Reference no: EM133659069

Scenario

As an AmeriCorps volunteer with an educational background in foods and nutrition, you are asked by the social service agency sponsoring you to help a current client budget for food within the allowance that she receives to feed herself and her children. This single African American mother is renting a home in an urban environment; she has no access to a car and depends on public transportation. Their home has only a small refrigerator and microwave, and no stove or oven. Recently, she has been informed that the rent will go up in three months at the end of the year, and she can no longer afford to live there; she may have to move in with her cousin's family in the suburbs. She has three children, ages seven, four, and three. She currently is working 40 hours a week at a fast-food restaurant for minimum wage from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. She spends $20 per week on bus transportation. Her mother helps with childcare for the four- and one-year-old during the day and the seven-year-old after school. Her yearly income is approximately $17,680 per year before taxes; she does receive health benefits with her job. Her school-aged daughter participates in the school lunch program; however, she cannot afford daycare or to send the younger children to preschool. She is concerned because her mother has multiple sclerosis and is struggling to physically care for the children. She presently receives $340 monthly SNAP allocation and getting some dry food items from a local pantry. The mother gets some nourishment at her work where drinks are free throughout the day, and she receives one free meal per shift that consists of a sandwich or hamburger and small fries. She typically consumes about 24 ounces of cola per day. She gets a discount on meals, so she typically brings home a fast food meal for her family five nights per week; they share two meals between five people (including the grandmother). At a recent physical, the mother and the two younger children were told that their body mass index (BMI) was at an at-risk range.

1. From Table 10-4 in the chapter text, describe four food assistance programs that are applicable for the children and for the family, and identify criteria for eligibility.

2. Considering that the family represents the paradox of food insecurity and obesity, discuss programs that would provide some nutrition education and more nutritious meals and food options.

3. Createe a conceptual model (see Figure 10-1) showing the interrelated factors associated with food insecurity. Characterize the variables that are modifiable or not modifiable.

4. Identify information that the nutritionist does not have readily available and information that needs to be uncovered by the professional to help this family move forward.

5. Propose possible solutions for the family, supporting access to food and adequate nutrition. Include the federally funded food assistance programs that were listed in previous questions and how these can serve this family. If applicable, include community outreach programs supported by local agencies.

6. Prioritize issues and variables impacting solutions.

7. Describe the limitations of the proposed solution(s).

8. Design a memo to social service staff communicating possible solutions and suggestions applicable to the family; design a comparable communication for the head of the household in language that is "consumer-friendly."

9. Explain how conditions might change for the family in such a way as to impact the current proposed solutions (e.g., if the grandmother can no longer physically provide childcare).

10. Establish a plan for monitoring the implementation of the solution(s) over time.