NASW Alaska | The Alaska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers

A close examination of poverty reveals that it is about much more than money alone. Poverty results from a number of factors that include political, social, and economic dynamics. For instance, as the country shifts from a manufacturing to a service economy, wages have been dramatically lowered for the average "nonprofessional" worker. In addition, poverty of women has been exacerbated by persistent disparities in salaries for men and women, as well as the disproportionate economic burden that single mothers face in raising children alone. About 1/3 of elderly Alaskan women who live alone are low-income, significantly more than elders who are men or who are married.

There is no single solution that can "cure" poverty—poverty must be combated on a number of levels. People living in poverty often need increased access to affordable childcare, low-income housing options, mental health treatment, and educational and employment opportunities. Families under the stress created by poverty are frequently forced to make unsafe and limited choices. Such an outcome results in the perpetuation of intergenerational dysfunctions such as family violence role modeling and traumatic brain processing in children; lack of adequate food for growth and development of children; and depression and loss of hope for families. The primary goal is always to empower people to become vital, healthy members of society.

Subsistence & Rural Development

On a broader scale, social workers are tackling the complex issue of poverty through community organizing around subsistence and rural development. Community organizing uses the community's assets and combines them with additional resources to build up the local systems that support health, education and financial viability. It emphasizes a community's strengths. Social workers empower community residents to be active in leading these efforts by lending their professional skills to facilitate and support local initiatives. NASW Alaska Chapter advocates the full support of rural economic development issues and continuing dialogue about subsistence as a way to support local rural economies.

Federal Entitlements

Alaska’s poverty programs are based on federal entitlements: the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program for low-income families; Food Stamps; Interim Assistance for those who are in process of being deemed eligible for Social Security because of a disability; and Adult Public Assistance for Alaskans with permanent disabilities. Release from poverty means not just providing a safety net, but networks into jobs that provide sufficient income and benefits to sustain a family. ATAP provides cash assistance along with case management and childcare so that low-income parents can get job skills, acquire work, and become able to support their families over a period not to exceed 5 years.

There will continue to be disproportionate numbers of families below the poverty level and in need of ATAP beyond the five year period. These are communities without cash economies and very limited paying job opportunities, whereby a subsistence lifestyle is mainstream. This economic system is accompanied by large family sizes, very high birth rates, and no road systems – which makes costs for heating oil, fuel and basic goods and services some of the highest in the nation. Families and individuals in need of TANF do have the ability to contribute in their villages and towns through community work credit such as food gathering and fuel (wood) distribution as well as domestic care and safety of elders and children in lieu of paying jobs, providing needed labor for basic goods and services. Most families are successful; some will always require assistance because of disabilities of a parent or child. These programs are managed by the DHSS Division of Public Assistance. NASW Alaska Chapter supports the full funding of Division of Public Assistance programs. NASW supports programs that are creative and adaptive to the needs of Alaska’s rich cultural and lifestyle diversity.

Another basic poverty program includes General Relief, through which the Division of Senior and Disability Services temporarily covers the cost of room and board in assisted living facilities when vulnerable elders and people with disabilities who have significant problems do not have sufficient funds to cover their living expenses. State-funded General Relief covers the costs of assisted care for vulnerable adults who have been abused or neglected in their home settings as well. Sadly, the Division chronically runs out of General Relief funds. NASW Alaska Chapter supports the full funding of the DSDS General Relief program.

A separate General Relief program is run through the Division of Public Assistance. It is a voucher program ($120/month max) used primarily for rent (when being evicted) or for indigent burial - 75% of the DPA General Relief funds go to burials NASW Alaska Chapter supports the full funding of the DPA General Relief program.

SeniorCare is a grant program that replaced the Longevity Bonus a few years ago. SeniorCare funds pay very low-income elders for some of their living expenses or for Medicare prescription gap coverage. Elders in Alaska have planned their retirement budgets with the Longevity Bonus calculated in; the loss of the Longevity Bonus has driven many elders into poverty. NASW Alaska Chapter supports the re-instatement of the Longevity Bonus in its last form.

A National Perspective: Promoting Economic Security — Increasing Opportunity

NASW maintains its commitment to a universal system of support that includes an adequate safety net and reduces the need for public assistance by providing tools and opportunities for families and the elderly to avoid becoming impoverished or to be moved out of poverty and contribute to the economic productivity and social functioning of the nation. The association will support proposals to protect and improve economic security provided by the current Social Security system.

Current National focus in this area revolves around the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, S.2.