lp 14

1. Analyze the impact of social services on the human experience and how things have changed in past decades.
Social services has always been around, in one form or another, but now there is more knowledge and education involved. There have also been advances as far as counseling and crisis interventions. Also, the programs have gotten better for the communities, such as social services, food assistance, medicare, etc.

2. Acquire first-hand experience by volunteering a minimum of ten hours in a human service agency.
I volunteered at the Northcentral Health Care Center. Originally when I went there to look for volunteer services I was hoping to do something with kids, however I ended up at the opposite, working with the elderly. I was very nervous about this because I have never really worked with this group of people before. They were a joy to work with, in a wierd way they are just like kids except most can hold a conversation with you. I went in on Monday nights for BINGO. One thing I learned is watch out, they like to cheat, and they get quite upset if you don't have a prize that they wanted. Overall, I had a wonderful time volunteering with the elderly, even though I was hoping to volunteer with kids, it gave me a new perspective and that may be something I would like to do in the future.

3. Examine the history of human services in the U.S.
In the past most people that had problems were labeled as mentally ill nowadays people know that they are not mentally ill but that something is wrong and needs to solved, especially criminals.

4. Determine the populations that various human services agencies serve.
There are many, including elderly, children, disabled, people in poverty, at risk teens, abuse victims, substance abusers, repeat offenders, etc.

5. Characterize helping strategies between human service agencies.
Human service agencies need better communication in order to help individuals that may have more than one problem. Really they just need to all work together.

6. Identify the characteristics of the helping profession as linked to personal attributes.
Communicate effectively, ethics, strategic thinking, problem solving, decision making, providing information for their clients, have a support system for self to help with stress and keep from getting burnt out, empathy, non judgmental and respectful.

7. Discriminate between ethical and unethical behavior in human service personnel.
Ethical behavior is for both the worker and the client, it is a professional relationship between the two. Unethical behavior is doing things with the client outside of the profession, such as an intimate relationship, or another type of dual relationship.

8. Explain the personal qualifications necessary for employment in the human service field.
Empathy, integrity, ethics, education, and a true want to help people.

9. Formulate a plan to avoid human service worker burnout.
Don't take on more than you can handle. Also, have a support system so when you are stressed you have someone to talk to. Get enough, sleep and eat healthy. Along with these keep your home life and work life seperate. Take time for yourself when need be.

10. Explain how human diversity affects human service delivery.
People who do not explore other cultures and look at their own diversity cannot really help someone that is diverse from them because they won't fully understand it.

11. Develop a philosophy of life that includes valuing continual educational growth.
Learning is something that helps people continually grow as a person. It is a necessity and now continueing your education is very common and there are lots of classes that are offered and seminars that can be attended so you can get information and continue your education, so that you will succeed in your job, and as a person.

I really enjoyed this class, and I feel like I learned a lot. I do hae a question about the field experiences. I don't know if you can give me the information that I am looking for, but as far as the field placements go I am looking to take that in the fall semester, but am I assigned a place or can I stay working at where I am now, and do you get paid for working during the field placement? Also, is there anywhere on line that I can get more information about the field placements?
Thanks!

LP 13

1. What is the population of people you would prefer to not work with on a daily basis?
I don't think there really is a specific group that I do not want to work with. I think some may be harder than others, like child molesters, rapists, and murders.

2. When must a human services worker breach client confidentiality?
Confidentiality may be broken if there is suspected physical or sexual abuse, neglect, danger to self, court order or subpoena, an investigation into a death of a client, when a client needs a release of information, Patriot Act of 2001, or the duty to warn someone that the client poses a serious physical threat to another person.

3. Why is a dual relationship considered inappropriate?
It is considered inappropriate because it crosses a professional boundary. the purpose of a helper is to help the client, who may be vulnerable, which also means it may be easy to manipulate them and have the client help meet the helpers own needs.

4. Give three examples of dual relationships.
Asking the client to babysit the helpers kids, this happened to me while I was in counseling. A sexual relationship between the helper and client. A helper attending a social event thrown by the client.

5. What is countertransference?
A worker having feelings toward clients based on unresolved or unacknowledged feeling or issue.

1. Tell me 5 ways you worked toward reducing your stress this week.
I set aside time for myself. I also, sat down with the my boyfriend to make a budget, and we cleaned together, which helps lessen the stress because he is actually helping me. I am learning that sleep is a necessity when dealing with overcoming stress. Lastly, we paid all of our bills before they were due, one less thing to worry about for the next month.

2. Tell me if you have registered for classes for Spring Term 2010. If you have not registered for classes, please tell me why.
Yes I have registered I'm taking human sexuality, abnormal psych, atoda, and a class I can't remember.

3. Time to purge. Anything you need/want to share? Tell me any concerns or questions you have about class or life in general. You can vent too if you need to.
Life is going pretty decent right now. I went Black Friday shopping for the first time, found a lot of good deals, and got stuff that was needed for our new place.

Chapter 11

1. What are your attitudes to your body? Take some time to study your body and become aware of how you look to yourself and what your body feels like to you. Try standing in front of a good-sized mirror, and reflect on these questions:

Look at your face. What is it telling you? What are your eyes conveying to you? Can you see yourself smiling? Is your body generally tight or relaxed? Where do you feel tension? Which parts, if any, of your body do you ashamed of or try to hide? What about your body would you most like to change? What do you like the most? The least?

For the most part I like what I look like. When I look in the mirror at my face there isn't much I would change I think I am fairly good looking. My favorite part of my entire body are my eyes, I have very blue eyes and I am complimented on them all the time. I also, love smiling I have been asked if I have had braces before because my teeth are so straight, which I haven't. I generally have a tight back, I have had back problems for as long as I can remember and I always have knots in my back and in my shoulders. I tend to hide my stomach, I would love to get rid of my love handles and belly, I have tried numerous things and nothing works. My legs are average and I love them. I don't think there is a shape for my body, it goes from tiny to round to tiny again. I have a big chest, which I enjoy most of the time, I also get the back problems from it. The number one thing I would change would be my stomach flab.
2. Is your weight a barrier and a burden?
I would most definitely say yes. I am so concerned with my weight that I fail to see the good parts about my body. I try so hard to watch what I am eating and work out, but nothing seems to help.

3. What actions are you willing to take to become more invested in taking care of yourself?
I am willing to do anything. I would really like to feel healthy and have more energy.
4. Tell me 6 (yup, six- up one from last week) good things that have happened to you this week.
I am learning to budget my money, We finally settled in to our new place, I keep picking up hours at work, I got a part time job that pays in cash, I am doing really good at staying ahead in all of my classes, and lastly, my boyfriend and I moving into our own place has helped our relationship so much, I think he may be the ONE.

Juno

This is one of my favorite movies. Although I find it misleading, I think it is hilarious and has a good story line. Bleeker is my favorite character, he's so dorky that it makes him cute. I think that this movie does a good job of showing the different options that are available for teen pregnancy. It talks about keeping the baby, abortion, and of course adoption. I did find the relationship between Juno and Mark kind of creepy. It seemed like they were actually falling for eachother, which I think kind of led to Mark and Vanessa's problems. I also am very against abortions, so I especially liked the way abortion was portrayed in this film. I had a lot of different feelings while watching this movie, first of all I thought it was funny so it made me smile. I also, was kind of sad, just because I could never imagine giving up a child, even though it would be going into a good home. Lastly, I liked the relationship between Juno and Bleeker, because it reminded me of my relationship with my boyfriend, we do a lot of stupid things but we have fun and enjoy it. This movie really hit home for me, because I have had quite a few friends that have been pregnant and are pregnant right now. One of my friends gave there child up for adoption, it was an open adoption and the she is her child's god mother now. Another friend kept her child and her and the baby's daddy had a lot of issues with child support and custody. Last fall, her child was killed and that brought her and the dad back together, which was a good thing, but not under those circumstances. I have 3 friends right now that are pregnant and all of them are planning on keeping their babies. I can't imagine how difficult teen pregnancy is because I haven't experienced it first hand, and hopefully I won't. I think this movie is a must see. It brings a new perspective about teen pregnancy.

Chapter 10

1. Examine the different impacts that stress and burnout can have on your life (p. 286-288). Identify symptoms of stress you currently have.
After reading this part of the chapter, I realized I don't really relate to many of these impacts. The one thing I do get when I am stressed is headaches. Also, I experience some type of physical exhaustion. I just become more tired easily.

2. How does the four-pronged approach to managing stress encourage autonomy?
This approach to managing stress encourages autonomy by recognizing your own problems, working on your problems, improving interpersonal communication, and maintaing a sense of humor.

3. Look at the communication examples on page 299. Answering honestly, which style of statements generally reflects your communication style? How can you improve your communication style to enhance your personal and professional self?
I would say I usually use the passive statements and ineffective statements. I could improve my communication by explaining more about what is upsetting me and also maybe stand up for myself more, instead of just going along with what others say.

4. Tell me 5 (yup, five) good things that have happened to you this week.
My boyfriend and I moved into our own place
We got our cable and internet hooked up
I picked up more hours at work
I finished a class that ends in December
I am not pregnant!! YAY!
5. Time to purge. Anything you need/want to share? Tell me any concerns or questions you have about class or life in general. You can vent too if you need to.
As far as registering for classes how do you find out when your appointment is?

Chapter 9

1. If you only had one more year to live, what would you do in that year?
I would travel around the world and spend as much time with my family and friends as possible. I would also, attempt to save as many people as possible and help others in any way that I could. 2. Have you found your purpose in life?
Honestly, I would say no. I would like to think that m purpose would be to help others, but I don't think I have reached that a hundred percent yet.
3. How do you plan on changing the world?
I would like to change the world by helping people. I would also, like to change the world by giving back to the community and donating as much as possible. I hope to inspire others to want to help and give what they can.