My Current Work
Over the past 15 months, I have worked in 3 clinical social work settings where I provided counseling, coaching, mentorship were primarily used as my approach. The whole purpose of this program is to help integrate clients with mental health disorders transition successfully back into community living
Canadian Mental Health Association
My work as a Supportive Living Coordinator with Canadian Mental Health Association, Calgary region started in the Spring of last year I took on this job with the fear that I could never provide any counseling to the clientele since this job was more clinically based. This job required me providing supportive counseling, coaching, mentorship and smooth transition of clients with mental health disorders back into community living. Over the months that followed till date, I have come to love dealing with clients and inserting into them the spirit of assertiveness and speaking out for themselves on any oppression they might face in their day to day life which is primarily due to the stigma associated with. Clients have thus developed independent life skills for their daily survival.
Research Assistant, University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work
As mentioned earlier, I desire to use research as a practice method. As such I applied for many research positions on campus and was lucky to be hired for one researching into a victim support model for child abuse and neglect victims. This position gave me the ability to research scholarly articles and identify models that could be used for suivivors and families alike at different levels. The project was such a participatory one that brought both professors and students together weekly to make valuable contributions towards the project. I also had to opportunity to give inputs, …………..;
United Way of Calgary & Area
My specialization practicum was the United Way of Calgary and Area. I worked specifically with the Neighborhood Team. The team used the Community Impact Strategy as a Framework to create sustainable change by working on underlying issues. Researching and data analysis is one piece used to influence policy and practice outcomes. During my practicum, I did a secondary data analysis for a more sustainable community development approach to be used to achieve a more collaborative impact in Greater Forest Lawn. Monitoring and evaluation was also a very important piece that I found myself involved in during my practicum. Projects and reports are monitored, evaluated and analyzed to assess level of community impact. Funding proposals were also rated based among other factors on the level of impact on individuals and community. I was involved in reviewing funding proposals using the above criteria and submitted a funding review recommendation for Linkages Alberta- a non for profit ……. For seniors. I also participated in a number of agency review meetings where the intent of funding applications were discussed with volunteers and staff from the United Way on one hand and staff, board members of the requesting agency on another hand. Again I participated in series of meetings of interagency meetings to assess and compare the type of services provided by these agencies and determine if they could collaborate effectively in community development work.
My FUTURE Practice
One obvious thing that has impacted me quite tremendously in this program is the skill of advocacy and how empowerment can impact the level at which one can advocate for him/herself and others. As I indicated earlier, I came from a family and societal background where the dominant discourse had no voice for women, let alone me as an individual female. I have also lived abroad for the past eight years and faced some oppression and racism.
I would work to advocate for vulnerable populations I would come across. I do have an interest working with seniors and the homeless. These are very vulnerable populations within any given society. Using advocacy as an approach, I would advocate for these people at all levels within the society. In frontline work, I would make sure protocol standards and policies within the organization do not re oppress them, and if they do work to confront these issues with management in the most respectful way. At the systems levels, systemic policies must be reevaluated to
Empowerment and motivational interviewing would also be used alongside advocacy. I have come to believe that the best advocacy is done by the self rather than have another person advocate for you. If one is empowered, advocacy becomes quite easier to embark on. I would work to empower these vulnerable populations I intend to work with.
As part of an individual belonging to a professional identify, I would endeavor to adhere to the code of ethics of the Alberta College of Social Workers. Currently I belong to the Gerontology Social Workers Action Group, which is an advocacy group working on social injustices facing seniors. I envision myself involved with such action groups advocating for the vulnerable in our society. As a woman who has been “liberated to speak up for my self and for the vulnerables in society, I intend to use my knowledge and skills gained through this program to advocate for women who are oppressed in any way be it in front line work or at the systems level. My work with women infected and impacted by HIV/AIDS in Ghana speaks to my passion to work on issues affecting women.
I see myself in a leadership position and as such there must also be a commitment to continuing professional development. This is exemplified through leadership research. As McNeil & Nicholas (2012) note, integrating research to inform practice is an essential vehicle for professional development and sustainability in an increasingly knowledge based health care context is necessary for social work leaders. They go further to say that being deliberate and proactive as knowledge leaders are seen as important critical activities for a fast moving health based profession like social work.
Over the past 15 months, I have worked in 3 clinical social work settings where I provided counseling, coaching, mentorship were primarily used as my approach. The whole purpose of this program is to help integrate clients with mental health disorders transition successfully back into community living
Canadian Mental Health Association
My work as a Supportive Living Coordinator with Canadian Mental Health Association, Calgary region started in the Spring of last year I took on this job with the fear that I could never provide any counseling to the clientele since this job was more clinically based. This job required me providing supportive counseling, coaching, mentorship and smooth transition of clients with mental health disorders back into community living. Over the months that followed till date, I have come to love dealing with clients and inserting into them the spirit of assertiveness and speaking out for themselves on any oppression they might face in their day to day life which is primarily due to the stigma associated with. Clients have thus developed independent life skills for their daily survival.
Research Assistant, University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work
As mentioned earlier, I desire to use research as a practice method. As such I applied for many research positions on campus and was lucky to be hired for one researching into a victim support model for child abuse and neglect victims. This position gave me the ability to research scholarly articles and identify models that could be used for suivivors and families alike at different levels. The project was such a participatory one that brought both professors and students together weekly to make valuable contributions towards the project. I also had to opportunity to give inputs, …………..;
United Way of Calgary & Area
My specialization practicum was the United Way of Calgary and Area. I worked specifically with the Neighborhood Team. The team used the Community Impact Strategy as a Framework to create sustainable change by working on underlying issues. Researching and data analysis is one piece used to influence policy and practice outcomes. During my practicum, I did a secondary data analysis for a more sustainable community development approach to be used to achieve a more collaborative impact in Greater Forest Lawn. Monitoring and evaluation was also a very important piece that I found myself involved in during my practicum. Projects and reports are monitored, evaluated and analyzed to assess level of community impact. Funding proposals were also rated based among other factors on the level of impact on individuals and community. I was involved in reviewing funding proposals using the above criteria and submitted a funding review recommendation for Linkages Alberta- a non for profit ……. For seniors. I also participated in a number of agency review meetings where the intent of funding applications were discussed with volunteers and staff from the United Way on one hand and staff, board members of the requesting agency on another hand. Again I participated in series of meetings of interagency meetings to assess and compare the type of services provided by these agencies and determine if they could collaborate effectively in community development work.
My FUTURE Practice
One obvious thing that has impacted me quite tremendously in this program is the skill of advocacy and how empowerment can impact the level at which one can advocate for him/herself and others. As I indicated earlier, I came from a family and societal background where the dominant discourse had no voice for women, let alone me as an individual female. I have also lived abroad for the past eight years and faced some oppression and racism.
I would work to advocate for vulnerable populations I would come across. I do have an interest working with seniors and the homeless. These are very vulnerable populations within any given society. Using advocacy as an approach, I would advocate for these people at all levels within the society. In frontline work, I would make sure protocol standards and policies within the organization do not re oppress them, and if they do work to confront these issues with management in the most respectful way. At the systems levels, systemic policies must be reevaluated to
Empowerment and motivational interviewing would also be used alongside advocacy. I have come to believe that the best advocacy is done by the self rather than have another person advocate for you. If one is empowered, advocacy becomes quite easier to embark on. I would work to empower these vulnerable populations I intend to work with.
As part of an individual belonging to a professional identify, I would endeavor to adhere to the code of ethics of the Alberta College of Social Workers. Currently I belong to the Gerontology Social Workers Action Group, which is an advocacy group working on social injustices facing seniors. I envision myself involved with such action groups advocating for the vulnerable in our society. As a woman who has been “liberated to speak up for my self and for the vulnerables in society, I intend to use my knowledge and skills gained through this program to advocate for women who are oppressed in any way be it in front line work or at the systems level. My work with women infected and impacted by HIV/AIDS in Ghana speaks to my passion to work on issues affecting women.
I see myself in a leadership position and as such there must also be a commitment to continuing professional development. This is exemplified through leadership research. As McNeil & Nicholas (2012) note, integrating research to inform practice is an essential vehicle for professional development and sustainability in an increasingly knowledge based health care context is necessary for social work leaders. They go further to say that being deliberate and proactive as knowledge leaders are seen as important critical activities for a fast moving health based profession like social work.