Assignment 1: Policy Identification

According to the Counsel on Social Work Education, Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice:

Social workers understand that human rights and social justice, as well as social welfare and services, are mediated by policy and its implementation at the federal, state, and local levels.

Social workers understand the history and current structures of social policies and services, the role of policy in service delivery, and the role of practice in policy development. Social workers understand their role in policy development and implementation within their practice settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels and they actively engage in policy practice to effect change within those settings.

Social workers recognize and understand the historical, social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy. They are also knowledgeable about policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation.

To prepare: Identify a social problem that is common among the organization (or its clients) and research current policies at that state and federal levels that impact the social problem.

Then, from a position of advocacy, identify methods to address the social problem (i.e., how you, as a social worker, and the agency advocate to change the problem). You are expected to specifically address how both you and the agency can effectively engage policy makers to make them aware of the social problem and the impact that the policies have on the agency and clients.

The Assignment (2-3 pages):

· Identify the social problem

· Explain rational for selecting social problem

· Describe state and federal policies that impact the social problem

· Identify specific methods to address the social problems

· Explain how the agency and student can advocate to change the social problem

References (use 2 or more)

Assignment 2:Comprehensive Assessment

A comprehensive understanding of a client's presenting problems depends on the use of multiple types of assessment models. Each model gathers different information based on theoretical perspective and intent.

An assessment that focuses on one area alone not only misses vital information that may be helpful in planning an intervention, but may encourage a biased evaluation that could potentially lead you to an inappropriate intervention. When gathering and reviewing a client's history, sometimes it is easier to focus on the problems and not the positive attributes of the client.

In social work, the use of a strengths perspective requires that a client's strengths, assets, and resources must be identified and utilized. Further, using an empowerment approach in conjunction with a strengths perspective guides the practitioner to work with the client to identify shared goals. You will be asked to consider these approaches and critically analyze the multidisciplinary team's response to the program case study of Paula Cortez.

For this Assignment, review the program case study of the Cortez family.

In a 2- to 3-page paper, complete a comprehensive assessment of Paula Cortez, utilizing two of the assessment models provided in Chapter 5 of the course text.

· Using the Cowger article, identify at least two areas of strengths in Paula's case.

· Analyze the perspectives of two members of the multidisciplinary team, particularly relative to Paula's pregnancy.

· Explain which model the social workers appear to be using to make their assessment.

· Describe the potential for bias when choosing an assessment model and completing an evaluation.

· Suggest strategies you, as Paula's social worker, might try to avoid these biases.

Support your Assignment with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

References (use 3 or more)

Congress, E. (2013). Assessment of adults. In M. Holosko, C. Dulmus, & K. Sowers (Eds.), Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions (pp. 125-145). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Cowger, C. D. (1994). Assessing client strengths: Clinical assessment for client empowerment. Social Work, 39(3), 262-268.

Mental Measurements Yearbook. (n.d.). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

· The Cortez Family (pp. 23-25)

Attachment:- The Cortez Family.rar