This report explores the role social workers can play in closing the Aboriginal education and achievement gap in Canada. Aboriginal students in Canada receive less funding and are less likely to be successful in school when compared to non-Aboriginal Canadians (McMahon, 2014). As a result, Aboriginal students graduate at a much lower rate than non-Aboriginal students. The lower graduation rate experienced by Aboriginal students is often referred to as the Aboriginal education and achievement gap. Aboriginal students who are at risk of not graduating face a number of environmental barriers that make it difficult for them to be successful in the classroom. Therefore, support services, including social workers are integral to the success of Aboriginal students within the school system (Joseph, Slovak, & Broussard, 2010). This report outlines my practicum experience with the Aboriginal Social Work Program of School District 57 in Prince George, British Columbia ...
Play, as therapy and in therapy, has been established in the research literature as an effective method of intervention with children and youth. It has often been identified as the language of childhood and an appropriate medium for communicating with, and understanding, the world of the child. There is no one definition of play, but there is agreement among multiple disciplines that play is easily recognizable, complex, multi-faceted, and essential to healthy child development. Empirically based research involving both directive and non-directive play has demonstrated the healing power of play within the therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic alliance is considered by many mental health professionals to be the key element in facilitating healing, personal growth, and positive change. My practicum learning experience reinforced and validated many of the therapeutic powers of play documented in the literature and resulted in enhanced clinical skills, and a greater understanding of the therapeutic value of play. The influences of culture, gender, and ethnicity, were not specifically identified, or addressed during clinical or group interventions, though the impact of culture arose as a distinct theme during the context of a group discussion and within the process of game play. Overall, play was experienced as a key component in creating and maintaining a therapeutic relationship while enabling client empowerment and an atmosphere conducive to positive growth and change. --P. ii.
The best practices research on early psychosis intervention states that with early and effective intervention with individuals presenting with psychosis, the chance of a positive outcome is greatly increased. The author spent a four month practicum term working in an early intervention program for people with mental illness in Prince George, British Columbia. This practicum provided an opportunity for the author to research this topic of interest, to practice in this area of social work, and to conduct a focus group regarding the program. The program has not been named by the author, however, it is written about throughout this report. The research involved conducting a focus group, with the practitioners or case managers of the program being the participants. The intent of the study was to highlight challenges, barriers and strengths of the program, and to disseminate the information to the team at the end of the author's practicum term. Three themes were identified from the results of the focus group, which were labeled as follows: flexibility, transitions, and societal shadow. It was found that each theme had its own distinct challenges and strengths as they relate to the early psychosis intervention program. --P. 2.
Social workers are professionals who have the skills to address social problems. Individuals may experience a variety of problems that are the result of their social environment. When enough individuals and groups in a community are facing similar problems, it can begin to affect the community as a whole. Homelessness is a prime example of a problem that can be found in different communities across the world. Homelessness represents a series of individual and systematic issues. Social workers are in a position to address social issues such as homelessness through close collaboration with individuals and community organizations. As a Master of Social Work (MSW) practicum student I worked closely with the United Way of Northern British Columbia in Prince George and learned how an organization can fund and support social programs designed to address social issues such as homelessness.
Families with special needs children and youth face barriers to accessing services and need assistance to obtain supports to live the most optimal life possible. Social workers can assist families to navigate an unfamiliar world of services to improve the outcomes for children, youth, and their families. To fulfill the requirements of this practicum I explored the needs of special needs children and their families and the best way to provide services to this population through making connections to the literature, practicum placement, and social work practice. This report includes: A description of the practicum agency, learning goals, and theoretical orientation a review of the literature, my practicum activities, and learning experiences and a discussion of implications for practice. I conclude that special needs children and their families require formal and informal services and supports to live the most optimal life possible. --Leaf ii.
The issue of responding to and meeting the needs of persons experiencing crises relating to mental illness has been increasingly demanding attention in the media and in our communities. Literature suggests that the criminal justice and health systems have become intricately involved as a consequence of deinstitutionalization, and policing authorities have become informally designated as first responders to persons experiencing a mental health crisis. This effect is occurring in many developed countries prompting an examination of these subsystems independently and as they interact together. Further to this, emerging joint initiatives that are considered best practice demand collaboration between these systems and with local communities that has not existed in the past... .
