Today was my ‘real’ first day at the internship. As I stated earlier, I had shown my interest to my field instructor regarding working with family preservation service department of the agency. As planned today morning, I got to the agency and soon after I was introduced with a strong and assertive lady, let’s call her Ms. A, who is the supervisor at the family preservation department. I met with Ms. A and she introduced me to everybody at the family pres department and soon after I got a new name, Ms. Intern....lol. After introductions, I go to know about some of the paperwork related to family pres. In few minutes later, I was told to follow Ms. A in my car, mileage covered! I was sent to the meeting at the other office of the agency, with clients on the round table to discuss and review certain clients’ cases. I love working directly with clients and I was happy to know this detail of my internship.
After I reached to the other office of the agency, we, Ms. A and I, met with clients one after another. The first client brought my attention to the basic policy of DCFS and its mission: no child deserves to be abused, physically, emotionally and/or sexually.
My first client's mother abuses her 3 kids by yelling at them and often neglects them, and she is a marijuana smoker. Seriously?, she didn't look like one...and she seemed as a strong women than as an abuser...but wait...don't get fooled, read, observe and look around before you decide you set your mind on one conclusion. Clients sit around the round table meeting with their case manager, Social Worker, Therapist and other related people on their cases, and it is possible that they try to cover up the real self, they might dressed so well that you are too impressed but don’t forget to look at the history, the actions, the way a mother acts with kids, the way she steals an eye from Social Worker and stare at the kids, the way kids react to mother or both the parent at times. Don’t judge but notice that there is body language, there is some physical action and there is a lot of history; as a social worker we have to work on it thoroughly (I guess theater studies pays well heee hee) Okay don’t waste time, don’t lose a second and pay attention fully and observe each talk, each moment and each and every action and reaction, this helps, trust me it does. I paid thorough attention, and ah! now I know why my iPhone's battery lasted all day today lol
Client two: This time it was both the parents and their two kids...wow, what a mess it was! Nope, not judging but the meeting went into a mess because clients were scared that their kids might get detained if they won’t act certain way. Mother was scared of the system, and scared of her kid's father, who sat there, doing shit! Again, body language and psychic reading worked but dang, I can’t speak Spanish and I missed most of the stuff out of the conversations of mother and father and Social Worker, and all those with case manager...I need to learn Spanish, at least as much so I could follow through with what is going on. Back to the topic, I noticed some more body languages and some more disturbing atmosphere, and reported to Ms. A. She right away pointed out and clarifies some actions, and some she just made notes of, to follow through later. After hour and half, finally this meeting ended and half day was already gone...We reviewed on the case after parents and kids left, and made some more notes. More services provided, more referrals were made.
By then, I was starving, oh, don’t judge, I had no breakfast and no food made me drowsy...I picked up my food bag and started to eat whatever I could find...ah! I felt better :-) Hmmm, my food bag needs a name, any ideas?
Client three: A young mother, not minor but in her late 20s, father is unknown. Found new ways, new explorations. I noticed so many issues (sadly) and was kept on thinking she shouldn't get her kids back; she doesn't deserve to have her kids’ at this point and blah blah blah... But, soon after the meeting I poured my concerns to Ms. A. She explained that sometimes we need to keep the kids with mom because of various reasons and at times, we need to teach our clients some lessons through practical ways than by lectures only...interesting!
Two clients’ got canceled due to rain and schedule trouble. I was told to go home if I wanted instead of waiting for three hours for my shift to finish. I chose to come back home, and thought I would study a bit...HA! Nap is important than studying at times lol. While driving back home, I noticed so many liquor stores on the way, at almost every other corner. This all doesn't surprise me anymore, it use to be reverse. I understand the community and population I live in, and I am happy I reached to this stage.
The day was so productive that I was thoughtful, and happy it turned out this way. I enjoyed every minute of my time around and with clients. There is something about the clients which makes me keep going back to them and try to be there for them. While I was mere an intern and assisting Ms. A, there were social workers with each clients, and every SW came with different ideas, different modes and as a different package. As a future Social Worker, I noticed and observed these Social Workers. They were there for their clients’ some were openly advocating for them, some just stayed quiet and let Ms. A took charge of everything. I really got a redefinition of being a Social Worker. A Social Worker is there through thick and thin, a SW allows client to make mistakes, a SW ignores many issues, and a SW fight for clients rights...I knew these ethical thoughts but how to apply in any meeting with client and how to present yourself, makes me redefine my personal values as a future Social Worker.
Go USC...you are teaching me hell of a things! And I do love every minute of it regardless I want to or not!
Trojan
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