Reflexiones sobre la vinculación de la práctica independiente del trabajo social de un proyecto profesional en Puerto Rico

Abstract

The independent practice of Social Work in Puerto Rico, like any profession, has been developed under the influences of the economic, political, and cultural context of a particular region. Then, it should not come as a surprise that the Neoliberal and the economic system policies had have an effect, direct and indirect, on the Social Work profession. Some of the examples that can be mentioned are the precariousness of the work conditions and the dismantling of the Welfare State. On the other hand, it has been observed that a greater number of Social Work professionals have moved towards work scenarios where they practice in an independent manner. Some of them are driven by economic circumstances; others are driven by freedom and innovation of the intervention methodology, nevertheless all are moved by the accessibility towards spaces where there are needs that have are not attended by the State. At the same time, within the Social Work profession, through the “Colegio de Profesionales del Trabajo Social de Puerto Rico”, the professional project has been developed for the betterment of both, the professional guild of social workers as well as the puertorrican society in general. The Social Work profession, being the one that takes on the great responsibility and aspiration of contributing to live in a society where the social justice, the principle of equity, and human rights are the core values; it should come as no surprise that the initiative of creating a professional project of such magnitude is born from the heart of the profession. The call is to “be prepared as professionals and prepare our participants to fight neocapitalism” (Colon, 2009, p.99).