1

INTERVENTION

Social Work Intervention

Crystal D. Clay
004338700
Wayne State University
Social Work 3810

INTERVENTION

Abstract

In this essay the generalist social worker illustrates practice intervention. The essay has three
parts that began with phase one- the formulation of a question and description of a needed
implementation. In step, two- as a researcher, the social worker provided evidence of the
effectiveness of the selected intervention for the example problem. Lastly, the third portion of
the essay and the focus of this paper reveals, which intervention the student social worker found
as most appropriate for addressing the needs of the targeted population. This section consists of
an overview of the intervention evidence-based study selected. This section includes the
intervention research design, sampling, measurement, methods for collecting data and answers
questions concerning ethics and cultural considerations. The essay concludes with identifying
results and implications that relate to the targeted population and problem.

INTERVENTION

The researcher lives and works in a predominantly African-American city. There are
enclaves in the city of wealth and access to resources is available to many. However, many of
the citys low-income, Black population suffer tremendously. The impairment is primarily due to
a distance created, between them and available resources. Many of these low-income, AfricanAmerican communities lack access to resources that include- affordable quality health care, early
childhood, and adult education centers, as well as senior and youth recreation opportunities and
among others. Additionally, the simple task of feeding a family a high quality, fresh food diet is
arduous and is the focus of this essay.
Many of the city's African-American, low-income residents encounter an absence of
national or local chain grocers within their community. The current composition of available
food source options is comprised of less than twenty grocery stores, citywide. Due to the
location of these markets, many do not service most of the citys Black low-income residents and
result in large numbers of citizens being excluded from shopping with these merchants. The
majority are two miles or more outside of the communities that necessitate services. This
deficiency, coupled with the insufficient or no available transportation issues, of some of the
city's Black and low-income citizens, limit their options. The vast majority of community
residents are forced to purchase grocery items in Mini-Marts, pharmacy, and corner liquor stores.
Many of which charge exorbitant prices for the convenience of their neighborhood location.
Often many of the underserved residents expend unreasonable amounts of monies for lowquality, processed products, and a limited selection. Additionally, the limited access to healthy
and affordable food options in this African-American low-income community is possibly a
critical link in the development of nutrition disorders and associated chronic disease.

INTERVENTION

Thus lies the problem-"How Can African-American, Low-Income Urban Food Deserts
Communities; Improve and Create Access to Healthy and Fresh Food Options: Through
Education, Activism, and Behavioral Change. The practitioner wishes to implement a course of
action, which closes the gap between merchant and consumer. The researcher desires to provide
useful information to the community's low-income Blacks to alter and enhance the residents
landscape. One wishes to circumvent these issues by providing education in areas concerning
nutritional choices, and possible urban gardening projects. Also, to meet the community's food
needs more sufficiently- there is a need for community relationship building among merchants,
and residents. Lastly, create a means to of transportation opportunity and availability to
community citizen in forming relationships with area churches, schools, and merchants.
Research Design
The Community Health Councils (CHC), African American Building a Legacy of Health
Coalition (AABLH) and researchers, developed a research design that includes "social
determinates and Socioecological methods (SEM). The format of the method uses "traditional
individual behavior approach to innovative an institutional practice and policy approach, that
focuses on community and societal change. Their findings conclude that the addition of "social
determinates could enhance SEM and develop a multidimensional framework and perspective
for individuals, relationships, communities, and societal influences on behavior".
Sampling
The model is dynamic and uses information from previous interventions and transformations.
The CHC model devised a "community-based participatory approach tailored to each of the
coalition's activities". The model expanded "upon three of the four SEM levels of change.
They included transforming individuals, relationships with a focus on families and networks

INTERVENTION

(marginal role), exploration of community with emphasis placed on infrastructure that supported
an/or impacted individual community health. Also, lastly, societal-including factors that ["create
social and cultural norms"]".

Measurement
The measurement methods utilized included "participant surveys and structured interviews,
meeting minutes and the development of issue agendas and actions items coalition members
offered; with follow-up occurring at succeeding meetings. The quantification also included
nutritional assessments, and how the overall evaluation results were used to assemble the various
stakeholder groups.
Data Collection
The collection of data incorporated procedures and instruments developed to complete "two
waves of assessments of food markets and restaurants establishments in contrasting areasaffluent and low-income. The measurements were carefully designed and structured to the
community audience. The purpose was to gain accurate information from respondents
concerning phenomenon. Despite all measurement being subject to error, due to the nature of
chance, being systematic or random -the community participants produced strong validity of the
measurements.
Ethics and Cultural Considerations
The intervention activities can prove effective with the practitioners target population. The
methods incorporate community citizens as stakeholders to assess and address their
neighborhoods needs. The application of the format for the intervention - incorporates
community members, and organizations and can be applied to any population. It is manageable

INTERVENTION

to employ community members to establish what the community issues are, changing behavior
patterns, galvanizing business, community and city leaders, and residents.
The process of educating citizens upon how to become the activist within their
communities can be difficult, however, rewarding. The social worker can foster change through
a series of community events, media and community network campaigns, and educational
classes. The method of collecting data can is easily administered within varying demographics
and is sensitive to the unique cultural characteristics of the practicing practitioners target
population. The methods take into consideration ethical issues and the needs, desires of the
population, with use the values of social justice, equity, and self-determination to promote
change.
Results and Implications
The intervention addresses the practice problem by creating policy innovation and community
empowerment. The intervention constructed a means to modify market opportunities and create
a control ordinance. The market opportunity produced a "multiagency incentive package," to
attract new supermarkets and healthy sit-down restaurant options within the low-income food
desert community. Secondly, the control ordinance places a standstill on new fast food
restaurants. The ordinance allows community residents and city officials an opportunity to
produce a strategy to manage the community food landscape, to improve the health outcomes of
residents.
The implication of change is offered with concrete solutions to establishing a change in
behavior, through education and community activism. The initiatives assist in formulating a
practical plan to restructure and empower the practicing social workers targeted population and
create solutions to the problem. The intervention shifts power to community partners and makes

INTERVENTION

them stakeholders in creating outcomes. The model partially addresses troublesome structures
centered on race and class, characteristic of the norms of policy making.
The creation of policy change does not ensure effective implementation. The policies do
not guarantee a high degree of community impact. There is also concern given to city
department budget restrictions. These restrictions have the ability to stall implementation of an
intervention of this nature. Additionally, the social worker must possess a critical skill set to
assist in the implementation of the intervention. The worker must be skilled community
organizing, negotiating, mediating, influencing policy makers, petitioning, educating, and using
various forms of media. The practitioner should also possess planning skills and excellent verbal
and written communication skills.
In conclusion the practicing social worker believes this intervention will serve the target
population well. The intervention offers a prescriptive toward establishing changes in behavior,
thinking, and access to resources and has proven effective. The initiatives resulted in the
creation of new institutional and local city government policies and reshaped grocery stores, and
restaurant industries development and use in low-income communities. The initiatives assisted in
formulating a usable, practical plan to restructure policy and empower the target population and
problem.

INTERVENTION

Works Cited

Lewis, L. B., & Galloway-Gilliam, L. F. (2011, 1 nd). Transforming the Urban

Food Desert from the grassroots up:A Modle for community Change.
Retrieved June 14, 2015, from PsycINFO:
web.a.ebscohst.com.proxy.libwayne.edu
http://proxy.lib.wayne.edu/login?url=http://dx.doi.org
10.1097/FCH.0b013e318202a87f