Essay on The Department of Human Services in The State of Tennessee

The section in chapter I that caught my attention was pertaining to Forming Teams and Partnership to Provide Services. This area in the book stresses how vital it is working with other agencies or professionals to assist clients with receiving services. (An Introduction to Human Services, Woodside & McClam) The concept of connecting people to services is relevant in my line of work as a probation officer. When individuals are place on supervised probation, they are required by the courts to complete special conditions prior to the expiration of the case. Upon the initial appointment, the client is directed to have a treatment evaluation or an assessment completed and at that time they are given

In June 1999, the United States Supreme Court affirmed a judgment in the Olmstead case, which regards two individuals with mental and cognitive disabilities living in a state operated institution, who claimed a right to care in an integrated setting based on the guarantees under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). As a response, Texas implemented the Texas Promoting Independence Plan. The goal of this plan is to ensure that the state’s long-term services and supports system (i.e. HCS) effectively fosters independence for all individuals who have a disability and provides opportunities for individuals to have a quality of life in the setting of their choice (HHSC 2012). Today, individuals who choose to reside in the community are able to maintain their independence with the assistance of community-based services. For instance, when Marisa received her slot for community-based services, she also received the supports she needed to remain living at home and do the things she wants to do including volunteering, giving back to the community and doing the everyday things she needs to do to be independent (ADA). The cost of not increasing funding for the interest list denies the rights of individuals who are both mentally and physically at a disadvantage compared to most of us. The benefit of increasing funding gives individuals a voice to choose their independence in a community setting and provides equal opportunity.

LADD was founded forty plus years ago by parents of individuals with development disabilities to provide a safe, caring and supportive residential living environment for their family member to gain independent living skills needed to live successfully in the community. LADD is build the agency upon and is committed to the founding vision and values established by the founding parents and has expanded upon the vision of the founding parents to not only include residential services but to include other aspects of an individual’s life such as employment. The virtue that can be assigned to LADD is commitment for their dedication to provide services built upon the values of the founding parents. The social work value that can be applied to LADD

A few semesters ago, I completed fieldwork for another course with Tommie Calfee, CTRS at Austin Travis County Integral Care (ATCIC), where I acted as a job coach for a young man with cognitive and developmental disabilities resulting from a traumatic brain injury sustained immediately after birth. My experience with “J.” and ATCIC was so enlightening and fulfilling that when I saw that Tommie was looking for volunteers this semester, I jumped at the chance to once again be a part of the amazing team at ATCIC. The bulk of my hours were spent preparing for and volunteering at the New Milestones Foundation’s “Bridging the Gap- Unmasking Stigma, Changing the Script of Homelessness” fundraising gala, but I also had the opportunity to work with the Substance Abuse Prevention Services team in their Strengthening Families program.

Within any agency, dependent on the services and programs, there could be a multitude of client populations. The primary population that is served at DHHS is those of low socioeconomic status. The main role of this agency is to provide assistance in the form of food assistance, cash assistance, and medical assistance.

The form does ask all the needed questions that a social worker should know about the client. On the form, it starts with the question of the client’s presenting problem. The client will explain what problems he or she is experiencing. This allows social workers to recognize the reason for the needed treatment at the start. By doing so, the social worker will then continue to

The social worker then goes through the first phase of the helping process namely the exploration phase whereby he/she gathers necessary information of the client.

Today we out into the community for outreach. My task coordinator is very passionate about going out into the community and reaching people where they are. So we gathered our team and headed out to get new referrals. The area we typically visit is a low-income area in Newport News, VA. It is our goal to target areas where resources are needed and there is definitely a need for services within this community. We approach people within the community and provide them with information about AFI and we attempt to complete a referral on the spot. For example, we met an elderly standing on the bus stop. She needs help finding transportation services. There are also other needs that range from housing to paying bills. So it’s our mission to connect people to resources in order to enhance their wellbeing (Core competency 2.1.5 – advance human rights and social and economic justice). Each person, regardless of position in society, has basic human rights, such as freedom, safety, privacy, and an adequate standard of living.

It is my belief as a social worker these assesments can help us on the front end, to determine what types of services we can provide the individual and their families to help elliviate some of the larger burdens they face in order to

This program goes above and beyond to bring the hapinnes of their patients. They refer their clients to outside services to help them in their daily lives. For example, if a person in their program is having a hard time cooking and cleaning in their home, this programs offers them outside resources of people who can help them. They also refer people to therapy if the patient needs it, schooling, housing, immigration status, and overall everything the patients needs the program will help.

The program overall goal and mandate is to work on disabled individuals self-esteem and body image issues while providing education

Investigate, compile and digest facts of the case by: 1) Locating, obtaining, and preserving client documentation; 2) Review and organize client’s documentation; 3) Analyze and summarize all data; 4) Research and analyze legal sources by locating and summarizing applicable statutory, regulatory and case law, and drafting motions and legal memorandum for attorney’s review; 5) Prepare appropriate forms regarding client’s matters before the Departments of Homeland Security, State, Justice, and Labor; 6) Draft correspondence to clients, courts, attorneys, etc.; 7) Coordinate with clients to assemble documentation, complete questionnaires and forms, review case status, etc.; 8) Update case processing tasks, case status, maintain hard copy and soft copy of legal case files updated and track critical expiration dates within the immigration case management software; and 9) Review files on a regular basis, consult with attorneys and prepare regular status reports.

In our scope of practice, many lines of our work exist on a continuum, and likewise, our advocacy role contains everything from designing interventions to influencing public policy and systemic changes (Gladding & Newsome, 2018, p. 179). At times, we will face clients possibly living in conditions that are hindering them from reaching their full potential. As a counselor and advocate, we must remember that specific groups are faced with more challenges than others, for illustration, Muslims, and Hispanics. Counselors should take a leap toward social justice for these two groups, and any others in their clientele. According to Gladding & Newsome (2018), becoming involved with empowerment, outreach, social justice and social action are ways in which we can aim to help society and not just individual clients.

In the late spring of 1999, the United States Supreme Court issued the Olmstead v. L. C. choice. In view of this choice, regulated crippled people now have a decision in whether they are to stay in their present office or to move out into the group. The Court 's historic point choice all things considered without a doubt difficulties our Federal, state, and nearby governments to grow more open doors for people with handicaps through extra available frameworks of savvy group based administrations. After the Olmstead choice, the U.S. Branch of Health and Human Services prescribed that every state build up a composed "Olmstead Plan" to guarantee consistence with the Supreme Court 's choice. At the date of this proposition, the State of California has been resistant in that achievement choice; the state has not made an arrangement out of activity to de-systematize those with incapacities who are skilled, with assistance from group benefit projects, of dwelling in the group setting.

Caseworkers conduct outreach activities to disseminate information about their services and they may also benefit from previous client referrals. Once new clients are engaged, a caseworker arranges to visit them to get firsthand information about their status and to determine their eligibility for social services. For example, a caseworker may visit a family where one of the members is believed to be mentally ill, to determine the extent of the challenges that the family