Social Services
The Office of Social Services is the largest World Government agency. Its functions are myriad and include assignment of housing, investigation of resource abuse, coordination of medical and psychological evaluation and treatment, issuance of Swipe Cards, social investigation, disability determination, employment and training coordination, educational work deferral coordination, assignment of healthcare providers, arrangement and monitoring of substance abuse treatment, foster care coordination, and arranging placement for youth offenders and trouble youths.
While the Housing
Authority builds and maintains all housing, Social Services does the actual
work of matching up citizens with homes.
At nine-thirty am on Tuesday, Larry Gold and his wife Sarah arrived at their local Social Services Office for their appointment, which they had scheduled the previous week over the Internet. After a short wait in the large but comfortable waiting area, they were escorted to Room 247 where they were greeted by Sally Williams, their Social Worker. Ms Williams, a Relocation Specialist, worked in an office that was small but bright, and comfortably accommodated the semicircular four person upholstered bench that centered around a table holding a large computer monitor. After exchanging greetings Dr. Gold explained that while they and their two sons were happy in Pittsburgh, they had always wanted to live in Israel and desired her help in making the move.
Ms Williams clicked on the Israel Region on the computer's world map, bringing up a more detailed map of the region. They discussed several regions as Ms Williams reviewed both Larry and Sarah's work experience and training records. She reviewed the educational opportunities for their children, cultural features, as well as recreational activities. The Gold's expressed an interest in living in Jerusalem, but there was no need for a Molecular Biologist, Dr Gold's profession, in that area. There was however a need for a Cellist (Mrs. Gold) in the symphony there. They were offered the choice of relocating temporarily to Tel Aviv where they both could work in their professions, or of Dr Gold working in another possibly unskilled position in Jerusalem, and they chose Jerusalem. Arrangements were made for the Golds to travel by high speed Hovercraft from New York to Lisbon, and then from Cartagena across the Mediterranean to Israel. Initial temporary housing in Jerusalem was also arranged ; the local Social Services Office would arrange for definitive housing when they arrive.
Will Darden reviewed his assignment log on the computer monitor in his third floor office at Social Services. Today he needed to make a home visit to Sharon Thompson's home. She had been identified by data from the Clothing Supply Stores that she had been consuming an unusually high quantity of clothing lately; particularly denim jeans. Mrs. Thompson welcomed Mr Darden into her home, as she had been expecting the visit of which she was notified yesterday. After exchanging a few pleasantry remarks. Mr Darden explained the situation; that the computer data indicated that Mrs. Thompson was consuming an abnormally high quantity of denim jeans. Sharon explained that used the jeans as fabric for recovering her sofa and love seat, on which they were now sitting. Will asked a few more questions, regarding why she chose to use jeans instead of fresh denim fabric, and she explained that she wanted to achieve a random patchwork appearance, and that she had only employed varying shades of old blue jeans for her project. Mr. Darden complimented on her work, which was quite nice, and entered some information into his portable computer. As her use of the resources seemed reasonable, and actually very conservative compared to using a fine, new fabric, he reassured her that her usage was not a problem, and he bid her goodbye.
Mr. Darden's second appointment for the day was with Carol Jenkins. Her repeated requests for cough syrup with codeine prompted the South Side Medical Clinic to send an inquiry request to Social Services. A review of her adolescent son's medical records revealed six prescriptions for cough syrups with codeine, as well as one bottle that was "dropped on the sidewalk" and replaced. Two prescriptions for a narcotic pain medicine had also been prescribed for a vague back pain. Further investigation revealed a similar trend in her daughter's records as well as her own.
Will took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He didn't like this Kind of visit; there was likely to be a confrontation. As the door opened he noticed the family room was a bit disheveled. At least she was home, he thought; half of the time people see this coming and they try to relocate. But, they still get help- they have to go to Social Services to arrange housing and then the message comes up on the computer, necessitating that some other agent take care of the problem.
Carol feigned a smile
and invited Will into her house. Pushing aside a few assorted things,
he sat down on the sofa and tried to gather his thoughts. Noticing a picture
of a teenage boy in a football uniform, he started there asking a couple
questions about how her son's football season was going and Mrs. Jenkins
answers which were initially up-beat, started to become terse until she
finally asked him to get to the point of his visit. He explained to her
that the Pharmacy Computer System identified her household as over-requesting
narcotic medications, and that he was sent to investigate and see if there
was a problem. She assured him there was not a problem, as she paced around
the room like a cornered animal. She tried to convey that the prescriptions
had been needed for the colds that they had all had recently, at which
point Will pointed out to her that they had consumed enough cough syrup
for each family member to have five doses a day, every day, for two months
straight.
Mrs. Jenkins was really getting defensive at this point, telling Will that he was "just like all the other social workers" and that he could leave now. Will pointed out that he was reasonably confident that she, or someone in the family, had a problem with codeine abuse. He went on to tell her that the global Pharmacy Computer System would now block all narcotics prescriptions for all family members until arrangements were made for family counseling and the matter was resolved. She had a few choice words to say about that. As Will stood up to leave, he apologized for having to "do his job", and reminded Mrs. Jenkins that she would be contacted later in the day by Mental Health to set up an intake consultation.
At the initial visit, the family would be interviewed and an attempt would be made to determine who was actually using the codeine, who was co-dependant, and what interventions or services might be useful.
Remember the story from the chapter on Access to Resources. One citizen suddenly started ordering mineral water by the caseful. Each week for a month he ordered two cases of two liter bottles of French mineral water. Living alone, his exceptional use triggered an inquiry visit by Social Services. At the time of the initial visit he was found to be a pleasant sixty-seven year old man who stated that he had developed a great liking for the beverage. The social worker was concerned, but after counseling him about the over-use, closed the inquiry. A few months later he started ordering the mineral water again. This time he stated that he had developed a compulsion to bathe in mineral water. He underwent a psychological evaluation and counseling, but really did not seem to be abnormal. Later, he called the therapist and admitted that he had been lonely ever since his wife had passed away, and started his bizarre pattern of consumption to get attention. The problem was solved by involving the gentleman in several community activities where he formed friendships and involvement.
Renee Patterson is a 73 year old silver-haired grandmother who has always been fiercely independent. For the past seven years she has been living in a pleasant apartment in a development designed for inclusive living. She has access to activities, transportation, even shopping, on the grounds of her complex. She was recently hospitalized with a hip fracture, and underwent a total hip replacement operation. During her hospitalization, she was introduced to a social worker who would be responsible for coordinating her physical therapy, medical appointments, and supervision of her living situation following her procedure. Due to her worker's involvement, she was able to recover from her operation and resume independent living. One of her housing complex's aides was assigned to her during the weeks after her operation and assisted her with bathing, mobility, and general supervision.
Bret Kimbel lost his swipe card, again. After listening to his personal stereo in the waiting room for fifteen minutes, the seventeen year old was escorted to room 151 where a Social Worker, Jane Fleming, RN was waiting. After taking his seat, he watched a short video presentation about responsibility, and ways to avoid losing your Swipe Card. After the video ended, Ms. Fleming quickly pricked his finger and obtained a small dot of blood for analysis. She then used her computer to inactivate his lost card and handed him his new card. She offered a variety of key chains, bracelets, and neck straps to help Bret keep his card and he went with the neck strap. She informed him that his card would have temporary access for twenty four hours until his identity was confirmed by the results of the DNA testing just collected.
In cases where the DNA testing fails to confirm a citizen's identity, the temporary card is inactivated. The next time the card is used, the citizen is instructed that the card is invalid, and to return to Social Services to clear up the problem. On the second occasion that an individual falsely obtains a Swipe Card, he is apprehended at the point of use and taken into custody where his situation is evaluated. Then, appropriate counseling can be arranged, or charges may be filed.
Jessica Willet has worked in several unskilled jobs since leaving the Youth Commune four years ago. She has been a waitress, a store clerk, and a landscaping assistant. Last month, frustrated with the work she has been doing, she made an appointment with Social Services. She was taken back to a small but comfortable office where she was greeted by a Social Worker who introduced herself and discussed some of Jessica's situation with her. She then administered a standardized personality and professional aptitude test and reviewed the findings with Jessica. Despite having to come to Social Services ready to make a change, she still did not know what she really wanted to do. The Social Worker suggested a number of videos highlighting several different career paths; Jessica expressed an interest in health care. The Social Worker arranged to meet Jessica the following day to visit a medical office and the local hospital, where she met a number of women and men with jobs ranging from a medical records clerk and a receptionists to a radiology technician, a nurse, and a physician. They then discussed the training required for each position afterwards. Jessica enjoyed the time and caring shown by the Social Worker and, fleetingly, inquired what training would be needed to pursue a career in social work. She ultimately decided to seek training to be a Nursing Assistant, and arrangements were made for her training as well as a work deferral while in training full time.
Laura and Rick Bowlin are foster parents. They have been raising foster children placed in their care off and on for the past ten years, at which time they were told they were infertile. They have shared in the growth of dozens of children who had the misfortune of alcoholic parents, abusive or negligent parents, or those awaiting adoption. Whenever the Bowlins are caring for one or more children under the age of five years, either Rick or Laura is given a work deferral. When caring for older foster children, one parent is given an "after school" work deferral to allow them to spend more time with the needy child. Social Services coordinates the safe and appropriate placement of children with families and maintains guardianship of the children.
Penny Martin, a sixteen year old girl from Detroit, got off her bicycle outside a small grocery store in Ann Arbor. After biking all day, she had used up all of the food she had hastily packed when she ran away from home that morning. She did not use public transportation as she would need to use her Swipe Card to board a Hitrain and her whereabouts would be easily determined. As she walked through the store she slyly slipped a container of hotdogs and a package of cookies into her jacket. Unfortunately, she was spotted by the store's manager, who with a single keypress on his computer console, locked the front door and quietly alerted the police. Theft was uncommon as every citizen in good standing had free access to all goods and services. However, it was necessary on occasion to apprehend a drifter or runaway teen who either lacked a Swipe Card, or chose to avoid using it.
The police arrived and took custody of Penny, who pitched a bit of a fit and went on about how they were never going to take her back to her parents. They did take her to the Police Station though, and took a statement from her. Before contacting her parents, she was interviewed by a social worker who, despite Penny's unwillingness to talk to her in great deal, was able to get the feeling that Penny was not getting along well with her parents and that she may be depressed. Also, a rapid drug screen performed at the station revealed the presence of cocaine in her system.
When Penny's parents were contacted they were genuinely relieved that she was all right, while simultaneously livid that she had run away and that she had been using cocaine behind their backs. Her father expressed that he was going to come down there immediately and "drag her rear end back home" and that she won't do this again. The social worker stayed calm and suggested some alternatives to Mr. Martin, as Penny was adamant that she not be sent home. She suggested some temporary placements for Penny, including an Adolescent Community about ninety miles away that featured intensive counseling, school credit with tutoring, and her mandatory substance abuse treatment since she was a minor. After a great deal of bickering, haggling, and confronting with reality, the Martins consented to allowing Penny to go to the Adolescent Community to receive treatment and work through her feelings. After her initial visits with the psychologist, her parents would be interviewed by the counselor either in person, or over the internet, to work on whatever issues they may have.