7-2 Final Project Submission Agency Exploration
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7-2 Final Project Submission: Agency Exploration
Diana Trnka Southern New Hampshire University
HSE-101 Introduction to Human Services
Instructor: Williams February 25th, 2024
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Rice County and Family Services is the organization I've chosen to work on for my final project. My ultimate purpose, as stated in prior discussions and writings, is to assist children who
are living in terrible conditions. By joining this organization, I would be able to put my passion for making a difference into action alongside like-minded individuals. At the moment, this organization helps children who are in need.
Among my goals is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Not only does this company hire people constantly, but they also provide an extensive range of services. Other than this agency, I am currently uninterested in any others. Many different kinds of services are offered by Rice County, including those dealing with
domestic violence, child welfare, adult protection, crisis hotline, and several others. The Rice County crisis line is available 24/7 for anybody to report suspected or verified instances of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Dedicated case workers endlessly to protect children and other vulnerable adults through the Rice County Abuse line. The next position is Adult Protective Investigator. Among this person's responsibilities include investigating allegations of financial exploitation, abuse, neglect, or self-neglect affecting vulnerable individuals and finding solutions
to prevent such situations. Furthermore, there are Guardian ad Litem case managers primary objective is to choose competent guardians ad litem who will fight for the children in the Juvenile and Family courts to find permanent, safe homes. Staff members at Rice County Social Services (RCSS) act as client service agents; for example, some may double as front desk clerks whose sole duty is to welcome new customers. In addition, there are case managers who get swamped with reports. Supervisors whose job it is to delegate cases to case managers and monitor their outcomes. Because of the occasional need to take a child from a family, case managers often have the most difficult job in the office. Along with the supervisor, they assess
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cases and communicate with clients, courts, and families for further development. In light of my
knowledge that some individuals lack the financial resources to support their family, I am interested in applying for a position with Rice County Social Services. As a caseworker, I would consider it a privilege to assist families in securing essential services like food stamps and Medicaid, which allow them to provide proper medical care for their children.
History and Current Trends
Legislation in Minnesota established the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program in 2010. Guardian ad Litem Board was founded to administer a statewide. In the Juvenile and Family Courts, this program seeks to represent the best interests of the children. The state court system was in charge of administering the GAL Program prior to 2010. The Judicial Council gave its approval to the GAL Program Standards that were developed by the State Court Administrator's Office. Guardian ad Litem Board reworked and rebranded these criteria in 2011, Requirements and Procedures. The mission is to provide skilled guardians ad litem to fight for children's right to a permanent, safe home in the Juvenile and Family Courts; In its pursuit of child justice, the board will not rest until it has achieved its goal of preventing any kid from slipping between the gaps created by ineffective GALs in the child welfare and family court systems. Their goal is to make sure that the whole Judiciary is focused on helping the most vulnerable kids.
Similarities
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Human services and the GAL program both have their roots in social welfare, which developed out of a desire to help and protect communities. The field of human services developed out of social welfare in the 1950s
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and 1960s, and the GAL program was set up to lobby for the welfare of children in family and juvenile courts.
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Government Involvement: The government had a crucial role in the growth of both fields. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, human services professionals began developing organized systems of social services; in 2010, legislation in Minnesota established the GAL program.
Differences:
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Many different types of assistance are provided to individuals in need within the vast umbrella of human services. These include programs that are addressing substance abuse, emergencies, mental health, homelessness, child neglect, and criminal justice concerns. However, in Family and Juvenile Courts, the GAL program's primary goal is to protect children's rights.
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The human services sector usually hires individuals with degrees in relevant subjects, but the Minnesota GAL program makes use of volunteers, independent contractors, and state workers.
Current trends are having an impact on GAL program in Minnesota
Problems with the Workforce: The GAL program is going through a rough patch with its employees due to factors like high turnover and the approaching retirement wave. Almost 37% of the present workforce will be 65 or older during the next decade. Highly trained personnel with a wealth of experience could leave as a result of this. Many businesses are shifting to a model that is more favorable to online, virtual, or in-person offering their services. There may be
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additional opportunities for GAL program participants to engage with families and children, carry out investigations, and take part in legal procedures as a result of this.
Because they demonstrate continuous attempts to improve services, advocate for underprivileged groups, and adjust to social shifts, these tendencies are historically relevant to human services. In order to keep up with the ever-changing needs of human services, the GAL program will also need to undergo continuous evolution.
Theories, Values, and Ethics
A code of ethics establishes the expectations for how individuals in a group or occupation
should act in an ethical manner. People are helped to make ethically sound choices when it
promotes a solid reputation, builds trust among clients, and supports honesty and responsibility.
Developing a code of ethics is essential for sustaining standards, preventing misconduct, and
making the workplace more ethical. Because it has such a direct bearing on service quality and
the safety of at-risk children, a code of ethics is especially crucial for child protection agencies.
Professionalism, advice, openness, confidentiality, prevention of biases and prejudice,
accountability, and continuous development are a few ways it might impact the agency's service.
A child protection organization must have a clearly stated code of ethics to guarantee that its
services are top-notch, kid-centric, and run in an honest, open, and responsible way. On a personal level, I think the boundary and multiple relationship codes would be the most challenging for me to live up to. Even though I know I couldn't handle the responsibilities of a foster parent, my aunt was one, and I've always admired her for it. I truly I would have a hard time returning a child to their abusive family if they came to live with me from a place where things didn't appear to be getting better. Although CPS does not explicitly state that foster parents cannot maintain contact with their foster kid after being placed in a new home or
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returned to their original family, they do attempt to discourage it so that the child can move on from the past and lead a normal life. If I could give that child one piece of advice, it would be this: no matter what happens, I will be there for them. I would be aware of limits, but I would struggle to adhere to them.
Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory is one framework that could be utilized in the course of providing services to clients of the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program. A person's growth is seen by this idea as occurring within the framework of their environment's network of relationships. The microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem are the five environmental systems that make up Ecological Systems Theory. A person's growth can be significantly influenced by the rules, standards, and roles found in these systems.
In the microsystem, the GAL would think about things like the child's home and school. The child's interactions and connections in various environments would be evaluated. Interactions between the child's parents and teachers are examples of mesosystemic factors that the GAL would consider. The GAL would consider the child's exosystem, or the effects of external judgments such those made by courts or social workers. Macrosystem: The GAL would think about how the child's situation is affected by broader society influences, like cultural values
and economic realities. Chronosystem: The effects of changes and transitions in the child's life, like parental divorce or starting a new school, would be considered by the GAL. GAL can learn all there is to know about the child's situation by using Ecological Systems Theory. In court, this can help them fight harder for what's best for the child. Also, it fits perfectly with the GAL's goal
of looking out for the children's best interests.
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Role in the Helping Process
In order to ensure the safety and well-being of children, child protection agencies play an essential role in providing assistance. Among these duties are the following: case monitoring and
follow-up, collaboration, prevention and education, intervention, investigation, family assistance,
legal participation, and identification. Child protection agencies are crucial in helping processes because they help when needed, support families, and advocate for the best interests of children, all while ensuring the security, protection, and appropriate development of children. You can never truly understand the struggles that children and families face; providing the necessary support can have a profound impact on their lives. I would love to have a more supporting role in
the agency.
Career Opportunities
This organization offers a wide variety of job opportunities, including those for academic teachers, account technicians, administrative assistants, supervisors of administrative services, attorneys at various levels, representatives of evaluation and assessment, behavioral health specialists at various levels, and procurement assistants. A link on the agency's website opens up three pages of job openings. The needs of each job are distinct. The position of intake-social worker is one that has caught my eye and I would love to have it. I have been employed for nearly eight years in the agency. It is the position that would make the most use of my present skills and experience.
Every day, I get to put my degree to use in my interactions with clients, professionals, and assistants at the family service agency where I work. Anyone with the right combination of education, experience, and assistance can find work in this field. Maintaining good and beneficial connections with everyone involved is important. When we get together as human
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services professionals to form support and guidance groups, I truly feel that we make a difference in the lives of our clients.
Summary of Learning
As I've learned in this class, human services contain a lot more than what first appears. In
order to achieve an ideal result, you need to pay attention to a great number of rules and regulations. For both my personal and professional life, I believe that the phases of the assisting process and the code of ethics would be the most useful tools. Whether it's a personal or professional matter, you'll always have someone in your life who needs your assistance. This includes loved ones and family members. Understanding the steps of the assisting process will guide your approach to problems, ensuring a smooth trip for everyone involved. This will help handle any issues the individual may have in a reasonable and harmless manner. Additional justification for the necessity of ethical principles is the fact that they serve as a moral compass for all of us, directing our actions toward constructive ends while avoiding unfair ones. Sincerity,
keeping commitments, and a desire to assist others are all ways of practicing ethics.
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References
Guardian ad Litem Board. (n.d.). Guardian Ad Litem. https://mn.gov/guardian-ad-litem/
Guardian ad Litem for Children Program. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://www.mncourts.gov/documents/0/Public/Guardian_Ad_Litem/gal_brochure.pdf
Radware Bot Manager Captcha. (n.d.). Mn.gov. https://mn.gov/guardian-ad-litem/assets/GALP%20PROGRAM%20REQUIREMENTS_tcm27-
581223.pdf
Radware Bot Manager Captcha. (n.d.). Mn.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/documents/budget/2024-25-biennial-budget-books/governors-revised-
march/guardian-ad-litem-board.pdf
Rosa, E. M., & Tudge, J. (2013). Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Theory of Human Development:
Its Evolution From Ecology to Bioecology. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 5(4), 243–258. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12022
Social Services | Rice County, MN. (n.d.). Www.ricecountymn.gov. https://www.ricecountymn.gov/340/Social-Services
Woodside, M., & Mcclam, T. (2019). An introduction to human services (9th ed.). Cengage.
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