Kristen Franks
Dr. Wermeling
SWK 610
November 13, 2010
Learning Plan: A Guide for Exploration (Part A)
This Assessment:
· What are the educational requirements for your (3) preferred professional agencies for possible employment?
· Strengths and weaknesses of those (3) agencies.
· What education requirements are expected to obtain the specialty of your social work interest?
· Long range goal in obtaining at least one professional license, certification, or membership (Not answered at this time-more explanation at the end of the assignment).
(1) Gerontology:
Gerontology is the study of human aging processes from middle age into later life. It includes:
Studying physical, mental, and social changes in people as they age. Investigating changes in society resulting from an aging population. Gerontology is multi-disciplinary and professionals originating from many different fields of study are Gerontologists (http://www.unixl.com/dir/medical_sciences/gerontology/).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 35 percent increase in gerontology-related jobs by 2014 (http://www.pcc.edu/programs/gerontology/employment.html).
Education:
A strong interest in improving the lives of older people and a desire to work with older people are essential. Good communication skills are necessary. Knowledge and skills in areas such as biology, sociology, psychology or anthropology, public policy, humanities, and economics are important.
Specializations are defined by the of client service: Individual care, Public health, Academic, community service, Business or Industry, or Education, Social work, or counseling. A distinctive specialty is developing adaptive devices, policies and practice to meet changing needs of aging population (http://www.unixl.com/dir/medical_sciences/gerontology/).
(http://www.geron.org)
Regular Membership ($160/year) (http://www.geron.org/Membership/Membership%20Types%20&%20Benefits).
Furthering educational and employment reference source:
The Journals of Gerontology were the first journals on aging published in the United States. The tradition of excellence in these peer-reviewed scientific journals, established in 1946, continues today. The Journals of Gerontology Series B publishes within its covers the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences.
Specifically, the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences publishes articles dealing with aging issues from the fields of anthropology, demography, economics, epidemiology, geography, political science, public health, social history, social work, and sociology. The journal publishes five types of contributions: 1) articles reporting original research; 2) brief reports; 3) letters to the editor; 4) reviews; and 5) theoretical and methodological articles (http://www.geron.org/Publications/The%20Journal%20of%20Gerontology:%20Social%20Sciences).
More educational pursuits (http://www.gswi.org/programs/index.html)
Hartford Pre-Dissertation Award Program in Geriatric Social Work (http://www.gswi.org/programs/predissertation.html).
Postdoctoral level -- Postdoctoral training programs or fellowships are available in gerontology and geriatrics. Many of these are funded through federal agencies and can be completed in academic or clinical settings.
For some, continuing education is the logical choice. Non-credit programs may be designed for those preparing for new careers, for people already working who want additional knowledge about aging, or for individuals seeking to enrich their lives.
Continuing education is offered by colleges and universities, professional and aging associations, hospitals, training firms, and businesses. In some professions, such as social work, counseling, and nursing, continuing education is required to maintain a license or certificate (http://www.aghe.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=40634&PID=500216).
Weaknesses (a) longevity with client’s maybe uncertain, high turnover rate with clients due to death. (b) dealing with legislation to keep up with political/financial schemas. (c) policy mismanagement due to incompetence. (d) bandwidth allocation and security that is not sufficient to deal with the terabytes of information going back and forth on a sec by sec basis-confidentiality breaches.
Strengths (a) 35% increase in job creation by 2014. (b) aid in the facilitation that addresses social change and perceptions of the elderly (c) collaborate on policy that addresses wrong ‘group think’ methodologies and practices.
Employment opportunities:
The Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI) is collaborating with social work programs, organizations and other funders around the country to prepare needed, aging-savvy social workers and improve the care and well-being of older adults and their families (http://www.gswi.org/).
The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (aka AGHE) is the international leader in advancing education on aging and is the only institutional membership organization devoted primarily to gerontology and geriatrics education since 1974. AGHE's mission is two-fold: (1) To advance gerontology and geriatrics education in academic institutions; and (2) To provide leadership and support of gerontology and geriatrics education faculty and students at education institutions.
Some professionals work directly with older persons. Their activities may include
- developing programs such as health promotion, senior theater groups, or intergenerational activities for older persons in senior centers, community agencies, or retirement communities;
- providing direct care to frail, ill, or impaired older persons in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or through adult day care or home care programs;
- counseling older persons and their families about issues of care giving, employment, death and dying, or mental health; and
- advising older clients about estate planning and investments, financing long-term care, or housing options.
- other professionals are less directly involved with older persons, but work on their behalf, educate others, or investigate issues in the field of aging. Examples of their activities include
- conducting research on the aging processes and diseases associated with aging such as Alzheimer's disease or osteoporosis;
- analyzing issues related to older persons such as retirement opportunities, income maintenance, the health care system, and housing alternatives;
- planning, administering, and evaluating community-based services and service delivery systems for older persons;
- teaching courses on aging to college and university students, health care professionals, and older adults;
- advocating with or on behalf of older persons before legislative bodies or in institutional settings;
- designing products to meet the special interests and needs of older persons; and
- advising business, industry, and labor regarding older workers and consumers.
Some professionals devote themselves full-time to the field of aging; others divide their time between aging and other areas of interest within their disciplinary, professional, or clinical areas. (http://www.aghe.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=40634&PID=500220).
AGHE seeks to improve the capacity of its member institutions to serve as advocates for gerontology education and research on their own campuses, in their communities and states. AGHE is the educational unit of The Gerontological Society of America
Social workers are among some of the nation's most in-demand professionals, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.gswi.org/careers/index.html).
2. Penal Systems
Stay Current:
Free membership. How to keep updated on current legislation and policy. Resource guide for National Institute of Corrections (NIC) (http://nicic.gov/Library/017706).
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Institute is headed by a Director appointed by the U.S. Attorney General. A 16-member Advisory Board, also appointed by the Attorney General, was established by the enabling legislation (Public Law 93-415) to provide policy direction to the Institute (http://nicic.gov/AboutUs).
According to, (http://www.communityalternatives.org/pdf/Reconsidered-criminal-hist-recs-in-college-admissions.pdf). 100 million people in the US have some form of criminal conviction. “As of 2008, an estimated 100 million people in the U.S. had a criminal history record (arrest and/or conviction) (SEARCH 2009).”
Weaknesses (a) not pychocopathy savvy, no background in psychology (b) not proficient in the criminal justice systems internal processes (c) dangerous (d) emotionally distressing.
Strengths (a) employment regionally (b) may instill change on a policy level, through collaboration with peers (c) much advancement opportunities.
Employment opportunities:
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Educational requirements: State and local governments employ most of these workers.
- A bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field is usually required.
- Employment growth, which is projected to be faster than the average, is dependent on government funding.
- Job opportunities are expected to be excellent (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos265.htm).
More employment opportunities: (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition ) (http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco2005.htm).
The Organizational Chart of (NIC) Internal Structure for Advancement
The National Institute of Corrections
(http://nicic.gov/OrganizationalStructure)
NIC/Administrative Offices
320 First St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20534
(800) 995-6423
(202) 307-3106
Evidenced-Based Practices:
A Framework for Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Criminal Justice Systems (http://nicic.gov/EBDM).
Evidence-Based Principles for Reducing Offender Risk (http://nicic.gov/EBPBoxSet).
[check out] Cooperative Agreements (http://nicic.gov/CooperativeAgreements)
Corrections Library:
Regaining the Vote: An Assessment of Activity Relating to Felon Disenfranchisement Laws (http://nicic.gov/Library/015910).
2nd Chance Act passed March 11, 2008 HR.4137. The College Opportunity and Affordability Act 2007
“According to a new report by Nicole Porter of the Washington-based Sentencing Project, "As a result of the reforms achieved during the period from 1997-2010, an estimated 800,000 persons have regained the right to vote." (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-11-10/news/ct-oped-1111-chapman-20101110_1_vote-sentencing-project-policy).
America’s Millions of Disenfranchised, Largely Black Voters
“An estimated 5.3 million Americans have currently or permanently lost their right to vote because of felony convictions—and given the country’s ever-expanding prison system that number will likely increase. At least four million of those people have completed their sentences or are on probation or parole, according to NPR," Colorlines reports.” (http://colorlines.com/archives/2010/11/restoring_the_vote_for_14million_disenfranchised_black_men.html).
The Sentencing Project (http://www.sentencingproject.org/template/index.cfm).
“The Sentencing Project was founded in 1986 to provide defense lawyers with sentencing advocacy training and to reduce the reliance on incarceration. Since that time, The Sentencing Project has become a leader in the effort to bring national attention to disturbing trends and inequities in the criminal justice system with a successful formula that includes the publication of groundbreaking research, aggressive media campaigns and strategic advocacy for policy reform.” ( http://www.sentencingproject.org/template/page.cfm?id=2).
The Sentencing Project
1705 DeSales Street, NW
8th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
202.628.0871
202.628.1091 (fax)
staff@sentencingproject.org
Center for Community Alternatives Innovative
Solutions for Justice
39 W. 19th Street 10th Floor
New York, New York 10011
Phone: 212.691.1911
(http://www.communityalternatives.org).
(http://www.communityalternatives.org/pdf/Reconsidered-criminal-hist-recs-in-college-admissions.pdf)
Project Rebound founded by John Irwin/San Francisco State University
“A Program for the People in and from the Criminal Justice System Project Rebound Associated Students Inc., San Francisco State University.
In 1967 Professor John Irwin created Project Rebound as a way to matriculate people into San Francisco State University (S.F.S.U.) directly from the criminal Justice system. The focus of Project Rebound quickly became "Education as an Alternative to incarceration" and "Turning Former Prisoners to Scholars" after being embraced by the Associated Students Incorporated. Since the programs inception there have been hundreds of formerly incarcerated folks who have obtained four year degrees and beyond.”
(http://asi.sfsu.edu/asi/programs/proj_rebound/about.html)
3. Policy Writing:
Micro-Mezzo-Macro Management of System Change
Socioeconomic Status Socioeconomic status (SES) is often measured as a combination of education, income, and occupation. It is commonly conceptualized as the social standing or class of an individual or group. When viewed through a social class lens, privilege, power, and control are emphasized. Furthermore, an examination of SES as a gradient or continuous variable reveals inequities in access to and distribution of resources. SES is relevant to all realms of behavioral and social science, including research, practice, education, and advocacy (http://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-violence.aspx).
Persons in (SES) need advocates to perform studies and offer qualitative analysis in what approaches through evidence based practices has been successful and what has not been successful.
Still contemplating a PhD in Sociology, not too sure what level I want to engage a career. A PhD would add credibility for peered reviewed collaboration.
Weaknesses (a) too broad (b) too much bad sociology and psychology being practiced (c) agencies employing (non) evidence based practice strategies.
Strengths (a) researching (b) the possibility for the creation of policy change (c) working outside micro levels.
Employment Opportunities:
(http://www.makingthedifference.org/federalcareers/socialwork.shtml).
Making the Difference/Call to Serve
c/o Partnership for Public Service
1100 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1090 East, Washington, DC 20005
tel. (202) 775-9111 / fax. (202) 775-8885
The Institute for Policy Change
(http://www.ips-dc.org/).
“The Program on Inequality and the Common Good focuses on the dangers that growing inequality pose for U.S. democracy, economic health and civic life. The Program coordinates the Working Group on Extreme Inequality” (http://www.ips-dc.org/inequality).
*At this point in classes these are my possible options. I have learned a great deal about all, but the last one. The last engagement possibility has been a passion of mine for years, however, it was suggested I learn on a micro level; to understand the macro hierarchy in relationship to how social systems theory work and are applied. I cannot at the moment decide what direction to take, I have such a limited experience to the possibilities, it will take a semester or two to decide what direction to take, with a larger skill set and knowledge base a more comprehensive answer will be forthcoming.
According to many of the websites offering job opportunities these are the requirement for many positions in the Social Work industry,
“Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a human services field such as social work, sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or nursing AND one of the following: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a human services field such as social work, sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or nursing AND one of the following: 2+ years related social services experience, preferably in the field of developmental disabilities OR Master’s degree from an accredited university in social work, counseling, psychology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, or a related field.”
Nowhere close to this answer: Long range plan in obtaining and maintaining at least one professional license, certification, or membership; focusing on important short term goals at the moment. Hopefully, the future will hold a place for (Part B) for continuing this assignment.
