Category: Social work

In Module 1, you watched the PBS Frontline Documentary, Facing Eviction, which takes a glimpse at the housing crisis that many faced during the Covid pandemic as a result of massive layoffs, struggling job markets, and economic struggles. Access to affordable housing for those in poverty is an ever increasing problem. In addition to the Facing Eviction documentary, read the article “What Happened to Poverty in America in 2021” that examines the impact that certain policies and assistance programs had on families, especially children, experiencing poverty. Direct link to the article – https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/poverty-america-2021-covid-pandemic/
As we consider all of this information, I also want you to think about how other personal characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and age also impact this larger social problem of poverty in society (as discussed in our chapter readings).
Reflection Paper Instructions: As you write your reflection, include the following: (1) Reflect on the issues covered in the documentary Facing Eviction by discussing 3 specific and important takeaways from this documentary as they relate to the complicated nature of poverty. (2) As discussed in the “What Happened to Poverty in American is 2021” article, summarize some of the assistance programs that launched due to the impact of the Covid pandemic on employment. Reflect on the ending question from this article, “Are we willing to make this type of commitment on a more permanent basis?” (3) Explain the individualistic and structural explanations of poverty and give some examples from the Facing Eviction documentary that you feel connect with these explanations of poverty. (4) Finally, when we consider personal characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, and age, is there a specific population that is at a greater risk to experience poverty in the U.S.? Explain why these populations are so vulnerable.
Formatting guidelines: Make sure your paper is around 3 pages in length. Double-spaced. 1-inch margins, Size 12 Times New Roman or Calibri font style. This is a personal reflection (more like an essay), not a research paper. Outside sources are not needed and shouldn’t be used except to discuss the documentary and article that are included in this assignment. Our text explains the individualistic and structural explanations of poverty, so feel free to use our text to assist in your understanding and discussion of these concepts. I suggest that you save your file as a PDF prior to submission into the Dropbox. This often ensures no changes to your formatting occurs once the file is uploaded and opened for review and grading.  

Requirements
The Case Study Paper assignment is worth 200 points and will be graded on use of citations, use of Standard English grammar, sentence structure, and overall organization/effectiveness based on the required components as summarized in the directions and grading criteria/rubric.
Create your exercise using Microsoft Word (a part of Microsoft Office), which is the required format for all Chamberlain College documents. You can tell that the document is saved as a MS Word document because it will end in “.docx”
The length of the exercise is to be no less than 4 pages and no greater than 5 pages excluding title page and reference pages.
APA format is required with both a title page and reference page. Use the required components of the review as Level 1 headings (upper and lower case, centered, boldface):
Note: Introduction – Write an introduction but do not use “Introduction” as a heading in accordance with the rules put forth in the Publication manual of the American Psychological Association.
Guidelines
Write a paper applying a theory of your choice (feminist theory, multicultural, critical race theory, Latino critical perspective, empowerment theory, systems theory, ecological, theories of masculinity, intersectionality, etc) that is being covered to a case from the podcast series https://thecoldpodcast.com/. For this assignment, review and consider from a micro, mezzo, and macro perspective how you would approach the case using the theory you have chosen as the foundation for your choices. Describe your reasons for your approach/decisions for each level. For instance, if I am choosing to analyze the case from the podcast, Dirty John, I might choose feminist theory to conduct my analysis.
Choose a theory or combination of theories for analysis
Use this  podcast to serve as your case study https://thecoldpodcast.com/ https://thecoldpodcast.com/
The assignment should be a minimum of four pages.
Use four current peer-reviewed journal articles to support your choices.

How might a social worker apply ” Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” to assess client needs. Explain your answer. Discuss poverty from a Functionalism perspective. Give at least 2 examples of how poverty could be considered to be functional or advantageous for those who control society.

Assertive Behaviour is an effective communication style; discuss the importance of assertive behaviour in the conflict resolution; and how to develop and practice it? Explain barriers of assertive behaviour.

Please provide a paragraph for each point and bullet points for important information on each section that could be added to a slide show. Please provide a reference page with at least 3 references. Part 2: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills for Engagement and Treatment (C & D)
1. Engagement and strategies and Assessment modalities (C)
Discuss the knowledge and skills needed to engage and assess members of the identified group.
Include developmental and co-occurring considerations.
2. Attitude and Skills (D)
Highlight necessary attitudes and skills required for successful treatment of this population
Discuss cultural competence/ humility and sensitivity, including any barriers to treatment that may arise.

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Asking clients how they view themselves—in terms of ethnicity, race, national origin, and other dimensions of diversity—is a culturally humble and appropriate act. So, too, is learning more about a given population through research.
Evidence-based social work, as you recall, involves surveying the literature for the best available information on a particular practice issue and combining that with professional expertise and client preferences to make an educated decision. This same approach can be used in the context of diversity and culturally competent practice. Social work research has been conducted on many different global populations, and the evidence there can be used to guide practice. Remember, though, that there is no “one size fits all” technique for working with specific groups. These research findings must be tempered with the unique circumstances, characteristics, and wishes of a client.
For this Journal, you read peer-reviewed research articles on a global population of your choosing. Then you extract two principles to inform your practice with this population.
To prepare:
Reflect on what you learned about the global and displaced populations identified in this week’s Discussion. Select one population to further research.
Search in the Walden Library for at least two peer-reviewed research articles related to this population.  
Submit a 1- to 2-page written journal  in which you:
Identify the population you have selected.
Based on the two peer-reviewed research articles you found, identify and explain two principles to guide ongoing practice with this population.
Describe how your research into this population has informed you as a culturally competent social worker.
Use the Learning Resources and at least two peer-reviewed research articles to support your thinking. Make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Required Readings
Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2021). Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Chapter 7, “Social Work Perspectives: Social Context, Consciousness, and Resiliency” (pp. 131–152)
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Cultural formulationLinks to an external site.. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.CulturalFormulation
National Association of Social Workers. (2019). Social justice brief: Challenges of refugee resettlement: Policy and psychosocial factorsLinks to an external site.. https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=X2QaNfEuJUk%3D&portalid=0
Required Media
Think Cultural Health. (2019, May 1). Using the cultural formulation interviewLinks to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SjBG9di8ss

Mental
health has profound effects on an individual’s quality of life, physical and
social well- being, and economic productivity. Understanding the effects of
mental illness on individual patients and social systems is necessary for the
improvement of mental health care systems and the development of effective
mental health care.
Possible
topics for your Portfolio Project Paper – Please select only one topic from the
potential topics listed below and submit a two-to-three paragraph explanation
of why you have chosen your topic.
•      Anxiety Disorders
•      Autism Spectrum Disorders
•      Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
•      Bipolar Disorder
•      Borderline Personality Disorder
•      Depression
•      Dissociative Disorders
•      Dual Diagnosis
•      Eating Disorders
•      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
•      Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
•      Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizophrenia

Culture and Perception of Substance Abuse Paper
Instructions
For this assignment, use the week’s study materials (readings, video, websites, etc.) as resources to write this paper.
Please perform research on how culture and substance abuse are interconnected. This paper will be focused on one specific group of your choice (gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnicity, etc.) and how the beliefs and biases of that population (whether implicit or explicit) impact someone of that culture looking at or dealing with substance abuse treatment.
The paper needs to focus on one culture, and include:
Empirical evidence of beliefs, customs or norms
How those beliefs customs or norms are impacted by substance abuse/use
A policy you are aware of or would create that would protect this culture and
What you will do going forward in their practice to inform themselves and colleagues on how to work with this culture.
Complete this assignment and submit it to this assignment dropbox by Sunday at 11:59pm CT.
Competencies: Week 6 Assignment will measure C4, C5, C6, and C7
Rubric
MSW Unit 6 Assignment Rubric
MSW Unit 6 Assignment Rubric
CriteriaRatingsPts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe paper focuses on one culture and it’s beliefs, customs and norms.C2
10 ptsExceeds Expectations
The paper does identify one culture and its beliefs, customs and norms with multiple citations and scientific merit.
8 ptsAbove Expectations
The paper does identify one culture and its beliefs, customs and norms with multiple citations and scientific merit.
6 ptsMeets Expectations
The paper does identify one culture and its beliefs, customs and norms with little citations or scientific merit.
4 ptsBelow Expectations
The paper does identify one culture and it’s beliefs, customs and norms with no citations or scientific merit.
0 ptsDoes not meet expectations
The paper does not identify one culture or it’s beliefs, customs and norms.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe paper does identify how the beliefs, customs or norms of this culture are impacted by substance abuse/use C2
10 ptsExceeds Expectations
The paper identifies in exceptional detail how the beliefs, customs or norms of this culture are impacted by substance abuse/use with multiple citations or scientific merit.
8 ptsAbove Expectations
The paper does identify how the beliefs, customs or norms of this culture are impacted by substance abuse/use with multiple citations or scientific merit.
6 ptsMeets Expectations
The paper does identify how the beliefs, customs or norms of this culture are impacted by substance abuse/use with little citations or scientific merit
4 ptsBelow Expectations
The paper does identify how the beliefs, customs or norms of this culture are impacted by substance abuse/use with no citation or scientific merit.
0 ptsDoes not meet expectations
The paper does not identify how the beliefs, customs or norms of this culture are impacted by substance abuse/use.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe paper identifies a policy that protects this culture when dealing with a substance abuse/use issue. C5
10 ptsExceeds Expectations
The paper identifies in exceptional detail a policy that protects this culture or individual struggling with substance abuse/use with multiple citations or scientific merit.
8 ptsAbove Expectations
The paper does identify a policy that protects this culture or individual struggling with substance abuse/use with multiple citations or scientific merit.
6 ptsMeets Expectations
The paper does identify a policy that protects this culture or individual struggling with substance abuse/use with little citation or scientific merit.
4 ptsBelow Expectations
The paper does identify a policy that protects this culture or individual struggling with substance abuse/use with no citation or scientific merit.
0 ptsDoes not meet expectations
The paper does not identify a policy that protects this culture or individual struggling with substance abuse/use.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe paper identifies a way that the student will continue to inform themselves and others about this culture. C1
10 ptsExceeds Expectations
The paper identifies in exceptional detail a way that the student will inform themselves or others about this culture when it comes to substance abuse/use with multiple citation to ethical codes, evidence-based actions, and scientific merit.
8 ptsAbove Expectations
The paper does identify a way that the student will inform themselves or others about this culture when it comes to substance abuse/use with multiple citation to ethical codes, evidence-based actions, and scientific merit.
6 ptsMeets Expectations
The paper does identify a way that the student will inform themselves or others about this culture when it comes to substance abuse/use with little citation to ethical codes, evidence-based actions, or other scientific merit.
4 ptsBelow Expectations
The paper does identify a way that the student will inform themselves or others about this culture when it comes to substance abuse/use with no citation to ethical codes, evidence-based actions, or other scientific merit.
0 ptsDoes not meet expectations
The paper does not identify a way that the student will inform themselves or others about this culture when it comes to substance abuse/use.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA Formatting
10 ptsExceeds Expectations
The required APA elements are all included with correct formatting, including in-text citations and references.
8 ptsAbove Expectations
The required APA elements are all included with minor formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.
6 ptsMeets Expectations
The required APA elements are all included with multiple formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.
4 ptsBelow Expectations
The required APA elements are not all included and/or there are major formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.
0 ptsDoes not meet expectations
There is little to no evidence of APA formatting and/or there are no in-text citations and/or references.
10 pts
Total Points: 50

– This is a group project, but I only need assistance with my part.
The instructions say:
Each group will create a presentation that covers three (3) areas: 
1. a specific clinical problem (i.e. adolescent substance abuse)
2. a discussion of how group interventions address this problem; and
3. a description of how at least 2 clinical frameworks (i.e. cognitive, CBT, feminist, solution-focused; psycho-educational, mutual aid, etc.) that can be used in a group practice in this area. 
BUT the only part that you will be completing for me is #2.
Here is the information that is provided for #1
– How the transition from adolescent years to young adulthood can contribute to the onset of anxiety. 
– How pressure from college and the pursuit of success can lead to bad coping such as alcohol/drug addiction (i.e opiods, Adderall, Marijuana). 
– Why it is important for college-aged studnets struggling with anxiety to pursue treatment.
Now that you have read the information above, you will use that information to:
– Find 3 group interventions that help address the issue of anxiety in college aged students.
You will also include this information on the second slide:
– What is a group intervention?
– How are group interventions helpful?
– Why should we use group interventions?

SEXUAL ORIENTATION ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN
You may think of someone’s sexual orientation as a fixed part of their identity—gay, straight, asexual, bisexual, etc. But this is not true for all. For some, sexuality is fluid, meaning it changes over time and due to environmental factors and life circumstances. For others, they may be living one reality while suppressing their true sexuality due to societal pressure. Only later in life do they awaken to who they truly are.
Social workers must develop strategies for working with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community as they navigate life and evolving notions of identity. In this Discussion, you practice skills in responding to just such a situation. Your client is a woman who has been in a heterosexual marriage for many years before coming to realize she is gay.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
TO PREPARE:
Review the Learning Resources on sexual orientation development and on LGBTQ aging.
View the Video Case: Sharon video and consider how you would respond to Sharon’s concerns as a social worker.
Write a post (its for a video) in which you directly respond to Sharon as her social worker. In your video, be sure to situate what Sharon may be feeling within middle adulthood and demonstrate empathy for her experience. Then, in your post, reflect on your approach and the practice skills you displayed.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Required Readings
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Chapter 13, “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” (pp. 604–639)
Fabbre, V. D. (2017). Agency and social forces in the life course: The case of gender transitions in later life.Links to an external site. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 72(3), 479–487. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbw109
Ferguson, A. D., & Miville, M. L. (2017). It’s complicated: Navigating multiple identities in small town America.Links to an external site. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(8), 975–984. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22507
Greene, D. C., Britton, P. J., & Shepherd, J. B. (2016). LGBTQ aging: Mental health at midlife and older adulthood.Links to an external site. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling,10(4), 180–196. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2016.1233839
Hereth, J., Pardee, D. J., & Reisner, S. L. (2020). Gender identity and sexual orientation development among young adult transgender men sexually active with cisgender men: ‘I had completely ignored my sexuality … that’s for a different time to figure out.’Links to an external site. Culture, Health, & Sexuality, 22, 31–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2019.1636290
Human Rights Campaign.Links to an external site. (n.d.). Glossary of terms. https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms
Walden University Library.Links to an external site. (n.d.). Subject research: Social work. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/subject/socialwork
SEE ATACH VIDEO TRANSCRIPTS