Discussion 1:
Analyses of Social Problems in Case Studies
As a social worker, often you need to use your policy advocacy skills to ensure that your clients are receiving the services that they need. Although you may tend to think of policy advocacy skills as separate from your clinical social work skills, they are very similar. Think of the skills that you would use in working with a client such as Jake Levy. How could you apply these skills to policy advocacy? How will you use these skills to identify the policy and social problems that are impacting these families? In this week’s Discussion, you will continue to follow the Levy, Bradley, Petrakis, and Cortez families to start the process of policy advocacy. The Levy, Bradley, Petrakis, and Cortez family videos can be found at: http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/SOCW/MSWP/CH/mm/homepage/episodes.html.
In this Discussion, select one of the four integrated videos and identify the problems experienced by the client(s).
Post your responses to the following:
• Who is defining the problem?
• What values are reflected in this definition of the problem?
• What is being omitted in this definition?
• What other problems do you see that are not being acknowledged?
Discussion 2: Trauma and Loss
With seemingly never-ending violence, natural disasters, and soldiers returning home from wars growing numbers of people are suffering long lasting mental health crises. It is imperative for clinical social workers to implement effective interventions that address trauma and loss within families.
For this Discussion, view the “Levy” video, Episode 1. To access video, go to the following link and click on the Levy family tab, and click on Episode 1:
http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/SOCW/MSWP/CH/mm/homepage/episodes.html.
Post a description of the how the trauma related behaviors evident in the Levy video affect family interactions and the family system. Identify the problems in this case and explain whether these problems would best be addressed through individual treatment, family treatment, or a combination of both. Review the literature and recommend an evidence-based family intervention that might help Jake and Sheri and their sons. Describe how the intervention is implemented and its underlying theory. Explain how this intervention might help the Levy family and ameliorate the presenting problems. Finally, describe why you chose this intervention. Use this week’s resources or the literature to support your conclusions.
Discussion 3: Blog
Refer to the topic covered in this week’s resources and incorporate them into your blog. This weeks topic is Safety Planning/Safety Plans in Social Work.
You will interact with clientele in a variety of settings and may be required to meet outside of traditional work environments or work hours. So what should you do if you encounter a dangerous situation? Create a safety plan. Safety plans and policies protect both the social worker and client. They not only reflect the profession’s ethical values, but also are critical for maintaining a productive professional work life.
Post a blog post that includes:
• A description of your personal safety plan for your field education experience
• An explanation of how your personal safety plan might differ from your agency safety plan during your field education experience
My agency’s safety plan is below:
PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT:
1. Promote safety in the home – prevent self-harm.
2. Promote safety for any vulnerable person – emotional, physical and sexual.
3. Promote comprehensive awareness of characteristics and risk factors.
4. Reduce/eliminate opportunities for further unhealthy behaviors.
GENERAL RULES OF CONDUCT AND SPECIFIC PROHIBITIONS
• No illegal drug or alcohol use OR drug or alcohol use contrary to DCS Case Plan (some DCS Case Plans call for clients to cease using alcohol or some prescription drugs).
• Client will attend all additional therapy, case management, and classes as ordered by the Court.
• Client will notify therapist of any re-location of residence at least 48 hours prior to move.
• Client will follow all existing court orders.
• Client will attend all DCS Case Planning, Court Hearings, Family and Child Team Meetings, and meetings/hearings as advised by the DCS Case Manager and/or family court.
• Client will notify Home Based Case Manager of any recent arrests or detentions.
• Client will be prepared for sessions by being timely and completing any agreed upon homework.
• Client will contact Home Based Case Manager if he/she has not heard from him or her by Tuesday of each week.
Home Specifics
Behavior Self-Harm Examples: suicide, cutting, drug overdose, refusal to eat, etc.
If desire for self-harm emerges: Utilize coping skills and notify supervisor. Examples: Journaling, exercise, listening to music, deep breathing, reading, watching television, praying, counting backward from 10, deep muscle relaxation.
If desire for self-harm continues despite utilization of coping skills: Contact Therapist and Care Coordinator and continue to utilize aforementioned coping skills. Case Manager: _______________
If self-harm is imminent (if it is reasonable to believe that self-harm will occur): Contact police or transport to hospital.
Contact Therapist. 1. 911
2. Any hospital with an ER.
3. Options Treatment Facility – Acute Care.
Behavior Illegal Behavior Examples: drug use, alcohol abuse, theft, etc.
If desire for illegal behavior emerges: Utilize coping skills and notify supervisor. Examples: Journaling, exercise, listening to music, deep breathing, reading, watching television, praying, counting backward from 10, deep muscle relaxation.
If desire for illegal behavior continues despite utilization of coping skills: Contact FCM and Case Manager Case Manager: _________________
If illegal behavior is imminent or family members are at immediate risk. Contact police or transport to hospital.
Contact Therapist and Care Coordinator 1. 911
Behavior Disrespectful Behavior – Violation of House Rules or Safety Plan Examples: serious patterns of abusive behavior, negative attitude, cruel statements, etc.
If desire for disrespectful behavior emerges: Utilize coping skills and notify supervisor. Examples: Journaling, exercise, listening to music, deep breathing, reading, watching television, praying, counting backward from 10, deep muscle relaxation.
If desire for disrespectful behavior continues despite utilization of coping skills: Contact Case Manager and Care Coordinator and continue to utilize aforementioned coping skills.
Document behavior via behavior journal. Case Manager: __________________
If disrespectful behavior is imminent or family members are at immediate risk. Remove individual to room – child is not to engage with family activities until she is able to note how her behavior will improve.
1. 911
2. Generally, these instances will be handled within the home.
