SIMMONS COLLEGE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Spring 2016 Course Number and Title: SW-446B-01/02 (First Year Field: Spring Semester) Faculty Kim Harriman - Director of Field Education & Associate Professor of Practice Email: [email protected] Phone: 617-521-3959 Office: P-304F Course Description Field education is an agency-based course (without a classroom component) in which students apply, in supervised practice, the theoretical concepts, principles, values, and ethics taught in the classroom. In addition to the supervised learning of clinical skills with individuals, families, and groups, students will be socialized to the identity of a professional social worker and the many roles that social workers occupy in agencies and in the community. Course Expectations and Evaluation of Student Performance Field education is a central component of your graduate education. This is a “course” in which credits are awarded, and a grade is issued at the completion of the semester. Students are graded on a Pass/Marginal Pass/Fail basis. For a passing grade students must: 1. Complete all assignments due to the agency supervisor and Simmons field advisor as outlined throughout the syllabus. 2. Demonstrate growth in the learning process to be reflected in the Performance Evaluation consistent with a passing grade. The agency supervisor, in consultation with the Simmons field advisor, will evaluate this growth. Evaluations are completed on IPT and must be turned in on time. 3. Display professional behavior in all areas including punctuality and attendance* *Sick Leave: In the event of illness, students are allotted three (3) sick days for the academic year. Vacations: Vacation time generally follows the calendar of the SSW. However, in school settings, students follow the school vacation schedule. Other exceptions may exist. Holidays: Students will adhere to the holiday schedule of the agency in which they are placed. For example if Simmons is closed on Veterans’ Day and the agency is not, the student is expected to report to their field placement. Weather Cancellations: Please follow agency protocol in the event of inclement weather. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Core Competencies & Practice Behaviors The 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) developed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) both require and provide a framework for competency-based assessment of educational outcomes in social work training programs. A description of the 10

core competencies and associated foundation and advanced practice behaviors can be found on the SSW website though the following links: • •

Within the Field Manual: http://internal.simmons.edu/students/ssw/msw-students/fieldeducation/field-education-manual On our Field Forms page: http://internal.simmons.edu/students/ssw/msw-students/fieldeducation/field-education-forms

This course will address, and assess your attainment of all foundation year competencies and practice behaviors. Materials The Field Manual is available online at: http://internal.simmons.edu/students/ssw/mswstudents/field-education/field-education-manual Statement on Disabilities Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, cognitive, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. If you have a disability and anticipate that you will need a reasonable accommodation in the field, it is important that you contact Tim Rogers in the Disability Services Office at 617-521-2470 or [email protected] early in the semester. Students with disabilities receiving accommodations are also encouraged to contact their Simmons field advisor within the first 2 weeks of the semester to discuss their individual needs for accommodations. HIPAA Guidelines All social workers are required to adhere to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191) regulations regarding the privacy of client information outside of the agency setting. Unless you have the client’s written permission, confidentiality must be strictly maintained when discussing or writing about clients in the classroom, in assignments and in process recording.

This syllabus is not a contract. The instructor reserves the right to alter the course requirements and/or assignments. Course Outline *Note: Some placements may require students to be present on alternate dates* Second Semester Learning Goals Include: Adaptation to the social work role in your agency; the development of self-awareness - of your own feelings, strengths, and learning needs; the ability to conceptualize and articulate both the client's and your own issues; the ability to use supervision; awareness of social identity and the dynamics of power and privilege; and beginning assessment, interviewing, and intervention skills. Process recordings are an important tool to track learning needs and progress toward learning goals.

Week 1: Field Resumes January 4th, 2016: Field Placements Resume January 8th, 2016: Psychosocial Assessment DUE (Assignment 1) Week 2: Field Continues Due to Agency Supervisor: One process recording Week 3: Review of Ecosystems Theory and Course Review Due to Agency Supervisor: One process recording Week 4: Psychodynamic Theories: Structural Theory and Ego Psychology Due to Agency Supervisor: One process recording Week 5: Psychodynamic Theories: Objects Relations Theory and Self Psychology Due to Agency Supervisor: One process recording Week 6: Cognitive Behavioral Approaches Due to Agency Supervisor: One process recording Week 7: Postmodern Theory: Narrative Approaches Due to agency supervisor: One process recording Week 8: Postmodern Theory: Solution-Focused Therapy Due to agency supervisor: One process recording Week 9: Generalist Practice: Advocacy with Organizations and Communities Due to agency supervisor: One process recording SPRING BREAK – March 7th – 11th

Week 10: Generalist Practice with Families: Intimate Partner Violence & Crisis Intervention Due to agency supervisor: One process recording

Week 11: Generalist Practice with Families: Basic Principles & Wrap-Around Services Due to agency supervisor: One process recording Week 12: Generalist Practice with Individuals: Substance Use Disorders Due to agency supervisor: One process recording Week 13: Generalist Practice with Individuals: Illness and Disability Due to agency supervisor: One process recording Week 14: Generalist Practice with Individuals: Older Adults Due to agency supervisor: One process recording Week 15 Termination Due to agency supervisor: One process recording Due to Simmons field advisor: Monday, April 18th, 2016 - Spring Field Evaluation completed by agency supervisor on IPT. Portfolios (see description in “Field Assignments”) are to be submitted to advisors.

Week 16: Spirituality and Social Work Practice Due to agency supervisor: One process recording Week 17: Field Placements Continue Week 18: Field Placements Continue May 13th, 2016: Foundation Year Field Placements End ** If you are in a 16 Hour/week placement your placement will go through August 5th, 2016** Refer to Field Calendar for details.

Week 19 May 16th, 2016: Last Day of Spring classes

Field Assignments *Psychosocial Assessment: Due to Simmons Field Advisor Friday, January 8, 2016 Please write a biopsychosocial assessment on one of the clients that you have interviewed at your placement. This is not to be a duplicate of the assignment due in the first semester of SW421. This assignment is for the purpose of practicing an essential skill with accompanying feedback from your field advisor. You are encouraged to share this assignment with your field instructor. Unlike the assignment if SW421, this assignment incorporates less theory, but more of your thinking and conceptualization of a client and his/her situation. The maximum length should be 4 pages, single-spaced. Please use the following template: BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT I.

AGENCY & STUDENT’S ROLE

II.

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION • Age, sex/gender, race/ethnicity, relationship status, student/employment status, living situation, environmental context.

III.

PRESENTING PROBLEM • What – how does the client define the problem? • When – when did the problem begin and how often is it currently occurring? • Where – where (physically) does the problem occur? • Why (now) – why is this problem happening to the client at this time? • Exceptions – when was the problem not happening, or happening differently?

IV.

CURRENT AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION • History of Presenting Problem • Family History • Social History • Medical History • Psychiatric History • Trauma History • Substance Use • Legal Involvement • Cultural Issues • Religion and Spirituality

V.

RISK & PROTECTIVE FACTORS • Personal – strengths, adaptability, coping, interests • Social – family, communities • Financial, institutional, housing, environmental

VI.

MENTAL STATUS EXAM • Appearance • Reaction to the interview

• • • • • • • •

Motor Behaviors Speech Mood/Affect Thought Processes Thought Content Somatic Functions Cognitive Functions Insight and Judgment

VII.

FORMULATION • Strengths-based integration of observation/information, grounded in theoretical understanding. Multi-layered to include biological, intrapsychic, family, social/cultural, and environmental factors. The goal of the formulation is to synthesize all of the information you collected in the assessment to answer the question of why this problem is happening at this time for this client. Risk level and treatment implications should be considered.

VIII

DIAGNOSIS • List DSM-5 Diagnoses, including diagnostic code.

This assignment will contribute to Year II Placement planning decisions for you. A grade of incomplete will be given if this assignment is not submitted. ___________________________________________________________________________ *Process Recording Assignment, Spring - Due one week prior to field visit Part I: Two (2) process recordings (copies, not originals with supervisor comments) should be submitted to your faculty/field advisor via email or hard copy one week prior to your site visit. Please use the three-column format that can be found in the Field Manual. Part II: Reflection Paper: One page, single spaced

Larger Organizations In writing, please reflect on activities in your agency that engage clients at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. What have you learned in your work or observations at each of these levels? *Final Assignment - Field Portfolio All students are required to submit an electronic or hard copy of their field portfolio by the due date at the end of each semester of field. See the field calendar for due dates. The field portfolio shall contain the following: 1. A minimum of 10 process recordings that were submitted to the field instructor for comments. The version that is complete with the field instructor’s comments should be included. 2. The written reflection required prior to the field visit.

3. The psychosocial assessment due in January. Failure to complete these assignments will affect the semester grade for field.

“All social workers are required to adhere to HIPAA regulations regarding client information outside the agency setting. Please delete identifying information.