Section 12 Mental Health Services

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South Texas College *

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SOCW-238

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Management

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Apr 3, 2024

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Section 12. Case Management & Case Work As we have discussed Generalist Social Work, let us look at Case Management. What is the definition of a case manager and their role in the social work field? According to the NASW, they define case management is a process to plan, seek, advocate for, and monitor services from different social services or health care organizations and staff on behalf of a client. So, what does this mean? Once the case manager establishes a relationship with the client, he/she will gather information about the client's nature of mental health, needs, and strengths. Once a plan is developed, and implementation of the case management intervention begins. Since there was a need for quality services for the client, the social worker monitors the client to ensure that services are respected. As the case manager sees the client no longer needs assistance, the social worker will terminate services and close the case. So, why is case management so important in social work? Case managers help the client and their support system, evaluates and understand options, determine the best plan to meet the client's needs, and implement action to achieve goals, interests, and expectations. The basic levels involved with case management include intake, assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to successfully achieve the client's desired outcome. Before we further discuss the necessary case management levels, we should look at the case manager's role and how they help their clients. The question we ask is, what does a Case Manager do? Case managers work toward improving the clients' life and needs. Case managers work with the client; they also work with the client's family, community members, and other health professionals to address their specific and individual needs. The case manager's responsibility is to make sure the client has the resources needed to meet their goal. As case managers are health

professionals, they must also advocate for their clients, as these individuals are often not able to advocate. As case managers assist their clients, they must consider the client's values, cultural and religious beliefs. The case manager must consider any applicable state and federal laws, current practice guidelines, and obligations and requirements from health insurance. They must document all information relevant to the client, create a log for legal protection, for the safety and well being of the case manager and the client. A word that comes to mind on the roles and responsibilities of a case manager is coordination. These accomplished professionals act as brokers between stakeholders and health care providers to put clients in the best possible position for success. A successful case manager's skills and attributes consist of a high degree of empathy, organizational skills, advocacy skills, communication skills, patience, and adaptation. Now, let us talk about the four levels of case management. The first one will be the intake. Intake is the foundation for all other steps that follow. In this step, the case manager gathers as much information as possible. By creating an accurate picture of the client's current situation, the client's information, at this stage, and the needs are made quite clear. The information gathered at the first level; Intake begins to organize and take form in level two - needs assessment. In level two, the case manager assesses all of the information at their disposal. Then, they develop an understanding with the client about what their needs and goals are. The needs assessment level gives the client an idea of what the road may look like to achieving those needs and goals. In level three, service planning, particular tasks, and objectives identified will help the client move toward their goal. The case manager puts together a plan that considers all of the first two levels' information. The plan is to input from the client's support system and their other health providers.

Level four of case management is to monitor and evaluate the plan's efficacy and make sure that the case manager and the organization meet the client's specific needs. The plan and metrics put into place in level three serve as the guides for monitoring and evaluating. When put into action and seen through to completion, these four levels are the roadmap to a case managers' success. Each client will have specific needs and goals, and every client will receive these levels and processes. When mixed with an empathetic case manager and a reliable case management software tool, success is inevitable. When working with clients, it is essential to combine research and clinical expertise. In social work, there is constant research conducted to assess various assessment and treatment modalities. The research conducted provides evidence that we, as social workers, utilize to assist our clients to improve their living situations and needs. Lastly, remember that our clients are the experts on their own lives. We must keep in mind what their values and preferences are for the outcome of their life circumstances. As social workers, this is very important and often frustrating; we think we may know our clients' right decision, but it may not be what they are looking for or wanting to do. (Mary C. Lumbreras, STC Spring 2021) What is the difference between Social Work case management and Social Work case work? • Social Work Case management is a series of actions & process that ensures the client receives services, treatment, care, or opportunities that the client is entitled. When a social work case manager assesses and coordinates care & services for a client that is in need of home delivered meals and home health care, this is an example of case management. • Casework is a method of helping people solve problems. It is individualized, scientific, and artistic. It helps individuals with personal as well as external and environmental matters. When a social worker is out in the field helping and interacting with families and children, this is an example of case work.

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Social Work Case Management o Social work case managers coordinate care and services and refers clients to appropriate places. o Social work case managers, also, follows up with the client, ensuring both continuity& coordination of the service. Social Work clients have complex, multiple needs. Social workers who specialize in assessing these needs, helping clients and their families access needed services, and coordinating care among multiple service providers are known as social work case managers. o Social workers provide case management services in hospitals, hospice facilities, rehab facilities, nursing homes, home health care, residential treatment centers, domestic violence shelters, schools, behavioral centers, Child Protective Services, & countless other social services settings. o The types of services that clients have are often complex, and have multiple needs. These needs can range from alcohol& drug treatment, psychological counseling, hospice care, home health care, nursing home care, rehab services, home delivered meals, and other countless linkages & referral services. o Social work case managers are well trained professionals who use a core values & ethics, theoretical knowledge & critical thinking skills to make decisions effectively & intervene with any given client and situation. The NASW issues a Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM) designation to qualified social workers. To qualify for the certification, a social worker must hold a bachelor's or master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university and have at least three years and 4,500 hours of professional experience in an agency or organization that provides case management services. In addition, certified case managers must possess a state social work license and adhere to NASW ethics and continuing education standards. (NASW, 2013)

Section 12 Mental Health Services

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