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Class 4: Macro generalist practice: theories, values, and perspectivesOverview of ClassValuesWhat are Social Work Values?Value: DiversityDiversity PrinciplesWhy is Diversity Important?Do I need more on Diversity?Value: Democratic ParticipationArnstein’s Ladder of ParticipationValue: Social/economic JusticePerspectivesStrengths Perspective: ConceptsStrengths Perspective: PrinciplesEmpowerment Perspective: conceptsEmpowerment Perspective: PrinciplesWin/Win Perspective: ConceptWin/Win Perspective: PrinciplesEBP Perspective: ConceptEBP Perspective: ProcessEvidence Based PracticeTheoriesTheories and their importanceSystems Theory DefinitionSystems concept: Open vs. ClosedSystems Concepts: HierarchySystems Concepts: BoundariesSystems Concepts: Goal SeekingSystems Concepts: Inputs-process-outputSystems Concepts: CyberneticsSystems Concepts: EquilibriumSystems Concepts: ElaborationSystems Concepts: SynergySystems Theory Application: Discussion‘New’ Systems ThinkingEcological Systems TheoryQuestions and CommentsClass 4: Macro generalist practice: theories, values, and perspectives UTA SSW, SOCW 5306: Generalist Macro Practice Professor Dick SchoechSuggest printing slides for class using: Print | Handouts | 3 slides per page | grayscale optionsCopyright 2005, Not to be used without permissionOverview of ClassValuesPerspectivesTheories, specifically Systems TheorySocial Work Change Process (in group)Hold 2nd task force meeting meetingFirm up condition, community, rolesDiscuss vision and principles Next week= Further explore conditionValues*What are social work value?* What are social work values & how are they defined?How do they affect macro practice?* How can we tell if we need additional information on values?* Review items: These should have been covered in other courses.What are Social Work Values?A value is a belief or principle to which the social work profession adheres and which guides practiceCore social work values are:Service: all seek to improve humankindSocial and economic justiceDignity & worth of person ($ exercise)Importance of human relationshipsIntegrity and competence in practice CSWE EPAS p6Diversity: understand, affirm, respect differencesDemocratic participationValue: DiversitySystems definition: A system with a variety of inputs can survive better than one with fewer inputs (requisite variety)Relevant terms for cultural diversityRace (biological concept not very useful in human services, except for genetic predisposition)Culture (symbols by which we structure reality) Ethnicity (socio-history) useful concept in human servicesDiversity PrinciplesDiversity is a strength, not a weakness. It becomes a weakness if extremely high or low All cultures are valid but some cultural practices are notPeople’s opinions and actions are influenced by their concept of race, e.g., Racism exists Theories and values are not culturally neutralUnderstanding culture helps understand human situations Source: Wright, R. Jr., Saleebey, D., Watts, T., & Lecca, P. (1983) An introduction to the transcultural perspective, in Transcultural Perspectives in the Human Services, Springfield, IL: Thomas, pp. 3-25.Why is Diversity Important?Improve practice if we understand our/client’s values & cultureHelps eliminate “group think” and narrow perspectivesDo I need more on Diversity?Do I have friends from various cultures so I can understand their culture?Do I understand the influence of my culture on my values, work practices and clients?Do I understand the influence of the dominant culture on myself, my clients, and my work?Do I make attempts to enhance my understanding of cultures?No to these questions indicate more diversity training is neededValue: Democratic ParticipationDemocraticThe will of the majority influences most heavilyThe rights of the minority are protectedParticipationPeople have a right to be involved in decisions that affect themPeople have a right to information that affects their livesPeople presented with options and supporting information can make good decisions for their livesArnstein’s Ladder of Participation1. Manipulation2. Therapy3. Informing/training/educating4. Consultation5. Placation6. Partnership7. Delegated power8. Consumer/Citizen controlNote: ranked from lowest to highest participationSource: Arnstein, S.R. (1971) Eight Rungs on the ladder of citizen participation, in E. S. Cahn & B. A. Passett, Citizen Participation: Effecting Community Change, NY: Praeger.Value: Social/economic JusticePeople have a right to the necessities of life: food, shelter, health care, and protection from violenceWhere people live without options, social and economic justice does not existThe well being of people belongs before profits, e.g., elected governments control corporationsEarth’s resources and the environment should benefit all rather than a few Access to resources and options based on religion, age, gender, disability, political opinion, and sexual preference is wrongPerspectivesStrengthsEmpowermentWin/WinStrengths Perspective: ConceptsPeople/communities are resilient (relatively healthy despite exposure to a variety of severe risks and stresses) People are doing the best they canIt’s as wrong to deny potentials (protective factors) as it is to deny the problem (risk factors)Every crisis contains an opportunity Better to focus on gains than on problemsAssessments, taxonomies, etc., must include capacities and interventions must build on capacitiesNote: can we learn from the psychicStrengths Perspective: PrinciplesFocusing on needs disempowers, focusing on strengths empowersEven the most distressed person/program has strengths and successes on which to buildFind a strength, no matter how small, and begin building on that strength (horse whisperer)Strengths are found more in histories, stories, dreams, hopes, and myths than in data/researchSource: Saleebey (see coursepack), McKnight and Kretzman, and othersEmpowerment Perspective: conceptsPower = capacity of individuals/groups to act on their own behalf and control their destiny. Implies a transformation of ‘definition of self’ as having power and the capacity to bring about changeProcess more than product, e.g., show how to fish than to give them a fishExpands the personal to the interpersonal & then to the


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