Generalist Theory In Social Work
Dr. Yeo did a wonderful job teaching us research, and the benefits of having a research-informed practice. It is important to understand theories, and how social workers can apply theory into their practice. When working with individuals, families, groups, or communities, it is important to understand system theories. If you’re working with a family that has an ill family member, the family system may be impacted. It is important for social workers to understand that systems can change and adjust, and we as social workers can help a family system find their balance again. For example, a family member may have to take on the role of the ill family member. In addition, I learned that it is important to practice theory and engage in quantitative and qualitative research methods. If you are working in a community that has a high homeless population, it would be important to consider the research that has been done to assess the homeless population in this community; this could be both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data would assess how many people are homeless in this community; whereas, qualitative data would assess
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why these people are homeless. Overall, I learned a lot about engaging in research-informed practice. Objective Five: Engage in Policy Practice
One important thing that I learned about this competency is the importance of knowing the history of social work; in addition, the impact that social work has had in enacting social welfare policies. For example, we learned about Mary Richmond and Jane Addams and the great influence they have in social work practice. Mary Richmond helped coined case work in social work, and Jane Addams is the “mother” of social work because she was one of the earliest people to influence social work practice. We also learned about how the Civil Rights Movement helped with the advancement of not only people of color, but it also helped women and other oppressed groups of people in our society. It is important to understand the history of social work because history has helped create many laws and policies to help people that are oppressed in our society.
Objective Six: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
One important thing I learned in Dr.
Whitford’s class was the generalist model. As bachelor level social workers, we will be utilizing the generalist model of social work in our practice. One of the first stages of the generalist model is engagement. I learned the importance of the first initial engagement with a client; in addition, Dr. Whitford taught us different ways that we can engage with diverse groups of people. I also learned the importance of using empathy, warmth, silence, and other social work skills during the engagement stage. I also learned the importance of being aware of my biases, and how my biases can impact my ability to engage effectively with clients. Dr. Togo taught us that we must put our “lenses” on to ensure our biases do not influence how we interact with a client that may have different views than
ourselves.
why these people are homeless. Overall, I learned a lot about engaging in research-informed practice. Objective Five: Engage in Policy Practice
One important thing that I learned about this competency is the importance of knowing the history of social work; in addition, the impact that social work has had in enacting social welfare policies. For example, we learned about Mary Richmond and Jane Addams and the great influence they have in social work practice. Mary Richmond helped coined case work in social work, and Jane Addams is the “mother” of social work because she was one of the earliest people to influence social work practice. We also learned about how the Civil Rights Movement helped with the advancement of not only people of color, but it also helped women and other oppressed groups of people in our society. It is important to understand the history of social work because history has helped create many laws and policies to help people that are oppressed in our society.
Objective Six: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
One important thing I learned in Dr.
Whitford’s class was the generalist model. As bachelor level social workers, we will be utilizing the generalist model of social work in our practice. One of the first stages of the generalist model is engagement. I learned the importance of the first initial engagement with a client; in addition, Dr. Whitford taught us different ways that we can engage with diverse groups of people. I also learned the importance of using empathy, warmth, silence, and other social work skills during the engagement stage. I also learned the importance of being aware of my biases, and how my biases can impact my ability to engage effectively with clients. Dr. Togo taught us that we must put our “lenses” on to ensure our biases do not influence how we interact with a client that may have different views than
ourselves.