SOCW6361 Week Two Discussion
Discussion 1: Policies and Social Problems
Post the policy at an agency or organization with which you are familiar. Describe the
organization, the policy, and the social problem it addresses.
At Behavioral Health Systems in Maryland, the mission is to develop, implement and
align resources, programs and policies that support the behavioral health and wellness of
individuals, families and communities. The agency provides mental health services for the city of
Baltimore. One policy at the agency is to embrace diversity and to provide all clients with equal
access to care despite their race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual preference, disability, or
any other characteristic (Behavioral Health Systems, 2018). Social workers must be committed
to promoting laws and supporting the values of every client at the agency, but they must also be
self-aware and committed to understanding the client’s cultural differences (Bender et al., 2010).
Many clients lead lives that may not align to the values of the social worker. The policy is to
embrace diversity. One vulnerable population that benefits from the policy is members of the
LGBT community. The LGBT community is a vulnerable, marginalized community requiring
access to unbiased care. The company requires every worker to take a training course to learn
about each of the different groups of clients that are served to ensure the social worker can
practice with compassion and without bias. The social problem it addresses is access for diverse
populations to mental health services. Behavioral Health Systems provides services to all
populations. Citizens from all backgrounds have access to mental health and substance abuse
services based on what they are able to pay.
Behavioral Health Systems. (2018). Out Mission. Retrieved September 3, 2018 from
http://www.bhsbaltimore.org/about-bhsb/our-mission/
Bender, K. et al. (2010). Exploring the Relationship between Self-Awareness and Student
Commitment and Understanding of Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice. Journal
of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 19(1), 34–53.
Discussion 2: Small Group Discussion: Community Work and Collaborations
Describe your experience working in groups or as a team.
Working in teams can be both fulfilling and frustrating. Some team members were
motivated and had the same sense of urgency to accomplish goals while other team members
preferred a slower more meticulous approach. Th different styles for reaching goals can be
frustrating, but with good leaderships and communication most team problems were easily
resolved. I have also been in teams where there was a high degree of conflict which has made it
more difficult for the team to reach goals.
Explain the importance of collaborating with different groups and building coalitions in
order to advocate for community and policy change.
Social workers do not only provide assistance to the individual client, they help support
change at the macro level. to initiate change for the wider community, the social worker must be
able to collaborate with other stakeholders to affect positive, social change. Collaboration is
necessary because it unifies different groups in society who can help affect positive change.
Collaboration is effective teamwork, professional cooperation, and the enhancement of existing
collaborative relationships such as worker-to-client, worker-to-colleague, worker-to-agency,
agency-to-agency, and worker/agency-to-community/ society, to create social change (Soska et
al., 2018). If these groups do not collaborate, change will be impossible.
Thinking about the wiki project you will do during this course:
List one strength you will bring to your group.
I have a sense of urgency. When goals are set, I am motivated to complete tasks and meet
team goals. My willingness to provide work on time and to support the efforts of the rest of the
team will support collaboration and communication. I act promptly, decisively, and without
delay. The team and team goals will always be a priority.
Describe a potential difficulty that may occur within the group and explain a strategy you
will recommend to your group to address that difficulty.
I tend to get impatient when other members of the team fail to do their part. This causes
delays which will negatively impacts the clients we serve. To ensure all team members are on the
same page, there must be effective communication. Creating a communication plan will help
alleviate any miscommunications and guide efforts to make a positive social change (Obregón &
Tufte, 2017). Without clear direction, there will be delays and the team’s ability to collaborate
will be les effective.
Obregón, R. & Tufte, T. (2017). Communication, Social Movements, and Collective Action:
Toward a New Research Agenda in Communication for Development and Social Change.
Journal of Communication, 67(5), 635–645
Soska, T. et al. (2018). Community, Organization, and Social Action: Reframing Macro Practice
for Action. Journal of Community Practice, 24(2), 119-122
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