Family Social WorkersFamily Social Workers

Working with Working with youthyouthWorking with Working with parentsparentsWorking with Working with siblingssiblings

A family affair for A family affair for rehabilitation, Therapy, rehabilitation, Therapy,

and education.and education.

Evaluating a career:Evaluating a career:Interviewing questions you should Interviewing questions you should

ask!ask! What is the agency/organization and job title?What is the agency/organization and job title? What are the human services that are provided by What are the human services that are provided by

this person within his/her job?this person within his/her job? What are some core competencies that this human What are some core competencies that this human

services worker performs?services worker performs? How those in need of these services learn about this How those in need of these services learn about this

person’s agency/organization?person’s agency/organization? What opportunities exist for someone entering into What opportunities exist for someone entering into

the health and human services field?the health and human services field? What qualifications and experience are important to What qualifications and experience are important to

these positions?these positions? Why is volunteer field experience valuable to Why is volunteer field experience valuable to

someone starting in the health and human services someone starting in the health and human services industry?industry?

How Clients locate and receive How Clients locate and receive servicesservices

Child Protective ServicesChild Protective Services A report is made. CPS investigates and refers.A report is made. CPS investigates and refers.

Court orderCourt order Usually juvenile delinquency or petition from Usually juvenile delinquency or petition from

CPS who have indicated a child abuse/neglect CPS who have indicated a child abuse/neglect report.report.

Self referralSelf referral Usually people desiring change and reaching out Usually people desiring change and reaching out

on their own. Great population to work with on their own. Great population to work with because they are so open for growth.because they are so open for growth.

QuoteQuote

““The possibilities of helping The possibilities of helping others is endless; it all others is endless; it all

depends on what you are depends on what you are looking to get from it.” -looking to get from it.” -

RickRick

OpportunitiesOpportunitiesPersonal OpportunitiesPersonal Opportunities

Self improvementSelf improvementSatisfactionSatisfaction

Human connectionsHuman connectionsDiversityDiversity

Self reflectionSelf reflectionPersonal experiencePersonal experience

EnjoymentEnjoymentFulfillmentFulfillment

Self awarenessSelf awarenessExperienceExperience

Multiple RolesMultiple Roles

A Family Worker, like many A Family Worker, like many human service careers, has human service careers, has

multiple roles to fill in order to multiple roles to fill in order to be effective in the helping be effective in the helping

process. process.

OpportunitiesOpportunitiesCareer Career

OpportunitiesOpportunities

PreventionPrevention

AdvocacyAdvocacy

ProtectiveProtective

OutreachOutreach

EmergencyEmergency

EducationEducation

VolunteerVolunteer

QuoteQuote

““It’s all about your story, and It’s all about your story, and the more you work with and the more you work with and help others…the better you help others…the better you

get at it.” -Rickget at it.” -Rick

VolunteeringVolunteering

Build/gain experienceBuild/gain experience

Positive public relationsPositive public relations

Self awarenessSelf awareness

Personal valuePersonal value

Societal reality/perceptionSocietal reality/perception

Personal growthPersonal growth

QuoteQuote

““I have helped so many through I have helped so many through volunteering that I have more volunteering that I have more experience than most with a experience than most with a

degree.” -Rickdegree.” -Rick

QualificationsQualifications

To be a Social Worker today; most To be a Social Worker today; most agencies require a bachelors degree in agencies require a bachelors degree in human services or social work.human services or social work.

Many agencies even require a certain Many agencies even require a certain number of years experience with the number of years experience with the population they serve.population they serve.

QuoteQuote

““The very most important The very most important thing is your ability to thing is your ability to

understand that the past understand that the past does and will effect the does and will effect the

present and the future.” -present and the future.” -Rick Rick

Personal QualificationsPersonal Qualifications

EmpathyEmpathy A knowledge of human behaviorsA knowledge of human behaviors The ability to find good in every The ability to find good in every

person.person. A passion for helping othersA passion for helping others An ability for gaining trustAn ability for gaining trust Good listening and Good listening and

communication skills.communication skills.

A Balancing ActA Balancing Act

Being a social worker of any Being a social worker of any population can be either a wonderful population can be either a wonderful experience or a trying and painful experience or a trying and painful experience.experience.

Every helper wants to go into their Every helper wants to go into their work with passion.work with passion.

Every helper needs to be aware of Every helper needs to be aware of their personal weaknesses in the field.their personal weaknesses in the field.

Avoiding common mistakesAvoiding common mistakes Rules to live by to avoid burn out:Rules to live by to avoid burn out:

Never let yourself get over involved with Never let yourself get over involved with clients or cases.clients or cases.

Never let your work go home with you.Never let your work go home with you. Always try to get relieved of cases that are Always try to get relieved of cases that are

more than you can handle emotionally.more than you can handle emotionally. Avoid sharing too much information with Avoid sharing too much information with

clients.clients. Never let yourself get obsessed with helping Never let yourself get obsessed with helping

over the limits your agency allows.over the limits your agency allows.

Created based on an InterviewCreated based on an Interview

Interviewee: Rick (prefers not to disclose last name) Interviewee: Rick (prefers not to disclose last name) Family Social Worker for Hillside Family of Agencies.Family Social Worker for Hillside Family of Agencies.

By Vicki SinclairBy Vicki SinclairApril, 2009April, 2009

Assignment of University of Phoenix OnlineAssignment of University of Phoenix Online

Introduction To Human ServicesIntroduction To Human ServicesFeb. 24, 2009 – Apr. 27, 2009Feb. 24, 2009 – Apr. 27, 2009

Professor Darla RobertsProfessor Darla Roberts