Generalist Social Work Practice Research Articles

Discharge Planning and Social Work Practice

ABSTRACT Current health care practice discharge planning has emerged as a major professional function in hospital settings. To examine the tasks involved in discharge planning and how frequently they are being performed, 124 Alabama hospitals were contacted with a 72% response rate. Of the 178 surveys returned by discharge planners the core tasks were identified and ranked in terms of performance frequency. The results revealed that the tasks performed typically resembled that of generalist social workers. When specialization occurred, it was related to the populations served and not the specialized tasks or methods utilized. From this data recommendations are made for linking advanced generalist social work practice to discharge planning activities.

The Virtual Community: Computer Conferencing for Teaching and Learning Social Work Practice

SUMMARY This author describes the use of a web-based conferencing program to augment classroom learning in generalist social work practice courses in a BSW program. This “virtual classroom” allows students to have more or less continual access to the instructor and to each other, greatly expanding opportunities for teaching, learning, and communication.

The Portfolio Approach for Generalist Social Work Practice: A Successful Tool for Students in Field Education

This article introduces the use of a portfolio approach for integrating the generalist educational experience for baccalaureate students. To assess the benefit of this type of educational tool, students and field instructors completed an evaluation instrument. Responses from students and field instructors revealed that the portfolio was an excellent approach to enhance the integrative aspects of learning needed for students in a generalist social work field experience. Though the sample is limited to one social work undergraduate program, these findings further illustrated that the portfolio helped students demonstrate learning outcomes tied to the generalist social work approach and improved the quality and depth of the learning experience in the field setting.

Breaking the Rules: A Group Work Perspective on Focus Group Research

Marcia B. Cohen is an Associate Professor al the University of New England in the United States where she teaches graduate courses in group work, generalist social work practice and social welfare policy. Her professional interests include recipient-run services and organisations, issues relating to poverty, homelessness and mental health, and diverse aspects of social group work. Kendra J. Garrett is an Assistant Professor at the University of St Thomas in the United States where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in generalist social work practice, group work and research. Her professional interests include social work ethics, school social work, research methodology and social work practice with groups. SUMMARY Focus groups, originally used in fields such as marketing and consumer research, are rapidly gaining popularity as a research methodology in the social sciences. It is interesting to note that most of the scholarly work on focus groups continues to come from business rather than the social sciences. Few researchers have discussed the differing purposes and goals in social science and consumer research (Ospina, 1994; Moore, 19%). Furthermore, the literature on focus group research rarely utilizes social work knowledge of group dynamics or group facilitation skills. Rather, the literature on focus groups tends to give guidelines for leading groups, telling focus group facilitators what to do and what not to do in leading such groups. We believe that these guidelines, while generally helpful, can lead to rigidity on the part of focus group leaders. We suggest that, in social work research, focus group facilitators should use their knowledge of group dynamics and the values of individualization and empathy to modify focus group rules where appropriate. This paper describes part of a qualitative study of client/worker relationships in residential mental health settings. During the course of this research, group work principles came into conflict, at limes, with recommended guidelines for focus group leaders. The paper illustrates how insights gleaned from group work theory and practice can enable a researcher to break focus group rules responsibly, thus bringing greater depth to the data gathered and allowing the researcher to be more sensitive to the needs of focus group participants.

Families Affected by Substance Abuse: Implications for Generalist Social Work Practice

A generalist approach to practice with families affected by parental addiction is presented. Using a model program for working with parents and children who have been affected by substance abuse, the article illustrates the application of the problem-solving process to effect change at multiple levels, including individual, family, community, organizational, and policy-making levels. The authors describe assessment and intervention strategies at each of these levels and conclude with an evaluation of the project's success.

Wraparound Services Curriculum Module

This mental health curriculum module demonstrates how a research article documenting the effectiveness of a wraparound service project can be used within an undergraduate practice course. Use of this module should give students a better appreciation and understanding of wraparound service provision. This module also provides students an opportunity to consider similarities and differences between generalist social work practice and the philosophies of wraparound services.

Social Justice, Social Change and Baccalaureate Degree Generalist Social Work Practice

Social Justice, Social Change and Baccalaureate Degree Generalist Social Work Practice

Social Work Field Instruction in Perinatal AIDS Setting

This article will discuss the knowledge required for social workers to help AIDS victims and demonstrate that generic social work practice skill is the foundation upon which more speicalized knowledge and expertise is built. Individuals with AIDS suffer the ravages of a deadly disease and practical hardships and obstacles in almost every aspect of life. Field instruction in a prenatal AIDS program call for a biopsychosocial approach to practice. Students experience a full range of social issues and treatment modalities. Legal protection of confidentiality, rules of disclosure and deliberations about vaules and ethical dilemmas frame their interventions. With supportive supervision, knowledge and a patient care system based on teamwork and colleagiality, students learn the complex and envolving world of social work in health care.

Milford Redefined: A Model of Initial and Advanced Generalist Social Work

Abstract Social work has long sought a conceptual framework to describe its most basic approach to service delivery: generalist social work practice. A milestone in that process was the series of Milford conferences in the 1920s during which the elements of “generic casework” were first identified. This article presents a model that advances and clarifies the concepts of generalist social work as viewed at the beginning of the 1990s. Generalist social work at both the initial and advanced levels involves a way of viewing practice. It is a perspective that focuses on the interface between systems, on a client-centered and problem-focused philosophy, and on an openness to multiple theories and approaches for improving people's well-being. Practice at the initial level requires a set of competencies necessary to provide services consistent with the understanding derived from the perspective. Advanced generalist social work represents increased complexity in the learning process and greater breadth and depth ...

Application of Homelessness to Teaching Social Work Foundation Content

The characteristics and needs of homeless people, combined with the difficulties of designing and delivering accessible and effective services to members of this population, serve as a rich source of examples and applications for teaching generalist social work practice. Meeting the needs of homeless clients requires skills in advocacy, community coalition building, brokering services, and the development, coordination, and evaluation of service programs. The authors describe how a task-centered practice model can be applied to work with the homeless to illumniate the nature of generalist practice. In addition, this paper includes a discussion of possible examples from this population in the teaching of policy and research.

Generic social work practice and family practice: students build a foundation for partnership.

Generic social work practice and family practice medicine complement each other. Placing first year field students in a family practice residency training program over a period of years can define the social work role broadly and open the door for a wide range of practice opportunities. The social work presence can help family medicine attain its goal of comprehensive, holistic care.

Generic and Generalist Practice and the BSW Curriculum

Abstract Through the use of two conceptual frameworks, entry level social work is conceived as direct service generalist practice. The generic framework presents the common base of social work in terms of purpose, function, focus, objectives, and values and aspects of knowledge and skills. The generalist framework indicates the variety of methods used in relation to assessed needs, goals, and targets in practice situations. These frameworks are useful in developing the BSW curriculum. The implications are considered for enhancing the knowledge, conceptual, and practice integration needed for developing the competence for direct service generalist social work practice.

Developing Curricular Options in the Pursuit of Integration

Abstract This paper identifies a number of divergent forces, within both the academic disciplines and the profession, that encourage and impede the achievement of a generically oriented social work profession. It concludes that, for the near future, the actual planning of the profession's development must proceed on the premise that the kind of generic social work possible is, at best, only partial and segmental in nature. Three types of partial generic social work practice are discussed and related to the emerging issues associated with the structure and quality of social work education.

The Multirole Practitioner in the Generic Orientation to Social Work Practice

Generic Social Work practice theory is at a promising stage of development. Utilizing concepts from systems theory a number of new holistic practice models are now available which can be applied in any setting. A further frame of reference is required that captures the wide range of social work activity. The aim of this paper is to propose eight tasks and thirteen common roles of practice which are presented in the form of a model designed to delineate the role and task matrix of the generic practitioner. Practice experience suggests that these tasks and roles constantly merge into, or follow one another. Some of the roles and tasks seem better understood and theoretically developed than others. The formulation that is offered is currently being empirically tested. Practitioners, educators and practice researchers are invited to specify the roles and tasks they regard as central to practice, to check these against the model offered here, and to present any fundamental differences in forms that lend themselves to empirical research.

Toward Generic Social Work Practice—a Review and Some Innovations

Toward Generic Social Work Practice—a Review and Some Innovations

Local Residents as Mediators between Middle-Class Professional Workers and Lower-Class Clients

Previous articleNext article No AccessLocal Residents as Mediators between Middle-Class Professional Workers and Lower-Class ClientsCharles F. GrosserCharles F. Grosser Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Social Service Review Volume 40, Number 1Mar., 1966 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/641855 Views: 1Total views on this site Citations: 6Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1966 University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:John H. Noble, John J. Stretch Grade-Induced Beliefs About Undergraduate Generalist Social Work Practice Competency, Evaluation Review 26, no.22 (Jul 2016): 213–236.https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X02026002004Barbara Bremner, Cathy C. Campbell, Jeffery Sobal Comparison of the beliefs and practices of EFNEP clients with staff perceptions of clients, Journal of Nutrition Education 26, no.33 (May 1994): 123–130.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3182(12)80386-4J Katan, D Nghatsane Utilisation of indigenous workers and its relevance to human service organisations and development projects in South Africa∗, Development Southern Africa 3, no.44 (Nov 1986): 636–649.https://doi.org/10.1080/03768358608439273William Riley Citizen participation in community mental health center service delivery, Community Mental Health Journal 17, no.11 (Mar 1981): 37–45.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754207Lee Holder Some Theoretical and Practical Considerations in Influencing Health Behavior, Health Education Monographs 1, no.3030 (Feb 1970): 49–69.https://doi.org/10.1177/109019817000103005 Robert Pruger , and Harry Specht Assessing Theoretical Models of Community Organization Practice: Alinsky as a Case in Point, Social Service Review 43, no.22 (Sep 2015): 123–135.https://doi.org/10.1086/642363

Introduction to Social Work

Each chapter concludes with Summary and Selected References. I. INTRODUCTION. 1. What Is Social Work? Social Welfare. Social Work. Distinguishing Characteristics of Social Work. Sociology and Social Work. Psychiatry and Social Work. Psychology and Social Work. Counseling and Social Work. Social Work in the World Today. 2. The Evolution of Social Welfare and Social Work in the United States. Echoes of the Past. European Roots. Beginnings in the United States. Public Assistance and Social Welfare Emerge. Services of Volunteers. Social Workers Appear. 3. Education for Social Work. Social Work Education. Council on Social Work Education. II. SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE. 4. Generalist Practice and Introductory Theory. Need for a Theoretical Framework. Introductory Inner and Outer Forces Paradigm. Additional Model Definition. The Life Cycle and the Inner and Outer Forces Model. Social Functioning. Levels of Social Functioning. A Base for Generalist Social Work Practice. 5. Social Work Practice with Individuals. Work with the Individual: A Generalist Approach. Social Casework Defined. History of Social Casework. Trends in Casework. The Practice Framework. Methods of Social Casework. Problems in Social Casework. The Casework Process. The Multi-Systems Approach. 6. Social Work Practice with Groups. Historical Developments. Group Work Defined. Group Work Models. Formation of Groups. Selection of Group Members. Preparation of Group Members. Structuring the Group. Stages of Group. Group Work Settings. 7. Social Work Practice with Communities. What Is Community Organization? Beginnings of Community Social Work. Underlying Principles in Community Organization. Community Social Work Processes. Roles of the Community Organizer. Case Summaries. 8. Administration and Research. Administration. Research. III. SOCIAL WORK SERVICES. 9. Mental Health Services. Beginnings in Mental Health. Elements of the Mental Health Network. Essential Elements of Comprehensive Mental Health. Special Problems and Issues in Mental Health. 10. Social Work in Health Care. Definition of Social Work in Health Care. The Meaning of Illness. The Role of Social Work in Health Care. The Future of Social Work in the Health Care Services. Prevention and Social Work. 11. Social Work in the Schools. The Education Delivery System: New Approaches. Problems Plaguing the Public Schools. Beginnings in School Social Work. Social Work Practice in the Schools. Social Work Using a Group Approach. School Social Work and the Community. Working with Minorities. When the System Fails. 12. Social Security and Public Welfare. Government's Responsibility for Welfare. The Social Security Act. Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Government and Public Welfare. 13. Family and Child Welfare Services. Marriage and Family Counseling. Child Welfare Services. Home Care of Children. Foster Care of Children. Adoption Services. Protective Services. Child Sexual Abuse. 14. Correctional Services. The Social Problems of Delinquency and Crime. Social Work and Corrections. Social Work Practice in Corrections. Processes and Principles. Social Services and Case Examples. 15. Services for the Aged. Older Americans Act of 1965. White House Conference on Aging, 1971. Adequate Income. Appropriate Living Arrangements. Institutional Responsiveness and a New Attitude Toward Aging. Independence and Dignity. 16. Drug Abuse and Social Work. Misused Drugs and What They Do. Extent and Cost of Drug Abuse. Programs for Control, Prevention, and Treatment. Role of Social Work in Treatment. 17. Services with Minorities. Minority Problems. Social Services. Educational Developments. 18. Social Work in Rural Areas. Beginnings in Rural Social Work. Rural Social Work Practice. Roles of the Rural Social Worker. Rural Social Service Agencies. Distance Learning for Rural Social Work. 19. Case Management. Historical Developments. Case Management Defined. Case Management Research. IV. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 20. Social Work: A Maturing Profession. Criteria of a Profession. Historical Background. Social Work Today. 21. Social Work Prevention and Enrichment. Social Work Focus on Prevention. Problems Involved. Examples of Prevention. Implications of Prevention. Social Work Enrichment. 22. Social Work and the Future. Professional Maturation. Increase in Services. Professional Identification and Visibility. Licensing. Spirituality in Social Work Practice. Changing Continuum in Social Work Education. Development of the Role of Consultant. Status of Social Worker. Private Practice. Case Management. Advocacy Role. Improved Public Relations. Rural Social Work. Technology. Expansion of Leadership Roles. Increase in International Social Work. Prevention. Enrichment. Movement for Higher Quality. Name Index. Subject Index.