MSW Assessment Case Study Paper
For this final assignment, you will integrate your knowledge, skills, and values from course work and field learning to demonstrate that you have achieved the MSW level competencies set forth in the 2015 Council on Social Work Education’s Education Policy Accreditation Standards.
This integrated case study will be based on a case from your field placement and will be divided into two primary sections:
Section I will provide the foundations of the case, as well as supportive information regarding policy, diversity, theory, ethics, human rights and social justice considerations. This section should include the following information:
A. Overview of the Case
B. Application of Social Welfare Policy to the Case
C. Theoretical Framework and Context for Analyzing Client System’s Situation
1. Theoretical Framework for Understanding the Case
2. Impact of the Urban Environment on the Case
3. Ethical Considerations for the Case
4. Diversity Considerations for the Case
5. Human Rights and Social Justice Considerations for the Case
Section II will provide information on the Engagement, Assessment, Preliminary Diagnosis, Intervention, and Termination of Treatment with Client (individual, family, community, or organization) System for the case. This section must include the following information:
D. Engagement, Assessment, Preliminary Diagnosis, Intervention, and Termination of Treatment with Client (individual, family, community, or organization) System
1. Engagement of Client System
2. Assessment of Client System
3. Intervention Plan for Client System
4. Termination of Intervention with Client System
E. Plan for Evaluating Effectiveness of Practice with Client System.
For this paper: (1) APA style must be used correctly, (2) All required relevant course readings and materials must be used, (3) At least 10 scholarly sources used (beyond course materials), (4) You must include at least 4 social work sources, (5) The paper must be clear, well organized, and should be 12-15 pages not including the cover page, abstract, references and any other attachments.
SECTION I (Directions)
Integrative Case Study: Write a case study based on an actual case from your advanced (i.e., 2nd year) field practicum.
The case study must reflect your ability to apply knowledge and skills from all major content areas in the MSW curriculum including Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy, Practice, and Research.
Organize the case study using the subheadings below. Include the bulleted information under each section below in a written narrative (i.e., essay in paragraph format). Use American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition format, including references when citing theorists and other sources.
A. Overview of the Case
A1. Describe the client system, including its composition (i.e., the client may be a child, youth, or family).
A2. Give a succinct but comprehensive statement of the client system(s) presenting problem. This statement should be enough to establish a thorough understanding of the significant factors that are influencing the identified client (i.e., the client may be a child, youth, or family).
B. Application of Social Welfare Policy to the Case
B1. Delineate a (Macro) Policy that could (has) or currently transforms the client system (1 paragraph) – Find a policy that involves child welfare linked to juvenile delinquency
1) What is the policy to be analyzed?
2) What is the nature of the problem targeted by the policy?
a. How is the problem defined?
b. Origin of the problem, challenge, or opportunity and for whom is it a problem?
B2. Historical Analysis (2 paragraphs)
3) What policies and programs were developed in the past to deal with the problem?
4) How did these policies specifically impact African American (Individuals, Families,
Communities, or Organizations)
5) Problem, Challenge, or Opportunity and Solutions
a. Identify the client/organizational problem, challenge or opportunity
b. What people, or groups of people, initiated and/or promoted the policy (ideologies)?
c. What people, or groups of people, opposed the policy (ideologies)?
6) Describe key elements of proposed change (theoretical/model basis of the proposed
change based on literature review)
C. Theoretical Framework and Context for Analyzing Client System’s Situation
C1. Theoretical Framework for Understanding the Case
Select two human behavior theories that can be integrated and applied to understanding the client’s situation and presenting problem (USE SYSTEMS THEORY AND PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORY) and discuss their practical application to this case. Students should ensure that the application of the identified theories demonstrates their ability to integrate both frameworks AND a thorough understanding of application (individual, family, communities, organizations) within the case. This can be done through the identification of the basic tenets of theory including the concepts and propositions that each theory is comprised of.
C2. Impact of the Urban Environment on the Case
Discuss how the dynamics of the urban environment impact the client system, including cultural, social justice and economic factors affecting the presenting problem of the client system (e.g., racial/cultural, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, gender, class, etc.).
C3. Ethical Considerations
Identify ethical principles from the NASW Code of Ethics that are relevant to the case. Identify any ethical dilemmas in this case and describe the steps/actions a social worker might take to respond to the situation; using the Code of Ethics to support the response
C3.1. Professional Boundaries
Students will identify and discuss professional boundaries that should be maintained as students’ progress throughout the case. These should include but not be limited to topics such as timeliness, professional appearance, dual relationships, use of personal electronic devices, professional documentation, etc.
C4. Diversity Considerations for the Case
Identify and discuss the specific aspects of diversity that impact the social work process with the client system selected for this case. This should include diversity outside of race and could include but not be limited to gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, culture, and any other areas of diversity or “otherisms” that have been identified.
C5. Human Rights and Social Justice Considerations for the Case
Identify and discuss the specific human rights or social justice considerations that impact the social work process with the client system and other marginalized groups selected for this case. Students should think broadly on how these issues could or have previously or continue to impact African American individuals, families, groups and organizations.
SECTION II
D1. Engagement, Assessment, Intervention, Termination
(Please see additional attachment: Treatment Planning Strategies for Youth With Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder)
Using evidence-based practice specific to your Urban, Children, Youth and Families ASP, identify a practice framework and explain the processes of engaging, assessing, and intervening with the client system identified for this case. Make certain that you address any ethical and/or cultural considerations that might impact service delivery. Organize your response using the outline provided below.
D2. Assessment of Client.
BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL–SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT OF CLIENT SYSTEM
Complete a Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Assessment of Client System using the template outlined below.
Please follow this template exactly:
DESCRIPTION OF THE CLIENT SYSTEM:
a) Client/Family Identifying Information
b) Reason(s) for services
c) Household Members (to include relationships with one on another, and their patterns of functioning)
d) Household Living Conditions
e) Financial History (to include all insurance information, excessive debt, etc.)
SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SUPPORTS
Family History: In this section, you will present data on family members (be sure to designate the members living in the household). Names, gender, birth dates (or ages), relationships, marriage dates, education, occupations, deaths (causes), chronic conditions (e.g. alcoholism, mental retardation), significant trauma (e.g. fire, rape, incarceration), anything significant to describing individual. Other data that may be significant: adoptions, miscarriages, pregnancies, separations, current locations, etc.
a) Community System: Describe relationships between client/family members and the various systems they are affiliated with or connected to. Describe community context and include a description of neighborhood resources.
b) Assets and Resources: Information about the client’s informal sources of support. Information about the client primary and secondary sources of support. The type (what need does the source meet) and frequency (how often) of support from whom (e.g., friends, extended family members, church, etc.) provides support? Assess if the support provided is reliable.
SOCIAL HISTORY:
a) Physical Health (past and present, make certain to include any medication schedules, family history of medical conditions
b) Mental Health: This section will include a brief history of family psychiatric problems. Report whether client has a history of psychiatric disorders; admission into mental health clinic (inpatient or outpatient), dates receiving services, outcome of services, medication, treating therapist (past or present); family history or mental disorders. History of homicidal and suicidal ideation;
c) Alcohol and Drug Use: Summarize if client used any substance in lifetime (e.g., cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, etc.). Periods of sobriety and treatment (when, where and with whom); describe outcome of treatment.
d) Sexual History: Describe sexual activity, sexual orientation, physical, sexual abuse (victim/offender). Explore if relevant to problem situation. It is appropriate to assess if client practices safe sex and receives regular physical check-ups. If client reports being diagnosed with sexual disease, it is appropriate to explore, medication received, primary physician, etc.
e) Educational: Describe client’s educational background, highest level of degree attained. Difficulties in school (why, where, when); special education needs; suspensions. Include any informal educational skills. If client did not graduate from high school or received a GED, explore what barriers were present.
f) Employment/Work History: Summarize client’s type of work; attitudes toward work, reasons for leaving or being fired from previous jobs. Also, include any voluntary work (e.g., community, church, etc.). Make sure to include any military experience and informal employment
g) Recreational: Describe their activities or interest they enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, or leisure pursuits, special talents or skills. Are they involved in any church related activities (e.g., bible school, bible camp)?
h) Cultural Family Norms: Describe cultural beliefs; rituals, patterns. Do they have family reunions or times when they come together (outside of marriages and funerals?
i) Religious/Spiritual: Describe if client identifies with a particular religion or faith. Describe how client expresses spirituality. Describe client’s current and past religious and spiritual practices. Describe if client is associated with a place of worship. Describe if their religion or spirituality is helpful to them.
j) Strengths and Competencies: Describe client/family strengths, capacities, abilities, competencies and resources that may help to address and resolve the issues of concern.
PRESENTING PROBLEM: Provide a concise clinical assessment of the presenting problem(s). You must complete a case formulation with preliminary diagnosis and justification as to why you selected these diagnoses. Justification for the identified diagnoses should be included and identified within the case summary.
D3. Intervention Plan for Client System
Create a master treatment plan to include goals and tasks to be completed. (Make certain that you include who will do what and when.)
Students should include at least three long-term goals, and two short-term goals (objectives) for each.
D4. Termination of Intervention with Client System
Describe the process and plan of a successful termination with the client system based on the EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE child welfare practice model (WRAPAROUND – https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/wraparound/) utilized, (i.e., follow-up sessions, rituals, etc.,) Be specific and make certain that you include feelings and reactions that the client might experience and explain how you would address the feelings based on the practice model implemented.
E. Plan for Evaluating Effectiveness of Practice with Client System.
Outline a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of your intervention including the following:
1) Desired outcome(s) of intervention;
2) Measurement of outcomes;
3) Research approach used and rationale (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed method);
4) Research design used and rationale (single system, quasi experimental, etc.);
5) Process for collecting data on outcome measures;
6) Plan for analyzing data; and
7) How you will use the findings to improve your practice with this or similar clients in the future.
APPENDIX – References Include a reference page in APA 7th edition format citing all sources used (e.g., theorists, authors).
