both executing and managing tasks. However, there is an immediate need for substantial enhancements in the PNP and Barangay sectors. Notwithstanding the presence of operational gaps, the research revealed no statistically significant disparities in the perceptions of capabilities across various sectors. This suggests that the difficulties are systemic rather than isolated flaws. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing a cooperative and multifaceted approach that includes extensive training, increased human resources, and enhanced logistical support to strengthen the implementation of RA 9344. This approach aims to prioritize a rehabilitative rather than punitive approach to juvenile justice, to promote the welfare and rehabilitation of children involved in criminal activities. KEYWORDS: Multisectoral Capabilities, Juvenile Justice and Welfare, Enhanced Competencies, Implementers, Logistics

Gender Sensitivity in the Workplace Among Employees of the DSWD Field Office Caraga

The issue of gender inequality is one that has been significantly impacted by workplace diversity. To this end, this study aimed to determine the level of gender sensitivity in the workplace among employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga in terms of their language usage and office activities/management. Moreover, it also assessed the employees’ level of awareness on the entry points of Gender and Development mainstreaming. Statistical tools used in the analysis and interpretation of data include frequency and percentages, weighted mean, independent samples T-test and Anova, and correlation analysis. Favorable findings emerged from the study, with several participants demonstrating admirable degrees of awareness on the entry points of GAD mainstreaming and high level of gender sensitivity in terms of language usage and office activities or management. The results of the study revealed that gender sensitivity and employees' awareness on the DSWD's entry points in GAD mainstreaming are significantly correlated. Furthermore, the data showed significant differences in the employees’ level of gender sensitivity when grouped according to their age, employment status, and work experience. Despite these findings, relevant programs or interventions are proposed that would create a work environment more inclusive and gender sensitive.

The Role of the Social Welfare Service in Community Empowerment in NA IX-X District, North Labuhanbatu Regency

The policy of the Labura District Government plays a crucial role in overseeing and facilitating development in the region. The area can effectively and sustainably manage its development when complemented by a well-crafted RPJM (Regional Medium-Term Development Plan) and efficient organizational roles. The purpose of this study is to elaborate on the contribution of the Social Welfare Office to the empowerment of district communities. North Labuhanbatu Regency, NA IX-X. Obstacles to this program are usually found in remote locations, which may make it difficult for the Social Welfare Office to help those in need and strengthen communities in the NA IX-X District of North Labuhanbatu Regency. Qualitative data analysis methods such as literature review, interviews, and observations were used in this research approach. The study's findings suggest that, in line with community empowerment theory, they will help facilitate community participation to increase resource capacity. However, due to poor coordination, the role of the Social Welfare Office as a stakeholder in community empowerment for poverty alleviation, including planning, data collection, and assistance, is not optimal in fulfilling its obligations. Data collection of Family Hope Program recipients needs to be corrected on target in all local governments.

Disclosure Experiences of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a pervasive global issue with long-lasting consequences. Over the decades, the impact of sexual abuse on mental health has garnered significant attention, prompting research for practical applications in counseling. Counseling for sexually abused children is crucial to address trauma and promote healing. This study explores the lived experiences of child sexual abuse survivors in the Philippines, focusing on the context of disclosure. Using a phenomenological research design, the study engaged four female participants from a public secondary school, identified by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO). Data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face interviews and audio recordings, guided by a semi-structured interview format. Applying Lichtman’s 3Cs method for data analysis, four major themes emerged: negative emotional responses, recurrence of trauma memories, coping mechanisms, and access to support systems. The findings reveal the profound emotional scars and recurring trauma memories experienced by participants while demonstrating resilience and hope through various coping mechanisms. The study emphasizes the potential for healing within a supportive network, despite survivors' ongoing challenges with mental health and well-being. The availability of a strong support system is a critical factor in their recovery process. The research calls for a societal shift to prioritize the protection and wellbeing of sexually abused children and recognizing their inherent dignity and worth. Furthermore, it recommends strengthening the support systems for survivors, and the schoolbased mental health services specifically counseling and referral and launching public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.

Jumat Khutbah As Community Education Strategy For Family Stability Among Muslim Adults In Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Today, family instability (separation or a divorce) is predominant among Muslims in Ibadan metropolis. This is evidenced by the rate of separation and divorce cases, involving Muslim families in social welfare offices and customary courts in the city. The consequences of such family instability are among the indicators that placed Nigeria among 3rd World countries. Jumat Khutbah is usually used as community education tool to send messages of peace in the Muslim communities. It against this background that this research foresees the need to investigate how Jumat Khutbah as community education strategy responds to the contemporary problem of family instability among the Muslims in Ibadan metropolis. Two hypotheses and one research question guided the study. Qualitative and quantitative instruments were used to collect information from forty-five Imams, chairmen and secretaries of mosques and three hundred worshipers that were systematically selected while listening to khutbah in the fifteen purposively selected mosques in Ibadan metropolis. Data collected on the hypotheses were analysed with correlation while the research question was answered with content analysis of the information collected through the KII. The results revealed that a significant relationship exists between khutbah presentation and family stability and that a significant relationship exists between listening to and acceptance of khutbah messages and reduction of family instability. The study therefore recommends that Leadership of muslim communities should continuously motivate jumat Imams to ensure that issue of family stability and management of family instability enjoy more time allocation in jumat khutbah more regularly and that rather than going to conventional or sharia court on resolution of family disputes, active process of intervention, reconciliation and rehabilitation should be put in place as directed by Quran 4:35 to manage family issues among members of the muslim communities.

Desiring the state: Social welfare and kinship in post-socialist Tanzania

Every day, from Monday to Friday, women, men, and children sit on the uncomfortable benches outside the Tanzanian social welfare office and wait patiently for hours to meet with a welfare officer. There are mothers claiming alimony payments, fathers seeking visiting rights, quarrelling spouses, minors with legal problems, and families disputing inheritances. Most are ineligible for benefits, so this article asks why they nonetheless accept state practices of subordination like waiting. Based on case studies from 12 months of ethnographic fieldwork in the Department of Health in a northern district of Tanzania, I argue that queuing outside the welfare office signifies a ‘desire for the state’ as proposed by Street. To understand this desire, I explore the relationship between welfare clients and the state using the lens of post-socialism, specifically Verdery’s concept of ‘socialist paternalism’. This article explores kinship, the state, and the negotiation of responsibility in relation to the paternalistic images of the state reproduced by the ruling party, and argues that welfare clients appropriate these in search of care, advice, and guidance to address family and kin-related crises.

Implementasi Metode K-Medoids Untuk Clustring Penerima Bantuan Berdasarkan Normalisasi Data Masyarakat Miskin Dengan Metode Desimal Scaling

The Social Welfare Office is the distributor of aid for the economically disadvantaged population in accordance with the regulations set by the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Number 20 of 2019. This aid is provided to the economically disadvantaged population selectively, not continuously, in the form of goods or cash, aiming to improve the welfare of the economically disadvantaged and socially vulnerable. The data of aid recipients from the economically disadvantaged population needs to be processed and normalized to obtain the desired information, facilitating the grouping of aid recipients at the Southeast Aceh Social Welfare Office. The aid recipients' data is processed and normalized to ease the grouping process using Decimal Scaling method, enabling the extraction of desired information. Subsequently, the data is clustered using the K-Medoids method to group aid recipients based on the normalized data, thus simplifying the identification of the most suitable aid recipients. This research employs a system capable of providing a solution for clustering aid recipient data using the K-Medoids method and the RapidMiner application

SISTEM INFORMASI PENGELOLAAN KEGIATAN PENGAJIAN ANTARA MAGHRIB DAN ISYA (STUDI KASUS : KELURAHAN PENYENGAT RENDAH KOTA JAMBI )

The current problem is the reporting of data on maghrib and isha recitation activities and the non-exposure of maghrib and isha recitation activities to the wider community so that many people do not know the maghrib and isha recitation activities. To design a web-based information system so that data processing can be effective, efficient and computerized that can be used by the data processing of Maghrib and Isya Studies Teachers (PAMI) in Penyengat Low Village to facilitate the process of managing teacher data. The research approach used by the author is qualitative research. The system development method used by the author is the waterfall model. The information system is designed using Visual Studio Code tools and uses PHP programming language with Codeigniter framework and uses MySQl database. For this reason, the Jambi City Low Stinger Subdistrict Office, specifically in the Social Welfare Office, really needs a tool that is more efficient and effective in managing data on maghrib and isya recitation activities by inputting data and displaying reports that can be printed out. With the design of this system, the Social Welfare Office is helped in the process of obtaining information about teacher data, mosque data, activity data, RT data, and student data. In making an information system design application for data management of maghrib and isya activities of Penyengat Low Village Jambi City, the author uses the Visual Studio Code application with PHP programming language for designing the application.

Long-term social assistance recipients' experiences with an increased monthly payment: a qualitative pilot study.

Ten long-term social assistance recipients in a Norwegian municipality received a greater-than-average fixed monthly payment for 12 months. This study aimed to explore whether these recipients with reduced administrative requirements and a fixed monthly payment that was greater than the average social assistance experienced reduced poverty, increased feelings of independence, better daily living, and an improved quality of life. The study's explorative design included 20 qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews and a longitudinal electronic survey for 12 months. The 10 participants had been selected by the local labour and welfare agency based on stringent criteria and are therefore not representative of social assistance recipients in general. Individual interviews were conducted during autumn 2021 and spring 2022. The interview data were analysed using systematic text condensation, and the survey results are presented using descriptive statistics. The participants included in the project described a reduced experience of poverty. They could buy additional items and set aside money, something they had not been able to do in the past, and meant a great deal to them. They expressed experiencing freedom, gaining a stronger sense of independence, and having lessened feelings of shame. Many of the participants described health issues that were incompatible with working. Being given this opportunity led to a feeling of increased dignity and greater inclusion in society among this selected group of participants. They appreciated the simplified conditions and reduced requirements for administrative matters. All expressed that spending 8 months without contact with the social welfare office was a liberation.

Challenges of Food Distribution Process for Internally Displaced Persons in Non-governmental Organizations: An Ethnographic Study

This ethnographic discourse highlights the problems and challenges of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as explores the food distribution procedure. At the same time, the study also exposes the intolerance of international and national NGO employees and workers because the rights of IDPs are not protected during the food distribution process. The real effort of the international agencies is to manage and rehabilitate the situation of ceasefire from conflict circumstance to the relief settlement. The study used an ethnographic inquiry method in district Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, depending upon two key consultants and one focus group interview as well as one focus group discussion with a total of twenty (n=20) participants. The interview guide was used for the data collection. The data were analyzed through NVivo 12 Plus software and also manually analyzed with inductive thematic analysis approach with open coding, noting repeated themes, keywords, and critical events interpreted into different categories. The study concludes that the IDPs were not satisfied with the aid/food distribution procedures of NGOs. It was recommended that the government should evaluate the role of NGOs with the help of district social welfare officers and conduct descriptive research regarding the food distribution process.

Reinventing the Division of Labour? How Organisational and Micro-Level Factors Influence Work in Local Public Welfare Organisations

Abstract Many professions in the public sector, such as healthcare staff, social welfare officers and teachers are experiencing a heavier workload and an increasing number of work tasks of growing complexity. This study examines the policy tendency to introduce a stricter division of labour, by delegating lower status tasks professionals preform to assistants, as a key to reduce public sector workload. In contrast, the public sector has been subject to organisational reforms the past 20–30 years resulting in a reduced division of labour among professions. This article explores the reversibility of the division of labour within a local public sector context, and it demonstrates how different micro-level factors may promote or counteract changes in the division of labour at the workplace. A main contribution is the prospect to rethink the capacity of organisational work-related reforms in professional settings directed at processes of division of labour in local public organisations.

Re-emergence of canine influenza in the United States of America; a call for One Health approach; a letter to the editor

Re-emergence of canine influenza in the United States of America; a call for One Health approach; a letter to the editor

Conflicting experiences and identity development of Arab novice social workers in the stage of entering social welfare offices in Israel

ABSTRACT The entry into professional life is a critical stage in the professional identity development of social workers; it is a particularly sensitive milestone for Arab novice social workers in Israel. Novice social workers must deal with the gap between the universal, predominantly individualistic social work approaches taught in Israeli educational establishments, and the collectivistic values, which they encounter in social work practice within the Arab community. In addition, they encounter the practical and culturally-sensitive knowledge of experienced social workers in welfare offices in Israel. This gap is intensified due to novice workers’ unresolved identity conflict as members of an indigenous minority, experienced during and since their academic socialization. Despite these critical issues, the challenge has rarely received scholarly attention. This article presents findings from a qualitative study that has examined the conflicting experiences of Arab novice social workers Vis-à-vis their professional identity development and incorporation into Israeli welfare bureaus. It is based on thirty in-depth retrospective interviews with Arab social workers with at least ten years of experience in the field of family and child welfare. Findings are analyzed from a critical multicultural perspective on social work. They show that integration of Arab novice social workers into the Israeli welfare offices is characterized by ongoing tensions and inner conflicts. Findings raise awareness of the need to implement critical multicultural programs in social work education which emphasize cultural sensitivity in order to support Arab novice social worker’s professional identity formation and incorporation into social work practice in the Israeli welfare bureaus.