BY TITLE:
- A Portal for a School of Social Work
- An Outcome Evaluation of Competency Based Training for Child Welfare.
- African-Americans and Clinical Trials Research: Recommendations for Client Engagement
- Booked for the Week: A Survey of the Use of Bibliotherapy by Licensed Clinical Social Workers
- Correlates of MSW Students' Perceptions of Preparedness to Manage Risk and Personal Liability
- Equipping Social Workers to Address Spirituality in Practice Settings: A Model Curriculum
- Evaluating Kinship Care Alternatives: A Comparison of a Private Initiative to Traditional State Services
- Exploring Redundancy in Social Work Education
- Hearing the Silence: Children's Voices on Violence
- In the Belly of the Beast: A Case Study of Social Work in a Managed Care Organization
- Keynote Speech: 90th Anniversary Symposium: Indiana University School of Social Work
- Nature, Genetics and the Biophilia Connection: Exploring Linkages with Social Work Values and Practice
- Online Social Work Practice: Issues and Guidelines for the Profession
- Poetry Therapy as a Tool for Strengths-Based Practice
- Service Learning as a Transition into Foundation Field
- Social Work Practice Behaviors and Beliefs: Rural-Urban Differences?
- Social Work Practice Innovations: Helping Clients Understand, Explore and Develop Their Friendships
- Student-Identified Strengths and Challenges of Using Blackboard TM for Group Projects in a Social Work Course
- Substance Abuse and Suicidal Behavior in Women Ages 30 to 39 Years
- Translating Concept into Act for Multi-Cultural Practice: Comparison of Students' and Field Instructors' Perceptions of Diversity Training Effectiveness
By First Author:
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Fred H. Besthorn & Dennis Saleebey
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Kathryn S. Collins
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Kathryn Collins; Rich Furman; and Janet Swanson
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Andrew Cuomo
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Tom A. Croxton, Srinika Jayaratne, Debra Mattison
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Bruce Dalton & Lois Wright
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Danny R. Dixon; Martha M. Giddings; and Rich Vodde
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Theresa J. Early, M. Elizabeth Vonk, Mary Ellen Kondrat
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Rodney A. Ellis, Gary D. Ellis, and Rochelle Galey
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Rich Furman, Eleanor Pepi Downey, Robert L. Jackson, Kimberly Bender
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David R. Hodge
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Nancy P. Kropf and Mininder Tracey
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Michael N. Kane
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Melissa B. Littlefield
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Goutham M. Menon, Julie Miller-Cribbs
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Sharon E. Moore and Wanda Lott Collins
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Nancy J. Osgood, Ameda A. Manetta
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Lisa S. Patchner
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Cynthia Schultz and Robert Vernon
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Denise E. Bronson; W. Sean Newsome; and M. Elizabeth Vonk
Volume 3, No. 1, Spring 2002
Cuomo, Andrew (2002). Keynote Speech: 90th Anniversary Symposium: Indiana University School of Social Work. Advances in Social Work, 3/(1), 1-14.
Abstract: In celebration of 90 years of social work education at Indiana University, the School of Social Work sponsored an Anniversary Symposium on April 12, 2002.
Andrew Cuomo, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and current candidate for New York State Governor, delivered the keynote address. In his address, Mr. Cuomo recognized the history and growth of Indiana University School of Social Work from its origin in 1911 to its current status as a state-wide, multi-campus enterprise. He discussed the formation of Project Help (Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged) and shared some of his experiences as Secretary of HUD. He also explored several contemporary social, political, and philosophical issues, including the potential long-term effects of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Patchner, Lisa S. (2002). In the Belly of the Beast: A Case Study of Social Work in a Managed Care Organization. Advances in Social Work, 3/(1), 16-32.
Abstract: The employment of social workers within managed care organizations is a new phenomenon. As such, this case study utilized an exploratory-descriptive design that assessed social workers as case managers within a Medicaid HMO. The semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant observation suggested that the use of case management services, delivered primarily by social workers, was effective in addressing the bio-psychosocial needs of Medicaid consumers within a provider-driven HMO. Study findings recommend specific knowledge and skills that social workers need in order to prepare for practice within managed care environments.
Ellis, Rodney A.; Ellis, Gary D.; and Galey, Rochelle (2002). Evaluating Kinship Care Alternatives: A Comparison of a Private Initiative to Traditional State Services. Advances in Social Work, 3/(1), 33-45.
Abstract: Multiple stressors on the child welfare system have forced innovative solutions to the overburdened foster care program. A promising alternative is kinship care, in which children are placed with biological relatives. Proponents cite the opportunity to place the child in familiar surroundings, the natural access to additional family resources, and the degree to which it is sensitive to the norms and values of non-dominant cultural groups. Various models of kinship care have been implemented in several jurisdictions, yet little or no research has been done to determine which alternatives are the most effective. This paper addresses that deficit. It reports the results of a study that compares stability of placement outcomes between a program operated by a private, not-for-profit organization (n=60) and a more traditional program (n=79) operated by a state child welfare agency. Results support the use of the private alternative over the more traditional state-operated program.
Moore, Sharon E. and Lott Collins, Wanda (2002). African-Americans and Clinical Trials Research: Recommendations for Client Engagement. Advances in Social Work, 3/(1), 46-59.
Abstract: African-Americans have, without their knowledge and consent, been used as human guinea pigs in scientific and medical experiments by private and governmental organizations. As a result many African-Americans approach the health care industry with caution and apprehension. African-Americans are admonished to remember the atrocities they once experienced and to approach participation in clinical studies with skepticism. This paper presents an historical overview of conspiracy theories, discusses various health issues that affect African-Americans, identifies for whom participation in clinical trials could prove beneficial, and recommends methods that can be used to attract African-American clients as active participants in clinical studies.
Kropf, Nancy P. and Mininder, Tracey (2002). Service Learning as a Transition into Foundation Field. Advances in Social Work, 3/(1), 60-71.
Abstract: Service learning is a pedagogical method to bridge classroom and community experiences for students. Although social work education has historically emphasized this connection through internship experiences, service learning can fill a different function within the curriculum. This article proposes a service learning experience to assist graduate students with the transition into their foundation field placement. Beneficial outcomes of using service learning as an educational bridge are discussed for students, faculty, and the social work program.
Littlefield, Melissa B. (2002). Student-Identified Strengths and Challenges of Using Blackboard TM for Group Projects in a Social Work Course. Advances in Social Work, 3/(1), 72-83.
Abstract: BlackboardTM provides social work educators integrated online communication tools that they can employ to facilitate student learning through features such as e-mail, discussion forums, file exchange, virtual classroom, and links to online resources. This study describes students' experiences using BlackboardTM to support a group project assignment. The majority of students found it easy to use and useful for the project, and indicated that they would like to use it in other courses. In addition, students gained technical skills as a result of the group project. Students' group project grades and final course grades were comparable to those in other sections of the same course taught by this investigator.
The findings of this study suggest that online technology can be used to facilitate group assignments for MSW students. The benefits include increased efficiency of group functioning and increased accountability of group members. The challenges include technical problems and student resistance to using the technology.
Volume 3, No. 2, Fall 2002
Hodge, David R. (2002). Equipping Social Workers to Address Spirituality in Practice Settings: A Model Curriculum. Advances in Social Work, 3/(2), 85-103.
Abstract: While there is growing interest in incorporating clients' spiritual beliefs and values into social work practice, several studies have shown that social workers lack the necessary training to address spiritual issues in a culturally competent manner. This paper addresses this need by providing an annotated spirituality training course for use in various settings. Topics or domains covered in the curriculum include ethics and values, research and theory on spirituality, the nation's spiritual demographics, the cultures of major spiritual traditions, value conflicts, spiritual interventions, assessment approaches, and the rights of spiritual believers. A number of potential assignments are offered, which are designed to promote practitioner self-awareness, respect for spiritual diversity, and an enhanced ability to assess and operationalize spiritual strengths to ameliorate problems in practice settings.
Menon, Goutham M. and Miller-Cribbs, Julie (2002). Online Social Work Practice: Issues and Guidelines for the Profession. Advances in Social Work, 3/(2), 104-116.
Abstract: There has been growth in the utilization of information and communication (ICT) tools in the field of social work in recent years. While most of the work has revolved around community practice, some social workers have moved into the realm of online, web-based therapeutic practice. This paper discusses important issues emerging from this new form of social work practice and concludes with suggested guidelines for the use of ICTs in social work practice.
Croxton, Tom A.; Jayaratne, Srinika; and Mattison, Debra (2002). Social Work Practice Behaviors and Beliefs: Rural-Urban Differences? Advances in Social Work, 3/(2), 117-132.
Abstract: There is continuing debate within the social work profession on whether there are significant differences in the practice behaviors and beliefs between rural and urban clinical social workers and whether different standards should be applied in defining ethical practices. This study measures those differences with regard to five practice behaviors: bartering, maintaining confidentiality, competent practice, dual relationships, and social relationships. Differences were found in beliefs regarding the appropriateness of professional behavior though such differences did not translate into practice behaviors. More significantly, the research suggests considerable confusion about the meanings of ethical standards and the utilization of intervention techniques without formal training across both urban and rural social workers.
Kane, Michael N. (2002). Correlates of MSW Students' Perceptions of Preparedness to Manage Risk and Personal Liability. Advances in Social Work, 3/(2), 134-145.
Abstract: Few studies in the discipline of social work have identified correlates of preparedness to manage risk and personal liability among practitioners or students. This study investigated predictors of MSW students' perceptions of managing personal risk and liability (N=116). Four correlates were identified from the standard regression model that accounts for 43% of the adjusted variance. These predictor variables included: (a) concern and worry about lawsuits (Beta=-.458, p=.00), (b) understanding the fit between client advocacy and managed care (Beta=.328, p=.00), (c) understanding agency documentation requirements (Beta=-.164, p=.05), and (d) perceptions of field preparation for documentation (Beta=.162, p=.05). Implications are discussed.
Furman, Rich; Downey, Eleanor Pepi; Jackson, Robert L. and Bender, Kimberly (2002). Poetry Therapy as a Tool for Strengths-Based Practice. Advances in Social Work, 3/(2), 146-157.
Abstract: This article explores the congruence between poetry therapy and the strengths perspective of social work. It demonstrates the ways in which poetry therapy is consistent with the strengths perspective and discusses methods for its utilization in direct practice settings. Case examples are provided to help the practitioner learn how to utilize poetry therapy with clients from diverse backgrounds. As a tool in strengths-based practice, poetry and poetry therapy can help empower clients and help to focus practitioners on clients' capacities and resilencies. This article seeks to expand upon the growing literature of strengths-based social work, addressing how the theory can be applied to clinical practice situations.
Osgood, Nancy J. and Manetta, Ameda A. (2002). Substance Abuse and Suicidal Behavior in Women Ages 30 to 39 Years. Advances in Social Work, 3/(2), 158-167.
Abstract: A growing number of young women abuse substances and engage in suicidal behavior. Combinations of these problems are under-researched. Research that exists includes women of all ages in the samples. This study adds information to the current state of knowledge on these problem behaviors by limiting the sample to women ages 30 to 39 years. A group of 113 women, part of a larger study of 364 women who had received inpatient psychiatric treatment, was included in this study. Findings revealed that most of the women had made at least one suicide attempt and nearly one-quarter were in the hospital for a current attempt. Almost 60% had engaged in substance abuse at some point in their lives. The combination of continued substance abuse and suicidal behavior could result in an early death for some women. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed.
Volume 4, No. 1, Spring 2003
Besthorn, Fred H. and Saleebey, Dennis (2003). Nature, Genetics and the Biophilia Connection: Exploring Linkages with Social Work Values and Practice. Advances in Social Work, 4/(1), 1-18.
Abstract: Social work's notion of environment and its environmental responsibilities have always been narrowly defined. The profession has tended to either neglect natural environmental issues or accept shallow ecological conceptualizations of nature as something other, quite separate from the human enterprise and/or outside the reach of social work activity. The Biophilia Hypothesis, first articulated by Harvard biologist E. O. Wilson in 1984, offers social work a fundamentally different view of the person/environment construct and argues for a primary shift in the way the profession views its relationship with the natural world. This article traces the conceptual development of Biophilic theory and reviews pivotal empirical evidence explicitly arguing for the essential Biophilic premise; that humans have acquired, through their long evolutionary history, a strong genetic predisposition for nature and natural settings. It offers key insights and examples for incorporating Biophilia into social work's values and knowledge base as well as how it may impact the profession's practice strategies and techniques.
Collins, Kathryn S. (2003). Hearing the Silence: Children's Voices on Violence. Advances in Social Work, 4/(1), 20-33.
Abstract: Each year over five million children in the United States are exposed to traumatizing events in their communities. The purpose of this paper is to present discussion of multiple areas in the violence and victimization research that need to be continued as well as suggestions on how to un-silence child survivors through bridging the gaps between research and practice. This paper reviews the overarching problem of violence in the United States at the domestic and global levels and the effects of victimization. Suggestions on how to study possible mediators and moderators of victimization and individual and family adjustment including: 1. The ecological perspective; 2. Court process and verdict; and 3. Utilization of victim services are explored. Finally, a rationale and examples of combining qualitative and quantitative methods in future research is presented using children's attributions of violence as a mediator.
Early, Theresa J.; Vonk, M. Elizabeth; and Kondrat, Mary Ellen (2003). Translating Concept into Act for Multi-cultural Practice: Comparison of Students' and Field Instructors Perceptions of Diversity Training Effectiveness. Advances in Social Work, 4/(1), 34-45.
Abstract: Education for culturally-competent practice increasingly is a responsibility for social work educators. Using data collected for an evaluation of the field education component of a large, midwestern social work program, the purpose of this study is to shed light on students' application, in the field practicum setting, of classroom training in culturally competent practice. Responses were obtained from field instructors (n = 76) and students (n = 70). Students reported learning in areas dealing with diversity at statistically significant levels; however, instructor ratings of student competence were significantly lower than student ratings. Results are discussed in light of necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills. Implications for program monitoring and improvement, education, and further research are discussed.
Dalton, Bruce and Wright, Lois (2003). Exploring Redundancy in Social Work Education. Advances in Social Work, 4/(1), 48-63.
Abstract: The issue of redundancy has not been well explored in the social work curriculum. The Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) (CSWE, 2001) requires redundancy in the form of integration of material across content areas and addresses redundancy vertically between levels of education and year of program. Further, research and theory support the notion that various types of redundancy produce educational benefits. This paper uniquely uses MSW students to track instances of redundancy over their first year of study and to distinguish between helpful and unhelpful redundancy. This paper presents both the study results and a description of the study process so that other schools may use or adapt it if they so desire.
Volume 4, Number 2 Fall 2003
Schultz, Cynthia and Vernon, Robert (2003). A Portal for a School of Social Work: Going for the Edge. Advances in Social Work, 4/(2), 65-79.
Abstract: This case study documents how one school of social work addressed the growing complexity of distributing information by developing a state-of-the-art portal and website system to serve its many audiences and campuses. Preliminary findings are discussed.
Bronson, Denise E., Newsome, W. Sean; and Vonk, M. Elizabeth (2003). An Outcome Evaluation of Competency Based Training for Child Welfare. Advances in Social Work, 4/(2), 82-93.
Abstract: In response to the continuing need for competent child welfare professionals, a large Midwestern university's College of Social Work collaborated with a public child welfare agency to design and implement a one-year, Title IV-E funded training opportunity for second-year MSW students. Student outcomes, including knowledge acquisition, attitudes about child welfare, and field of post-graduation employment, were evaluated using a quasi-experimental pre-post comparison group design (n=28). Results indicated that there were statistically significant differences between the two groups concerning attitudes about child welfare practice. However, although trainees' level of child welfare knowledge increased more than that of the comparison group, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Implications for practice and social work education are discussed.
Dixon, Danny R.; Giddings, Martha M.; and Vodde, Rich (2003). Booked for the Week: A Survey of the Use of Bibliotherapy by Licensed Clinical Social Workers. Advances in Social Work, 4/(2), 94-114.
Abstract: Despite its general acceptance, there has been no research exploring the actual use of bibliotherapy by Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)s. This study sought to determine the extent to which LCSWs, represented by a random sample from one state, used bibliotherapy for specific problems, identify relevant variables that influence bibliotherapy use and compiled a list of books currently used by respondents. Results suggest that bibliotherapy is used for numerous specific problems and LCSW endorsement of bibliotherapy by LCSW's is similar to that of respondents in other disciplines. Unlike studies involving other disciplines, LCSW usage patterns were not related to gender and less related to employment settings.
Collins, Kathryn; Furman, Rich; and Swanson, Janet (2003). Social Work Practice Innovations: Helping Clients Understand, Explore and Develop Their Friendships. Advances in Social Work, 4/(2), 116-129.
Abstract: This article demonstrates the importance of helping clients understand, explore and develop friendships in social work practice. The nature of friendship is explored. A cross-disciplinary analysis of the literature concerning friendship and their relationship to human health and functioning is discussed. Case examples illustrating the importance of friendships and examples of the conscious use of friendships as a target of intervention are provided.
