Category: Social work

Students,
Current Events Reports Discussion Boards are now available. A number of students are assigned per week to post their reports to the discussion boards. Please make sure you know what week you will present your report so that you do not miss the opportunity. I will also include it here. This is not a group assignment. The assignments are posted in the discussion’s boards and in the weekly modules.
The complete instructions are posted on the “assignments and examples” module below Week 14.
I’ve also included the instructions here:
Current Events Posts for Week 9 (Mariama, Madison, Aniya, Tamara, Kamden, Cynthis, Latoya, Taylor, Allison, Audrie, Morgan, Ashley)
Current Events Posts for Week 10 (Sophia, Lyric, Ebonnie, Tyler, Tylia, LaQuitta, Kaitlyn, Jennifer, Olivia, Markita, Porsha, Diego, Chynika)
Current Events Report Instructions:
Current Events Report (THIS IS 3 PART ASSIGNMENT: Post your video presentation to the discussion board, submit the written essay to the dropbox AND submit the video to the dropbox)
General Descriiption:
A specific skill to be gained in this course is learning how to recognize human needs and current social needs and issues in society. We hear about problematic social issues daily from a variety of sources, whether it is by way of the television, radio, newspaper, or Internet. Social workers should keep abreast of current events at all times, as many news items affect our clients and the programs/services they require. These social issues also generally are helpful toward making sense of the content of this course. Therefore, each student in the class will be asked to help lead one (1) discussion about a current event or situation that reflects the topical content of the course materials.
Topics for the Current Events Report may include but are not limited to: Activism; Capitalism; Corruption; Crime; Culture; Data; Decision-Making; Foreign Policy; Global Development; Global Issues; Government; Health; Healthcare; Homelessness; Immigration; Inequality; Military; Mindfulness; Politics; Poverty; Philanthropy; Public Health; Social Change; Social Justice. As long as you can tie the topic/news item back to the NASW Code of Ethics and/or the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and explain why it’s a social problem, then your topic/news item is appropriate.
AGAIN the topic must be current, recent, just happened. If the event happened more than 3 months old I WILL NOT Accept it.
This assignment has two parts: a written report to be submitted to the dropbox, and a video presentation that will be posted to the discussion board.
Requirements for the Written Report:
In order to receive a grade for this assignment, the student will submit a 1-2 page report (double-spaced) – posted to Canvas prior to when the student will be expected to lead a discussion topic with respect to the content of said report. This current events written report should include:
Current event title;
A brief summary of the news item;
An explanation of how or why the topic is a social problem and/or human rights issue;
Please list the human rights issue by article number from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and/or the corresponding ethical topic from the NASW Code of Ethics.
Note whether there is any relevant social policy or policies related to the event (laws, current legislation being considered by government, social welfare programs, etc.);
Include at least one thought-provoking question for the class to discuss with respect to this concern;
APA-style Reference page

Requirements for the Video Presentation:
Once the student has submitted the report to the dropbox, they should prepare a PowerPoint presentation and record a video presentation (using Zoom, Screencast-O-Matic, etc.) on their report topic. Video presentations should be a minimum of 5 minutes, with a maximum of 15 minutes, not including external/supplemental videos. A brief video of the news item can also be used, however, will not be included in the expectation for the presenter to introduce and summarize the news item. The content of all discussions must be respectful of others. No personal attacks, put-downs, or unprofessional language are to be used in constructing these conversations.
Your PowerPoint should include at least 7 slides:
Title slide;
Summary of news article;
What the social problem/human rights issue is;
What UN Declaration of Human Rights and/or NASW Code of Ethics are at play with this news item;
Relevant social policies related to the issue;
Your discussion question(s);
and References
Your video presentation MUST be posted to a personal YouTube account, and then linked to your discussion board post. Please make sure your video is listed as either “public” or “unlisted”, as videos marked “private” cannot be seen by anyone except the account holder–and if the instructor/your classmates cannot see your video, you will receive a 0 for the presentation grade. Be sure to also type out your discussion question for the class on your discussion board post, so it is easily accessible to all who view it.
PLEASE BE SURE THE ARTICLE YOU CHOOSE IS NO LONGER THAN THREE MONTHS TO PRESENT DAY SO THAT MEANS THE ARTICLE SHOUD STARTS AROUND AUGUST 2024 TO PRESENT DAY NOT OLDER ALSO THE POWERPOINT SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THE WRITTEN RPORT

For this discussion, watch the video Group Work: Dealing with Problems in a Group as noted in Module 11 Readings and Video.
In your initial post, respond to the following prompt:
What group challenge(s) that the presenters discussed in the video are most concerning to you as a potential group facilitator?
What most concerns you about your skill level and your ability to respond to challenges that arise in working with groups?
What did you learn from this video that you think will be useful to you as a group facilitator? Be specific—relate your response to client groups you intend to work with.

Review, read, and utilize the following source to answer the case study questions. You can review through the Routledge Interactive Cases site or review material in a PDF format: Case Studies for SOWK 511.pdf. Be sure to review the case study that pertains to your week’s assignment.
Step 2:
Read through the case study questions for your week’s assignment. These questions are located below in this document.
Step 3:
Students will answer each of the questions outlined for each week’s case study. Responses to each question should be detailed and supported with scholarly works. There should be at least two scholarly works found by the student for each case study assignment that are not the textbook or weekly readings. Additional resources such as the course textbook or other course materials can be used/cited, but are in addition to the two scholarly sources found by the student. Note: You should be supporting each of your answers to each question with a source whether it is one you found or the textbook and additional readings.
Step 4:
Assignment will be formatted in APA 7. The assignment will include a title page, reference page and the questions as headings within the paper. There is no length requirement for these assignments.

In this essay, reflect on the Genogram relating to Power and Privilege overlap. In an essay (500-750 words), address the following:
Explain the intersecting identities you see in your life.
Watch the “White Privilege” video. Explain how systems of oppression have related to those layers of identity. Refer to Social Work Disposition #6: Value: Competence; Ethical Principle: Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise when responding to this prompt

Explain two to four examples of intersectionality and privilege you have seen.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
This assignment is informed by the following EPAS Standards:

As future social work professionals, it is essential to ensure that the programs we design, and implement are not only effective but also inclusive and equitable. This involves a conscious effort to embed anti-racist and anti-oppressive principles into all aspects of program planning and development.
For this discussion, go to Course Reserves and read the article “Corneau S, Stergiopoulos V. More than being against it: anti-racism and anti-oppression in mental health services” and reflect on the following questions and share your thoughts:
Understanding Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Principles:
How do you define anti-racism and anti-oppression in the context of social work?
Why is it important to integrate these principles into program planning and development?
Identifying and Addressing Bias:
What steps can you take to identify and challenge your own biases and assumptions during the program planning process?
How can you ensure that the needs and voices of marginalized communities are prioritized and valued in your program design?
Community Engagement and Participation:
Discuss the importance of community engagement in creating anti-racist and anti-oppressive programs.
What strategies can you employ to foster meaningful participation from diverse community members in the planning and decision-making processes?
Inclusive Program Design:
How can you design program activities and services to be inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status?
What considerations should be made to ensure cultural competence and sensitivity in program implementation?
Challenges and Solutions:
What challenges might you face in implementing anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices in program planning?
How can you address and overcome these challenges to ensure that your program remains committed to these principles?

Answer each question in order: Use citations from video or lecture to prove you have read and watch the video.
SW WITH IMMG & REFGS:
DISCUSSION 1: Watch the video, Can’s Journey, Links to an external site. about Can’s journey as a young adult, Asian American, diagnosed with bipolar and respond to the questions below:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V720lROtoPE&t=635s (Can’s Journey)
1. How do you assess the role of culture in Can and his family’s response to Can’s illness, diagnosis, and treatment? What are some observations that you made about social and parental expectations and the impact these potentially can have?
2. What are some of the reasons you think Can is having difficulty managing his emotions as he has gotten older?
3. What role does “living in between both cultures” play for youth in relationship with their parents (inter-generational stress)?
4. How have you experienced stigma and cultural norms as barriers to access to mental health services (as applied to you or anyone you know or have worked with)?
5. How might you work with an individual and his family like Can?
Discussion 2: Review Case Study #2 on Labor Organizing in Chang-Muy and Congress (2024), p. 329. After reading, respond to 3 of the following questions for Case Study #2 ):
1. What social work issues does this case raise?
2. What legal issues does this case raise?
3. What steps can you take to try to help the workers get their jobs back?
4. Do the undocumented workers have a right to be reinstated?
5. What claims can they potentially file?
6. Can they get back pay for the work they perform?
Make sure to integrate information from the reading
Clinical SW: Module 6 Discussion Board 1: Interpersonal Coping
1. Why do clients construct a compromise solution?
2. List Horney’s three coping styles. Do you find them helpful? Why or why not?
3. Why is it important to understand clients’ ego defenses?
4. Describe a current or previous situation with a client in which therapist-induced or client-induced counter-transference occurred. How did you deal with it?

As future social work professionals, it is essential to ensure that the programs we design, and implement are not only effective but also inclusive and equitable. This involves a conscious effort to embed anti-racist and anti-oppressive principles into all aspects of program planning and development.
For this discussion, go to Course Reserves and read the article “Corneau S, Stergiopoulos V. More than being against it: anti-racism and anti-oppression in mental health services” and reflect on the following questions and share your thoughts:
Understanding Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Principles:
How do you define anti-racism and anti-oppression in the context of social work?
Why is it important to integrate these principles into program planning and development?
Identifying and Addressing Bias:
What steps can you take to identify and challenge your own biases and assumptions during the program planning process?
How can you ensure that the needs and voices of marginalized communities are prioritized and valued in your program design?
Community Engagement and Participation:
Discuss the importance of community engagement in creating anti-racist and anti-oppressive programs.
What strategies can you employ to foster meaningful participation from diverse community members in the planning and decision-making processes?
Inclusive Program Design:
How can you design program activities and services to be inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status?
What considerations should be made to ensure cultural competence and sensitivity in program implementation?
Challenges and Solutions:
What challenges might you face in implementing anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices in program planning?
How can you address and overcome these challenges to ensure that your program remains committed to these principles?

Answer each question in order: Use citations from video or lecture to prove you have read and watch the video.
SW WITH IMMG & REFGS:
DISCUSSION 1: Watch the video, Can’s Journey, Links to an external site. about Can’s journey as a young adult, Asian American, diagnosed with bipolar and respond to the questions below:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V720lROtoPE&t=635s (Can’s Journey)
1. How do you assess the role of culture in Can and his family’s response to Can’s illness, diagnosis, and treatment? What are some observations that you made about social and parental expectations and the impact these potentially can have?
2. What are some of the reasons you think Can is having difficulty managing his emotions as he has gotten older?
3. What role does “living in between both cultures” play for youth in relationship with their parents (inter-generational stress)?
4. How have you experienced stigma and cultural norms as barriers to access to mental health services (as applied to you or anyone you know or have worked with)?
5. How might you work with an individual and his family like Can?
Discussion 2: Review Case Study #2 on Labor Organizing in Chang-Muy and Congress (2024), p. 329. After reading, respond to 3 of the following questions for Case Study #2 ):
1. What social work issues does this case raise?
2. What legal issues does this case raise?
3. What steps can you take to try to help the workers get their jobs back?
4. Do the undocumented workers have a right to be reinstated?
5. What claims can they potentially file?
6. Can they get back pay for the work they perform?
Make sure to integrate information from the reading
Clinical SW: Module 6 Discussion Board 1: Interpersonal Coping
1. Why do clients construct a compromise solution?
2. List Horney’s three coping styles. Do you find them helpful? Why or why not?
3. Why is it important to understand clients’ ego defenses?
4. Describe a current or previous situation with a client in which therapist-induced or client-induced counter-transference occurred. How did you deal with it?

RE: Faith and SW Integration Paper Instructions
Christianity and Social Work Paper Instructions
Please do not use AI as I will check for AI and this would then have to be redone if AI is detected.
Christianity and Social Work: What Difference does it make?
This 5-7 pp. paper requires you to reflect on the impact of your faith system and beliefs on your social work practice. You will reflect upon the difference being a Christian makes in social work practice. It is to be based on your study of the following assigned readings:
Use the three listed references below and at least 3 other scholarly references no older than 5 years old for a total of at least 6 references with proper in-text citations throughout the paper and a references section cited in APA 7th Ed.
Ethical Integration of Faith and Social Work Practice: Evangelism (Sherwood, 2002)
Chapter 1: An Interactional Approach to Helping (Shulman, 2018, pp. 12-21)
Elephant in the Room: Race and Christian Social Workers (Brice, 2020)
You may also incorporate any classroom presentations and discussions in addition to your own perspective on the integration of a Christian worldview and social work practice.
Based on the readings and course materials, define and describe each of the three assumptions underlying Shulman’s model (symbiosis, obstacles in the engagement, and strength for change). Discuss how each can relate to a Christian worldview.
Briefly describe one of the clients you have worked with this semester; based on what you know about the client, include a description of the similarities and differences between you and the client in terms of worldview (attitudes, ideas, values, beliefs, etc. about faith, life, and the world), based upon what you know about the client (if you are not aware of these regarding the client, solely focus on your own worldview –-or spiritual framework— and discuss how you need to be attuned to this due to how it can impact perception and create blinders or filters).
Insert a carefully selected excerpt of the dialog portion of one of your process records, focused on an example of either a faith dilemma (i.e., a situation that made you question your faith or when your worldview/faith values were challenged) or an example of when a Christian worldview/faith values helped or guided you in your work with the client (such as in terms of motivation, viewpoint, mandate, or approach – as discussed in class or how personal beliefs and values were impacted).
Analyze the excerpt discussing how this situation impacted or was impacted by your Christian worldview and how it relates to at least one (1) of the underlying assumptions of the interactional approach.
Discuss your understanding of the difference a Christian worldview can make in practice, including one passage of scripture that can guide your practice with the client system you serve. How can we avoid imposing our own worldview onto our clients?

Select an SMI diagnosis (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) and a medication that is used to treat someone with that diagnosis.
Conduct a search in the peer-reviewed literature to gather some basic information on the medication. APA Style
First, provide a detailed description of the medication that you have selected.
What group or groups of clients would be a candidate for this particular medication? Why? •
How does the medicine work (describe the action in the brain)? See the following website to help you out: http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/
What are some of the benefits of the drug? Risks? Side effects? Dosage?
When would the medication be indicated for a particular client or group of clients? When would it be contraindicated?
Describe the medication in a fashion that would be understandable to an individual with a psychotic disorder and/or the caregiver for such individual. Prepare an informational description that you could use to teach a client or group of clients about this particular medication. Attend to language and simplicity of presentation. As you write, consider what questions a client might ask (i.e. what that client might need or want to know).