As a social worker, we are supposed to understand that every person has fundamental human rights that include: freedom, safety, privacy, an adequate standard of living, health care, and education. Social workers have the knowledge about theories of human need and social justice to promote social and economic justice and human rights. Social workers understand strategies that ensure everyone that each individuals rights, and responsibilities are distributed equitably and that civil, political, environmental, economic, social, and cultural human rights are protected.
3.1: It is important that as social workers we are advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. After my experience and information gathered by interviewing patients and social workers at Parkridge Valley I was able to grasp that there is not a consistent group system in the inpatient program at Parkridge Valley. I spoke with the director of Parkridge Valley that agreed to use my material and research for groups. I also messaged administration. The patients have a right to group therapy and groups that aid them to learn about better coping skills and consistency. I practiced the value of integrity by advocating for the rights of the patients and by enhancing the current group inpatient program. The interview and social worker skills that I used while engaging with patients, stakeholders, and social workers included open-ended questions and educating the patients and co-workers about the importance of consistency within the group inpatient program.
In my course work, I was able to contribute towards creating a policy brief in order to advocate for the change of Telehealth services being extended past April 2022. I was able to advocate for those that are in need of these services especially those in rural areas that cannot get adequate care. I was also able to contribute to a fact sheet on more information regarding appeal the current policy at hand. The skills used for this was collaboration, research, critical thinking, and creativity. The affective process used here was. I would also like to highlight that some theoretical foundation found here as well is systems theory.
3.2: During my time at my placement at Parkridge Valley adult and Senior Campus, I was able to identify an area that is in need of social action at which was identified in this questionnaire by patients that were at the current inpatient program at Parkridge Valley. I implemented how important the consistency of a schedule and groups is important for the inpatient program at Parkridge Valley. Patients answered what kinds of groups would be the most helpful and how important it is for the program to be consistent. This would aid them for when they leave the hospital and teach them a few ways to deal with things on their own once they get discharged. This questionnaire positively impacted the patients and they felt like their voice was heard. I was able to advocate for them by doing this questionnaire and listening to their suggestions.
In my coursework, our group created the mission of the organization Mind, Body, and Soul Healing. This mission represents the action we are to take to help reach the homelessness community.