Prepared by: Camille Simpson Wilmington University ASH-8100 Guided Practicum.

The State of Delaware Division of State Service Centers

Office of Family Support Prepared by: Camille Simpson

Wilmington University ASH-8100 Guided Practicum

Getting Started

Feelings & Concerns Overwhelmed & Stressed Long hours spent away from family Nervous Unsure what to expect Will I have a beneficial learning experience

Primary learning interest and needs Pro’s and Con’s of being a Administrator Professional assertiveness Staff management and supervisory experience Job responsibilities of an Administrator

Strengths & Weakness Experienced working with diverse low-income populations Currently work in direct service as a Case Manager Educational background, knowledge, experience, skills, and

positive attitudes towards helping people Not being able to tolerate unprofessionalism

Most Important Having a beneficial learning experience Building Relationships Knowing what I can bring to my internship experience Gaining relevant knowledge as it relates to human services

Excited about Learning about community resources, programs, and services

offered Populations served and demographics Being able to utilize resources I learn at my internship at my

job Successfully completing my intern hours and graduating

Challenges Working with staff members who are set in their ways No being able to meet the need(s) of a client Trying to make changes with-in a state entity

Site Placement Agency context

Situated in a low-income community Serve all races, majority African American Individuals 18 years and older, homeless, elderly, and disabled Living at or below 200% of the federal poverty line Living in 19801, 19805, 19806 zip codes Federally funded but controlled by the state of Delaware

View of agency “Now” Gained more knowledge about the LIHEAP weatherization

program Better understand program guidelines and policies Program eligibility requirements Interview process and required documents Community education Community resources and referral programs

Sources of Stress Internal Stressors

Taking on more than I can handle at times Being a perfectionist Analytical thinking Being a leader Worrying about other people and their problems

External Stressors Irate and bossy people Employees who think they “know it all” Balancing life events, work, school, parenting, marriage, and friendships Unorganized, lateness, and being unprepared Helping client’s beyond my scope of work responsibilities

Stress Management Activities Family time Taking a nap Walking Hot bath Listening to music

Implementation of Activities More relaxed Fun to be around Accomplish more Feel better

Avoiding Stress Don’t sweat the small stuff It stops at 4:30PM- Don’t bring the office home Develop positive talk Self control

Professional & Personal life boundaries Reorganize priorities and time Self discipline Identify family support- “It’s ok to ask for HELP!”

Staying safe in the workplace Security officer on site Police station with-in minutes from site location Treat client's with respect and professionalism Sign in log

Supervisory relationship*No direct supervisor experience*

I need… Doesn’t micromanage staff Willing to transfer knowledge and skills TRUST Doesn't make other s feel inferior Avoids dual relationships and maintains appropriate boundaries

I want… Gain supervisory experience and take on supervisory

responsibilities Learn from someone with the experience and educational

background To critical think and problem solve My ideas to be supported Ability to express creativity

Being a Intern Time management Flexible Prioritize assignments Engaged Disciplined

Professional Growth Ask my supervisor to take on more roles directly related to

supervision Observe and monitor the work of my supervisor Find ways to take on leadership roles Allow myself 1-2 years to gain supervisor experience

Supervisor Characteristics Knowledgeable Supportive Skillful Transfer important and valuable information Model high standards of professionalism Know the staffs learning needs

Integrative Processing Model (IPM) (Step 1)

Gathering Objective Data from Concrete

Experience

(Step 2) Reflecting

(Step 3)Indentifying

Relevant Theory and Knowledge

(Step 4)Examining Dissonance

(Step 5)Articulating Learning

(Step 6)Develop a

Plan

IPM Breakdown 1. Asked to organize and make

the filing system more efficient.

2. I felt overwhelmed, angry, it was very time consuming, waste of time, I was uncertain as to what I should do, afraid my supervisor would make my internship more complex.

3. Previous internship knowledge. Filing is not a assignment you give to a Master’s degree candidate. State employees are at highest risk for “burnout” and often use interns to do the dirty work.

4. If I bring it to my supervisors attention, not sure of the consequences. Wanted to do something helpful but not filing. Disappointed that I agreed to the project, not sure that it was a good idea.

5. I learned the importance of verbalizing my goals and objectives. Be prepared to discuss things I’m not interested in. Make conscious decisions about what is appropriate for me.

6. Suggest projects and activities. Ask the supervisor how he/she envisions working with me.

Site Experience Gained More Experience at...

Working with communities Community Education Working with Groups (staff groups) Working with individuals and families Case Management and Advocacy Working with reluctant clients

Gained No Experience with… Community Organization Political Engagement

If I was employed at my agency Create emergency funds to help middle class or working individuals or

families in need. Mobilize community task groups to meet individuals or families where

they are in the community. Create more resources for mental health and homeless populations Equip staff to be more culturally sensitive and in dealing with senior

citizens.

Strengths Patient Critical thinker Compassionate My knowledge of programs and services Knowledgeable of community resources

Improvements Professional assertiveness Overly analyzing things Tone of voice

Communication Avoid informal communicating Use more formal channels of communicating Learning how to articulate and talk about my professional

experience Able to modify choice of words when dealing with different

populations Don’t initiate conversations but once engaged will open up to

the group

Levels of Intervention Individuals Families Groups Communities

Professional Writing & Oral Reports

Writing Examples Managing daily client log Creating a Thanksgiving Word document distribution list Office closure notice Calculating employee time sheets

Oral Reports Intern introduction to staff One-on-One meetings with supervisor

8 Steps to Resolving Ethical Issues

Dilemma Some of the staff at my site were assisting client's and not

following sign in time orders. This was done in order for them to take their breaks on time or to avoid having a interview that would take longer to conduct.

Potential Issues Clients could experience longer wait times Employees will began to think they don’t have to respect

policies and procedures Cause clients to become upset and irate

Review Ethical Guidelines Policy and Procedure states that we asset client’s in the order

they signed in

Applicable Laws and Regulations See Policy and Procedure manual

Consultation with staff Continued to reiterate “this person was first”. Tried to help monitor

the client registration log.

Consider Consequences My supervisor could reveal to staff that I brought it to her attention Tension among intern and staff

Action Plan Discussed the situation with my supervisor during our weekly face-

to-face meeting

Outcome The supervisor and the lead worker began to closely monitor and

changed the break schedule so that the staff workers would be available to assist clients in the order in which they signed in.

Cultural DifferencesDifferences

Socioeconomic Status Demographics Attitudes Work experience Household size

My Cultural Insights Low-income individuals and families often seek out more financial

help Many African American families are living at or below the federal

poverty line State service centers benefit greatly by being situated in low-income

neighborhoods More financial literacy needs to be done in low-income communities More work opportunities need to be created Increase education opportunities for minorities

Population’s Served Cultural Insights

Low-income individuals and families expect to receive emergency assistance

Depend on state service centers for financial resolution Find creative ways to abuse the system Some individuals and families are really in need

Cultural Challenge Not being able to help everyone in need Communicating with client’s with “tunnel vision” Addressing hostile or angry clients

My Ability Adaptable Past experience and knowledge of community resources

Internship CompletionAppreciate

The opportunity to learn more about delivering emergency services Being able to share community resources Learning more about the role of state service center s Setting good examples Learning what “Not” to do as an Administrator

Regrets Passive attitude Working with unprofessional and unethical staff

My Needs for Professional Growth More supervisory experience Leadership responsibilities Articulate my thoughts and concerns Non-profit vs. State vs. Private sector

Highlight of Goals Continue to work and gain experience working with low-income

populations Graduate with my Master’s degree Find a better job working in Administration at the highest level

with-in a agency Gain relevant knowledge and resources that can continue to help

low-income communities Help to develop better programs and services around education

and financial literacy for minorities Create more opportunities to expose youth to positive surrounds Behavior change and culture change

Career Plan Short Term Goals- Two Month Plan

Graduate with Master’s degree on January 25, 2015 Build a stronger resume at the completion of this course Job search in the private sector or in the nonprofit sector Continue to work with business partner to start up our S.T.E.M program

Long Term Goal- Five to Ten Year Plan Job stability Increase education among youth through S.T.E.M activities Peruse a second M.S. in or around Social Work Make myself more marketable in the job market

Steps Observe and learn from others Read more Self study about grant writing Get involved in community events and committees

Cultural Immersion Project Target Population:

Middle class Caucasian men and women

Indirect Immersion: Watched a film “Fun with Dick and Jane”

Direct Immersion: Interviewed a Caucasian women who is a registered nurse from

the middle class population

What I learned: Caucasian middle class men and women value saving and early

financial planning Most have some kind of education background or are career

oriented Rather depend of family first before seeking financial help from

others Struggle to pay and maintain bills and could benefit from State

Service Centers

Thank You Any Questions?