Respond to at least two colleagues. Address the following in your response:
What changes would you make to the policies your colleagues described? Explain.
Describe how you would advocate for the changes.
Melissa Vera
RE: Discussion – Week 2
Post the name and mission of the social work agency or organization you selected.
Explain why you selected the agency or organization.
The social work agency I chose is called Georgia Hope. According to Georgia Hope’s missions, the agency “offers hope and inspire meaningful living to individuals, families, and communities through our belief that wellness and recovery are possible for all (2022).” Georgia Hope’s vision statement states “vision is to influence culture and impact policy by removing barriers and making services accessible for all people and communities (2022).” During foundation year, I completed my field education with this agency. In the past, I have been able to gain experience in other areas of social worker but never thought about working in the therapeutic area. Georgia Hope provides therapeutic services as well as psychiatrist, physical, nursing, and medication management. In order to be able to continue growing as a social worker and to gain more knowledge, I chose to complete my internship that involved therapy. Georgia Hope follows the NASW’ code of ethics to guide their practice in assisting the clients to meet their goals (2022).
Describe the related policy and the problem it addresses.
A policy that Georgia Hope has is to treat everyone with respect and honors their rights (2022). This includes the clients and employees where they never want to exploit the people’s trust (2022). Another policy is that the agency never refuses services to anyone in regards to their race, color, age, gender, religion, or nationality (2022). Along with this, Georgia Hope does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of clients or employees (2022). The services provided is client-centered dedicating themselves to the best interest of the client. In addition, Georgia Hope values their employees in order for them to provide high quality services to the clients (2022). All of these are related to inequality which continues to become a problem. Jansson (2018) writes about how there are many inequalities people face that we will work with struggling with homelessness, little pay, poor health, no insurance, dependent on welfare benefits, little to inadequate education, unable to afford rent, single parents struggling, and many more. Every individual comes from a different background with different concerns and should all be treated equally and empathetic and ready to help them.
Explain how the policy supports the mission and impacts (positively or adversely) the clients of the organization.
Jansson (2018) shares how “ethical policy helps guide social work policy,” which is what I see when reading the agency’s policy and mission. NASW (2022) also includes how social workers have a responsibility to make the client’s interest as primary and also to promote the well-being of clients.” Georgia Hope’s policy supports the mission as they are both patient-centered practice. The agency wants to let the clients know that the workers are here to help by keeping confidentiality, accepting all backgrounds, and non-judgement (Georgia Hope, 2022). The mission and policy share how it is possible for anyone and everyone to be able to improve and meet their goals (2022). The agency also sees recovery not just as substance but integrates mental health as it sometimes correlates with substance (2022). They see it as a “person who is working to regain stability of mind and body (2022).” In addition, the agency believes in removing barriers so that people can have services accessible (2022). The agency accepts all people and wants to work with medical professionals to work together and see what is impacting the clients and how to better help them with recovery (2022). The policy and mission statement impacts the clients in a positive wa
References:
Georgia Hope. (2022). About: Our Purpose.
Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate from policy making practice to social justice. (8th ed.). 9, 14-15, 31-68
National Association of Social Workers. (2021) Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.
Hoefer, R. (2015). Princess wants a dog park: Using theory and evidence to understand advocacy and improve policy practice education. Journal of Policy Practice, 14(3/4), 165-170.
Maria SANCHEZ
RE: Discussion – Week 2
COLLAPSE
Explain why you selected the agency or organization
The agency I picked is Vista del Mar Child and Family Services. I chose this non-profit organization agency because the agency offers a variety of mental health services to youth. This organization also counts with schools that serve children who need support with a range of cognitive, behavioral, and social challenges. Vista del Mar provides adoption services, counseling, out-of-home care and placement, school readiness, special education, and Wraparound Services (Vista Del Mar – Child and Family Services. (n.d.).
Describe the related policy and the problem it addresses.
The specific program I will be focusing on is Wraparound services. This program provides mental health services to high-risk youth out in the community. Wraparound services program is a family-based, strengths-based, and needs-based planning process for children and youth with high-level mental health and/or urgent mental health needs (Vista Del Mar – Child and Family Services. (n.d.). The youth must have an open DCFS or probation case to qualify for the services. Several families could benefit from the services, but it is difficult for families to be eligible for the services due to the program’s policy. Another policy that affects families who have an open DCFS or probation case is that the CSW or probation officer has to refer them to the program. In some instances, CSW or probation officers do not want to refer as they must participate in meetings with the Wraparound staff, adding more work to their caseload.
Explain how the policy supports the mission and impacts (positively or adversely) the clients of the organization.
The policy supports the mission as the agency provides services to families in need. The program Wraparound serves families based on their schedule. The Wraparound team goes out to people’s homes, accommodating the family and youth to receive mental health services. Since the organization offers a wide variety of services, the Wraparound team can advocate for the youth to attend Vista Del Mar school if the youth need to go to a school that supports youth with cognitive, behavioral, and social challenges. I feel that if a child needs high-level mental health, the child should qualify to receive Wraparound services without having an open DCFS or probation case.
References
Vista Del Mar – Child and Family Services. (n.d.). Vista Del Mar.