Category: Social work

For this short assignment please only provide answers for ONE of the docuseries, Gabriel Fernandez, or Kalief Browder. NOT BOTH. 3 pages MAXIMUM, using APA formatting. Answer the following questions for the docuseries you choose to watch:
Gabriel Fernandez
Agency Introduction
What is the LA DCFS mission statement? You will find a lot of information using the following link: https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/about/who-we-are/Links to an external site.
Describe the target population DCFS serves in detail, including pertinent information related to age, gender, socio-economic status, race, culture, ethnicity, etc. (What population does the Department of Child and Family Services Serve) https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/about/who-we-are/Links to an external site.
Does the agency respect self-determination? Describe how the agency does or does not respect self-determination.Give one specific example from the docuseries to support your point of view.
Kalief Browder
Agency Introduction
What is the NY Department of Correction’s mission statement? You will find a lot of information using the following link: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doc/index.pageLinks to an external site.
Describe the target population of Rikers Island inmate population in detail, including pertinent information related to age, gender, socio-economic status, race, culture, ethnicity, etc. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.fordham.edu/download/downloads/id/14783/mcdonald_rikers_island.pdfLinks to an external site.
It is apparent that Rikers Island as an institution does not respect self-determination. Research and provide 2 organizations that exist to improve inmate conditions and treatment at Rikers Island, or jail/prison inmates in general. In 1-page minimum, provide both organizations:Name
Location
Mission and Vision statements
Explanation of the services/efforts towards improving inmate treatment.

is anticipated that the initial discussion post should be in the range of 250-300 words. Response posts to peers have no minimum word requirement but must demonstrate topic knowledge and scholarly engagement with peers. Substantive content is imperative for all posts. All discussion prompt elements for the topic must be addressed. Please proofread your response carefully for grammar and spelling. Do not upload any attachments unless specified in the instructions. All posts should be supported by a minimum of one scholarly resource, ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.
Classroom Participation
Students are expected to address the initial discussion question by Wednesday of each week. Participation in the discussion forum requires a minimum of three (3) substantive postings (this includes your initial post and posting to two peers) on three (3) different days. Substantive means that you add something new to the discussion supported with citation(s) and reference(s), you are not just agreeing. This is also a time to ask questions or offer information surrounding the topic addressed by your peers. Personal experience is appropriate for a substantive discussion, however should be correlated to the literature.
All discussion boards will be evaluated utilizing rubric criterion inclusive of content, analysis, collaboration, writing and APA. If you fail to post an initial discussion or initial discussion is late, you will not receive points for content and analysis, you may however post to your peers for partial credit following the guidelines above.
Initial Response
Instructions:For this discussion, please reflect on the work you have done in this course so far.
What has been the most interesting to you in this course?
What successes have you had?
What are ideas or concepts you still struggle with?
Next, your final assignment for this course will involve your participation in a simulation experience as a social worker engaging in practice with a client. In preparation for the final assignment, share any expectations or concerns that you might have regarding the upcoming experience in the final assignment.
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
Your initial response is due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm CT.
Estimated time to complete: 2 hours
Peer Response
Instructions:Please read and respond to at least two of your peers’ initial postings. You may want to consider the following questions in your responses to your peers:Compare and contrast your initial posting with those of your peers. How are they similar or how are they different?
What information can you add that would help support the responses of your peers?
Ask your peers a question for clarification about their post.
What most interests you about their responses? Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.All peer responses are due by Sunday at 11:59 pm CT.Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

It is anticipated that the initial discussion post should be in the range of 250-300 words. Response posts to peers have no minimum word requirement but must demonstrate topic knowledge and scholarly engagement with peers. Substantive content is imperative for all posts. All discussion prompt elements for the topic must be addressed. Please proofread your response carefully for grammar and spelling. Do not upload any attachments unless specified in the instructions. All posts should be supported by a minimum of one scholarly resource, ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.
Classroom Participation
Students are expected to address the initial discussion question by Wednesday of each week. Participation in the discussion forum requires a minimum of three (3) substantive postings (this includes your initial post and posting to two peers) on three (3) different days. Substantive means that you add something new to the discussion supported with citation(s) and reference(s), you are not just agreeing. This is also a time to ask questions or offer information surrounding the topic addressed by your peers. Personal experience is appropriate for a substantive discussion, however, should be correlated to the literature.
All discussion boards will be evaluated utilizing rubric criterion inclusive of content, analysis, collaboration, writing and APA. If you fail to post an initial discussion or initial discussion is late, you will not receive points for content and analysis, you may however post to your peers for partial credit following the guidelines above.
Initial Response
Instructions:Discussion question 1: Welcome to the mid-point in our class. Please share three things which have been beneficial to your learning and three areas for improvement. Please also provide an update on your policy advocacy project. Also, please be sure to share any questions you have for our instructor. Your response should be at least 400 words. No responses are needed to your classmates.
Discussion question 2: Conduct an Internet search or reflect on your own personal experiences in accessing childcare. Take good notes and answer the following questions:
What are some of the ways parents are advocating for changes in childcare policy (interest groups, lobbying efforts, etc.)?
How do childcare workers or those who run childcare facilities advocate for changes in childcare policy (interest groups, lobbying efforts, etc.)?
Are these groups advocating for the same changes, or do they have different priorities?
How can social workers encourage the groups to work toward common goals, and work together with them?
Are there other important stakeholders who should be part of this process?
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
The post and responses are valued at 25 points. Please review post and response expectations. Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets criteria.
Estimated time to complete: 2 hours
Peer Response
Instructions:You are expected to actively participate in the forums each week. Responses to others must add substantively to the discussion by building upon classmates’ ideas or posing critical questions to further the discussion. For example, a posting of “I agree with what people are saying” is not sufficient. What is considered sufficient is initiating further discussion, promoting further thought, providing critical or integrative dialog providing effective support or encouragement, challenging by showing supporting literature or other documentation, and/or self-reflecting regarding the topic. You must respond to at least two other peers’ initial posts. Please read and respond to at least two of your peers’ initial postings. You may want to consider the following questions in your responses to your peers:
Compare and contrast your initial posting with those of your peers. How are they similar or how are they different?
What information can you add that would help support the responses of your peers?
Ask your peers a question for clarification about their post.
What most interests you about their responses? Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
All peer responses are due by Sunday at 11:59 pm CT.
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

Social Work Values
Objective: Define social work and introduction to social work values.
Social work is a dynamic and demanding profession that requires a variety of skills and qualities. Whether these skills are innate or acquired, success in the field requires social workers to continually develop them throughout their career. While this list is not exhaustive, the following skills are vital for all social workers.
Social workers rely on their values and skills to help individuals address issues. One of the core values of social work is the importance of human relationships. To start building a strong relationship a social worker will begin applying the skills we learned about in this module. One of the most significant one being empathy.
Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s experience and point of view. NASW defines it as “the act of perceiving, understanding, experiencing and responding to the emotional state and ideas of another person.”¹
“Stepping into someone else’s shoes” and recognizing that experiences, perceptions and worldviews are unique to each individual enables social workers to better understand and build stronger relationships with clients. It is a vital skill that helps social workers to determine a client’s needs based on his or her unique experiences in order to efficiently provide services.
¹Barker, R. L. (2003). The Social Work Dictionary. 5th ed. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
The difficult thing about empathy, as you saw in the video On Empathy is that sometimes we might not agree with our client or in an attempt to be positive, we want to cheer them on and say something completely opposite so they feel better, what I like to call “the cheerleader response”. See examples below:
Client (when discussing her daughter) : “I am a terrible parent, she just doesn’t listen to me and I have to yell at her to get her attention”
In this situation we might be tempted to say “Of course you are a good parent…don’t be so hard on yourself”…however that is not true empathy. Empathy would be something like “What I hear you say is that parenting is hard” or “That sounds like a struggle, it must be very hard for you”.
Adolescent Client (when discussing his dad): “My dad hates me, he is the worst dad ever!”
In this situation we might be tempted to say “No he doesn’t! He loves you so much, he buys you food and clothes…” or “You are mad, but you know that’s not true.” An empathic response would be something such as, “I am sorry to hear that, what does it meant to you that he hates you?” or “Help me understand why he hates you, that must be lonely and hard for you…”
Submission and Grading
1. In your own words, define Social Work and state how it is different from other professions you have encountered or your own (if Social Work is not your major). See section Social Work and Other Helping Professions to help with this question.
2. Reflect on empathy, how can you practice using it to strengthen the core value of importance of human relationships. Think of your everyday interactions at work or in your community. Even if you do not work in social work, you can use empathy with any type of customer, consumer or individual in your community. In a full paragraph, describe
1. How you will implement empathy and do you think it will benefit those relationships?
2. Do you foresee any difficulties as you practice implementing empathy?
Please click on at the end of this discussion post.
(20 points total) Please see “snowman” icon on the top right-hand corner to see assignment rubric used for grading.

Social Work Values
Objective: Define social work and introduction to social work values.
Social work is a dynamic and demanding profession that requires a variety of skills and qualities. Whether these skills are innate or acquired, success in the field requires social workers to continually develop them throughout their career. While this list is not exhaustive, the following skills are vital for all social workers.
Social workers rely on their values and skills to help individuals address issues. One of the core values of social work is the importance of human relationships. To start building a strong relationship a social worker will begin applying the skills we learned about in this module. One of the most significant one being empathy.
Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s experience and point of view. NASW defines it as “the act of perceiving, understanding, experiencing and responding to the emotional state and ideas of another person.”¹
“Stepping into someone else’s shoes” and recognizing that experiences, perceptions and worldviews are unique to each individual enables social workers to better understand and build stronger relationships with clients. It is a vital skill that helps social workers to determine a client’s needs based on his or her unique experiences in order to efficiently provide services.
¹Barker, R. L. (2003). The Social Work Dictionary. 5th ed. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
The difficult thing about empathy, as you saw in the video On Empathy is that sometimes we might not agree with our client or in an attempt to be positive, we want to cheer them on and say something completely opposite so they feel better, what I like to call “the cheerleader response”. See examples below:
Client (when discussing her daughter) : “I am a terrible parent, she just doesn’t listen to me and I have to yell at her to get her attention”
In this situation we might be tempted to say “Of course you are a good parent…don’t be so hard on yourself”…however that is not true empathy. Empathy would be something like “What I hear you say is that parenting is hard” or “That sounds like a struggle, it must be very hard for you”.
Adolescent Client (when discussing his dad): “My dad hates me, he is the worst dad ever!”
In this situation we might be tempted to say “No he doesn’t! He loves you so much, he buys you food and clothes…” or “You are mad, but you know that’s not true.” An empathic response would be something such as, “I am sorry to hear that, what does it meant to you that he hates you?” or “Help me understand why he hates you, that must be lonely and hard for you…”
Submission and Grading
1. In your own words, define Social Work and state how it is different from other professions you have encountered or your own (if Social Work is not your major). See section Social Work and Other Helping Professions to help with this question.
2. Reflect on empathy, how can you practice using it to strengthen the core value of importance of human relationships. Think of your everyday interactions at work or in your community. Even if you do not work in social work, you can use empathy with any type of customer, consumer or individual in your community. In a full paragraph, describe
1. How you will implement empathy and do you think it will benefit those relationships?
2. Do you foresee any difficulties as you practice implementing empathy?
Please click on at the end of this discussion post.
(20 points total) Please see “snowman” icon on the top right-hand corner to see assignment rubric used for grading.

For this short assignment please only provide answers for ONE of the docuseries, Gabriel Fernandez, or Kalief Browder. NOT BOTH. 3 pages MAXIMUM, using APA formatting. Answer the following questions for the docuseries you choose to watch:
Gabriel Fernandez
Agency Introduction
What is the LA DCFS mission statement? You will find a lot of information using the following link: https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/about/who-we-are/Links to an external site.
Describe the target population DCFS serves in detail, including pertinent information related to age, gender, socio-economic status, race, culture, ethnicity, etc. (What population does the Department of Child and Family Services Serve) https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/about/who-we-are/Links to an external site.
Does the agency respect self-determination? Describe how the agency does or does not respect self-determination.Give one specific example from the docuseries to support your point of view.
Kalief Browder
Agency Introduction
What is the NY Department of Correction’s mission statement? You will find a lot of information using the following link: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doc/index.pageLinks to an external site.
Describe the target population of Rikers Island inmate population in detail, including pertinent information related to age, gender, socio-economic status, race, culture, ethnicity, etc. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.fordham.edu/download/downloads/id/14783/mcdonald_rikers_island.pdfLinks to an external site.
It is apparent that Rikers Island as an institution does not respect self-determination. Research and provide 2 organizations that exist to improve inmate conditions and treatment at Rikers Island, or jail/prison inmates in general. In 1-page minimum, provide both organizations:Name
Location
Mission and Vision statements
Explanation of the services/efforts towards improving inmate treatment.

Initial Post
Include the following:
Online Personal Story: Choose a blog, article, or video that offers a first-person narrative (i.e., the person experiencing the loss is the author of the blog/article and the focus of the video) of the person’s loss and experiences following the loss. The length of the blog, article, or video should be such that you have enough details to explain their experiences. For instance, using a video that is five minutes long or blogs/articles that are a brief paragraph will not provide enough context to maximize the quality of your initial post. On the other end of the spectrum, the video does not need to be a 50-minute documentary.
Locating Stories: To find suitable personal stories, consider exploring TED talks where speakers share their personal grief and loss experiences. There are videos around 15-20 minutes long that provide unique insights into the speaker’s experiences. Additionally, you could search for vlogs on YouTube, where individuals share stories across several videos. There are also other YouTube channels that post stories of people with lived experiences. When selecting a video, look for sources that allow you to learn about the person’s experiences after their losses, how they coped, etc. If you prefer blogs, there are people with lived experiences who have written blog articles and/or created websites where they share their personal experiences. Story Highlights: In your initial post, provide a summary that gives an outside reader a clear understanding of the person’s loss and key aspects of their story. Include direct links to the story or video for reference.
Course Connections: Draw at least one specific connection between the personal story and course content (e.g., lecture content, assigned textbook). Things to ponder about course connections: How does the individual’s experience align with or differ from the grief experiences discussed in our course?
Did the person experience disenfranchised grief, secondary losses, or ambiguity in their loss?
What mediators of mourning were evident in their story?
Were there any symbolic or psychosocial losses?
How did the person cope with their loss?
You do not need to answer these questions verbatim. These questions are used as a resource for additional context about ways to make course connections.
Note: If you include the instructions in your initial post to help guide your completion of the initial post, delete the instructions before submitting the post. Minimum word count: 300 words. I have uploaded the textbook for information to refrence course material. We are currently on chapter 9 and 10. You can refrence previous chapters if need be.

Add all questions to the paper.
1. Think about the community you live in and the resources available to veterans, youth, low-income families, and women. 2. What type of services, projects, or events do you think the community needs to implement to better serve these populations? 3. Share with the class how you have been able to fulfill your “acts of service” within your community, with your friends and family, or within a community organization.
Notes: The community I live in is Los Angeles Places of services: Current- Early Educational Center – 36th Street EEC
Employment- Amity Foundation – Homeless Population, Prison Reform, Mental Health, Permanent housing, Employment, Clothing, and Food.
Previous: Union Rescue Mission – Homeless population
Baldwin Hills Dodgers Little League Baseball

Evidence‐Based Practice Paper (20 points; Due Date: Please see the course calendar):
Evidence‐based practice (EBP) is one of the guiding principles and a core competency of social work. The topic of EBP is covered in your textbook in the following chapters: Chapter 1 ‐ Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare and Chapter 4 ‐ Process of Generalist Practice. In addition, the instructor has provided a link for a podcast on this topic in Module 2/Week 2 in Canvas. The podcast is titled ‐ “The Process of Evidence‐Based Practice”
https://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2011/03/process‐of‐evidence‐based‐practice.html
For social workers, it is a constant priority to equip themselves with knowledge/evidence regarding public health emergencies (such as the Covid‐19 pandemic) and to use that
knowledge to inform practice. Related to the health theme, an important U.S. Government initiative that all helping professionals need to be aware of is “The Healthy People”. It is an initiative designed to “guide national health promotion and disease prevention efforts to improve the health of the nation. Released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) every decade since 1980, Healthy People identifies science‐based objectives with targets to monitor progress and motivate and focus action.” The Healthy People 2030 is the fifth iteration of the initiative.” One of the benchmarks of The Healthy People 2030 is to “engage multiple sectors to take actions to strengthen policies and improve practices that are driven by the best available evidence and knowledge.” https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/healthy_people/hp2030/hp2030.htmRelated to The Healthy People 2030, write a paper on EBP that includes the following 4 items. Use the sources indicated immediately below the 4 items to write your paper. Other details
regarding formatting are noted immediately after the 4 items.
1. What is Evidence‐based Practice as it relates to Social Work? (5 points).
i. Use your book chapters (Chapter 1 & 4) to answer this question.
ii. Use the following podcast to answer this question ‐ “The Process of Evidence‐Based
Practice” https://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2011/03/process‐of‐evidence‐based‐practice.html
2. What are the five broad topics that The Healthy People 2030 objectives are focused on? (2
points). Pick one broad topic, and then select a sub‐topic under it and share specific objectives listed for this selected sub‐topic (3 points). [HINT: For example, I can pick Health Conditions as my broad topic and then under that I can select Addiction as my sub‐topic. When I click on Addiction, it takes me to a separate page which has objectives related to Addiction and has Evidence‐based Resources related to Addiction].
i. Explore the following webpage/website to answer this question:
https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives‐and‐data/browse‐objectives
3. This part is related to the sub‐topic you selected in Number 2 above. Once you select/click
on a subtopic, you will be taken to a separate page that has Evidence-based Resources
related to your sub‐topic. Click on Evidence‐based Resources and explore the different resources they talk about. Select one of the Evidence‐based Resources and give a brief descriiption (2 paragraphs) of this specific resource that you selected. (5 points)
i. Explore the following webpage/website to answer this question:
https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives‐and‐data/browse‐objectives
4. Given the knowledge you have gained about your selected broad topic (e.g., Health
Conditions) or sub‐topic (e.g., Addiction) from the Healthy People 2023 website, describe 2 resources that the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is offering to support social workers in their practice related to the topic or sub‐topic you selected (e.g., resources that will support social workers in their work with people who are dealing with addiction)? (4 points)
i. Use the following page from the NASW website to answer this question ‐
https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice
 EBP paper ‐ Organization, Formatting, APA Style (1 point): Adhere to the following:
i. Use Times New Roman, 12‐point font, and should be double‐spaced, and should include page numbers.
ii. Use APA 7th edition style for in‐text citations, formatting, and reference list.
iii. Use correct spelling and grammar. Run‐on sentences, sentence fragments, and misspelled words will be considered in the grading.
iv. The paper should be 6 pages in total (1 cover page + 4 pages of main text + 1 reference page). The cover page will be attached in front, and reference page identifying the sources read will be attached at the end.

Using the client information gathered in part I of this assignment, students will use an explanatory theory from their Human Behavior in the Social Environment class to explain the primary client issue. This explanation is NOT a resummarization of the case, but rather an explanation of WHY the client is experiencing the issues now based on the concepts of the theory. Students should also consider strengths as well as environmental challenges that may be contributing to the clients’ current issues. Based on this explanation, students will develop a potential intervention plan that is written using SMART format. In addition, the student will identify a method to evaluate the intervention plan and prepare a termination plan. While this assignment may be hypothetical in that it is possible that the student will not have the opportunity to implement the plan, students should write this assignment as if they were planning on carrying out the plan attempting to make it as realistic as possible.
This assignment should include at least two course readings,