The Garden Route.....

For the long weekend, I will be taking some time to enjoy the sites of the Western and Eastern Cape.  Stay tuned for more exciting details.......or at least amusing stories.

The Load

Role Play

            On Thursday, I finished my forensic assessment training.  After going through the schedule for the office, several of my co-workers and I crammed into a small office to practice our in-take skills.  One co-worker pretended to be a caregiver while each of us facilitated a forensic interview. 

            Overall, my interview captured the needed information from the pseudo-client.  I went through the confidentiality agreement and gathered information on the family and abuse.  I was nervous at first, but I became more comfortable as I asked the questions.  The more practice I can get the better.    

Casework

            Today, June 15, I was handed my caseload.  I spent the day familiarizing myself with twelve different client files.  I set up appointments with each of the client’s caregivers for next week.  It took all day to make appointments.  I contacted the caregivers by phone or by sending out letters.  My calendar is filled with meetings, events, and forensic interviews.  Now, I just need to find time to debrief….

All I can say is thank the world for Stephanie, Kristen, and Taylor.  My helping professional support group.  Without your support and our round robin debrief, I would not be sane right now.  

Finding a Balance

            It is difficult to find a balance between work and a personal life.  Many young people I have met seem to easily understand where the line between workaholic and human being is drawn.  I have yet to find this elusive balance.  Like many social workers or helping professionals, I find myself giving more to others than to myself. 

            During my time in the Masters of Social Work program at University of Michigan, I was placed with the Detroit Initiative.  Though I learned a lot about community work, grant writing, and teamwork, I found myself isolated.  Sometimes I would get lost in my work, but other times I found myself dealing with heavy experiences alone. 

            I continue to struggle understand what it means to live a balanced life.  Currently, I am beginning to realize that I need more than a career, exercise and healthy eating.  I am beginning to realize I need to find and tap into my own support system.

Forensic Assessment Training

            Safe Line has recently received an increased number of referrals from hospitals, the police, and schools.  With so many new cases, I have been asked to begun conducting Forensic Assessments with the client’s caregiver before referring the client to a staff therapist.  Continuing to follow my mantra of “going with the flow even when it’s bumpy”, I agreed to help.  Today, the director hosted training on Forensic Assessments.  The training was similar to other trainings I have attended, but I was thankful for the refresher before I start taking on my own caseload.  We reviewed interview techniques, the Children’s Act of 2005, person in environment maps, kinship charts, and SWOT analyses. The training could have been more in depth, but I felt that it reviewed needed information and answered all my questions.  Hopefully tomorrow, I can practice my in-take skills before my first client on Wednesday. 

            Though I am content to learn in-take skills and therapy methods, I wonder what part of my placement connects to my professional development as a community organizer?

           

The Politics of Language

        South Africa is a nation that is considered to have one of the most progressive constitutions.  The constitution was formed post-apartheid during 1996.  As the citizens rushed to find their place, the many different political parties came together to write a constitution that everyone could stand behind.  After a long year of debate, the new constitution took affect in 1997.  The constitutions recognized children’s rights, defined human rights, and approved 12 official national languages.  Children even sing the national anthem in three different languages.  South Africa’s constitution has been raved as being clear, fair, inclusive, and pushing for a culturally pluralistic society.  Unfortunately, implementing the constitution has not been as successful as making it.

            At my own work place, I can see the everyday tension between groups due to language, socio-economic status, or power.  I see a divide between the IsiXhosa speakers and Afrikaans speakers within Safe Line’s office.  Every worker has devoted her or him self to working with or for children who have been sexually abused, but find it difficult to connect to coworkers outside their ethnic group.  I find myself observing and playing a part in the larger social issues pushing down on each South African.  Yes, the constitution preaches pluralism and human rights, but implementing those ideas into action and into social structures takes time.  The fight for equity and acceptance is going to be a long struggle in South Africa and everywhere else. 

           

Working for Others

ACVV- Visiting a Child protective Service Agency

            On Friday morning, June 10^th, Tahira took Stephanie, Taylor, and I to visit a Child Protective Service agency that serves inner Cape Town.  We arrived at the agency around 9:00 am to meet with a social worker.  The agency’s office was above an inner city educare.  Jonathan, the community social worker, met us in the lobby and took us to his office.   Jonathan described his job responsibilities as conducting community work through programming, receiving in-take calls and conducting intake interviews.  He told us he receives 15 to 20 calls a week that require a follow up interview.  One of his co-workers said that her caseload is between 100-150.  With so many cases, I was surprised that one social worker would have so many job tasks.  After his introduction, we discussed the roles of a social worker and the misconceptions of social work.  In a room of American and South African social workers we came to the conclusion that we are in a highly needed, skilled, and under appreciated profession. 

Workshop

            After meeting with the ACVV intake and community worker, I returned to Safe Line to conduct my rescheduled workshop.   With my bag full of crafts supplies and examples, I convinced several of my co-workers to attend the workshop.  I set up a table with my supplies in the lounge and arranged biscuits on platters for the attendees.  As everyone settle into a seat, I began the workshop with the “Who am I?” Flower activity.  My co-workers each created picture of a flower with one identity written inside each petal.  For example, I might write my name in the middle of the flower with the identities of Social Worker, Peterson Family member, American, Woman and Student on the petals.  The staff finished their flowers and presented their identities to the group.    Then I lead them through a few activities and crafts.  The group particularly enjoyed the “Make your own city” activity.  I was happily surprised by how the staff engaged in my workshop.  Each of my co-workers jumped into the craft and activities with open hearts.  They were all interested in learning from me and I was excited to gain their feedback.  After reviewing my evaluation forms, I determined that the workshop was successful and the only thing that would have made it better was more time. 

A (Half) Day at the Beach

Planning & Community Work

            On Wednesday, June 8^th, I spent the early morning planning for my upcoming Parent Support Group and re-working my rescheduled workshop.  I also attempted to assist the community workers in hosting a Parenting Program in Bontiville, but no parents attended.  The workers and I waited at the identified church for two hours with only one attendee.  The community member that recruits women for the program reported that no one was coming.  On Thursday, June 9^th, the community workers and I returned to Bontiville to host the Parenting Program.  Patiently, we waited for the parents from the community to arrive.  Eventually we began the group with around 15 women.  I introduced the program and facilitated an icebreaker before beginning the group activities.  After a few days of parenting programs, I am beginning to wonder if Safe Line has a place for me.  Almost half way through with my internship and I feel stuck.  I want to be professionally challenged. 

Cape of Good Hope

            For our last day with Scott, we took a day trip to Cape Point after placement on Wednesday.  On the drive, we jammed out to Scott’s garden route mix of classic rock and old school rap.  Kristen, Scott, and I sang the lyrics loudly as our van drove through the ocean side towns of the Western Cape.   We eventually arrived at Cape Point.  I took in the breath taking scenery before beginning the hike to a mini piece of paradise.  Kristen, Stephanie, Becky, Scott, Bethany, and I made our way down the trail to the aqua water and sandy beach.  For the rest of our short time on the beach we ran around, took pictures, and took a moment to appreciate each other and the connection we all had. 

            With each joke and conversation, I thought about how much I was going to miss Scott.  How much I was going to miss everyone. I also thought about how rare it is to find people who understand my sense of humor, my frustrations, and everything else in between.  I hope that my family and my friends know how much I appreciate the validation and support they give me.  I also hope they know how much I miss them when I am gone.  There are days where I wish I could carry you all with me, but in a way I guess I already do. 

PS. See you later, Panda. Safe Travels.