Comments on: San Francisco Library Hires Social Worker http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/media/san-francisco-library-hires-social-worker.html NASW Communications Network - Social Workers speak out on television, movies and other media Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:48:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: MIchael S. http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/media/san-francisco-library-hires-social-worker.html#comment-1779 MIchael S. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:11:00 +0000 http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/?p=1746#comment-1779 Sorry- I also wanted to add this--- It is difficult to find agencies to go to this man due to his right of refusal; in essence, the burden lies on him to reach out for help. Most agencies, public and private, are overwhelmed by the people that are actively seeking help- they don' t have the resources to search out people that only MAY want help- homeless is so pervasive that most helpers have to turn away people banging on their doors, even with young children. In Baltimore, where I am, people line up at 3am or earlier to get into shelters that have that 1 hour window of 6am to 7am. Its a sad truth- if this man really wants help, he can get it if he is persistent- but I've never heard of a shelter that will allow animals in for Health Department reg reasons. And if he doesn't want help- he's an adult, it's his choice. And some people really do choose to be homeless- shelters aren't always very nice places. Sorry- I also wanted to add this— It is difficult to find agencies to go to this man due to his right of refusal; in essence, the burden lies on him to reach out for help. Most agencies, public and private, are overwhelmed by the people that are actively seeking help- they don’ t have the resources to search out people that only MAY want help- homeless is so pervasive that most helpers have to turn away people banging on their doors, even with young children. In Baltimore, where I am, people line up at 3am or earlier to get into shelters that have that 1 hour window of 6am to 7am. Its a sad truth- if this man really wants help, he can get it if he is persistent- but I’ve never heard of a shelter that will allow animals in for Health Department reg reasons. And if he doesn’t want help- he’s an adult, it’s his choice. And some people really do choose to be homeless- shelters aren’t always very nice places.

]]> By: MIchael S. http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/media/san-francisco-library-hires-social-worker.html#comment-1778 MIchael S. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:05:17 +0000 http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/?p=1746#comment-1778 I don't know what state he is in- every state, and many times local municipality, has different laws and services available regarding the homeless. However, it is universal that you cannot force someone into services if they are not an immediate threat to the safety of self (i.e., actively suicidal) or others (i.e., homicidal or actively violent). Passively harmful to self- ignoring illness, choosing to avoid shelter, is not enough legally to force someone into services. It's the balance of civil rights vs. public protection- never an easy thing to get right. While some cities do have active outreach services to the homeless, no one can compel this man to find housing- in essence, he has a right to be homeless. He may not have a right to stay where he is currently staying- the property owner could force him out via police- but unless he becomes an active danger no one can force him into a housing program. And, honestly, even if he met the danger criteria, he would be hopsitalized for a few days, maybe a few weeks at most, given referrals, and be once again free to live on the streets if he so chose. I don’t know what state he is in- every state, and many times local municipality, has different laws and services available regarding the homeless. However, it is universal that you cannot force someone into services if they are not an immediate threat to the safety of self (i.e., actively suicidal) or others (i.e., homicidal or actively violent). Passively harmful to self- ignoring illness, choosing to avoid shelter, is not enough legally to force someone into services. It’s the balance of civil rights vs. public protection- never an easy thing to get right.
While some cities do have active outreach services to the homeless, no one can compel this man to find housing- in essence, he has a right to be homeless. He may not have a right to stay where he is currently staying- the property owner could force him out via police- but unless he becomes an active danger no one can force him into a housing program. And, honestly, even if he met the danger criteria, he would be hopsitalized for a few days, maybe a few weeks at most, given referrals, and be once again free to live on the streets if he so chose.

]]> By: Carol Hansen http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/media/san-francisco-library-hires-social-worker.html#comment-1629 Carol Hansen Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:38:55 +0000 http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/?p=1746#comment-1629 How Can a person help a single homeless man with a cat. He is living under the greyhound bus terminal,with his cat. He is sick with a very bad chest cold,and I am concerned that it could get worse. I have been e-mailing and talking to so many people, and still he is homeless and has given up ever getting a permanent home. What I don't under stand is how do you get into talk to someone who will actually help him out, He has a trust issue with the system. I look up one site and it stated you had to be at an address at 6am in the morning and by 7am they gone. I want to help this man but no one wants to come out of their comfort zone to help me. this man is not on drugs, or an not drink alcohol, he is very clean for a homeless man, I have hug him and he smell 's clean. he shaves, and keeps his cat environment clean too. My name is Carol Hansen and please contact me at carol.hansen@sierraclub.org, please don't send me any more list I need a body to come and help me get this iman into a permanent place . How Can a person help a single homeless man with a cat. He is living under the greyhound bus terminal,with his cat. He is sick with a very bad chest cold,and I am concerned that it could get worse. I have been e-mailing and talking to so many people, and still he is homeless and has given up ever getting a permanent home.

What I don’t under stand is how do you get into talk to someone who will actually help him out, He has a trust issue with the system.

I look up one site and it stated you had to be at an address at 6am in the morning and by 7am they gone.

I want to help this man but no one wants to come out of their comfort zone to help me.
this man is not on drugs, or an not drink alcohol, he is very clean for a homeless man, I have hug him and he smell ‘s clean. he shaves, and keeps his cat environment clean too.

My name is Carol Hansen and please contact me at carol.hansen@sierraclub.org, please don’t send me any more list I need a body to come and help me get this iman into a permanent place .

]]> By: antiSWer http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/media/san-francisco-library-hires-social-worker.html#comment-1501 antiSWer Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:22:50 +0000 http://www.socialworkersspeak.org/?p=1746#comment-1501 Ah, my dream job. I'd love to work in a library AND be a social worker...sigh. Ah, my dream job. I’d love to work in a library AND be a social worker…sigh.

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