Augustine Butler, Oscar Carrera, Sara A. Fuller, Aisha Peeples, Thomas Philp, Diane Garcia-Pitts, and Terry Wilkerson
BSHS 441
May 11, 2014
Dr. Pam Alvarez
Interview Week Four Geneva Hausman is a lobbyist for Cumberland County Department of Social Services and this is the individual that the team has done week fours interview with. Geneva has over seven years experience as an Intake Caseworker in Child Welfare, three years experience in lobbying and policy analysis and additional experience working with low income families involved with substance abuse, mental health issues and homelessness before becoming part of the county social services department.
Geneva Hausman works for the Cumberland County Department of Social Services. The role that Geneva plays as an advocate within the agency as the lobbyist that breaks down the most difficult policy issues for the law makers and the legislative staff members. Geneva usually plays this role because the lawmakers and the legislative staff members tend to lack the time to fully research the complexity of the policy issues. Geneva’s role is important in order to make sure that any issues within the Cumberland County Department of Social Services because without her, the issues with the policies would not be dealt with appropriately or according to plan. Geneva’s position as a lobbyist affects social policy changes in many ways but the most important is in breaking down complex policy issues for lawmakers and legislative staff members who often lack the time to fully research these matters. Without this research the words may change but the effectiveness may not.
According to Geneva Hausman, “Getting funding from legislators can be difficult at times and getting them the budge on their decisions can be challenging but the funding comes from their decision.” Geneva hopes and strives to continue her role as a legislator to obtain more funding for Cumberland
References: National Education Association. (2002-2014). http://www.nea.org/home/46653.htm Sperlings Best Places to Live. (2013). http://www.bestplaces.net/crime/county/north_carolina/cumberland USA.com / Cumberland County. (2014). http://www.usa.com/cumberland-county-nc-income-and-careers.htm Unemployment Rates for States [Statistical Data]. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm