Social Workers In Appalachia

Working and living in Appalachia has its difficulties. Being creative and innovative are needed as a social worker living in Appalachia, especially the rural areas. As said before, Davis Child Shelter is unique service because it was created to fill up the avoid of children who are unable to get into treatment because of waiting lists or the treatment is not available, and waiting to get placed out of West Virginia. All the children that have walked through the doors have suffered from a disadvantage in the lack of services the State cannot provide. As said before, being creative and innovative is a must in this area. With my clients, because the psychiatric hospitals do not accept the Department’s medical cards, I would have to …show more content…
With limited professionals in the community, it limits services even more. With limited services means less jobs options for those who have professional degrees, and those who do stay are more likely less qualified because the pay is lower. This creates an overall poor skilled class of workers. This is very serious problem in child protective services in West Virginia were turn out rates are a huge problem (Johnson, 2013). Within Children’s Home Society, youth care staff workers do not need a college degree, any formal training, or experience to be hired. This can become an issue when working with residents who are more unpredictable in their behaviors. While the social workers do the interventions with residents, if there is a situation in the middle of the night and unable to call a social worker, knowing how to talk to people, claim someone down, interviewing, understanding mental and physical disorders, etc. can be a safety …show more content…
I know from my own personal experiences growing up in a hollow in rural Appalachia, there was no public transportation. Without personal care, this was an almost impossible feat. Even living in Madison, West Virginia, which is closer to hospitals and right off a major highway, there is only one form of public transportation for those who do not have a care. There is an issue when getting a personal care, the only way a person can get their own car is to have a job to pay for and maintain it. If that person does not have a job, it is very difficult to have their own personal transportation. This becomes a vicious cycle because one needs a car to get to a job; however, without a job, they cannot get a car. While this may not be a current issues with the residents at Davis Child Shelter, does not mean it was not when they were home, and still can be if they