Objectives and Outcomes

The Social Work Department at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga strives to prepare its students by including the use of knowledge, experience, evaluation, and practice into its curriculum. The following sections indicate what program objectives I have persued during my two years at UTC and how I have suceeded in each area.

Objective 1

Apply culturally competent evidence-based practice skills adaptable to meet the needs of individuals and groups with diverse backgrounds by utilizing understandable language and multi-culturally sensitive communication skills.

Rationale #1

Through a series of assignments in three classes during the fall of 2006 I was able to demonstrate my adaptability and sensitivity to diverse cultures. An interview was conducted with two ladies and the Muslim culture was explored to allow me to further understand a culture different from my own. The second assignment gave me the opportunity to further experience the Muslim culture by allowing me to attend a Muslim dinner and experience some of their rituals. After these two experiences, I did more research and learned all that I could about life as a Muslim in America. The paper given as the example for this objective indicates some of the knowledge that I gained through this experience.

Example: CrossCulturalPaper.pdf

Objective 2

Synthesize and integrate varied sources to inform decisions and create solutions and appropriate problem-solving strategies congruent with the social work knowledge base.

Rationale #2

There have been several opportunities for me to use my problem-solving skills to find resources for individuals who have circumstances that make the usual referrals unsuitable. One example of that is when we have families who are not documented in the United States come to receive services. Another example that I am currently researching is men and women who have a criminal record and are in need of a job, house, and other basic necessities. I have attached an outline of three group sessions that my group developed and completed during our group prazctice class to represent the ways that I have been able to integrate sources of information into my group practice.

Example: Three sessions.pdf

CasePresentationPt2.ppt

Objective 3

Demonstrate professional behavior congruent with the NASW Code of Ethics and apply strategies to effectively identify, address, and resolve ethical conflicts in professional practice.

Rationale #3

My Professional developement paper written in the fall of 2007 shows very clearly how I have and plan to continue to act in accordance to the NASW code of ethics. I have had several other opportunities to demonstrate my ability to comply with the code of ethics such as a presentation and this professional developement paper. I have come to understand how ethical conflicts can be resolved by following the guidelines layed out it the code of ethics.

Example: Professional dev. paper.pdf

Objective 4

Apply strategies for continuous self-evaluation including supervision and consultation, and feedback from peers and other sources for self developement.

Rationale #4

Self evaluation is a large part of the social work education at UTC. I have had opportunities from reflexive papers to agenda items that are discussed with my field instructor. All of these aspects of self reflection and feedback have enabled me to see how I view my strengths and weaknesses as well as how others view me. The attached paper is a self assessment paper that looked deeply into my reasons for going into social work and how my personal and professional life will fit together after graduation.

Example: Self assement paper.pdf

Objective 5

Practice with an understanding of human rights and social justice by engaging in systematic social change to alleviate economic deprivation and oppression by applying change strategies to begin the process of achieving a just society in a global community.

Rationale #5

During my practice three class, our whole cohort participated in a group project that demonstrated my commitment to seeing human rights and social justice in our community. We held a truth commission in Chattanooga that was open to all the public to find out about the basic human rights that every person is entitled to. Through this process we were able to make those in attendance more aware of the economic oppression faced by many individuals in our nation.

Example: TruthCommission.pdf

Objective 6

Integrate an appreciation for the history of the social work profession and the relationship between social welfare policies and the social work profession to inform the context of current generalist practice.

Rationale #6

The history of social work has been constantly integrated into the classes at UTC. Beginning with a clear understanding about settlement houses and how the field of social work has developed in America from the time of Hull house. Theory class discussed the methods that have been used over the years, their benefit to social work and why some of these ideas are not currently used. Finally, in the area of policy, the history is most of what we study besides looking forward to what policy changes still need to be made. Our first policy class did a group project discussing how policies affected individuals with schizophrenia. This project not only explored the historical aspects of policy, but also made the connection between policy and social work practice.

Example: Schizophrenia.pdf

Objective 7

Evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions and other generalist practice activites and client situations in the context of political and social policy by applying both quantitative and qualitative evaluation, research, and effective writing skills to a variety of practice settings.

Rationale #7

During the fall of 2007 we began the process of conducting a research project that would continue into the spring. The research proposal demonstrates my ability to evaluate interventions used by The Caring Place through quantitative methods by asking clients to fill out a survey. There have been other opportunities such as during client assessments to ensure qualitatively that our methods are effective and beneficial to the client.

Example: Final Proposal Attached.pdf

Objective 8

Function as a professional, collaborative, and supportive team member in implementing agency mission and functions.

Rationale #8

I have had the opportunity to assert myself as a contributing member of The Caring Place by understanding the mission of this agency and helping volunteers and clients to reach their full potential through our services. I have given a presentation to our volunteers about ethical practices in a social work setting to ensure that they understand what behaviors are appropriate when working with clients and I have ensure that our mission statement is clearly displayed in our lobby to enable visitors and clients to know what we wish to accomplish through our service. I regularly attend staff and board meetings and collaborate about clients situations during staff consultations. Attached is a handout I used in a presentation made to volunteers about ethical principals.

Example: Code of Ethics.dtp

Objective 9

Apply an understanding of the effects of interpersonal, social, and institutional opperssion and discrimination in assessing and planning change in service delivery systems and organizations.

Rationale #9

Part of my school requirement for this semester is to recommend a cultural change to my field practicum setting. Last semester my field instructor and myelf completed a cultural sensitivity assessment of The Caring Place and we noticed a few areas that could benefit from some improvements. After reviewing our notes from that assessment I made a recommendation to our board members that there be a diversity statement added to the current mission statement of The Caring Place. This statement would make it evident to our clients as well as our supporters that we are not a discriminating agency. I believe this assignment demonstrates my committment to social justice and how I am able and willing to encourage appropriate changes to the system to bring euality about for every person.

Example: The proposed change to the mission statement is.pdf

Objective 10

Contribute to the service-centered focus of the university in promoting intellectual, ethical, social, and cultural professional growth to enrich one's own life and the lives of others and in preparation for functioning professionally in a variety of entry-level practice settings.

Rationale #10

During my two years at UTC our class has been a participating member of the blackboard community. We have had several opportunities to show our reflection on our own growth as well as comment on the growth of others. One particular assignment we recently completed was a reflection of leadership. We were responsible to write about our own leadership qualities and other students commented as well. This assignment indicates the growth that I have experienced at UTC in my intellectual, ethical, social, and professional self.

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