state.sc/cma

1. South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs The Culture of Povertypresented bySheila Albergottie MSW, Project Coordinator African American AffairsJuly 8, 2009 CMA www.state.sc.us/cma

2. Training Objectives • Give an overview of the Commission for Minority Affairs • Review poverty definitions / data and discuss the status of poverty in South Carolina • Identify some specific issues to consider when working with persons in poverty

3. SC Commission for Minority Affairs Mission Serve as a think-tank to improve the plight of minorities Serve as the catalyst to bring about public policy changes Single point of contact for assistance and referral Serve as a clearinghouse for minority information 3

4. Historical Overview • Created in 1993 – Governor Carroll Campbell • Non-Cabinet Agency • Primary focus was African Americans • 2001 – Ad hoc committee for Hispanic persons • 2003 – added Hispanic / Latino Affairs and Native American Affairs

5. Minority Affairs Commission • Alleviate poverty and deprivation • Determine contributing factors to poverty • Serve as the single point of contact for minority populations • African Americans • Hispanics/Latinos • Native Americans • Other ethnic races

6. Contributing Factors to Poverty • Family Destruction and Weakness • Education Deprivation • Lack of Jobs – Under and Unemployment • Lack of Community/Economic Development • Lack of Income and Wealth Creation • Lack of Minority Businesses/Venture Capital • Health Status and Care - Disparities • Disproportionate Representation - Criminal Justice System

7. Poverty Status of Minorities The SC Commission for Minority Affairs Minority Issues Conference June 11, 2007 Race, Poverty and a State of Mind www.state.sc.us/cma Dr. Ruby Payne aha! Process, Inc. www.ahaprocess.com

8. aha! Process Productswww.ahaprocess.com

9. Poverty Overview • Poverty Defined • Culture of Poverty • Generational Poverty • Situational Poverty

10. Poverty Defined • Poverty is relative • Based on geographic location • Census Bureau - finances

11. Poverty Geographically The Historic Black Belt's Conditions remain some of the worst in our nation. The Black Belt is still home to persistent poverty, poor employment, low incomes, low education, poor health, high infant mortality and dependance. • .

12. The State of Poverty in South Carolina http://ers.usda.gov/Data/PovertyRates/PovListpct.asp?Longname=SouthCarolina is the online source for this map

13. Culture of Poverty • The culture of poverty concept is a social theory explaining the cycle of poverty. Based on the concept that the poor have a unique value system, the culture of poverty theory suggests the poor remain in poverty because of their adaptations to the burdens of poverty. Wikipedia Encyclopedia

14. PovertyGenerational vs. Situational Generational poverty: families who have lived in poverty for at least two generations. Situational Poverty: families that have fallen into poverty because of a traumatic event such as illness or divorce, unemployment, etc. Dr. Ruby Payne

15. Counties above the National Poverty Level Source: Online http://ers.usda.gov/Data/PovertyRates/PovListpct.asp?Longname=SouthCarolina and http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45000.html

16. Counties that exceed the state and national poverty rates Source: Online http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45000.html

17. Activity How We View Others • Deficit • Deviant • Different • Other Dr. Linda Webb Watson

18. A Framework for Understanding PovertyRuby K. Payne, Ph.D.Hidden Rules One of the key resources for success in school and at work is an understanding of the hidden rules. Hidden rules are the unspoken clues that individuals use to indicate membership in a group.

19. Intervention Issues • Be prepared • How you approach others matters • Communication styles • Relationships

20. Honors internal assets of people from all economic classes Names problems accurately Identifies the mindsets and patterns that individuals use to survive Identifies strengths and resources in the individual, family, school and community Offers economic diversity as a prism through which individuals and schools can analyze and respond Identifies skills, theories of change, program designs, partnerships and ways of building school where students achieve Encourage the development of strategies to respond to all causes of poverty A Framework for Understanding PovertyRuby K. Payne, Ph.D.Additive Model

21. LAUGHING INAPPROPRIATE OR VULGAR COMMENTS PHYSICALLY FIGHT HANDS ALWAYS ON SOMEONE ELSE CANNOT FOLLOW DIRECTIONS EXTREMELY DISORGANIZED COMPLETE ONLY PART OF A TASK DISRESPECTFUL TO TEACHERS HARM OTHER STUDENTS, VERBALLY OR PHYSICALLY A Framework for Understanding PovertyRuby K. Payne, Ph.D.Behaviors Related to Poverty

22. 1. Poverty is relative. 2. Poverty occurs in all races and in all countries 3. Economic class is a continuous line, not a clear-cut distinction. 4. Generational poverty and situational poverty are different. 5. This information and work is based on patterns. All patterns have exceptions 6. An individual brings with him/her the hidden rules of the class in which he/she was raised. 7. Schools and businesses operate from middle-class norms and use the hidden rules of middle class. 8 For our students to be successful, we must understand their hidden rules and teach them the rules that will make them successful at school and at work. 9. We can neither excuse students nor scold them for not knowing; as educators we must teach them and provide support, insistence, and expectations. 10. To move from poverty to middle class or middle class to wealth, an individual must give up relationships for achievement (at least for some period of time). 11. Two things that help one move out of poverty are education and relationships. 12. Four reasons one leaves poverty are: It’s too painful to stay, a vision or goal, a key relationship, or a special talent or skill. A Framework for Understanding PovertyRuby K. Payne, Ph.D.Key Points to Remember

23. Resources -To better understand students and adults from poverty, the definition of poverty will be the "extent to which an individual does without resources" including: Financial--Having the money to purchase goods and services. Emotional--Being able to choose and control emotional responses, particularly to negative situations, without engaging in self-destructive behavior. This is an internal resource and shows itself through stamina, perseverance and choices. Mental--Having the mental abilities and acquired skills (reading, writing, computing) to deal with daily life. Physical--Having physical health and mobility. Support Systems--Having friends, family, backup resources and knowledge bases available to access in times of need. These are external resources. Role Models--Having frequent access to appropriate adults who are nurturing to the child and who do not engage in self-destructive behavior. Knowledge of Hidden Rules--Knowing the unspoken cues and habits of a group. Key Points (cont.)

24. African American Affairs Institute Our Vision We envision that African Americans in South Carolina will realize optimum quality of life. Our MissionOur mission is to build infrastructure and create institutions within the African American community and influence existing systems aimed at overcoming the effects of deprivation, poverty and discrimination.

25. The Cradle to Prison Pipeline ® Campaign Summit October 9 – 10th, 2009 Columbia, SC It's Time To Dismantle The Pipeline! The Children’s Defense Fund’s Cradle to Prison Pipeline® Campaign is a national call toaction to stop the funneling of tens of thousands of youth, predominantly minorities, down life paths that often lead to arrest, conviction, incarceration, and in some cases, death. Race and poverty are the major factors underpinning the Pipeline. The problems, policies and systems that feed the pipeline are a result of human choices.

26. Video People Like Us: Social Class in America http://www.pbs/peoplelikeus

27. S. C. Commission for Minority AffairsAfrican American Affairs Questions