Foundations of Social Work Practice - Research Paper Example

 Foundations of Social Work Practice - Research Paper Abstract The foundations of social work practice generally represent several multi-level interventions and effective knowledge bases, simultaneously addressing various social issues. In order to determine the foundations of social work practice, concerning the working group of Native Americans, the effectiveness of the Generalist Intervention Model has been taken into concern in this study. Moreover, relating to this subject matter, a detailed analysis about how the social workers can be effective in utilizing a Native American client’s spiritual as well as religious beliefs in their problem resolution has been discussed in the paper. In addition, the impacts caused by various factors that majorly include oppressive behaviors, discrimination practices, public policy enactments and resource availability features to the Native Americans have also been portrayed in this paper. Introduction The foundations of social work practice have been principally designed on the basis of certain core values which majorly focuses on learning, respective and utilizing the various features of an ethnic working group. Conversely, the fundamental practice of accountabilities linked with social works comprises cultural responsiveness and commitment towards professional competencies (Feliciana, 2012). Hence, serving one community through social work differs largely from the experiences obtained when working with other ethnic groups. For instance, Native Americans are typically regarded as those individuals who had occupied North America in the 15th century, prior to the onset of the Europeans. One of the common facets of the Native Americans is that they possess common features with the people belonging to Mongolic race in terms of straight-black hair and skin colors (Pearson Education, 2013). The foundations of social work practice concerning Native Americans, who are also acknowledged as American Indians, have been based upon two significant aspects that include the history as well as the culture of this particular race (Yeager, 2011). In this discussion, the Generalist Intervention Model (GIM) will be applied to examine the fundamentals or rudiments of the ethnic culture of Native Americans. Additionally, the prospects through which social workers can be effective enough in implementing Native American clients’ spiritual and religious beliefs in their problem resolution will be taken into concern. Moreover, the impact of certain imperative factors that include availability of valuable resources, practices in relation to discrimination as well as oppression and public policies concerning social welfare and justice deliverance for the group of Native Americans will also be discussed in this paper. Effectiveness of Generalist Intervention Model (GIM) in Working with Native Americans/First Nation People The perception of GIM represents the social workers as generalists who require broad assortment of skills in order to perform their respective operational functions in an efficient manner. Contextually, a generalist perspective to the issue has apparently observed that social work, as a profession, has been deeply struggling for several years to actively contribute towards the development of the overall socio-economic context. The fundamental reasons behind such drawback were majorly identified as ineffective skills, lack of professional values and inadequate knowledge possessed by the then social workers. Based on this notion, the chief features of the GIM model have been primarily based on a generalist practice which is mainly supported by skills, values and knowledge components, accumulatively featuring the unique nature of social work practices. It further recommends a systematic evaluation process following a seven step framework based on planned change procedure. Correspondingly, the steps suggested in the GIM include (1) engagement or involvement, (2) assessment, (3) planning, (4) implementation, (5) evaluation, (6) termination and (7) follow-up (Ashman & Hull, 2011). In relation to determine the effectiveness of GIM with due consideration to knowledge bases, broad array of skills and professional value bases, it has been viewed that the people belonging to the ethnic group of Native Americans principally emphasize upon attaining a culturally proficient social work practice. Stating precisely, in relation to the aspect of knowledge base, certain significant fields of knowledge possessed by the Native Americans or First Nation people can be identified as cultural rudiments, contemporary realities and diversity. Amongst these, diversity is considered to be one of the important determinants of the knowledge base possessed by the Native Americans. This is fundamentally owing to the reason that diversity encompasses values, belief systems and worldviews through which the nature of the working group of Native Americans can be identified. Similarly, the skills of the Native Americans can be judged on the basis of their general skills and their containment skills. Communication as well as problem-solving generally falls under the category of general skills possessed by the Native Americans. Conversely, tolerance and respect to silence are regarded as the containment skills of the Native Americans. Finally, the different professional value bases deciphered by the Native Americans have been recognized as self-awareness, eagerness to learn, humility, open-mindedness along with non-judgmental attitudes and social justice related perceptions (Weaver, 1999). Based on this context, in order to identify the fundamentals of social work practices engaging the Native Americans, the GIM framework can be applied. Engagement: The engagement of the Native Americans within the context of social work practice is typically based upon its cultural rudiments. It is in this regard that Native Americans are observed to prefer close engagements with their families and friends based on the notion that people can be satisfied and contended when being effectively supervised as well as cared by their elders in a cluster (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Assessment: The conduct of spiritual assessment is broadly required with the Native Americans within the circumstance of social work practice owing to the reason that the notion of spirituality is often influential towards health as well as wellness in Native cultures (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Planning: It has often been observed that people belonging to the Native American ethnicity, attempt to develop effective plans in order to focus upon personal matters as well as emotional breakdowns within both the family or the extended family system (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Implementation: The cultures of Native Americans intend to place a greater value particularly upon the well-being of the entire group. In this similar context, the Native Americans or the First Nation people attempt practicing certain effectual guidelines with the intention of promoting their health as well as well-being at large (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Evaluation: The evaluation of the performances of the Native Americans can be determined on the basis of its community structure. In this regard, the community structure of various resources belonging to Native Americans are often administered by the federal government that ultimately results in developing their competences depicting a strong influence of the political and statutory system on the community (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Termination: The termination of the Native Americans when conducting social work practices can be generally based upon certain critical factors which include extreme poverty, employment of addictive substances and health related issues. Moreover, the aspect of socialization has been viewed to be of great significance to the Native Americans which can also be a vital concern when terminating them from social work practices (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Follow-Up: The Native Americans bearing a strong cultural identity conduct long-term follow-ups in order to respond better to treatments that integrates high moral values. Hence, the efficient conduct of long-term follow-ups would certainly assist the Native Americans to encourage their participation in designing several cultural programs in the context of social work practices (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). In accordance with the features of GIM concerning macro, mezzo and micro systems, it can be stated that micro systems represent individuals, couples as well as family systems. On the other hand, mezzo level signifies community along with extended family members. Finally, the macro level considers historical events and social as well as political environmental elements to create deep impressions on the practices of Native Americans. Contextually, when examining at the micro level, the individuals, the couples and the family systems of the Native Americans have been recognized to be highly concerned and liable for the actions of one another. Moreover, at the micro level, it has been apparently observed that the individuals, couples and the family members of the Native Americans anticipate sharing different problems for one another that include education related matters, non-compliance with their basic requirements and helping those who experience poverty among others. Correspondingly, in relation to the mezzo level, the extended family systems of the Native Americans anticipate that the authority of decision-making will be shared amid the family members principally. In addition, the community structure of the Native Americans has been designed in such a way so that every individual and family member can efficiently utilize the available resources that include educational amenities and child welfare among others (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Finally, at the macro level, it has been viewed that the Native Americans bear strong dependence upon sacred wisdoms and beliefs. Due to these historical perceptions relating to culture, themes of resistance, conflict as well as survival can be observed within the community. It has fundamentally due to this particular reason that the transformations in the federal policies relating to land allotments, resettlements, assimilations and terminations had ultimately made the Native Americans to possess the feelings of distrust towards the federal government. In relation to the social context, the Native Americans or the First Nation prioritizes their family and children to be valued as well as the elders to be highly respected. In this connection, the Native Americans have been viewed to show respect, loyalty and most importantly care and affection for others belonging to the ethnic group (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Effectiveness of Social Workers in Utilizing a Client’s Spiritual and Religious Beliefs Social workers can effectively utilize a client’s spiritual and religious beliefs belonging to the Native American community which not only reflects their personal values and aspirations but also depicts their preferences and social needs. This particular consideration when working with the Native American clients ultimately imposes extensive impact upon spirituality-oriented interventions as well as activities into the tasks performed by the group. Another major factor that determines the effectiveness of social workers in utilizing a Native Americans’ spiritual and religious beliefs in a positive manner can be identified in relation to developmental strategies concerning the training and education processes. It is in this context that with due regards to the religious values and beliefs possessed by the Native American clients, social workers can persuade them towards adopting beneficial lifestyles and thereby ensure effective progress in their practices. Moreover, the requirement for maintaining moral guidelines when working with Native Americans have also been expressed amid the social workers that ultimately increases the significance of understanding client’s spiritual along with religious beliefs in the problem resolution processes (Wilkinson, 2012). Impact of the Following Aspects on the Working Group of Native Americans Oppression and Discrimination The oppression as well as the discrimination factor imposes substantial impact upon the cultural experiences of the working group i.e. the Native Americans. Due to oppression and discrimination, the Native Americans have been viewed to experience inequitable behavior from various dominant cultures in the current day context which further created a distrusting attitude amid the community. Contradictorily, owing to the conservative behavior of the ethnic group, adapting to the continuously altering external environment becomes a significant challenge for the Native Americans which in turn create a feel of being oppressed as well as discriminated amid the modern day social context (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Availability of Resources There are various resources that are readily accessible for the Native Americans being fundamentally administered by the federal government. In this regard, the amenities encompass educational resources, child welfare and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) opportunities that ultimately impose extensive impact upon shaping the community structure of the Native Americans. Moreover, the other resources which are broadly accessible to the group of Native Americans include guidelines for fostering culturally passionate as well as healthy young people and constructing linguistically proficient services to support the overall development of the community (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Special Problems of the Native Americans The special problems that the Native Americans mostly encounter in meeting their requirements within the current day context are tremendous poverty accompanied with unemployment, extreme level of alcoholism as well as other addictive substances, health issues and lack of adequate education. These crucial problems ultimately impose extensive impact upon the economic opportunities and preservation of native cultures in modern society. In addition, the deliverance of effective social as well as health services can also be considered as another special problem witnessed by the Native Americans community (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Public Policies In Regard To Social Justice and Social Welfare The different public policies that include effectual healthcare reforms and child welfare relating to social justice and development tend to impose a considerable impact upon shaping the community structure of the Native Americans. It is worth mentioning in this context that the aforementioned policies would be highly beneficial to support the Native Americans in minimizing any sort of inequalities and to foster broader diversity within their historical culture (Yanca & Johnson, 2008). Conclusion After acquiring a brief idea about GIM and the background of the Native Americans within the context of social work practice, it can be concluded that both advantages and challenges can be witnessed when working with the ethnic group. This is due to the reason that the Native Americans possess effective skills, eclectic knowledge bases and professional values in their working environment as well as in their social periphery. Stating precisely, where on one hand, the religious values and perceptions possessed by the Native American client’s can reward better control on their psychological aspirations to assist them with developmental strategies, it is fundamentally due to their conservatism that social workers may find it difficult to make then agree with federal policies and open-minded behavioral concerns. Hence, both the limitations and the strengths of the ethnic group need to be understood effectively and valued so as to deal with the inherent challenges when working with Native Americans. References Ashman, K. K. K., & Hull, G. H. (2011). Generalist practice with organizations and communities. United Kingdom: Cengage Learning. Feliciana, C. (2012). Foundations of social work practice. Retrieved from http://socialwelfare.berkeley.edu/Courses/Syllabi/fall_12/241.4.syllabus-Feliciana.f12.pdf Pearson Education. (2013). Introduction. Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/natives-north-american.html Weaver, H. N. (1999). Indigenous people and the social work profession: defining culturally competent services. Retrieved from http://www.socialworkers.org/diversity/ethnic/weaver.pdf Wilkinson, C. (2012). Spirituality and religion in social work: respondent definitions. Retrieved from http://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1103&context=msw_papers Yeager, D. (2011). Developing Native American expertise in social work. Social Work Today 11(5), pp.8. Yanca, S. J. & Johnson, L. C. (2008). Generalist social work practice with families. Retrieved from http://www.pearsonhighered.com/samplechapter/0205470106.pdf Read More