Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 522 Block Simulation – Practicum & Integrating Seminar II

Credits - 4

Description

Practicum/Integrating I & II is a two-term sequenced set of courses designed to complement student’s agency supervised generalist social work practice. Students complete their required hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organizational setting in which they learn, practice, and receive feedback on their multi-level generalist social work skills. The seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication and critical thinking skills as well as discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues that arise in their practicum experience. Students use seminar class to monitor their own learning experience and progress in attaining educational and professional goals. Through mixed learning methods, students have the opportunity to explore, connect, apply, and discuss classroom learnings into their practicum setting. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, equity and inclusion, honor and respect for diversity, and cultural humility. SSWO 522 provides a venue for students to establish, broaden and deepen their generalist social work practice. Students are expected to abide by The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers
https://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp in their practice with clients and agencies/organizations.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and oral, written, and electronic communication.
2. Apply understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in all levels of social work practice and engages clients, organizations and/or communities as experts in their own experience.
3. Apply understanding of social inclusion (social, economic, and environmental justice) to advocate for and engage in practices that advance social inclusion (social, economic, and environmental justice) through the identification and assessment of social policies that impact well-being service delivery and access to services.
4. Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.
5. Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients, organizations, and/or communities.
6. Collect, organize, and apply critical thinking to interpret ongoing assessment information from clients, organizations, and/or communities.
7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of ongoing assessment information, developing mutually agreed upon intervention goals with clients, organizations, and/or communities and can utilize client feedback or other evaluation methods to improve practice, policy and/or service delivery.
8. Use inter-professional collaboration in the process of assessment, developing interventions and evaluating practice to achieve beneficial outcomes for clients, organizations and/or communities.
9. Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the Social Work Codes of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research and use of technology, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.

Accreditation Standards Addressed:

• CSWE EPAS 2015 Competencies
• Competency 1–Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Competency 2 –Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
• Competency 3 –Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Competency 5 –Engage in Policy Practice
• Competency 6 –Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 7 –Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 8 –Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 9 –Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Assignments

In order to pass your field placement, you must complete all activities in this course and earn at least 800 of all 1000 possible points.

A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:

Weekly Self Care Posts

For all eight weeks of the course, you will post at least one self-care technique you have used that week to care for yourself with a description of why you selected this technique and its benefit.

Weekly Video Discussion Posts and Responses

Each student will post a 5-minute video every week, starting with Week 2 and will respond to their peers. Week 1 features an introductory video assignment in place of the normal weekly video posts.

Week 1:

All students will post a video re-introduction of themselves and their Field placement, placement activities, Field Instructor (and On-site Supervisor if there is one).

Weeks 2 – 8:

Each student will choose a topic from the list below for each video and have this be the subject/title of the video.

Videos will integrate field experiences and reflections on the individual’s internship with the Course Learning Objectives as spelled out in the Learning Contract.

Criteria for Posting Responses to the Video Assignment:

Each student is expected to log into Blackboard Video Discussion Board at least 2 days out of 7. The Video Response assignment is due by Sunday night at 11:59 pm ET of each week.

Each student must view all the videos recorded for that given week. After having viewed the video, each student must respond to every video posted for that module.

Responses should be substantial in nature. The response is as important as the video post, if not more so. In the video assignment post, your colleagues are seeking advice, support and/or feedback. Be sure your response relates to the specific question. All your responses should be interactive, thoughtful, and relevant.

Your response should be tied into one or more of the following:

• A recommendation of resolution and possible consequences.
• The code of Ethics and how your ideas support the particular ethical issue or push the boundary of the Code.
• A website or educational article (from a previous class or something new) that supports your thoughts or ideas relating to the issue.
• A Social Justice consideration or perspective.
• Questions regarding the issue that would further the discussion.

The content of each response must be substantive. “I agree, same here, been there done that” are not acceptable responses. You will be providing each other with support, direction, advice, and encouragement throughout the seminar.

Points are awarded based on active participation, and thoughtful relevant content. Points may be deducted for omission of response to one or more videos, for insubstantial content, for posting on fewer than 2 days, or for late submission. Since there are sometimes technical delays, it is suggested that you plan to post early responses to the videos of the week.

Weekly Written Discussions: Researching Community Resources and Interdisciplinary Communication

In weeks 3 – 8, you will your research community resources relevant to topics and issues arising in the case you are managing. You will discuss your findings in a weekly discussion forum.

Weekly Written Discussions: Live Session Reflection

In weeks 2 – 8, you will post a reflection based on live role-play sessions with the client.

Weekly Live Session Recordings

In weeks 3 – 7, in addition to the Live Session Reflection mentioned above, you will submit a recording of your live role-play session with the client.   

Case Progress Notes Based on Case Updates

During Weeks 3-7, you will have a case update to review in order to provide additional information from or regarding your client.  This update could be in video, audio, or document format.  You are required to write a case progress note (if update is from client) or collateral contact progress note (if update is from someone other than the client) after reviewing the case update each week.

Case Progress Notes Based on Recorded or Live Sessions

From Weeks 1 – 8, you will complete a case progress note based on the simulated session with the client. 

Brief Intake Assessment 

In Week 2, you will use a provided assessment template to complete a brief intake assessment.

NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management Presentation

This presentation is designed to provide you with an opportunity to explore a particular aspect of the NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management that you want to learn more about and how it relates to your social work practice. This project includes multiple submissions and will culminate in the creation of a 20-30 minute PowerPoint slideshow and/or video presentation for your classmates in the seminar. There are several due-dates associated with preparing for and delivering this presentation:

• NASW Standard Presentation Outline Form – due Week 2
• Annotated Bibliography – due Week 3
• Recorded Presentation – due on the Wednesday of Week 5, 6, or 7, depending on your sign-up date

Service Plan

In week 3, during the live session, you will be gathering additional information and finalizing a service plan with the client. 

Safety Webinar Forum Post

In week 4, you will submit a forum post reflecting on a webinar titled “Saftey, Ethics, and the Elephant in the Room.”

Safety Plan

In week 6’s live session, you will collaborate with the client to create a safety plan related to suicidality.

Evaluation

During Week 7, you will meet with your Seminar Instructor to complete an evaluation. In preparation for that task, you will review your learning contract and complete a field timesheet. Be prepared to discuss your progress and continued areas of growth.

Release of Information

After week 8’s live session, you will complete and submit a Release of Information for any referrals you will need to make to transfer care to Tampa area resources.  These referrals and the releases should have been discussed during the live session, however, you will not be able to get an actual signature from the client.  DO NOT EVER SIGN for the client.  You will leave the signature blank but complete any other section with information that was discussed. 

Case Closure Note

After week 8’s live session, you will complete a Case Closure Note, addressing the following:

• Reason for Closure
• Summary of Services Provided and Progress Towards Goals
• Transfer, discharge, follow up plans

Readings and Multimedia

There are required readings and recommended texts in this course. While there are not prescribed readings from these texts, you are required to read and utilize the readings throughout the course. Your instructor may integrate and suggest additional readings throughout the modules. We recommend that you utilize the bibliography’s extended readings. Additional readings in the modules will be introduced as the forms and supporting documents are needed for completion. There are a few videos presented as learning material, but the majority of videos in this course are created by students each week.

Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments:

There are several assignments in this course, which are all tailored around strengthening your field internship and experiences. These assignments will be collaborative with your field instructor and field advisor for review, comment, and submission. These will be highlighted throughout the course along with several reminders and prompts to get started. All of your assignments (including all of your forms) must be submitted via the assignment link and not via email. Any assignments (including all of your forms) submitted through Mail or email will not be accepted. They must be through the assignment link.

Grading and Feedback Method

Feedback will be provided within the assignment submission tool and in grading comments.

Due Dates

Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the Course Schedule. Points are earned for every assignment submitted and discussion forum in which you participate. Each assignment or discussion submitted late will earn half credit. If you do not complete the entire assignment you will only receive half the point value for that assignment.

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Point Value
Weekly Self Care Posts	5 points x 8 weeks
Week 1 Video Discussion: Video Introductions	5 points
Week 1 Written Discussion: Missing Assessment Information	10 points
Field Video Confidentiality.	2 points
Learning Contract	2 points
Schedule your live Session times for Week 2 and Week 8.	4 points
Sign up for NASW Case Management Standards Presentation Time.	2 points
Recorded/Live Session Case Progress Notes	10 points x 8 weeks
Weekly Written Discussions: Researching Community Resources and Interdisciplinary Communication	20 points x 6 weeks
Weekly Written Discussions: Live Session Reflection	20 points x 7 weeks
Weekly Video Discussions: Video Posts and Responses/Mandated Reporting Discussion	10 points x 7 weeks
Case Updates Progress Notes	5 points x 5 weeks
Live Client Session Role Play Video Submission	5 points x 5 weeks
Module 2: Assessment	50 points
Module 2: NASW Case Management Standards Presentation Outline	15 points
Module 2: Connect with your partner/small group to schedule live sessions for Weeks 3-7.	5 points
Module 3: Service Plan	50 points
Module 3 Annotated Bibliography for NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management Presentation	15 points
Module 4: Safety Webinar Forum Post	40 points
Module 5: NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management Presentation	100 points
Weekly responses to peers' NASW Standards Presentations	20 points x 3 weeks
Module 6: Safety Plan	50 points
Twine Decision Making Completion	15 points
Module 6: Schedule Evaluation Metting with Instructor	5 points
Module 7: Evaluation	15 points
Module 7: Determining Your Advanced/Specialization Year Concentration.	5 points
Module 8: Release of Information	20 points
Module 8: Case Closure Note	25 points
Total	1000 points