Comments on: Cross-Agency Issues Action Team http://economicsecurity.us/blog/2008/05/08/cross-agency-issues-action-team/ Developing an Economic Security Agenda to support New York State's working families and grow the State's middle class. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: tgb1953 http://economicsecurity.us/blog/2008/05/08/cross-agency-issues-action-team/#comment-33 tgb1953 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:06:29 +0000 http://economicsecurity.us/blog/2008/05/08/cross-agency-issues-action-team/#comment-33 I work with a number of low income DSS clients who encounter a number of impediments to meaningful employment and self-sufficiency, not the least of which is the difficulty in accessing services. It seems like one agency just refers to another, logs the data as a successful referral, and drops the ball without following up to see if the client's needs were met. This is especially true for those with mental or physical challenges and/or disabilities. In addition, clients are often "punished" financially so there is little incentive for them to do better. For example, when clients get an increase in Social Security they get a corresponding decrease in Food Stamps so that they are no better off. Disability does not mean no ability but, rather, differently abled. Such clients should be encouraged to develop more self-reliance and not penalized. I work with a number of low income DSS clients who encounter a number of impediments to meaningful employment and self-sufficiency, not the least of which is the difficulty in accessing services. It seems like one agency just refers to another, logs the data as a successful referral, and drops the ball without following up to see if the client’s needs were met. This is especially true for those with mental or physical challenges and/or disabilities. In addition, clients are often “punished” financially so there is little incentive for them to do better. For example, when clients get an increase in Social Security they get a corresponding decrease in Food Stamps so that they are no better off. Disability does not mean no ability but, rather, differently abled. Such clients should be encouraged to develop more self-reliance and not penalized.

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