Human services notes

Chapter 3

*Multicausality or the view that personal or social problems are caused by many factors too complex to allow a precise assessment of cause.

1. In dealing with social problems we can never establish causality with any solid degree of certainty and example is correlational relationship as in bipolar disorder.

2. There is rarely one simple cause of a problem.

3. Human service problems are the results of many intertwined personal pressures and social forces like personal weakness and societal factors. Pressure brings out various responses. An example is 'pick on offenders like hate mail and vandalism towards sexual offenders.

4. Some causes of social problems are deeply routed or simply symptoms of a deeper problem or the 'root cause' or the most significant contribution.

5. Although many people appear to have some problem they may have it for a different set of reasons like anger or family stress. This is when group work is used to help.

6. Even when people encounter similar experiences they do not necessarily react in similar ways.

Types of work done in Human services

Intergal- volunteer sector part- assist agencies not paid professionals. Doing collections for child care.

Professionals

Direct service strategies- like a helping service skills directly to client. Get in work and/or classes.

Systems change strategies- create and maintain change with external pressures bought by societal processes. Community development and research networks of programs develop around a social problem or DNA. Criminal justice, children and youth, women's shelters and schools all offer prevention in different ways.

Interventions

Caregiver is a direct service of on-going support whether financial support, respite care or even day care programs.

Case manager doing an intake assessment what the client needs is to write a plan of action. Setting goals that are give and take and that do not dictate and monitor the progress of client and make sure receive services they need.

Counseling is the teaching/coaching of behavior changes. Could be educational in nature with teaching/showing a client new skills like in (OVR) Occupational Vocational Rehabilitation where clients are taught job skills, parenting class skills, how to handle stress and even DUI (Driving Under the Influence) schools.

Direct Systems Change

Group facilitating or group therapy a form of counseling that is direct in treatment groups.

Personal Growth Groups are support groups, working with families, assertiviness groups and motivational groups that are promoting the health goals of clients.

Goal-oriented groups are part of the system like TASK forces like the commission on 9/11 to improve reporting procedures.

Outreach workers who reach out to identify possible clients in the schools in the community like a spokesman to promote and recruit help, as in foster care. A mobilizer and/or advocate (advocacy) help.

Advocates can work also as victim advocates to help get resources for victims and communities, for example a Crisis Center (writing grants and fundraising. (Types and Access to services)

Case and Cause advocacy

1. Case advocacy- direct clients to help obtain services and benefits when issues are difficult.

2. Cause advocacy- are systems trying to promote causes of groups in the communities and schools.

Systems- Change Strategies

Planning - Goals - long and short term

Administering- planning/organizing services

Collecting/management

Evaluation/research-assuring whether program goals are being met. Community needs being done and met with various assessments. For example, test scores are low- What's missing in that area to be used. Are your policies being enforced as in grant funding is kept and makes sure you have success or failure.

Activities and tasks in implemented strategies

1. Gather data- Clients and community collect all relevant information. Backround and history of the problem. By using a multiple collection of techniques like interviewing significant others and the clients the issue could be from family history, observation of persons systematically in the office or field using Active social listening.

2. Reading the research from workshops and conferences.

The Interviewing Process

Learn the how and when to ask questions. If the human service worker uses too many 'structured' questions they could miss some information about the client. Write down the main points of the interview as soon as possible (names, dates and specifics and try not to write all the time.

Active listening is the critical and reflection on understanding what is said and is feeling by the client. Clarify your understanding.

Active observing is to consider non-verbals that contradict what is said. Web sites could inhibit active observing.

By reading, researching, and attending conferences that are critical to your area there may be new techniques taught sharing ideas with peers. Monitoring and evaluating work ongoing to reach a conclusion and determination to be done on the case.

Client specifics

1. Periodically reassessing and evaluating progress and strengths and needs on a mandatory assessment.

2. Is a treatment still appropriate to change or terminate plan.

3. how responsive is the delivery system and what is needed or changed to ensure that or must be services delivered in a timely and effective manner.

Must-be's

Services delivered in a timely and effective manner. Modification(s) will be made in a closing report that will be made in a summary and recommendations also made. One must show in a behavioral way. Are objectives and outcomes being met effectively.

Storing and Sharing Information

Accurate reflections on the services you have provided in case notes and files of compliants and reports, etc. Decisions will be made upon your notes about the client. Protect against accusations of mismanagement and must record all crisis facts immediately.

Negotiating Contracts and Assessing problems

A working contract can be more concrete and specific establishing a care plan. A care plan is what fits their needs for help. Restore choice as much as possible. Try to be a partner/ or be a controlled lead/giving choices.

*Building Relationships are essential

1. Very different for a limited period of time exists

2. Disciplined and clear parameters

3. Designated and agreed upon and focused

4. A collaborative relationship

5. Based upon acceptance not attraction

Primary Tools

1. Build a sense of trust.

2. Communicate warmth.

3. Show genuine concern.

4. Express empathy and knowledge.

Designing and Implementing Action Plans

1. Goals established - realistic and obtainable and consider all the variables that affect the clients life. Flexibility is food to have in doing case work.

*Individual Service Plan- Specific goals to be addressed and tasks to be carried out. Short and long term goals are differentiated dealing with the length of treatment and linked to funding agencies which give monies.

To Do:

1. Determine the steps that will be needed to access services.

2. What resources/services will clients consider using.

3. Offer available options help them choose most appropriate path.

Value conflicts are inevitable as workers we will never be value free. Try to be neutral in areas. Your own values can be influence in subtle ways. Training and education will effect (social class, ethnic, religion, gender/ (NEVER VALUE FREE) or we all must have/follow our values in whatever way we see and make the necessary changes.

Learning ways to establish values

*1. Self-awareness- JoHari's Window and personal awareness

Picture a window frame into four sections:

The upper left quadrant of the window is for: Know about self and also others. Know freely share of others. (Outside this side is 1st shared with client and helper.

The upper right quadrant of the window is for: Individual information known do not but others do. (Outside this side is known as the 'blind spot'.

The lower left quadrant of the window is for: know about self and others don't know. (Outside this window is 'emotional pact' which is private guilt or sharing.

The lower right quadrant of the window is for: individuals and others don't know. (Outside the window is irrational fears and to reach probable goals.

Accept yourselves fully. Don't depersonalize these.

*Self-determination a value held in such high esteem that individuals can choose own life's plans. Own way of resolving problems. Make up own client minds.

Rights of self/ individual/ community

Kohlberg- level 6- go against view of self

acceptance - most receptive to client; must refrain from where client lives. Keep judgements on client to self. Beliefs of even on hygiene (appearance) and attitudes.

tolerance- be patient and fair towards client opposite of judging client. Multiple exposures to certain treatment for it to click into mind like dealing with gender identity/sexual orientation/religious beliefs.

individuality- appreciating characteristics of each person as distinct and unique characteristics.

confidentiality- assurance that you will not discuss their case with other people.

Exceptions to this: 1. triage- physician/teaching/counseling- Professional context (billing and insurance).

2. individual is a danger to self and others (suididal or homicidal or 302'd- psychotic behaviors danger to self and others.

Explain limits of confidentiality

*Mandatory/Involuntary treatment- usually counseling, support groups, training that is required in lieu of jail or punishment. Employer fired/spouse-kicked out of home - if you don't go to treatment- Consequences given if not compliant. How can we apply values to this value of self-determination- "What is usually a 'pet peeve' towards certain people.

End of Chapter 3