Putting the Pieces Together

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Putting the Pieces Together

Resources

  • Discussion Participation Scoring Guide.

The final outcome of the problem-solving process involves the ability to synthesize information in a clear and inclusive manner. The goal of this phase of the process is to take many different data points and points of view and synthesize them into one clear plan of action that can be easily understood by a broad range of stakeholders. This can be challenging, partly because it requires human services professionals to be open, direct, and neutral in their presentation of the information.
As you consider what is involved in this phase, address the following points:

  • What challenges might occur when you enter into this phase?
  • How might your own values, biases, or personal viewpoints impact how you synthesize the information that you have gathered?
  • What dangers might be present?
  • How might you address a situation in which you are asked to develop a report of this nature when the course of action required is not something you supported in the collaborative sessions?

Human Services Case Intervention

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Human Services Case Intervention

Overview

Your integrative project, based on your analysis of a particular case, provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate your competence in the multidisciplinary approach to human services practice. In the two previous project components, you chose a case, gathered data, and collaborated with other professionals to gain a more complete understanding of the case. You then integrated what you learned to arrive at a course of action for the client you chose.
This assignment is the final step in working with the case you have chosen. The goal of this assignment is for you to take what you have learned from working with an individual and apply this knowledge to advocate for a broader group within the community or society, addressing a larger issue.

Additional Case Information

Here is additional information for the two case clients to be used for this assignment:
Case 1: Joseph, an 8-year-old first grader recently placed in foster care after an emergency removal from his home.

Situation: Several schools in the area have asked Children’s Services to provide an informational training for school staff about children placed in foster care and the schools about what to look for and how to support kids who are in this transition. You will be presenting in front of educators, school administrators, and school counselors at a school-sponsored training session. This is an opportunity to advocate for inter-agency partnerships.

Case 2: Mark, a 28-year-old inmate at in the transition unit at a correctional facility who is expected to be released in two months.

Situation. You will be presenting in front of a local business group who is interested in learning more about the job transition program. This is an opportunity to advocate for more local businesses to hire individuals from the program to work for them.

Instructions

The assignment is to develop and present your course of action for your client in the context of a broader group of stakeholders. In addition to assuming responsibility for recommending a course of action for your client, you are also advocating that the community consider addressing a larger issue.
You received information on your client in the form of case notes, case files, database records, and phone conversations, and you actively analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated the information to better understand the nature of the client and his situation. You created a case conceptualization. You also participated in collaborative conversations in which you sought, listened to, and integrated the opinions of other professionals. You synthesized what you learned into a course of action and recommendations for your client.
Now, make a presentation to your peers that communicates the course of action for this client to the stakeholders who are in a position to assist the client in taking a next step. Present the course of action in a way that will capture the interest of the stakeholder group and possibly for others in similar situations. The challenge is to present your case in a way that clarifies the possibility of a new policy or approach to benefit a larger group of people, including other clients, additional stakeholders, and the community or society as a whole.

Requirements

  • Written communication: Regardless of the option you select below, submit a PowerPoint presentation, along with a one-page handout that you would provide to members of your audience.
  • Length: Your presentation should be captured in Microsoft PowerPoint, for a presentation lasting 10–15 minutes.
  • Slide Standards: Each slide should use words sparingly, offering headline-type summaries of key points. Details of what will be presented may be included in the notes for each slide.

Electronic Submission

  • Prepare your PowerPoint slides for a presentation of 10–15 minutes as if you were presenting to the audience as described above in the situation portion of the assignment.
  • Submit your PowerPoint file, with details on each slide in the Notes section, and your 1-page handout file in the assignment area no later than Thursday of this week.
  • Once submitted use the publishing controls and publish your assignment for you peers to review.

Peer Review

  • Be prepared to respond to at least one question from your instructor or peers following your submission.

Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save this learning activity to your ePortfolio.

Resources

  • Human Services Case Intervention Scoring Guide.
  • ePortfolio.

Communication Skills

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Communication Skills

Resources

  • Discussion Participation Scoring Guide.

The final step of the multidisciplinary approach focuses on the ability to communicate with diverse sets of stakeholders about a problem, course of action, and recommendations. Use the Capella University Library to find two articles that address best practices for communicating information to both individuals and groups, then:

  • Summary the key points of each article.
  • Summarize the differences between the articles, including focus and conclusions.
  • Describe how you might apply at least two key points from these articles to the communication of your course of action in the case you are addressing in your project.

Theoretical Models.

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Portfolio Development

As you assemble your assignments into your ePortfolio, consider how the various aspects of human services professional standards lead to results in the field. With the pace of daily work and expectations in all aspects of our lives, this may not be a topic to which you normally devote a great deal of time.
For this assignment, step back and take a higher-level viewpoint. Write a synthesis of what you have learned about each of the areas in your portfolio (listed below) and include the synthesis in that category of your ePortfolio. Include in each synthesis a description of how the work in your portfolio supports what you have learned in each area. Each synthesis should require 1–2 pages to complete so that the overall length of this paper could be as brief as five pages or as long as ten pages.
Once you have created a draft, select the synthesis you wrote for one aspect and take advantage of the first discussion in this unit to obtain peer feedback. You can then use the feedback to enhance your assignment before submitting it to your instructor.
As a reminder, here are the expected categories for your ePortfolio:

  • Helping Relationships.
  • The Field of Human Services.
  • Theoretical Models.
  • The Multidisciplinary Approach to Practice.
  • Moving Forward – Professional Development Goals.

Submit a document that includes all five of your syntheses in the assignment area by the end of this unit.
Paste the link to your ePortfolio in the WRITE SUBMISSION text box in the assignment submission area for your instructor.

Requirements

  • Written communication: Written communication that is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • Length of paper: 5–10 typed double-spaced pages.
  • Font and font size: Arial, 10 point.