THOMAS AND SONFAMILY AND CHILD

RESOURCE CENTERINTERN RESOURCE GUIDE

by Kierra S. Allen

Copyright © 2016 by Kierra S. Allen. This resource guide serves as a supplement for Thomas and SonFamily and Child Resource Center, Inc. This document is intended forsocial work interns of Thomas and Son. You are welcome to print a copy of this document for your personaluse. Other than that, no part of this publication may be reproduced,stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except aspermitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States CopyrightAct, without the prior written permission of the author and agency.Requests to the author for permission should be addressed tokierrasallen@gmail.com.

Limit of liability/disclaimer of warranty: The advice and strategiescontained herein may not be suitable for your situation. The contentincluded in this resource book is based on the author’s experience withthe agency as a MSW intern (2015 – 2016). There is no guarantee youwill have the same experiences as the author. You should alwaysadhere to agency and professional standards when in field practicum.

Hello MSW/BSW Intern,

Congratulations on your internship placement with Thomas and Son Family and ChildResource Center, Inc. This is a rewarding opportunity that will enrich you academically,professionally, and personally. As an intern you will be exposed to various clients with anarray of strengths and needs. It is essential to understand and value the intricaciesassociated in working with children and families that are experiencing stressors and/ortraumatic events.

Therefore, this resource guide serves as a brief synopsis of what to expect during yourtime with Thomas and Son. The goal is for you to not only recognize how to perform aparticular task but to also understand the behavior occurring with a client(s). Your acquisitionof a professional degree in social work requires you to go beyond the superficial level ofsimply being present but also formulating a professional opinion on a particular case.

It is important to adhere to the agency procedures and policies that are presented to you,but as an intern you too offer a wealth of knowledge that can enhance the agency. Yourcases are all unique in their own way, regardless of the similarities that may be present inthem.

Your internship with Thomas and Son will truly be an investment of time andcommitment that will prepare you on your professional journey. I hope your field experiencewith the agency creates a lasting impression that will mold you into a passionate, competentand empowering social practitioner.

Warmest regards,

Kierra Allen Albany State University MSW Program 2015 -2017

A MESSAGE TO THE ASPIRINGSOCIAL WORKER

CLICK THE ABOVE TEXT

LINKS &RESOURCES

Art TherapyArt therapy is a wonderful method of understanding what children haveexperienced at home and/or other environments. The utilization ofdrawings are very pertinent in assessing children.

Therapist AidTherapist Aid is a wonderful resource for interviewing, applying theory,utilizing interventions and educating the client and yourself. The use ofsocial work content is more obvious on the site, but it is important to not bedependent on the site’s reasoning for the tools provided. You must reviewliterature and research on these techniques and practices to ensure you areutilizing the most appropriate method with your client.

GED TestingThere may be clients who would like to obtain their GED. This is a resourcethat enables the client or someone else to purchase a voucher for the clientinterested in the testing. The voucher is valid for one year.

Parental Fitness Assessment● Kansas Parental Satisfaction Scale● Parenting Style Quiz● Index of Parental Attitudes (IPA)● The Ultimate Parenting Skills Test: Are you a Good Parent?● Parenting Infants Assessment● Parenting Style Test● Patient Health Questionnaire-9

Domestic Violence Assessment● Hurt/Insult/Threaten/Scream (HITS)● Domestic Violence Screening Quiz● Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment● Danger Assessment● Am I a Victim of Domestic Violence● Domestic Violence Inventory A

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Substance Abuse Assessment● Addiction Severity Index – 5th Edition● MAST and DAST● A Self-Test for Methamphetamine Addiction● Substance Abuse Self-Assessment Quiz (Marijuana)● Substance Abuse Self-Assessment Quiz (alcoholism)● http://www.morningsiderecovery.com/self-assessment-form/● Drug and Alcohol Assessment Form● Substance Abuse Self-Assessment Quiz (cocaine)● Substance Abuse Self-Assessment Quiz (prescription drugs)● Substance Abuse Self-Assessment Quiz (women drinking)● Substance Abuse Self-Assessment Quiz (young adults)● Adult cannabis problems questionnaire (May have to enter informationon this one)● Patient Health Questionnaire

Trauma Assessmenthttp://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/assessments/assessment-pdf/TESI-C.pdf A

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TIPSTake care of yourself Ask questions. Time management is your ally.

You cannot provide help toyour client(s) if you areimbalanced. The assessmentdoes not stop with yourclient.

There is nothing wrong withinquiry. Not asking questionscould be more damaging tonot only you but also yourclient.

The more efficient you utilizeyour time the easier you canhandle the responsibilities ofschool, internship and otherlife commitments.

TIPSNo case is the same. Every client has a

strength. Understand your client's needs.

Overlap will happen, andsimilarities will exist. You mustunderstand that the cookiecutter approach will not bebeneficial to your client(s).

Recognizing andacknowledging thestrengths of your clientmay be the difference inthe progress you makewith your client.

If your client has an addiction,you need to understand howthat will impact their ability toparent or even follow theircase plan.

TIPSPresent yourself as a learner. You get what you give.

Social work is a professionthat constantly requires us toassess and evaluate ourpractice methods. Learnersare invested in acquiringknowledge that can serve notonly themselves but otherpeople.

Your internship is what youchoose to make of it. Mediocritywill not be acceptable in thisagency--actually at any agency.This is a life changingexperience. If you are notlearning, you are not working.