The Social Work Field Placement

This authoritative text is designed to help BSW and MSW students structure their field placement learning around the nine CSWE profession social work competencies to maximize their field placement learning opportunities. The new second edition is completely updated with the 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Learning activities in each chapter provide examples of field placement tasks and projects related to chapter topics and competencies. The second edition also threads new content on anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and rights-based approaches to social work practice throughout.

The chapters in Part I focus on helping students have a successful field placement experience. Each chapter in Part II focuses on a specific professional competency with substantive content on the competency. All chapters have field reflection questions, critical thinking questions, a detailed case summary illustrating one or more competencies with discussion questions, learning activities and electronic competency resource links to websites and videos. Instructors will welcome chapter PowerPoints and an Instructor's Manual with case assignments, grading rubrics, and peer-to-peer small group discussion assignments. Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers.

New to the Second Edition:

Completely updated with the 2022 EPAS
New chapter on understanding the organizational culture of the field placement agency and its relationship to the community—a critical component for having a productive field placement experience
New information on developing a performance improvement plan in supervision chapter
Recent research on social work policy practice and relevant policy changes impacting social welfare policies, and special policy priorities established by NASW

Key Features:

Helps students to maximize field placement experience by linking field placement activities to social work competencies
Delivers learning activities for each competency to help students structure their field placements
Includes downloadable student resources, such as a competency reflection log to facilitate data-driven evaluations
Includes electronic resources with QR codes for each chapter
Addresses interprofessional writing and collaboration and self-care

Contents

List of Contributors

Preface

PART I. MAXIMIZING YOUR FIELD PLACEMENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Chapter 1. The Social Work Field Placement

Chapter 2. Understanding Your Agency and Community

Chapter 3. Maximizing Your Learning Opportunities and Documenting Your Competencies

Chapter 4. Using Supervision to Guide Professional Development and Behavior

Chapter 5. Using Reflection and Self-Regulation to Promote Well-Being Through Self-Care

PART II. DEVELOPING YOUR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

Chapter 6. Demonstrating Ethical and Professional Behavior

Chapter 7. Engaging Diversity and Difference in Practice

Chapter 8. Advancing Human Rights and Social Justice in Your Field Placement

Chapter 9. Research Informed Practice in Your Field Placement

Chapter 10. Engaging in Policy Practice in Your Field Placement

Chapter 11. Engaging with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Chapter 12. Micro Assessment: Individuals, Families, and Groups

Chapter 13. Assessing Organizations and Communities

Chapter 14. Intervening with Individuals, Families, and Groups

Chapter 15. Intervening with Organizations and Communities

Chapter 16. Applied Research and Practice Evaluation in Your Field Placement

Index

Authors

John Poulin, PhD, MSW, is a professor emeritus and adjunct professor at Widener University’s Center for Social Work Education in Chester, Pennsylvania, currently teaching the foundation field seminar in Widener’s online MSW program. In 2016, he retired from Widener University, where he taught generalist practice, research, and policy courses for 32 years.

Selina Matis, PhD, LCSW, LICSW,  is a licensed clinical social worker and Assistant Professor at Capella University. She received her doctoral degree in social work from Widener University. Additionally, she has a MSW (Master of Social Work), BS in Elementary Education and a MS in School Psychology all from PennWest University (formerly California University of Pennsylvania). Clinically, she has worked primarily in the mental health arena supporting children and their families in a variety of settings. She has specialized in treating trauma across the lifespan. She currently runs a private practice providing counseling, consultation, and supervision services.

Heather Witt, PhD, LMSW, MEd, is a licensed social worker, Associate Professor of Social Work, and BSW Coordinator at Boise State University. She received her PhD and MSW from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. As a clinical social worker, she worked with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults providing individual, group, family, and relationship therapy.

Instructors

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