Dimensions of Culture/Webquest Assignment

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The work at home culture will benefit if employees use it to benefit them as it will help the company in the long run. Productive employees means a productive company all around. The major problem is that a lot of employees perceive it that if they use it then that will harm their career. It truly depends on if the company is family oriented or not. I think support is crucial and if there is no support then the work home arrangement features will fail. If the employee worries about their personal issues then it distracts them from being the best productive employee they could be. So having flexible family arrangements brings positive working employees. It's a win win all around both personal and professional as it will reflect back on both.

With cultures these days that have both parents working I think this was a great article on the work home arrangements that support working family's in this day and age. It had a study on the demographic of the work home arrangement and the results from several years back and not too much has changed in the scenario since then as far as the economy. So the data was useful and accurate as far as working families goes. That is is nice if you can find a family oriented company as they support work home arrangements. The article covered all the data I needed to know on the topic.

http://www.crownrelo.com/relo/docs/cultural.dimension.pdf

There are five primary dimensions of culture: the first is the Power Distance, the second is the Individualism, and the third is Masculinity, the fourth is Uncertainty Avoidance and the last one is Long-Term Orientation. Dimensions are to be used as a guide in accepting the diversity in society connecting countries. Power Distance refers to the level of difference that exists–and is acknowledged–mainly by the fewer influential members of a group, business, organization or society. Individualism refers to the power of connection that people have with others within the community. Masculinity refers to an sign of the respect in which the conventional masculine occupation responsibility representation of accomplishment, power and control is held. Uncertainty Avoidance refers to the culture’s acceptance for uncertainty, unstructured situations and spontaneous events. Long-Term Orientation refers to the extent to which the culture upholds conventional ideals. High or low dimensions influence countries to oppose or agree to change.

I actually learned about this in my Tech Reporting class this summer. I think this source is valid and useful in society and it truthful with the information as written. I already was aware of this as I said previously as I read it from my text book. It had all the pertinent information that was in my text at the time I read it earlier this summer.

http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/home

The American culture has six dimensions. Learning about our own cultural model provides us with a baseline for evaluating cultures that are diverse. As we expand self-awareness around cultural understanding, we are able to study without jumping to conclusions. We recognize there’s a variation linking what we actually view and how we mark our interpretation based on our own cultural programming. In the development of becoming more attentive of relations with ethnically diverse patients, providers perfect relations skills that promote all patients. Improved patient approval and health outcomes lead to happier providers and more thriving practices. Definitely within the medical background, that’s seen as a win-win situation of great importance. This a manual that covers all four topics that the groups were assigned to. I think this syllabus covers it all. This would be a great manual to use at any health organization. It has all the data needed for certain situations. How to handle situations that have diverse cultures involved.

http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/11711_Chapter7.pdf

This article covers the five primary basis again only in depth. It specifically talks about Japan and China's cultural differences toward other cultures. This resource had more information then my second source. It gives more examples to get a better idea. The scope of information is from many reliable sources. It was a review from the summer on the information already learned.I believe it had every possible bit of info there is on the subject.

Wk 4 Blog Prompt

1) Compare your discussion in our classroom versus what you normally would contribute in a face-to-face class. Are you contributing more, less, or about equally?
I think I am contributing as equal as I would in class. I guess it depends what the topic of conversation is about and if it interests me or not.

2) Explain how you facilitate ongoing dialogue in our online classroom. Specifically, what response techniques are you using? You may add a hyperlink, ask a question, expand on a topic, offer a different perspective, or provide a summary of the topic of conversation, or give an opinion of what you think. I have used hyper links, I have asked questions so far. I have expanded on a topic thus far.

Code of Ethics

My agency works with new parents by helping them become educated in child development with their child from the ages of newborn to age three. We work with also with the court approved visitations. We are trying to make sure we have the children's best interest in anything we try to provide them. The children are what we strive to help so they don’t become abused or neglected. Everything is completely confidential so one knows that we serve the clients we do unless the client themselves makes it known to others. We will ask the client if it is all right to share their case between us colleagues. It is our job to make sure that the children basic needs are met. Clients are to be given respect no matter their fashion, differences, and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers try to help encourage, re-establish, and keep relationships together. There should be a trust between the clients established. No one should practice anymore than their competence allows them to. We will use the informed consent with all clients. If there is a conflict of interest we will address it and refer. Under no circumstances is there to be a sexual relationship. Client’s have access to their records. There should not be any personal touching as it may misconstrue the situation and that could lead to sexual harassment. There will be no vulgar language used here. When services are no longer needed counselors need to terminate the relationship with the clients.

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This article is based on principle and virtue based. The believers and the skeptics as you will. The article describes the idea behind the events of the believers and skeptics and discovers the potential for upcoming practice and research with respect to decision-making about ethical issues in the social work profession. The principle bases abide by the code even when the code is difficult to follow. Whereas the virtue base find the code can be damaging when trying to do what is best for the client. We are trying not to harm the client any further. The difficulty of any difference within the community/institutional construction, need to be significantly understood in the ethical decision-making development in order to report for ethical trespass and the well-being of the consumer. Methodologies were used to perform the conduct of study and examine the facts. They collected data, interviewed people, and analyzed the data. They consulted with colleagues and listened to the feedback. It is clear that if you don’t want o follow the code of ethics they would prefer you find another profession. They want to make sure you are also working within the scope of your ability. If you aren’t you are to refer to someone else. Make sure the written consent form is followed to the letter. Make sure you are practicing self-care so you don’t get burnt out. Make sure everything is documented to cover your but so to speak in case anything is ever brought up in a legal perspective. What I got out of this is that you are on one side or the other. There is no middle ground.

LP 2 Blog Prompt

My 4 goals I hope to achieve are that I complete my internship successfully without any mishaps. I want to learn all the aspects of what it takes to become a caseworker or social worker both personally and professionally. I want to learn what areas in my own community pertaining to Human Services lack the much needed resource's to be a healthy community. I would like to know what careers are needed the most in this field and how much education is needed to achieve this. I rank them with my 1st one I listed in the order of importance to me. My director shared a comment of praise for my work so far.

LP1 Blog

Well so far this is going to be a wonderful experience for me. There is a lot to learn here for me. I am like a sponge ready to absorb. I will be able to go on home visitations and that will be life learning. They have me working on the computer helping them get the word out that they exist in the community and surrounding area.

I learned that babies see in black and white the first few months as I did not remember learning that.

I was able to help someone learn a different way to access their files and e-mail that is easier for them on the computer now. I taught someone how to set up a blog that is computer challenged. Its nice to help people understand things and make it easier for them. I like the new teachers I have. My field placement likes what I have done so far with their Face-book page.

I think the the classes I have together will help bounce off of each other this semester. I already have a project to use for two classes bonus. I am glad everyone is so friendly and nice at my field placement. That will make for a great semester field placement.

"Designing Three Levels of Intervention" #2

Mr. Groff is 93 and living alone in his home. He only stopped driving last year. He would like to get out more, perhaps go to the senior citizen's center. In addition, he would like to go to the Lions Club and to participate in a foreign policy club he belonged to for years. He tells you sadly that the members of the foreign policy club always seemed amazed at the reading he had done and the sound opinions he expressed, "as though I should be senile!" Since he stopped driving, he has lost contact with them. Right now he sees no reason to go to a nursing home and feels that if he had transportation he could continue to buy his groceries, prepare his meals, and care for himself generally. He tells you, however, that he would like to find a way to be less lonely.

Intervention on the micro level: Mr. Groff is very motivated in wanting to keep his mind active with others discussing subjects that interest him socially. I think he would bring a lot of history to younger generations. I would look into volunteers that would be willing to drive him to places.I would contact the Lions Club to find out if someone would be willing to pick him up for the meetings.

Intervention on the mezzo level:Introduce him to the senior center for possible other activities and other people to socialize with. He may find other groups to join that he would feel part of. His loneliness would go away possibly then too.

Intervention on the macro level: He may have stories to tell to children in schools. They may gain some valuable knowledge from listening to him. Introduce him to history teachers in the surrounding schools if he is interested in sharing.

Blog Prompt 14

Analyze the impact of social services on the human experience and how things have changed in past decades. We have had to deal with a lot more illegal immigrants wanting services. I think there is a need for more rehab facilities for the substance abuse. The bad economy has added to the stress of trying to employee people. There seems to be more natural disasters. We have had to deal with more terrorist activities. The war that has been going on for so long. There just is more issues it seems. The funding will always be an issue. There are budget cuts so programs that were there are no longer available.

Acquire first-hand experience by volunteering a minimum of ten hours in a human service agency. I volunteered for a large non-profit agency United Way first by getting people to donate money by raffle tickets because they knew it was going for a good cause to give back to the community. The second part I gave my time for a local girl who was diagnosed with leukemia by selling raffle and meal tickets at the door. I didn't know hardly anyone so I wasn't emotionally involved which made it easier for them to have me at the door when they were announcing the winners. I have volunteered a lot when I was in the Jaycees so this is something that I have enjoyed. It's a great way to meet new people.

Examine the history of human services in the U.S. There has been a lot of growth over the years to help our nation. We help the elderly on aging issues. We have helped people with disabilities find work. We have helped with childcare with the child support effort to provide for the welfare of children. The effects that AIDS has on an individual has been a counseling effort. We have established shelters for homeless and domestic abuse. We have come up with a systems to help cloth, feed individuals in need. We have vaccines/immunizations to keep disease control down. We have worked hard to help children safe setting up foster parents or adoptions. We have been working on the big over haul of Health Care-Medicare/Medicaid.

Determine the populations that various human services agencies serve. They serve many races, cultures, languages, genders, young, elderly, criminal offenders, and substance and domestic abuse. They serve the disabled population.

Characterize helping strategies between human service agencies. It's all about working as a team to help the individual get the best possible help.

Identify the characteristics of the helping profession as linked to personal attributes. It makes a person feel good that they can help another individual with some kind of struggle in their life.

Discriminate between ethical and unethical behavior in human service personnel. The relationship outside the a human service provider. There is supposed to be a professional requirement of how you deal with clients no matter how much you would like to help them there are certain boundaries that have to be followed.

Explain the personal qualifications necessary for employment in the human service field.
You must pass the criminal background check. You must have the ability to focus on the main needs of the situation and not let your personal bias or feelings intervene. Certain rules and policies must be followed. You must be able to deal with lots of change. There are the government agencies county and state you have to work with. You should be skilled with technology to complete reports and keep communication verbal or writing up to date. Be able to keep your bias, beliefs to yourself. Be able to work under stressful situations. There will be times when you will need to be assertive when you are the one in charge of evaluating the situation and good judgment will be needed. Make sure you are working safe. Be knowledgeable of the legal laws. Be able to deal with finances. Have an ability to work with many diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Formulate a plan to avoid human service worker burnout. Just like any job when you leave you have to shelf it for the night. There are things that are out of your control. I like spending time with friends and family talking about positive things. Listening to music and relaxing in front of the TV or a movie.

Explain how human diversity affects human service delivery. How the message is received to the individual. You have to keep your body language in check when dealing with others. Peoples emotions are raw usually when you are dealing with them. They could take something the wrong way. Everyone has different challenges.

Develop a philosophy of life that includes valuing continual educational growth.
We are always learning by observing others. To go to work shops with others in your profession is helpful. Certain situations are learned from just listening to others life experiences. You can't learn everything from a book.