Part 1: Describe Donna’S Story From A Problem Solving Perspective..

I have seen both her mother’s and her struggles with oppression, subordination and exclusion, their fights for services and funding and their struggles with day-to-day life. I was an involved member of their family and so their struggles touched me deeply, the fight for social justice and acceptance is one that will take a very long time within the Australian community; nonetheless, it is already a personal value of mine. My values are now ones of equality for all, social inclusion, respect, and dignity and worth, and social justice for all.

Brenda Combs is a strong, determined women who has experienced the roughest parts of life and who has made a positive impact on people around her. When Combs developed a partying habit, she also got into the dangerous habit of taking drugs. Combs eventually became a cocaine addicted who would fall in and out of bad relationships. Then, one day when she got her shoes stolen from her, Combs decided to turn her life around and gain her dignity back. The first challenge she faced while changing her life around was to try and stay strong in rehab as it was “the hardest she had ever known” (paragraph 18). Combs determination eventually led her to a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and a job at the StarShine charter school.

A woman, named Dellena, was involved in sex trafficking business. She made a documentary titled, “Human Trafficking Survivor Story: Dellena, California,” where she shares her experience as a victim. As a little girl, her mother was very negative and always put her down. Her parents were divorced when Dellena was just a child. Not before long her mother remarried. Dellena’s new stepfather molested her and her sister at the age of seven. Soon after her parents remarried, she was put in the foster care system for five years and her mother never once came to see her. One day her mother showed up and told Dellena she was going home. Dellena said, “The reason my mother wanted me home was because my stepfather wanted me home because he liked twelve-year-old girls. That was the perfect age for him” (“Human Trafficking Survivor Story: Dellena, California”). After being molested again, she ran away from her home. On the streets she met a 21-year old, who took her

The social worker must gain an understanding of how Emma perceives the events happening in her life. If it is determined that Emma has constructed and unhelpful perception of her life circumstances, the social worker must help Emma reconstruct a more positive and helpful reality. For example, she may feel that she is somehow causing this divorce with her parents because of the sexual abuse that happened to her in kindergarten. This perception may come from the fact that her mother believed and supported her. Meanwhile, her father did not believe her and rarely participated in her treatment. The actions of her parents may have caused tension which led to their divorce. However, because of her cognitive functioning she may view the situation as being her fault. The social worker would have to help Emma come to an understanding that her parents make their own decisions and their divorce is not her

While interviewing Joni Desnomie, by the way she would talk about the events that occurred I chose not to go through with the interview process. Joni Desnomie is my auntie, growing up with her she talked about going to residential schools and how it was the worse experience of her life. Joni had never had the chance to deal with the events that occurred. She has supressed her emotions towards the school so deep, that when we were talking she started to choke up about the subject. This is a prime example of how much of an impact these schools have on some people and their families. Joni, did not deal with the emotions and while attending the school she had tried to commit suicide numerous times. The scars on her wrists embodies the pain she endured

Jeanine Hilt was exceptional for her appreciation of the Lee family and attempts to become well-versed in Hmong culture. She demonstrated a willingness to learn from them and admirably strong commitment to advocacy on their behalf. Because of her determination to understand their background and their personal lives, she gained their respect and formed a very strong rapport with them. More people, and especially more social workers, should take that kind of approach to clients.

A patient frequently comes to a social worker with a variety of problems, and it can be overwhelming trying to determine where to start with the patient. In capstone class, we discussed presenting problems and determining which problem is more appropriate to focus on within the agency setting. In class we were able to practice identifying the presenting problem by using case vignettes as an example. This activity was extremely helpful in learning how to identify a patient’s presenting problem and acquiring the skill to determine which problem takes precedence within certain settings.

In Donna Beegle’s article An Insider’s Perspective: The Donna Beegle Story, purpose and mastery are two traits that helped her throughout life. Growing up, Donna Beegle didn’t see why education was important. The people she grew up with people that didn’t have an education higher than an eighth grade level, because many of them dropped out, got married, and started a family. Then she followed their footsteps. As she went through obstacles with her husband, four pregnancies (two of them living), and low-wage jobs leading to financial problems, Donna Beegle and her family kept moving from place to place. As years passed by, she got a divorced and had to raise her children alone. She eventually found a program, which its goal were to help single women gain an education skills to earn a living for their families. After going through the program, she decided to get her GED and continue in furthering her education. Entering college was tough for her, because she didn’t know how to talk or write properly, until one of professors, Dr. Bob Fulford decided to offer her help to correct her grammar. She accepted the offer saying, “Yes. Please teach me how to talk like you, because no one thinks I am smart. No one asks my opinion. I feel like no one can hear me.” As time went on, she got more help with other professors that Dr. Fulford connected her with. Eventually, she got her bachelor’s degree, to master’s, all the way to doctorate level.

This story, while centered on Maries struggles with addiction and family support the story we also hear from two social workers in DCF; Ilia

Calli N. Morrison and Constance R. Tullis are students at the School of Social Work at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Jaynelle Kennedy is a 21 years old First Nation’s woman currently experiencing some issues with social services. She has 2 boys, both under age 10. She grew up in Winnipeg and always lived in poverty, she recalls stealing from the Safeway just, so she could eat. Jaynelle claims to have no problems with drugs and drinking at the beginning of the documentary and that she wouldn’t go down that path. Jaynelle is on welfare and faces many struggles with poverty, she also moves frequently (usually with new boyfriends). Jaynelle was adopted at age 11, but still remains in contact with her biological mother, Edna Jawbone. She also states she was molested while in the care of her biological mom, by her baby sitter. Jaynelle also has borderline personality

Interview paper with a Counselor (Rebecca Alexander), and a Social Worker (Mina McVeigh). This interview is for Mrs. Scott’s online class.

Problem solving approach is a traditional and foundational aspect of general Social Work practice. It is based on identifying a problem or set of problems facing a client and formulating a framework of possible options with the hope of fixing the problem or improving the situation. Although, the worker may guide the client and inform them of the possibilities and options available, the client is still solely responsible for their own choices and actions. The formal application of this principle is the definition, assessment, setting of goals, intervention and resolution.

Maurice William’s understands that social workers get tired because of their relentless job responsibilities, therefore, she makes sure they don’t experience burn out since it is her responsibility to keep the families intact (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Since she is not out in the field visiting the homes, she puts her faith in her upper management team to be able to listen and pay attention to any problems or potential future problems (Laureate Education, Inc. 2011). Since she is unable to be out in the field, Williams uses her supervisory skills to train her staff to be able to identify potential problems and also to report back to her what the problems are. If there were problems out in the field (i.e., foster parents, foster children), she shoulders the full responsibility to make sure that the problems are addressed and resolved, or modify changes that are in the best interest of the children.