Community Practice Final Study Guide PDF

Why social workers are called generalists (and levels) Social workers require a wide array of skills because they don’t pick and choose what problems and issues they would like to address. They must prepare themselves to help people with personal problems on the one hand and to add...

Why social workers are called generalists (and levels) Social workers require a wide array of skills because they don’t pick and choose what problems and issues they would like to address. They must prepare themselves to help people with personal problems on the one hand and to address very wide-ranging problems that affect whole organizations and communities on the other. They may work in a broad assortment of settings that can focus on children and families, health, justice, education, economic status, and many more issues too numerous to list. Levels: micro, mezzo, macro Components of generalist practice the application of an eclectic knowledge base, professional values and ethics, and a wide range of skills to target systems of any size for change within the context of three primary principles, a practice context, and four major processes. Multidisciplinary team The involvement of workers of several different disciplines in order to tend to all the needs of a client, organization, or community. Reasons to do evaluations In order to have evidence of what works and what doesn’t work and why. Systems Theory There are multiple factors (systems) in place within every client, organization, and community, and systems theory is the idea that all these systems work together to make up the whole of the person, organization, or community and in order to be treated effectively all systems need to be addressed. 7 Step Change Engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, termination, follow-up Ethical dilemma hierarchy 1. The Right to Live 2. The Right to Social Justice 3. The Right to Freedom, Self-Determination, and Autonomy 4. The Right to Least Harm 5. The Right to Quality of Life 6. The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality 7. The Right to Truthfulness and Full Disclosure Parts of community evaluation Strengths, challenges, resources, education, cost of living, poverty, age, gender, population size. IMAGINE Innovative idea, muster support, assets, goals, implementation, neutralize the opposition, evaluate progress Problems with organizations How to manage conflict Conflict is normal and should be planned for and managed rather than avoided or ignored. Stick to the facts rather than emotions, personal issues or opinions. Conflict can create alternatives and new ideas. Identify the conflict and help others recognize it as well. Ensure validation of others' rights to difference. Utilize critical thinking skills. Listen to all points of view, employ active listening, clarify ideas and positions when unclear, avoid win-lose situations, cooperate, don't compete, address emotional and objective aspects, look for areas of agreement and common ground, focus on interests not positions. Assertiveness/aggressiveness Effective teams Clear goals, team structure and membership tied to goals, membership commitment, a climate of collaboration, commitment to excellence, information based decision making, external recognition and support, principled leadership Benefits of networks Networks reach out to clients, enhance formal resources, help get things done more efficiently, help workers cope, reciprocity