ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
This assignment is designed to integrate content in Units II, III, & IV, developing analytical skills, planning change in communities and organizations, and policy practitioner as change agent. The readings in Units II, III, & IV will provide some direction for this assignment. Use scholarly references and grey literature for any specific information you need that is not covered in the Units. This assignment has two parts. The first part is a group assignment, and the second part is an individual assignment. Both assignments should follow this outline and address each question below:
Part I: To be completed in groups of 5-6
Final Product: The final group product will be a 20 minute video presentation with slides that include references for your sources. You can use pictures, screenshots from websites, and any other evidence that will support your claims about community and organizations. Successful presentations will include at least 20 sources, and will reference citations on the slides and in a references page in APA.
The setup: You are a small team of ethical and macro-minded social workers from different organizations trying to better understand the needs and strengths of a community and the organizational resources available to them. As a group, you are investigating this community because it is clear that their needs are not being met, and you would like to try to meet their needs. Compose a video presentation using the following prompts to guide you. Just as ethical community practitioners are asked to reflect and act, you are also asked to include reflections throughout.
1. Introduction: Identify yourselves and your topic. Give your names and an introduction about what the team is going to investigate and how. Briefly give an overview of the community, an organization that serves them (or could serve them), and the issues that they are currently facing.
2. Identify the community:
1. What are the important characteristics, functions, and dimensions of this community? You’ll need to accurately describe what you know (and don’t know) about the community (use research and resources).
2. Include a diagram explaining the community context (e.g. individuals within the community who are within a specific spatial location which is nested within broader systems). In the description of your diagram, explain how this context impacts this community.
3. Go into the literature and identify 3 needs and 3 strengths. Cite your sources.
3. Describe the needs assessment process:
1. How would you go about finding out more about the needs of this community? Describe a needs assessment process (either from the Tasks in Netting et al., the ABCD framework, or another framework that you know of) and describe, specifically, what you can expect to learn in the needs assessment process.
2. Describe how you will incorporate a trauma-informed approach and/or an anti-racist apporach in this needs assessment. Elaborate on why you chose a trauma informed approach and/or an anti-racist approach. How does this affect your understanding of how trauma/racism impact the community?
4. Reflect
1. Why is it important to look at a community’s strengths and assets?
2. Reflect on what don’t you know, even after a thorough review of the literature. What could you do to find out that information? Why is this important?
5. Identify the organization: Identify an organization that is currently serving (or could be serving) this community.
1. Who do they serve (clients) and how do they serve them (programs)?
2. Who works there and why are they qualified to work there? Check their pages on Staff and/or Board of Directors.
3. What can you tell about this organization’s culture based on your readings from the competing values framework? Justify your answer with evidence from the organization or other media.
4. Does this orgnaization explicitly state its use of trauma-informed practices (with clients and staff) or anti-racist practice? Is this important? Why or why not?
6. Reflect
1. Why is this organization a good fit (or not) to meet the needs of the community that you identified?
2. What would need to change about this organization to better meet the needs of the community?
Part II is individual. See that assignment description for more details.
RUBRIC:
Criteria RATING RATING RATING Pts
Introduction 5 to >4.75 pts
Exemplary
The group introduces themselves and gives an overview of the topic with exemplary relevance and insight.
4.75 to >3.5 pts
Developing Competence
The group introduces themselves and gives an overview of the topic but there is opportunity for further clarity.
3.5 to >0 pts
Insufficient
The group does not or does appear to attempt to address the introduction.
5 pts
Community Identification 20 to >18.5 pts
Exemplary
The group defines the community using the dimensions and characteristics in Netting et al. The group includes both what they know and don’t know with exemplary insight, connections, and depth. The group includes a diagram that represents the context and explains it’s impact impeccably. The group further explains the strengths and assets of the community they have chosen.
18.5 to >14.0 pts
Developing Competence
The group begins to define the community using the dimensions and characteristics in Netting et al., the group includes both what they know and don’t know, and the group includes a diagram that represents the context and explains it’s impact, as well as begins to address the strengths and assets of the community they have chosen, however, there are opportunities to further clarify, connect, and explain.
14 to >0 pts
Insufficient
There are major lapses in information for this section.
20 pts
Process of Identifying needs 20 to >18.5 pts
Exemplary
Strong and complete demonstration of the process for assessment, including the role of the social worker and a discussion of a trauma-informed approach and/or an anti-racist approach
18.5 to >14.0 pts
Developing Competence
Student attempts to demonstrate the process for assessment, including the role of the social worker and a discussion of a trauma-informed approach and/or an anti-racist approach. There are opportunities to be more complete, clear, and create better connections.
14 to >0 pts
Insufficient
Struggles to present a consistent understanding about the process of assessment OR major elements are missing.
20 Pts
Organization Identification 20 to >18.5 pts
Exemplary
The group defines the organization using the dimensions and characteristics in Netting et al. and described the culture and context with exemplary insight, connections, and depth. The group addresses the organization’s approach to trauma-informed practices (with clients and staff) or anti-racist practice impeccably.
18.5 to >14.0 pts
Developing Competence
The group begins to define the organization using the dimensions and characteristics in Netting et al. and describes the culture and context and the organization’s approach to trauma-informed practices (with clients and staff) or anti-racist practice impeccably, but there is more opportunity for clarity, connection, and depth.
14 to >0 pts
Insufficient
The student does not or does not appear to identify an organization, or there are major elements missing.
20 pts
Reflection 20 to >18.5 pts
Exemplary
The group reflects on both community and organizational change with exemplary depth.
18.5 to >14.0 pts
Developing Competence
The group reflects on both community and organizational change, however there is opportunity for deeper reflection and connection.
14 to >0 pts
Insufficient
The student does not or does not appear to reflect on community and/or organizational change, or there are major lapses.
20 pts
Use of APA 5 to >4.75 pts
Exemplary
Impeccable grammar; APA paper format, in-text citations and reference page correct.
4.75 to >3.5 pts
Developing Competence
Minor errors in grammar that doesn’t distract and/or minor APA format errors.
3.5 to >0 pts
Insufficient
Grammatically difficult to read due to multiple and ongoing errors and/or APA format not used or major lapses.
5 pts
Use of literature 10 to >9.5 pts
Exemplary
The application and integration of the assigned readings, scholarly literature and and other class resources illustrate the student’s ability to think critically and analytically.
9.5 to >7.5 pts
Developing Competence
There is more opportunity for the student to demonstrate application and integration of the assigned readings, scholarly literature and and other class resources illustrate the student’s ability to think critically and analytically.
7.5 to >0 pts
Insufficient
The student does not or does not appear to apply and integrate the assigned readings, scholarly literature and other class resources.
10 pts
Total 100 Pts