Analysis of Orangewood Children's Foundation Working - Assignment Example

Order 418723 Topic: site visit/info/reaction Introduction: A well-brought up child is the asset for the family and the nation and a lost child is the permanent liability. When an adolescent turns delinquent, apart from the concerned individual, the entire family suffers. To take care of an individual in mental crisis is more difficult than taking care of an individual suffering from physical ailments. Mental ailment symptoms are not identical; no two human minds are alike and the emotions are dissimilar. The personal vision of the counselor plays an important role in deciding the line of treatment and the rehabilitation process of the adolescents. The importance of this psychological science has increased due to the multifarious issues resulting from the offshoots of the materialistic civilization. The negativity in the society are ever on the increase, and societal mental health paradigm has emerged an issue of priority. Parents ignore the mental care aspect of the children and pay the price for the negligence. Good mental health care can not be expected without parental empowerment. Decision making responsibility for quality care is the final responsibility of the parents. The traditional doctor-patient interaction structure alone is inadequate and will fail to deliver results. Service providers usually view the issues from their perspectives, and may like to impose their values and interfere with the parental decisions. Keep aside their training, status and professional experience on one side of the scale; keep the parental involvement on the other side. The scale is likely to tilt in favor the parental intervention. No one can judge the child better than its parent. Information sharing with the service provider and acquiring knowledge about the symptoms may put the parent in a better position to understand their own child and help them for potential treatment options. This will also felicitate self-conscious tracking of progress. The children and parents will soon understand the importance of preventive interventions. The above backgrounder information will help one understand why agencies like The Orangewood Childrens Foundation are established. I had a chance to visit the Agency recently. The particulars related to the agency and the salient features of its working are provided hereunder: Name of the Agency: Orangewood Childrens Foundation. Person that I spoke with: Dianna Johnston her number is1714 691 0232 1575 E. 17th Street,Santa Ana CA 92705,Phone: (714) 619-0200,Fax: (714) 619-0252,info@orangewoodfoundation.org This person’s Title: She is in overall charge of the operations of the Organization. Is this agency Public or Private? After its construction, the operations and administration of the agency are turned over to the countys Social Service Agency. The Agency is privately managed. What type of crisis does this agency handle? If one is abused or needs help, contact, which is available for 24-hour, can be made at California Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-843-5200. If you suspect that a child is being abused, abandoned or neglected, please call the Child Abuse Registry at 714-940-1000 or toll-free at 1-800-207-4464. Her number is1714 691 0232;Hours of operation: Orangewood Childrens Foundation staff members are available to help Monday-Friday 8:30 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. Closed for lunch from noon - 1:00 p. m. This Foundation began 25 yeas ago and its vision is to build a comprehensive facility to shelter Orange Country children, who are the victims of neglect, abuse and abandonment. The Foundation is aware that every child is different and its focus is on the ongoing needs of children in the foster care system, in order to develop wide range of activities, give scholarships, support and programs to give every child every chance to succeed. What were you able to observe? What appealed to me most is the team value statement of the Organization, its commitment to service, operating principles and core values. They are-- “Commitment to service: Orangewood Children’s Staff are committed to working together towards the goals of preventing child abuse and assisting families and children who are impacted by child abuse and neglect. Operating Principles: Orangewood Children’s Foundation holds 2 Operational Principles upon which all staff interaction, activities, values, goals, etc. rely:1. Teamwork,2. Communication; Core Values: On the foundation of these Operating Principles rests 3 Core Values that all OCF staff hold:Integrity,Accountability, Respect.” (Orangewood....) What is important in any social field, a philanthropic organization, charitable non-governmental organization, is not just create big projects, but implement them with a big heart, for which noble and honest individuals are needed. The employees at the implementation level must not only do the work, but it should be a source of enjoyment for them. The approach should be flexible and each one needs to concentrate on the responsibilities allotted and not interfere as to what the other employee is doing. All honest work is equal. What you do is not important; how you do, what you do is important. I have observed that the operating principles of this Agency are of high order and at the grassroots level there is demonstration of teamwork. Not irritating interference, but awareness and interest in others roles, goals and projects is seen. They are willing to accept and give help graciously with an open mind, encourage and support the colleagues at all times. They wholeheartedly acknowledge efforts and achievements of fellow employees. When due praise is given, one can see the sparkle on the face at the end of the day, and the work does not turn out to be tiresome. One looks forward to the next working day, with added enthusiasm. On a cursory glace of the literature made available at the Public Relations Department of the Agency, I found that the handouts, project reports and the records of the experiences of the former inmates of the Agency, informative and inspiring. Some of them have sterling achievements to their credit, and have maintained useful contacts with the Organizations that supported them once to make them worthy citizens of the country. Considered from this angle, this Agency is conducting without intermission a mini-nation-building activity. The best of the human values are taught and practiced. Diana Johnston told me that the Agency encourages creativity that is conducive for growth and new ideas and opinions are accepted, that enable the Agency to try new things. She says candidly that the Agency is willing to accept innovations and ready to change as it marches towards growth and progress. Employees at all levels are encouraged to be creative and think “outside the box.” What staff positions does this agency employ either as volunteer or as paid? There are paid categories of staff positions but what impressed me most is the wide range of volunteer opportunities. I have a chance meting with Volunteer Services Program Manager Kristi Piatkowski. The volunteer-based programs are so designed, they will benefit every section of the society. The opportunities involve mainly working with youth ages 14-22 or planning and executing events. Elaborating the past success in this area, she explained some of the upcoming volunteer opportunities, including youth events and fund-raising activities. I am fascinated to know their concept of Corporate/Business volunteering. It can be termed as a double-benefit scheme. The employees get an opportunity in an environment outside their normal routine, and get to know what is happening in different societal layers. It builds up morale of the employees and retention, brings added enthusiasm in the meetings and the support team building activities, gets new insights into the conventions and conferences of the company, creates avenues for the Company for its community service efforts. Provide boost to the marketing department, will increase the popularity of the products, as the company will earn the goodwill of the community for their benevolent dispositions towards social causes. The Agency has most of the characteristics of a multi-national organization as for the system of administration. The paid openings are in the categories of Administration, Animal Services, Community Services, Forensics, IT and Computers, Management, Nursing, Pubic Health, Records Management, Administrative Assistant, Clerical & Data Entry, Construction Maintenance, Education, Health Services, Law Enforcement, Mental Health, Physicians, Public Relation, Animal Control, Community Development, Corrections, Executive Management, Human Services, Maintenance, Miscellaneous, Professionals and Public Works. “As of January 26, 2009 the number of staff at OCH was 238, and of the 238 staff, 192 were direct care staff. ..the 46 non-direct service positions include but are not limited to office technicians, laundry workers, food service workers, cooks, and facilities maintenance workers....It is important to note that of the 192 direct care staff, not all are present at OCH at the same time. OCH is a emergency shelter facility, therefore, staff work in three shifts and must be ready to accommodate any number of high-risk and high need children at any given time.”(They are....) What services are being provided to help people in crisis? Broadly speaking, the following types of services are provided by the Agency: Successful transition emancipated foster youth-their rehabilitation. Support children in foster care. Sustain the activities of the Orangewood Childrens Home. Constantly watch and strengthen at-risk families. When a foster-child turns 18, a new and uncertain journey begins in its life. The protective umbrella over its head is no more, and an independent life is ahead. The child is released from the county social services system. Transition into the responsible adulthood and to get assimilated in the mainstream society is toughest of the jobs. In this situation, when the child is almost directionless and destination-less, Orangewood Childrtens Foundation decisively steps in to give directions to the child. With the holistic approach, it has developed coordinated initiatives that greatly impact the lives of the designated children in their new living environment. Some of the related programs are, Childrens Trust Fund, Guardian Scholars Program, Mentor Program, Independent Living Program, Rising Tide Communities, Peer Mentor Program, Orangewood Resources Center etc. What are the educational requirements of these staffing positions? The educational requirements are like the ones in any office organization. An aspiring applicant needs to fill up the prescribed application form and indicate the job applied for. The listing of the department /positions has been provided elsewhere in this essay. The most important aspect in this Agency is the will to serve the people selflessly. How many people does the organization serve each year? OCH has a 300 bed facility and can also house 600 population for its various treatment programs. “ In 2007/2008, the First Step Assessment Center and Placement and Diversion programs which are housed at OCH, diverted approximately 809 children, 67% of the children that would have otherwise entered OCH, into a less restrictive placement.”(They are....) Does this agency use a theoretical orientation to crisis intervention and management? (i.e. The ABC Model) This Agency does use the theoretical orientation to crisis intervention and management. The adoption of this model is highly desirable in an Agency of this type. The model consists of three basic elements. Antecedents, Behavior, and Consequences. People do not change the behavior unless they are convinced about the benefits of such change. In this agency the motivational aspect is given lots of importance. Any level of hard preaching will not change an individual; but if one sees the practical example, and understands the actual benefit of it, the chances of change are better. Heartfelt care and concern, an understanding approach and tender regard for ones feelings are necessary prerequisites to heal the inner wounds. When the atmosphere is charged with positive vibrations, all around, all the time, an individual is bound to be influenced and will revert to the positive side. Crisis then becomes the opportunity; defeats are converted into victories. What were you able to observe? How long was you observation period? The two hour study-tour of the organization is educative and interesting. Some areas are barred for the public, obviously due to considerations of privacy. But the administrative section is open for public viewing. Every department has the noticeboard for display of information. Handbills and handouts that provide the complete information related to the activities and objectives of the department are available. Regular stream of visitors come to the Agency on various purposes. On the day of my visit, a group of 20 female students has been on a visit to the Agency on a study-tour. Our initiatory begins with viewing the documentary related to the Agency. What a modest beginning it had 25 yearns ago, and the same has grown into a gigantic philanthropic organization of national fame. Did you feel welcome at the agency? I must say the Agency treated me like a royal guest. I am not referring to the ostentatious part of it. As for the entertainment aspect, the food is simple. It consists of cereal, salads, and bread. Coffee is served generously. A paid canteen with subsidized rates, is like the mini-Mall. It has everything. You buy things for yourself or buy and donate to the deserving children. Proper receipt is issued to donations in cash or kind. The warm welcome I receive, is an experience to remember for life. Did the agency appear to be well organized? The agency is very well organized. It has all the modern equipments, the entire operations and maintenance of records is computerized. This apart, there is library and a reading room. Recreation facilities are provided for the children. A tennis court,a baseball court give the impression that you are visiting a school/college campus. Enter the complex of the Agency. It is a well-maintained place full of greenery. Right in front of the main gate, on the wall of the building that house the receptions and public relations department, a message painted in blue letters, welcomes you: “ I LOVE MY LIFE; I LOVE MY COUNTRY.” In the corridor of the administrative building and the hostels that houses the children, imaginative thoughts are painted. Some of them are, “ It is better to deserve without receiving, than to receive without deserving.” “Do not commit sins and ill-deeds just for the sake of money, power and prestige.” “ Work is worship; duty if God.” For a moment, one feels as if one is taking rounds of a holy place. A number of beautiful murals adorn the outer walls of the wards of children. How were the clients treated by the staff? If there is a place where sorrowful expression are converted into smiles, I feel it is this place-Orangewood Childrens Social Services Agency. Obviously everyone comes with a problem here. Issues related to children are sentimental ones. With the 25 yearns of experience in handling all types of cases, the staff of the Agency looks confident of providing solutions. The individuals with whom I interacted are contagiously courteous. They speak from the heart. Their will to serve is almost spiritual, it flows through some unknown divine source, I must say. Would you want to work in this agency I have a great desire to work for this Agency. I know, I will not get any printed certificates from here and will not be able to suffix some degrees after my name. For, this I believe, is the unique College of Self-education, where ones mind is the Principal; ones initiatives are the Professors; ones hard work are the Tutors. I will get an opportunity to serve children—Gods own creations of immortal bliss! ************* Works Cited: Orangewood Childrens Foundation : Home Page-Team Value Statement. Retrieved on March 11,2010 They Are All Children" Orange County Grand Jury Report 2008 ... Retrieved on March 11,2010. Read More