Social Casework Methodology: A Skills Handbook for the Caribbean Human Services Worker (SpringerBriefs in Social Work)

This brief is a practical reference contextualizing social casework methodology in a specifically Caribbean cultural and historical context. It emerged from the experiences of human services workers and educators working in the Caribbean. The concepts of social welfare policy and programs are relatively new to the Caribbean as historically Christian-based organizations and local communities took the responsibility of caring for those in need. As social problems grew more complicated and threatened the security of the nation (e.g., gang violence), it became clear that governments of these small island states needed to provide a systematic approach in dealing with these social problems to help their citizens have a better quality of life. __Social Casework Methodology: A Skills Handbook for the Caribbean Human Services Worker__ outlines a systematic approach that human services workers will find useful while working with clients in the Caribbean. It also is an easy-to-use text that defines social casework methodology, components of the methods, case histories, and exercises for social work students interested in working in the human services sector in the Caribbean. Preface 7 Acknowledgments 10 Contents 12 List of Diagrams 15 List of Tables 16 Chapter 1: The Unique Environment of the Caribbean 18 Introduction to the Various Races and Ethnicities Currently Living in the Caribbean 19 The Importance of Anti-Oppressive Practice in the Caribbean 20 Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP) 20 References 21 Chapter 2: Social Problems in the Caribbean 22 Social Problems 22 Review of Prevalent Social Problems in the Caribbean 22 Poverty 22 Human Trafficking 23 Crime and Drugs 24 Access to Health Care and Ageing 24 Natural Disasters: Climate Change 26 Social Welfare Systems in the Caribbean 27 Social Welfare Education in the Caribbean 28 A Way Forward 29 References 30 Chapter 3: History of the Social Casework Method 32 The Beginning of Casework Methods 32 Casework Method Definition 34 Principles of the Social Casework Method 38 Explanations of the Principles of Social Casework 39 The Casework Approach 39 References 41 Chapter 4: Theoretical Frameworks of the Social Casework Method 42 Historical Philosophical Underpinning of the Social Casework Method 42 Theoretical Frameworks 43 Freud’s Structural Theory 43 Common Defense Mechanisms 45 Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development 47 Systems Theory 50 The Family System 51 Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory 53 Person-Centered Approach 54 References 56 Chapter 5: Theoretical Underpinnings Needed for the Caribbean 57 Anti-Oppressive Practice 57 Resiliency 58 Intersectionality 59 Cultural Humility 61 References 63 Chapter 6: Components of the Social Casework Method 65 The Client vs. Family and Friends 65 Mandated Client 65 A Client’s Personality 66 Client’s Communication Patterns 69 The Caribbean Perspective of Communication 69 The Problem 71 The Worker 73 Providing Warmth 74 Facial Expressions 74 Empathy and Genuineness 74 Body Movements 75 Active Listening 75 Building Trust 76 Empowerment 77 The Agency 78 References 80 Chapter 7: The Helping Process 81 The Interview 81 Interview Preparation 82 Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication 83 Place of Interview 84 Observation 85 Worker-Client Relationship 87 Building Rapport 87 Data Collection Methods 88 Lifespan Interview 89 Childhood 89 Adolescence 89 Young Adulthood (Ages 19–30) 90 Middle Adulthood (Ages 31–55) 90 Late Life (Ages 56+) 91 Genogram 92 Exercise 93 Ecomap 95 References 96 Chapter 8: Assessment and Intervention 97 Assessment 97 The Behavior-Therapy Assessment 98 Problem-Solving Framework Assessment 98 Task-Centered Assessment Process 100 Intervention/Treatment 102 Behavior Therapy – Intervention 102 Problem-Solving Approach: Intervention 102 Task-Centered Approach 103 Evaluation-Termination 104 Problem-Solving Approach: Termination 105 Task-Centered Termination 105 Case Studies 109 Valerie 109 Questions 110 Rhonda 110 Questions 112 Tammy 112 Questions 114 Ms. Wallis 114 Questions 115 Janice 115 Questions 116 Alicia 116 Questions 118 Laure 118 Questions 119 Janice 119 Questions 120 References 120 Index 122 Front Matter ....Pages i-xxi The Unique Environment of the Caribbean (Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Camille L. Huggins)....Pages 1-4 Social Problems in the Caribbean (Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Camille L. Huggins)....Pages 5-14 History of the Social Casework Method (Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Camille L. Huggins)....Pages 15-24 Theoretical Frameworks of the Social Casework Method (Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Camille L. Huggins)....Pages 25-39 Theoretical Underpinnings Needed for the Caribbean (Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Camille L. Huggins)....Pages 41-48 Components of the Social Casework Method (Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Camille L. Huggins)....Pages 49-64 The Helping Process (Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Camille L. Huggins)....Pages 65-80 Assessment and Intervention (Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Camille L. Huggins)....Pages 81-105 Back Matter ....Pages 107-110