Agency Assessment (Signature assignment) 40 points: Each student will complete a formal paper based on his or her learning and research. The purpose of this paper is for students to utilize their learning experience, research, and critical thinking to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts and theories presented in the course.
Students will reflect upon and analyze their experiences with an identified agency as they relate to broader social issues. Special emphasis will be on the analysis of experience as they relate to social work values, systems theory, the strengths perspective, and scholarly research.
This paper will be turned in toward the end of the semester and will be considered the final course assessment. The suggested length of the paper is 8 pages not including the cover page and reference page.
This paper must follow APA style. No abstract or conclusion is required, however the paper must include a title page, running header with pagination, be double spaced using Times New Roman 12 pt. font, use in-text citations where necessary, and include a separate reference page.
Identify the main issue/problem that your agency is designed to address. Identify at least 2 perspectives on the issue. For example, if the issue is housing, one perspective might be that local communities should take the lead while a second perspective is that the federal government should play a larger role. Research is a major requirement for this part of the assignnment. Sources that are NOT appropriate for an academic paper include, Wikipedia (although this site is a good starting point for finding initial ideas about a topic, some of their information and attached resources may not be reliable), Blogs, tweets, personal websites, Forums, questionable sites created by organizations that may have political or biased agendas, sites that provide biased information, self-published sources, opinionated articles such as editorials and sites of companies that conduct their business over the internet. On-line sources with a .edu or .org are more likely to be reliable sources. At least one source must be a peer reviewed article from a scholarly journal. Headings for this paper are listed in bold below. Include headings in the paper as indicated.
Introduction
Please identify the agency you selected and its location, setting (urban/rural), funding (public/private), and introduce the social worker you selected to interview from this agency.
Primary Issue (suggested length 1 page)
1. What is the main issue/problem that your identified agency is designed to address?
2. Using research including at least one peer reviewed article, what are two perspectives on this issue?
Social Work Values (suggested length 2 pages)
1. Using a “social work lens” to analyze the perspectives, what is the perspective that is the best fit with social work values?
2. What are at least two social work values that are most important?
Systems (Ecological Theory) (suggested length 2 pages)
1. What societal conditions creative the need for the services provided by this agency? (For example, economic inequality, racism, health disparity, etc.)
2. How do systemic conditions impact the individuals who receive services and contribute to the conditions that warrant services? (Think person-in-environment and a demonstration of your understanding of systems theory using citations in your answer.)
Strengths Perspective (suggested length 1 page)
1. Using your experience, is the strengths approach utilized in the agency setting? If so, describe. If not, how could the strengths perspective/approach be utilized in this setting?
2. How might that approach benefit the clients/consumers of services?
Self-Reflection (suggested length 2 pages)
1. What were your pre-conceived ideas about the population served by your agency?
2. How did your experience counter or confirm your ideas?
3. Did you encounter any value conflicts?
4. As a social worker, what would you do if you encounter a situation or issue that conflicts with your personal values? Examples include abortion, religion, marriage equality or how people in poverty use resources.
5. Is this an agency or population you would like to work with in the future? Explain.
Rubric
SW Interview and Agency Assessment (1)
SW Interview and Agency Assessment (1)
Criteria
Ratings
Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSummary of agency including location, general description of population agency serves, types of services provided, and other interesting information.
10.0 pts
Full Marks
0.0 pts
No Marks
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction of the Social Worker’s role, including must have a BSW or MSW degree, picture, insights to job responsibilities, challenges and rewards of position, and suggestions for preparing for this type of position
2.5 pts
Full Marks
0.0 pts
No Marks
2.5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMission of the agency and connection to NASW Code of Ethics values
5.0 pts
Full Marks
0.0 pts
No Marks
5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIdenfitication of the diverse cultures served by this agency including race/ethnicity, gender/sexual identity, socioeconomic status, ability, religion/spirituality
2.5 pts
Full Marks
0.0 pts
No Marks
2.5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeClear identification of the micro, mezzo, and macro layers of this agency. Reflects Person-in-Environment perspective and/or Strengths Perspective.
5.0 pts
Full Marks
0.0 pts
No Marks
5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSelf reflection considering how this agency aligns with your personal values and if this is a field you would consider entering
5.0 pts
Full Marks
0.0 pts
No Marks
5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePower Point Presentation: Contains audio presentation and reflects all aspects of paper described in syllabus.
10.0 pts
Full Marks
0.0 pts
No Marks
10.0 pts
Total Points: 40.0
