Question

A social worker works at an emergency shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The children are in desperate need of basic items such as socks, underwear, diapers, and school supplies. The shelter's budget has already been cut significantly and the shelter director informs the social worker that they cannot use any agency funds to purchase these items. The social worker should FIRST:

A. apply for a grant to obtain extra supplies from local funding source
B. call community stores for donations of needed items
C. plan a fund-raising event for the needed supplies
D. contact the board of directors for funding approval

Answer 1

The social worker should first call community stores for donations of needed items, as this action is immediate and can quickly address urgent needs. While doing so, they can also consider long-term strategies for systemic change, such as preventative programming and community investment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a social worker at an emergency shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence finds themselves unable to use agency funds to purchase basic necessities, the first course of action should be to call community stores for donations of the needed items. This step is immediate, direct, and can yield quick results to meet urgent needs. If the community is engaged and willing to help, local businesses and individuals might donate items such as socks, underwear, diapers, and school supplies. While seeking these donations, the social worker can also explore other options such as applying for a grant, planning a fundraising event, or contacting the board of directors for future funding approval. However, the immediacy of the need for basic items makes seeking donations from the community the most practical first step.

Other long-term strategies could include designing and implementing preventative programming, creating alternative NGO structures, and investing in local economies. These are important for addressing underlying issues and systemic change, but the immediate focus would stay on the provision of crucial supplies through community engagement and donations.