blog post

Respond to the blog post of three colleagues in one or more of the following ways:

Make a suggestion to your colleague’s post.

Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Week 5 Blog Anthony (Discussion 1)

An explanation of organizational policy in your field education experience

As social workers are responsible for challenging social injustice, advocating for marginalized populations, and empowering communities to have increased opportunity and choice.  This may sometimes cause social workers to engage in conflict when confronting adversaries that represent policies that promote injustices.  This is one reason social workers need to be competent in macro practice, and students should advocate for themselves to engage in macro practice work during field practicum (Birkenmaier, 2018).
Some organizational policies in my field placement is that Counseling and Support Services Treatment Centers are smoke-free.  Also, No individual will be denied service based upon their inability to pay. Mettle works shall charge for services according to the ability-to-pay schedule Published by Maryland Health Partners for Maryland’s Public Mental Health System. Mettle Works charges fees for treatment services and clinic services. Medical Assistance (Medicaid) may cover the cost of treatment services and clinic services. If you have other medical insurance, you will be asked to pay Mettle Works directly. A statement will be provided to you so that you can request reimbursement from your insurance carrier.
Reference
Birkenmaier, J. M., Berg-Weger, M.  (2018). Practicum Companion for Social Work, The,  4th Edition. [[VitalSource Bookshelf version]].  Retrieved from vbk://9780133834772

Week 5 (Discussion 2)
Posted by   Cierra
Organizations must implement and maintain policies in order to run successfully. When organizations lack internal policies, it is likely that the organization is not run in a controlled manner. When organizations show a commitment to policy, their employees show more commitment to their work (Foote, et. al, 2005). Unison has multiple policies. The most important policies regard culturally competent care, privacy practices, use of company time and materials, and appropriate training for staff who provide direct care. Unison also has a quality improvement team that audits policy implementation. Some of Unison’s policies are based off of state guidelines. Policies regarding documentation requirements, visit length and frequency and suicide assessments are based off of what the state policies require. While these policies are internal, they are made to be in compliance with state guidelines.

Reference
Foote, D. A., Seipel, S. J., Johnson, N. B., & Duffy, M. K. (2005). Employee commitment and organizational policies. Management Decision.

Week 5 Blog – Crystal (Discussion 3)

An explanation of organizational policy in your field education experience
According to the NASW Code of Ethics (2008), we as social workers not only have ethical obligations with our clients, but these also apply at the organization, community, and policy levels,( Birkenmaier & Berg-Weger, 2018). Policies that are implemented to lay a general pathway on how to proceed when working at the agency. My field internship involves confidential information pertaining to our clients medical, mental, and chemical dependency records. There are numerous trainings regarding HIPPA and ethic guidelines required when you start in the agency. Supervisors and staff whose job responsibilities involve serving and supporting fellow employees also may have access to confidential or sensitive information about their coworkers (i.e. payroll information, employment references, credit history, criminal history, personal contact information, health status). Thus, upon hire at the agency, you are required to also sign a confidentiality form. Therefore, release of information (ROI’s) is crucial in social services, which I discussed in length in a previous blog.
Resources:
Birkenmaier, J., & Berg-Weger, M. (2018). The practicum companion for social work: Integrating class and fieldwork (4th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson