Generalist Practice Social Work

1. Generalist Practice Social Work

2. What is Social Work? • ?? Why do you want to be a social worker? • !! Baby-snatcher!

3. 5 agreed upon dimensions: 1. Importance of multiple level interventions • Individuals ---- micro • Families ---- micro/mezzo • Groups --- mezzo • Organizations --- mezzo/macro • Communities --- macro *Each is viewed as a system within its environment micro mezzo macro

4. 5 agreed upon dimensions: 2. Practitioners use a problem-solving, planned- change approach to resolve issues encountered by any of these systems. • Generalist Intervention Model (GIM) Engagement Assessment Planning Implementation Evaluation Termination Follow-up

5. 5 agreed upon dimensions: • Ethical principles and social work values. *Include a focus on private issues of human well-being, social and economic justice, and appreciation of human diversity.

6. 5 agreed upon dimensions: 4. Practitioners assume a wide range of roles: • Counselor Educator • Broker Case Manager • Mobilizer Mediator • Facilitator Integrator/Coordinator • Manager Initiator • Negotiator Spokesperson • Organizer Consultant • Advocate

7. 5 agreed upon dimensions: 5. Generalist social workers must have infinite flexibility, a solid knowledge-base about many things, and a wide range of skills at their disposal: - Select effective strategies - Evaluate results of practice - Professional competence Knowledge base chosen from a range of theories: - Systems - Ecological - Structural functionalism - Role theory - Psycho-dynamic - Learning Theory - Erickson’s Psychosocial Development - many more

8. Generalist Practice Definition • Generalist Practice is the application of an eclectic knowledge-base, professional values, and a wide range of skills to target systems of any size for planned change within the context of three primary principles, a context, and four major processes

9. Organizational structure Cultural competency Principles/Values Emphasizing client empowerment Human Diversity Advocacy/Social and Economic Justice YOU AS GP 1.Knowledge 2. Values 3. Skills Supervision Application Processes Assuming a wide range of roles Using critical thinking Following a planned-change process TARGET SYSTEM Macro System Mezzo System Micro System

10. MSUM School of Social Work’s Definition of Generalist Practice Social Work • Generalist practice is the critical application of an eclectic knowledge base, professional values, and a wide range of culturally competent skills to a planned-changed process at any system level.

11. Generalist Intervention Model Engagement Engagement • Substantively and effectively prepare for action with IFGOC • Use empathy and other interpersonal skills • Develop a mutually agreed-on focus of work and desired outcomes • Collect, organize, and interpret client data • Assess client strengths and limitations • Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives • Select appropriate intervention strategies • Initiate actions to achieve organizational goals • Implement prevention interventions that enhance client capacities • Help clients resolve problems • Negotiate, mediate, and advocate for clients • Facilitate transitions and endings • Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions Assessment Assessment Planning Implementation Intervention Evaluation Termination Follow-up Evaluation

12. Systems Theory

13. Definition of Systems Theory • System – a set of elements that are orderly and interrelated to make a functional whole. • Systems theory: • Targets multiple systems of different size • Focus on boundaries WITHIN a system System Dynamic Interact Homeostasis (equilibrium) Input Output Equifinality

14. Ecological Theory • Refers only to living dynamic interactions • Focuses on transactions BETWEEN the individual and environment at the interface point. Social Environment Person in Environment Energy (input/output) Interface Adaptation Coping Interdepedence

15. Ecological Theory School Individual Dance Team