Reflections On 'Jessica Lane' By Jessica Lane: Social Workers

After reading Alan Keith-Lucas’s book, “So You Want to Be a Social Worker,” I felt like I had found a lot of timeless truths. I say that because whenever I read it, I pictured being in a black and white movie listening to an old man talk about societal behaviors that still hold true today. The first two chapters discussed a lot about our beliefs and what those are, along with the common ground we share with non-Christians. Then the book goes on to discuss how we can use our beliefs to understand the nature of human beings. One of my favorite things he says is, “He or she doesn’t see people as “naturally good” or “naturally bad,” but as fallible creatures, who by the grace of God, are able sometimes to transcend themselves” (Keith-Lucas, 1985, p. 11). Keith-Lucas also mentions that social work and the Bible can connect to an extent that is useful to us. One way he mentions the two connecting is when he talks about love being the answer. In the second portion of the book there are a lot more Christian views applied to the social work realm of things, which include the views of sin, suffering, and the difference between spiritual and material needs. When discussing sin, Keith-Lucas added a lot of context to how the church use to view sin in two categories of “hot-blooded” and “cold-blooded,” which I thought was really interesting. I never knew the church use to have real categories for sin. And the sections about suffering and witnessing to others

When working in a field of expertise the experts in that area need to know what defines that field. Social work, with its roots over a hundred years old, started out simply offering assistance to others, has grown and changed, and is currently reconnecting with its roots (Bisman, 2004). Bisman (2004) emphasizes the importance of being an advocate of justice and keeping the field focused on the “social” part of social work. This push to keep social work focused on the needs of others defines social work today. Social work focuses on providing aide to the needy and increasing awareness of those that are oppressed.

At my first observation, I shadowed Doctor Lindsay Matthews who was a social worker in the emergency room department of the hospital. As a pre-medicine student, I had never considered a social worker as an important job in the hospital. I did not even know we had one. When I thought of social workers, I thought of people who dealt with kids and people with

Social work professions need to understand the importance of how individuals interact both with other people and their environment, to have an understanding how individuals are affected by these interactions (Rogers, p. 2). According to Rogers (2016), “Social workers are knowledgeable about human behavior across the life course; the range of social systems in which people live; and the ways social systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being. Social workers apply theories and knowledge from the liberal arts to understand biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development (p. 2). Their work with clients begins with assessments to evaluations of intervention and is based in and supports of the core value system of the profession.

The profession of social work has been in the health care field ultimately since the beginning of the health care system. However, throughout the years, the roles of the social worker and their prevalence have changed just as much as the system itself.

According to the dictionary, social work is defined as “organized work directed toward the betterment of social conditions…” When I interviewed Danielle Boyko, I learned that a social worker has different roles and responsibilities. Their day to day work as described by Boyko is “different and busy.” It can range from taking an elderly woman to her appointment to dealing with a mentally ill patient and providing clothes for the homeless. Despite her demanding job, Danielle Boyko mentions that it is also fulfilling to see clients transform. Boyko received her Master’s from Argosy University.

Anderson, L. E., Weston, E. A., Doueck, H. J., Krause, D. J. (2002). The child-centered social worker and the sexually abused child: Pathway to healing. Social Work Journal, 47, (4), 368-378. This article focuses on providing treatment and assistance through the judicial process from child-centered social workers to minimize the potential opportunity for system induced trauma.

Social work to many serves as an industry where the public helps the poor and only the poor to succeed in life. When as a matter of fact social work not only helps the poor, but also helps anyone who needs it such as children, soldiers, people with special needs, etc. There many different agencies and programs within social work. These agencies and programs are funded by the government and/or by a non-profit organization. In order to, be a social worker a person needs to have the ambition to help others, without this characteristic the person will fail to succeed in any field.

The question asked “what is my understanding of the social work profession”, social work is a field, where people are compassionate about helping others live comfortably within their environment. By providing them with services needed within that moment. It serves as a guide to people, who are not aware of resources that is available to them. The social work profession generates the needs and emotions of other people. I imagine the social work profession as a listening ear. For instance, a client might be

The decision to pursue my education in social work at Dalhousie University was not an easy one. While I was growing up, my career choice changed all of them time, but I always knew that I wanted to do something fulfilling, in which I could “help” and support people. My mom was a nurse and always loved helping people; I always figured I would follow in her footsteps, however I learned at an early age that sciences do not come easy to me. Unfortunately, my mom lost her battle to breast cancer when I was eight years old, so I hope that by me helping people socially, rather than medically like she did, will continue her legacy.

The interview session I had with Kayla Huddleston was necessary in understanding different dynamics of the Social Work profession. Ms. Huddleston is an experienced professional who works in the social work program at Seattle University. She performs diverse roles in the social work program at the university. She is a program coordinator for a social work program and responsible for recruitment and admission program in the university. She also organizes and ensures different social programs including graduation within the university. Her program coordination role requires diverse skills and competencies and at least a Master’s degree in social work from a recognized university. Kayla Huddleston holds a Master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington specializing in policy and administration. Her micro-level policy and system duties enable her to develop strategies and administrative policies that directly influence the lives of different people in the society.

Previous to my two social work courses, I knew very little about social work. I have seen two movies, Precious and Fathers and Daughters, that have shown the work and responsibilities of a social worker. In the movie Precious, a teenage girl who was raised in Harlem, was subjected to physical, mental and sexual abuse. A social worker, Ms. Weiss, was assigned to her case to help her cope with her troubling life. Ms. Weiss displays the emotional struggle social workers go through while working with people who have been abused. We see this during the scene when Precious tells the detailed story of her sexual abuse from her father and Ms. Weiss cannot hold back her tears. I could see how that would be a very challenging fragment of social work

REPORTER: The reporter/Social Worker (Shawarner) called with concerns for the victims, Kiana, Paris, and Kevin. According to the reporter, on yesterday (10/21/2015), Tavia came to the DHS office to drop off some paperwork for child support. Tavia (mother) left the children in the car (for 15 minutes) with the doors unlocked and the keys in the car. The car was not running. The security office (unknown) called the police. The Gulfport Police Officer Castello arrived on the scene. Tavia was arrested on yesterday (10/21/2015) around 5:00pm. The children are currently with their grandmother (Barnita McCullom), who lives in Biloxi. The reporter last saw the victims on last night (10/21/2015) and has not discussed the allegations with Tavia because

Social worker is a challenging but yet a rewarding profession. You have to be an active listener, compassionate, supportive, non-judgmental, and an empathetic person to be a great social worker. This week our assignment was to interview a social worker. On 09/17/2015, I had the pleasure to interview a social worker at My Sister’s House in Nashville, NC. I chose My Sister’s House because I use to volunteer there in 2011-2012 as crisis call taker. I like the services they provide for the community. My Sister’s House is a non-profit organization that helps domestic and sexual abuse victims with housing, emotional and legal resources. The building is an office space between other businesses like a plaza. It is across from Nash County Court House in Nashville, NC. Once you entered the office, it is like a shot gun house. You have the receptionist area and once pass that area, you have offices on each side of the hall. It is quite small hence they are moving into a new building in Rocky Mount on January 2016. It does not give a warm feeling at all but I think the employees make the victims feel comfortable. The social worker I interviewed has been employed there since 2012 as a court advocate/social worker. However, she started out as a volunteer a crisis call taker. Her name is Telisa Richardson. Before we got started with the interview, I asked her where did she received her educational credentials. Ms. Richardson told me that she is an alumna of Barton College with a BSW in

Social Work is a field of interest to me because of the positive effort it contributes to society. Within the social work profession individuals are striving to improve the welfare of those in need of assistance. Social Workers assist a variety of individuals; from children, young adolescents, older adults, mentally ill, substance abuse individuals, and many other minorities; as in LGBT members, veterans, homeless people, and low socioeconomic status individuals. The broad mix population fascinates me because within this field one will always be able to work in a flexible environment. Social Work is used in multiple settings as in hospitals, nursing skilled homes, mental health and substance abuse clinics, schools, correctional facilities, community centers, child welfare agencies, employee assistance programs, and private practices.