Generalist Intervention Model - Term Paper Example

 Generalist Intervention Model Introduction The Generalist Intervention Model is one of the latest invention of the social work environment in which the social worker takes the subject through, a series of step with the aim of helping the subject overcome her emotional issues which would otherwise lead to depression and later affect their health adversely. While the case is a very challenging case that involves the general guilt of both the parents, both of them feel relatively low because of the sudden occurrences in their children. However, the underlying factors in this problem are that the parent is not aware of the real cause of their children behaviors. Being young parents, they are very concerned about the state of affairs. While this is a case just like other cases that the students are likely to meet throughout their studies and even on their practices, it is very unique because in this case the parents are involved. Family heads always ensure that everybody in their families understand the importance of change. Majority of families have a customer care department that is mandated with the duty of overseeing that family members are treated in the best of their interests. Efficient family care and satisfaction not only contribute to increased happiness but also acts as a tape for gauging the level of the family head’s success in settling problems. Thus, family heads can ignore the contribution of good social workers practices at their own peril. Beckard & Harris (1987), postulates that, mechanistic factors should also be considered when introducing a given planned change because these will simply show how the planned change will affect the family economically and also structurally, since they form the basis of many functions in the family (Smith, 1997). Human relations in a particular family can also be used to form the basis of planned changes, which have to be incorporated (Wilson, 1992). The people who operate well with each other in the family have an upper hand, since they can work together as a group and combat a given planned change, making them more united. Engagement: The client in this case is Courtney, who is disturbed about her two children who are exhibiting “strange” characteristics. It is foremost important for Courtney to know that she has the power to plan and change the course of things. However, Gambrill (2011) argues that for this to happen she has to come to terms with the general situation that she is going through. For example, when her son is becoming aggressive, she has to realize that this is not a very common occurrence in children the age of her son but just a diversion from the normal condition. I would start by empowering her. She has to know how to seek her inner strength amidst al the challenges she is going through. I would like to take her through the general stages of the mezzo and micro as she is a mature adult who might not need much assistance and can learn the ropes easily, and the family also needs moral support during their trying moment. Courtney is the one who seem to have a lot of problems as she has to take care of her postpartum depression in addition to arising cases about her son’s sudden planned changes in behvaour. Though the child cannot seem to control her anger, she also has a lot of social problems to take care of. Another reason for concentrating on micro, (the child) and mezzo, (the whole family) is because the family is just coming out of a rude shock on learning about the sons. The family generally has a lot to take care of, but the main problem lies in the family’s inability to overcome the psychological problems that they are facing. Assessment The family needs to be passed through the general procedures that involve, assessing the whole situation. The root cause of the downs syndrome or the carrier of the gene is Courtney. Though the most likely carrier of the downs syndrome is the woman, Courtney, but perhaps I have to inform her of this the right way. Considering her age, she might be responsible for the downs syndrome that Joe has. This condition cannot be reversed or treated; the only way is to determine how she can learn to cope with the situation at hand without breaking down or breaking up with her husband. Her emotional turmoil is taking toll on her family and it would not take long before her husband breaks down. She has a responsibility to take care of the family despite having just delivered. During times of temptation, it is imperative that she realizes the importance of the family members both near and extended family members, as they can provide moral support just as her mother (Sally) is currently doing. However, the boys also need special attention as any planned change in the general environment of the family and the sudden aggressiveness in the family may scare the children, and might all of a sudden refuse to come back home or might develop psychological problem. At the age of Alexi, she requires total bond with the family and by neglecting her child, Courtney is causing another social problem in the family. The child (Alexi) will be affected psychologically as she will miss the bond. She will be aggressive and withdrawn of not taken care of (Haluk & Knut, 2011). The only strengths that Courtney has are that she can stand strong during adversity, she managed to be strong when she learnt that the sons have psychological problem and is ready to go to any length to help the family. Perhaps, she has to learn from my portfolio. I have examples of families, which had similar problems but managed to go through this whole situation by staying together and learning from the problem that other families had. The only aspect of diversity is their different background and the fact that they are African Americans. There are statistics that show that in every one thousand children, 5 % of them are born with downs syndrome in the families with African origin. Therefore, she is not alone. Planning On working with Courtney, I realized that her main problems are five, and prioritized them as shown below: 1. The status of her children. They seem to develop fruits of rage at the same time. 2. At times, she feels that she can overcome the problem, but she is just weak after giving birth. 3. She also feels that the society is laughing at her due to the status of her family. 4. She also feels that the husband is not caring. 5. She feel like she is alone in her problems I will the convert her problems into need as below: Problem Needs The status of her children as they seem to develop fits if rage at the same time. Emotional support At times she feels that she can overcome the problem, but she is just weak after giving birth. Emotional, and psychological support She also feels that the society is laughing at her due to the status of her family. Moral support and social support She also feels that the husband is not caring. Emotional support She feel like she is alone in her problems Psychological support Evaluation Proposed solution pros Cons Client strength Micro Emotional support Effective demanding perfect mezzo Psychological support Effective Time consuming perfect macro Social support effective none perfect Goals My goals during the problem analysis were to help the family (mezzo), to come to terms with the realities of life. Developing a strategy is very important as it helps in determining how best to handle any situation, however, it is also imperative that I know what might work for the family and what is not likely to work of the family( Haluk & Knut, 2011). Objectives The main objectives for my intervention is to develop a strategy for helping the family realize the magnitude of their problems and empower them to overcome their problem, however big it might seem. Action steps Person Duty Time frame metrics Courtney Bond the family undefined undefined Sally Offer moral support undefined undefined Tom Offer moral/social/emotional/financial support undefined undefined Formalize contract Upon the family’s agreement to follow the simple steps, I will formalize my contract with their contract by signing the service delivery form. This marks the formal agreement between the family and me to help solve their situation irrespective of the nature of the problem. Implementation Level of implementation micro Mezzo Macro Follow plan Monitor progress Revise the plan Complete plan Kirst-Ashman, & Grafton, (2011), argues that while the checklist above is very effective in ensuring that the whole process is followed, I find it important to ensure that each and every step is covered fully. This might require a repeat of tone of the steps to ensure that each stage is completely successful and the metrics are all positive, before proceeding to another step. However, the client is also free to indicate that he or she is not comfortable with the stage and the progress, as this is one of the main indicators of improvement or success of a social practice that a social worker implements. The evaluation of each stage in the implementation program is also very vital. Therefore, the client’s feedback and my personal evolution of the general progress of the customer will both be very important for me in the process. Evaluation This phase is a very important step in the process. However, it is advisable that I evaluate not only the client, but also the family as a whole; this step involves the use of research methods such as interviews and discussions in order to collect qualitative data to analyze and determine if the process was effective. If the result of the interview of observations indicates otherwise I am prompted to go back to the drawing board to determine what steps could have been rushed. This process will offer direction as to what to do next. From then I will know which variable to planned change. For example, I might have to switch the duties or roles of various parties in the mezzo, or involves the community (macro), in a bid to get better results. Goal Achievement Terminate or reassess Termination If the program reaches this stage, it is important to terminate the program. By reaching this stage, it indicates that following: 1. The clients are satisfied with the progress and the general planned changes in their environment are positive, and that the change process is effective and successful. 2. They client is back to his normal life or has experienced some improvements like those that he has a high spirit. 3. The client has a positive outlook and perception about the immediate environment and the general environment especially the mezzo and the microenvironment. 4. The client is positive that the general situation is improved and is not likely to deteriorate. 5. The client is back to his or her active life and the social and psychological wellbeing of the client and the mezzo is stable or in the path to emotional stability 6. The family can now stand alone without much support. These indicators are also important for the family because this is the way they can determine if the process was successful, and gauge if they can continue with their lives without problems Follow up At this stage it is my duty to represent the client and be actively involved in discussing the problems that he faces why at the same time trying to straighten the difficulties that the family is still facing. While this is a very important phase of the process, it also marks the end of a planned change process. Finally, I have to prepare the client psychologically to be able to continue alone. I will have to conduct a follow up on weekly basis then shift to monthly basis and finally visit the family biannually Conclusion Hierarchy in a family forms a basic component of planned change. Although planned change is inevitable sometimes, the family has to violate this rule. This is if the planned change to be administered is not fully implemented or its implementation steps seem more tedious to accrue. Hierarchy is a basic component in a family, which normally shows different abilities of individuals. As a family head, one must be compatible with the hierarchical structure in the family so that when he or she proposes a given planned change, it should be free and fare enabling every individual to fully support the planned change. The planned change adherence should follow hierarchy in that, those with the social work are expected to fully adhere to a particular planned change so that the other minorities in the family can follow suite (Bandera, 1977). Works cited Kirst-Ashman, & Grafton H. (2011). Understanding Generalist Practice: NY Sage Haluk S. & Knut S. (2011). Outcome Studies of Social, Behavioral, and Educational Interventions: Emerging Issues and Challenges Gambrill E. (2011). Ethical Aspects of Outcome Studies in Social, Behavioral, and Educational Interventions. Research on Social Work Practice November David P. (2011). MacKinnon Integrating Mediators and Moderators in Research Design. Research on Social Work Practice Read More