SOCW 6000

SOCW 6000

Week 3 first post SOCW 6000
Respond by Day 5 to at least two colleagues who identified strengths and challenges that were different from yours
1. Shawanta Shelton

Having the title of being a social worker in the Commonwealth of Virginia comes with many different stipulations. Two strengths that I find are the education and work requirements. In order to considered a social worker one has to have a Bachelors Degree in Social Work; however in order to go for licensure in social work one has to have obtained a masters degree from a school that is apart of the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). With pursuing to become licensed one has to have completed a 600-hour clinical practicum that focuses on diagnostic, prevention, and treatment services. I feel that education is a strength because it pushes an individual to a higher level along with having the chance to get more information in a specialize field. With having work experience a social worker with a bachelors degree has to have 3,000 hours post graduate experience. In Virginia licensed social workers have to take an exam as well and submit paperwork to the Board of Social Work before being licensed.

The challenges that come with having the title of being licensed is one being licensed eligible. Some stop at pursing a licensed once they become licensed eagle. Being licensed legible gives individuals some opportunities to work in the field and even hold jobs and duties that one can stay in without having to continue on with being licensed. Another challenge is the route one plans to take to get licensed. In Virginia one can become licensed by examination with a MSW degree or by BSW degree. Gaining licensed with BSW degree requires more work I find it challenge due to the process being lengthier.

Virginia Board of Social Work. (2016). Licensure Process handbook. Retrieved from http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Forms/social/Licensure_Process.pdf
Demetria Smith
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 3
COLLAPSE

To be a social worker in Georgia, you must have a master?s degree and have state licenses. There are two types of licensure which are Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)and Licensed clinical social worker(LCSW). A LMSW must be supervised for two years before working alone. A LMSW can have their own practice. In older to be a license clinical social worker, you must be supervised for three years before working alone(http://www.socialworklicensure.org/state/social-work-licensure-georgia.html#context/api/listings/prefilter). A LCSW is required to have a hundred and twenty supervision hours with at least sixty supervision hours with a LCSW. LCSWs and LCSWs have to take thirty-five hours of continuing education every two years to renew their Georgia social work license (http://www.socialworkguide.org/licensure/georgia/ ). The two strengths associated with the tittle protection and licensure are I would be able to get my own practice in Georgia if I chose to. I also will have the current trends of being a social worker because of the hours of continuing education. The two weaknesses associated with the tittle protection and licensure are a person may not be able to work and complete the two or three years of being supervised to get their license as a social worker. Also, it may be hard for a person to find a place where he or she can get the continuing education that is needed to keep your license as a social worker.
REFERENCES
(http://www.socialworklicensure.org/state/social-work-licensure-georgia.html#context/api/listings/prefilter
(http://www.socialworkguide.org/licensure/georgia/
Demetria Smith

Week 3 Post 2
Respond by Day 6 to at least two colleagues who selected the other scenario. Compare the approaches you each took in addressing ethical concerns associated with the scenario
2.
Said Ali
EXPAND

Scenario 2: Ethical Steps in Social Work Practice
This case study is a clear example of stigma in the social work practice. Some mental health professionals often stigmatize their clients rather than helping them. The first step that I will undertake when confronted with such a case is to embrace the professional ethics and acceptable standards. Embracing professional values and personal biases is the ultimate way in which social workers are able to deal with issues of stigma within their places of work (Daley & Doughty, 2006). Doing this can be a very difficult transformation that demands considerable personal work as well as therapy. Social workers can also improve the relationship with their clients without stigma through outreach efforts, triage roles, and their treatment provisions. The National Association of Social Workers ethical codes stipulates that all the professional social workers should uphold human dignity, the rights of the clients, self-determination, empowerment, self-realization, and social justice, and every person?s worth irrespective of their mental state (Ahmedani, 2011). These specific professional codes of ethical conduct values directs all the social workers to moderate their stigma levels as well as work with professional colleagues to reduce the levels of social stigma as well as self-stigma.
The next step that I should have undertaken is engaging the client?s family members. Social workers often work with individuals as well as families. The family allows a social worker to mitigate social stigma on a micro level. In this case, it is apparent that the client had a serious borderline disorder that requires close attention by family members. As a social worker, I would have contacted the family members and guide them through family therapy that can help the client improve on her condition. The family is an individual support system at a micro level (Ahmedani, 2011). Various studies have shown that there exists a positive impact between family interventions as well as treatment engagement on a mentally sick person?s condition.
References
Ahmedani, B. K. (2011). Mental health stigma: Society, individuals, and the profession. Journal of social work values and ethics, 8(2), 4-1.
Daley, M. R., & Doughty, M. O. (2006). Unethical social work:

B. Week 4 SOWC6000

Message Unread
1. Julie Braley
RE: Discussion – Week 4
COLLAPSE

Working With Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma: The Case of Angela
The social worker in this case (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014) shows competence by acting as ?competent only within the boundaries of their education, training, license, certification, consultation received, supervised experience, or other relevant professional experience? (National Association of Social Workers, 2008, 1.04); she acted as a therapist (the case was somewhat unclear) and referred Angela for group therapy. However, she could have done a better job of acting as a broker and promoting social justice. After reading the Case of Brenna, I feel like there are probably more sources of help available to survivors of sexual abuse than one-on-one therapy and group therapy. Briefly looking online, I found the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). They offer guidance to survivors and their family and friends, provide programs, advocate for public policy, and operate the National Sexual Assault Hotline (www.rainn.org). To address another concern of Angela?s, obesity, I would also recommend she consider attending Overeaters Anonymous (www.oa.org). There are also meetings of Survivors of Incest Anonymous (SIA) (www.siawso.org), if she is interested. Finally, I think the social worker should discuss bringing Angela?s father to justice or other ways to confront her father and family. The social worker could also ask Angela if she would like to contribute to public policy changes, locally or nationally.
The social worker in the case (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014) acted with integrity and upheld the value of importance of human relationships (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). She displayed integrity when confronting the group facilitator about her dual relationship (conflict of interest) with Angela. It may have been a difficult decision to make as the social worker knew Angela lacked friends she trusts and she lives far from her other friends. However, the professional and ethical thing to do was to confront the group facilitator. The social worker also showed adherence to the Code of Ethics by respecting the importance of human relationships. Her and Angela?s professional relationship was jeopardized due to the social worker confronting the group facilitator and her eventual termination; Angela could not overcome these trust issues and somewhat closed herself off from the social worker. The social worker knew that Angela needed to speak with a therapist and asked Angela if she would like to terminate their relationship. Upon Angela?s agreeance, she provided her with the names of other therapists. Angela needs to continue seeing a therapist and must trust them.
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from http://socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp
2. Dorella Fountain
RE: Discussion – Week 4
http://www.vitalsource.c
The Case of Carol and Joseph
The National Association of Social Workers has a set of core values that all Social Workers are expected to follow when providing services in the community. According to the NASW, these include “services, social justice, dignity and worth of a person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence” (pg. 1). In my opinion , the Social Worker in the case of Carol and Joseph upheld to all of these core values. The National Association of Social Workers also has 6 ethical standards in which are considered the Social Worker’s Ethical responsibilities to clients. These standards include “commitment to clients, self-determination, informed consent, competence, cultural competence and social diversity, conflicts of interest” (p. 5). The Social Worker provided service to Carol and Joseph by providing assistance and encouragement to Carol and Joseph to make the changes necessary in order to keep their family together. The Social Worker was also patience, understanding and non-judgmental despite the decisions of Carol and Joseph. Judgment could have easily be placed when hearing all that has transpired in this case, but the Social Worker remained non-judgmental and did not give up.
References:
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Working with families: The case of Carol and Joseph. In Social work case studies: Foundation year. Retrieved

II. SOCW 6001
Respond by Day 5 to at least two colleagues who discussed a different challenge from the one you discussed and explain a different skill you might use to overcoming that challenge.
1. Anne Solari
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 3
COLLAPSE

I think some of my biggest challenges is working on responses that are genuine when restating what they have said. Kirst-Ashman speaks of, “conveying to the client” that you understand how they feel (p 60). I often feel the practitioner is disingenuous when I hear phrases like, “What I hear you saying is…”. I feel like my biggest strength is my ability to make connections with people and meet them on their level. I know that I can practice to improve, but I cannot use this is I don’t feel I can do it with a genuine outcome. I feel like that is the point of the reading as well. We need to work to get better so our clients trust us. We need to learn what works for them based on many factors including their culture. As Kirst-Ashman state, we are the learners and our clients the informants (p 77). It’s really important to listen to them and learn from them through their words, their actions and their body language. Listening means more than hearing, but also paying attention. I believe this is one thing that allows me to connect with my students. I listen to them and allow them to be real, themselves.

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2012). Understanding generalist practice (6th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Chapter 2, “Practice Skill for Working with Individuals? (pp. 54-93)

2. Syreeta Hill
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 3
COLLAPSE

Challenges I will encounter when using micro practice skills while interviewing the client are maintaining my facial expression, and body positioning. Apparently I have had issues with facial expressions all my life. Of course this has been a difficult skill to master since working in the helping field. My colleagues have stated to me numerous times to be mindful of my facial expressions. I honestly try on a daily basis to watch my expressions. Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2012) stated giving a client a mixed message by saying one thing, while looking like you mean another, is not helpful. With me, my facial expression matches what I am saying
I try to keep a blank stare so that I will not make a face. Has it worked? Let?s say some of the times. I think this will be a constant skill I will have to practice. My body position speaks volumes when I am in the home of a client. If I feel it is unsafe or unsanitary I am in a rigid upright position. I am sure that comes off cold to others but in my mind I am trying to protect myself. Extreme tension may convey lack of confidence or excessive nervousness. It may put distance between you and your clients and make feeling comfortable and trusting you difficult for them (p 58).
Skills I believe I do very well with are being able to communicate to my clients, showing empathy and having compassion for my job in order to provide a quality service to my clients.

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2012). Understanding Generalist Practice (6th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Dicusion2 week 4 Respond by Day 6 to at least two colleagues who selected a different role from the one you selected and explain what types of behaviors are associated with that role and how you might use those behaviors to promote appropriate group interactions
1.Syreeta Hill
RE: Discussion 2 – Week 4
COLLAPSE

A particular group member that would be challenging for me if I were a group facilitator would be the Quiet members simply do not participate, and they make getting to know them impossible for anyone (p. 116). I am one who tries to read a person and if the quiet member does not participate in group I will have a hard time trying to interpret what type of person they are. In order to get to know the quiet member better I would probably meet with them after group and have causal conversation with them trying to build a rapport with them. If they continue to be quiet during group I would start going around the group asking members questions that they all can participate in.
Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2012). Understanding Generalist Practice (6th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning
2Christina Burns
RE: Discussion 2 – Week 4
COLLAPSE

Working with groups can have its benefits and its negative aspects. People are all so different and have varying personalities. As a social worker, it will be my job to work with all these differences and facilitate productive groups. In social work groups, members inevitably end up taking on a role. There are various positive, negative, and non functional roles that a client may possess. One role that I think would be extremely difficult for me to deal with would be a dominator.
Dominators are individuals whose presence take over the group. They talk more than the others and generally make their own problems the center of the group (Kirst-Ashman and Hull, 2012). Individuals taking on this role are most likely not doing so with ill intentions. They probably have a strong personality or are feeling a desperate need to be heard. As a social worker, my instinct is to help those in need. I worry that I may give in to this role due to their obvious high need of attention and help. This would not be beneficial to the other members in the group though and I would have to learn the skills to handle the situation appropriately. I would also have to decide if group sessions were the correct intervention for this client.
I experienced this my first year of teaching.There was a student who had a lot of external issues going on at home and therefore acted out and dominated the classroom. Looking back, I unintentionally gave this student more attention than the others in my class. The other students suffered due to me not being able to handle the situation to where it would benefit all. In group work, social workers must look at each individual as themselves and decide what their particular needs are. The group as a whole body though must be kept in mind so that each individual in turn can benefit.
Kirst-Ashman, K., & Hull , G. H., Jr. (2012). Understanding generalist practice (6th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning