Exploring My Practicum
How did I integrate research, practice, theory and policy into my practicum?
Research
Similarly, I researched and presented, in the form of a narrated PowerPoint, the effects of climate change on the island of Saint Lucia. In particular, I explored how natural disasters affect the economy and individual livelihoods. I also investigated the preventative policies or programs that the government has put in place. This information provided me with some insight into the larger structural issues, namely how the economy is mainly based on tourism, which is primarily run and controlled by foreigners. As such, a lot of the money is escaping the island and without adequate property taxation, there is limited funding going to the government, and more specifically to social programs. To view my PowerPoint please click the play button on the right.
Pre-flight Research
In preparation for my final practicum in Saint Lucia, I researched and wrote a paper on the best practices for transitioning youth out of the foster care system. I then applied this information to my practicum, where I was tasked with transitioning four youth out of care. Click here to view my research paper.
Praxtis
Theory
Action
Reflection
Unloading Theory & Getting to Work
Working for the Government of Saint Lucia in the Division of Human Services provided me with the opportunity to practice both clinical and community development skills. There, I built on my experience with Children of the Street Society and I co-developed and co-facilitated a Social Justice Art Program. This opportunity provided me with a leadership role, which spoke to some of my community development strengths, namely my facilitation, curriculum development, and networking skills.
By contrast, my role as a family caseworker was an entirely new learning experience. I was able to apply some of the clinical theories and approaches that I learned in my first year of my MSW program but had not yet practiced. Hence, my case reports (click on the buttons below) draw on theories, which were not listed in my practice framework page. Please note that all of the case studies have been altered in order to respect client confidentiality.
The documents titled "Client A" and "Client B" reference Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. According to Erikson there are 8 stages of development, which are accomplished throughout the life cycle. These stages "emerge in a fixed pattern" (Feldman, 2014, p. 16) and each stage includes a crisis, which the individual must overcome and resolve. These stages may act as a guide with regards to the developmental needs of the client. I drew upon the stages of development in my case reports in order to reflect upon the various needs and accomplishments of both clients.
The document to the left (Client C) references general systems theory. According to Greene, general systems theory is not a theory at all; it is a hypothesis, which explains and predicts human behaviour (2010, p. 165). In its simplest form, systems theory highlights the interrelatedness of complex variables, including physical, social and psychological (Greene, 2010). It proposes that the environment shapes human behaviour and therefore operates from the person-in-environment perspective.
The theory states that the environment is comprised of a number of sub-systems, which together create the whole. One of the core beliefs is that a change in one system will create a change in the rest of the system, since all of them interrelate. For example, the individual is considered to be one system and the family unit, school, neighbourhood, and greater political and social culture, are all viewed as larger sub-systems.
In the report, I was supporting Client C in identifying his goals and then assessing the resources and strengths of his subsystems, in order to decide which subsystems would best assist Client C in his goal obtainment.
This case study was prepared for an elective course (EDPS 685), which was run through the Faculty of Education Psychology. I included it in my practicum page because the content, namely the application of the Transtheoretical Model of Change, directly applied to my practice in Saint Lucia. Often when I was stuck with a client, particularly Client B, I would refer back to the stages of change in order to assess the appropriate means of intervention. The Transtheoretical Model of Change proposes that behaviour change occurs in stages and that at each stage the client requires support, which aligns with their resistance or desire to change. In the case study I provide a short overview of the five stages of change (precontemplative, contemplative, planning, action, and maintenance) and the counselling strategies, which accompany each stage of change.
Policy
Policy Inhibiting Lift-off: My Saint Lucia Reflection
During my practicum I was acutely aware of some of the service gaps, which manifested as a result of public policy. For instance, I remember advocating for a young woman who had aged out of care. She was 19 years of age, homeless, and had developmental delays. On her behalf, I called the homeless shelter, the Division of Human Services, the welfare office, the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre, and the political representative’s constituency with the hope that one of these organizations would be able to assist her in obtaining food and shelter.
None of the organizations were able to offer her any support. I finally located a possible placement at the seniors’ centre when the young woman decided that she was not prepared to live there. She left the office that day, and with only a week left to go in my practicum, I did not have the opportunity to see or work with her again. I often look back on this experience with a sense of regret and frustration. It stands out in my mind as an example of a systemic issue, which is not unique to Saint Lucia, but is prevalent in most countries around the world. In these scenarios it is important not only to advocate for our clients but to collectively organize and see what can be done on a larger, structural scale.
Policy briefs are one option to help influence change. Click here to read my policy brief on the Cyber-
Safety Act.