Respond to two colleagues that chose each of the perspectives you did not choose (e.g., if you chose culture, respond to one colleague who chose immigration and one who chose geography).

• Discuss how your perspective aligns with or differs from your colleague's related to perceived need and implementation.

This week's post addresses the case of Miguel, a 10-year-old male from Colombia living in the United States with his mother (36) and sister (5). The household currently lives in a shed due to the mother fleeing a relationship that involves domestic violence with Miguel's stepfather. Miguel's school has intervened. This week's post will identify one policy or program relevant to the circumstances in Miguel's case study and explain how the perspective I choose of immigration and culture informs the policy I choose. Finally, I will explain how to implement the policy generally and specifically for Miguel's case.

Policy Relevant to Miguel's Case Study

The policy I researched and found through the library search that is relevant to Miguel's case is the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Caffrey (2020) reports, "The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) is a federal law in the United States that provides funding and resources to women who are the victims of violent crimes.". The reason this policy is relevant is that it uses grants to fund programs to help domestic violence victims with protective housing options, provides culturally responsive programs and resources to increase awareness and educate, provides victim services to address safety concerns as well as ways to apply for permanent residency for immigrant women who have suffered from domestic violence (Gover & Moore, 2021).

The Perspective of Culture and Immigration

The perspective I chose was culture and immigration. The fact that Miguel and his family are immigrants plays a considerable role in the need for culturally responsive services. The VAWA provides grants to fund services that help immigrant women who have suffered from domestic violence apply for permanent residency and safe housing, which relates directly to the needs of Miguel's case study. Due to cultural norms and language barriers, it would be essential to ensure the interventions are culturally competent. The National Association of Social Workers (2021) states, "Social workers should demonstrate an understanding of culture and its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths that exist in all cultures.".

Implementing the VAWA

When implementing the VAWA, a social worker can assist Miguel and his family with applying for the different programs and resources that are available to help move the family from the shed they are currently staying into safe housing, applying for permanent residency for Luisa and her son who is still in Columbia and resources to obtain gainful employment. Child Welfare Information Gateway (2015) reports, "Child welfare professionals who work with immigrant families should be aware of the potential impact of these laws and policies on their cases.". With this thought, the social worker can also implement the VAWA by informing the shelter of the laws around the act that protect Luisa and her family and informing Luisa of other services that are available to her so that she is not forced to believe that her only option is to take back her abusive husband to get the sponsorship needed to return her son that is in Columbia as well as guiding her to resources that are available to help her become self-sufficient.