| Popis: |
COVID-19 impacted how families live, learn, work, and connect, especially for those living at the margins, coping with poverty and other stressors. The rapid shutdown across the country disrupted human services and in-person operations for public benefit programs. State and federal leaders had to pivot to virtual human service delivery (VHSD) to meet the rapidly increasing need for food, housing, health, and economic supports. This shift revealed existing gaps in systems yet drove opportunities to address eligibility and access challenges quickly. Virtual human services worked well for many individuals and families but not all. This chapter highlights the importance of an equity lens in determining who does and does not benefit from VHSD. Insights and lessons learned from virtual operations for policy and practice are discussed as emerging technologies continue to impact workforce and client experience into the future. |
