May I get help please
Week 5: Creating Resources
When a community lacks resources, how do case managers determine what kinds of new resources to create? To get a strong sense of what resources are necessary for clients, case managers listen carefully to clients’ explanations of their needs. A client may demonstrate a need for mental health counseling but might lack the health insurance to subsidize therapy sessions with a counselor. In such a situation, a case manager might spearhead the development of a self-help group in which individuals participate free of charge. Consider how you might help clients by assessing their needs and developing appropriate resources.
This week, you evaluate self-help groups as a potential resource for your virtual clients. In addition, you examine gaps in community resources, and you propose new resources to meet your virtual clients’ needs.
Objectives
By the end of this week, you will be able to:
· Evaluate self-help group
· Assess gaps in available resources
· Create solutions to fill gaps in the available resources
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Dickerson, F. B. (1998). Strategies that foster empowerment. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 5(2), 255-275.
Jonikas, J. A., Kiosk, S., Grey, D. D., Hamilton, M. M., McNulty, J., & Cook, J. A. (2010). Cultural competency in peer-run programs: Results of a web survey and implications for future practice. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 34(2), 121-129.
Lefley, H. P., (2009). A psychoeducational support group for serious mental illness. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 34(4), 369-381.
Maulik, P. K., Eaton, W. W., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2009). The role of social network and support in mental health service use: Findings from the Baltimore ECA study. Psychiatric Services, 60(9), 1222-1229.
Perron, B. (2002). Online support for caregivers of people with a mental illness. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 26(1), 70-77.
Schutt, R., Rogers, E. S. (2009) Empowerment and peer support: Structure and a process of self-help in a consumer-run center for individuals with mental illness. Journal of Community Psychology, 37(6), 697-710.
Required Media
Video: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Case management for persons in need: Creating resources. Baltimore, MD: Author. Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 21 minutes.
Accessible player
Optional Resource
Olaison, A. (2010). Creating images of old people as home care receivers: Categorizations of needs in social work case files. Qualitative Social Work, 9(4) 500–518.
THIS DISCUSSION IS DUE WEDNESDAY 12/30/20 BY 11PM
Discussion: Self-Help Groups
Case managers often must consider self-help groups as potential resources for their clients. To recommend this resource, case managers must understand the dynamics and effectiveness of self-help groups as well as their strengths and limitations. Traditionally, self-help groups have been linked to twelve-step programs that help members to cope with alcohol or drug addictions. Self-help groups have evolved into environments that help people cope with a variety of family and personal issues. Today, some self-help groups are even available online, allowing members to asynchronously share information and hear the stories of others.
For this Discussion, you evaluate a self-help group, including member contributions and the group experience, to better evaluate the effectiveness of this resource.
To Prepare for this Discussion:
· Review the article, “Cultural Competency in Peer-Run Programs: Results of a Web Survey and Implications for Future Practice.” Consider the findings regarding individual comfort level as it relates to race.
· Review the article, “A Psychoeducational Support Group for Serious Mental Illness.” Focus on the effects of the self-help group on participants.
· Review the article, “Empowerment and Peer Support: Structure and a Process of Self-Help in a Consumer-Run Center for Individuals with Mental Illness.” Consider the participants’ experiences as expressed in their own words.
· Review the media titled Creating Resources.
· Consider your opinions on the quality of each group member’s participation in the group.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 4
Post by Day 4 a brief description of the most productive contribution you observed from a group member and explain why. Then describe which group member appeared to benefit most and which member appeared to benefit least from the group session and explain why. Finally, suggest one way to improve the group experience.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
By Day 6
Respond by Day 6 to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:
· Ask a probing question.
· Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
· Offer and support an opinion.
· Validate an idea with your own experience.
· Make a suggestion.
· Expand on your colleague’s posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained because of the comments your colleagues made.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 5 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 4 and Respond by Day 6
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 5 Discussion
THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE BY SATURDAY 01/02/21
Assignment: Creating Community Resources
It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried. –Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person
Each week of this course highlights the importance of involving clients in their own case management processes. The above quote by Carl Rogers further explains just why client involvement is so crucial. As clients work to assess personal needs and wants, they can also help to identify the ways in which their communities fail to provide them with necessary opportunities for growth. Once these types of resource “gaps” are identified, case managers can begin to advocate for new opportunities. Case managers can enlist knowledgeable and well-connected people within the community to create opportunities for clients in need. Imagine, for example, that a client is new to using food stamps. A case manager might choose to contact a local grocery store to set up times before or after store hours to educate the client on how to find the best deals and to help the client feel comfortable with using food stamps to pay for purchases. Slowly building client confidence and relationships with grocery store employees will help to further empower the client during shopping trips.
Resources that are created change according to the specific needs and wants of each client. This week, you assess the resource gaps that might be present in your community. You also propose additional resources needed to address your virtual clients’ needs.
To Prepare for this Assignment:
· Review the article, “The Role of Social Network and Support in Mental Health Service Use: Findings from the Baltimore ECA Study.” Consider the implications of social support networks for individuals’ use of mental and medical health services.
· Review the article, “Online Support for Caregivers of People with a Mental Illness.” Focus on the finding about effects of participation in the self-help group.
· Review the research you conducted during Week 4, in which you located resources and agencies in your community to find assistance for your clients.
· Review the media titled Creating Resources.
· Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your community’s offerings for your clients.
· Think about how you might assist your clients by creating or empowering them to create resources to benefit themselves and others who might encounter similar challenges.
The Assignment (1–2 pages)
· Describe three resources that are missing or inadequate in your community to meet your virtual clients’ needs.
· Propose three types of resources to address your virtual clients’ needs.
By Day 7
Submit your Assignment by Day 7.
Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course.
