Gaining experience in the development, planning, intervention and evaluation process as related to groups..
Introduction This paper is an exercise designed to allow students to think about and gain experience in the development, planning, intervention and evaluation process as related to groups. Factors such as theory, diversity, values, worker roles, activities and empowerment strategies should also be considered when utilizing groups as a vehicle for change. Assignment objectives: • To gain increased knowledge and skills in using groups as a vehicle for change especially for those populations identified as at risk. • To provide opportunity to integrate major knowledge concepts covered in the course, particularly with regard to understanding theories associated with group work. • To develop engagement, assessment and intervention skills in developing a group • To identify individual and group challenges (emotional as well as physical) associated with being in a group • Identify relevant diversity factors • Demonstrate awareness of an evaluative method for assessing progress outcomes of the group. Beginning the assignment: You have two options in selecting a group: • If you are working with a group, you may use that group as the basis for your paper OR • Develop a group on paper (develop as in make up a potential group). This group should have relevance to an agency where you currently or in the past interned or worked, or can be related to a topic in which you have an interest; the group may also be one that has relevance to your community. • Think about how a group organized around the particular population, need or issue you select might be a vehicle for change. Ex: recent immigrants need to learn how to navigate the public education system; grandmothers adjusting to role of primary caregiver to grandchildren; self esteem or safety issues for gay teens; a group for women in a domestic violence shelter. • Part 1 of the paper: overview of group: part 1 review, quick guide 24: page 340 text; answer briefly questions found in bullets 1-6 (bullets are not numbered); but are from questions: 1. What are my reasons… to, question/bullet 6: What will be the eligibility requirements. Approx. 1 page. • Be sure to indicate the population you have selected for the group. • At the end of the overview select at least one theory relevant to your group and list two related journal articles and a website resource you plan to use. Theories found on Blackboard. For the paper: Part 2: Select at least one of the group development theories, more if others apply to your group. Discuss the theory and how it relates to your group; (narrative approach and solution based are in the text; other theories are listed in the article on Black Board Follow the guidelines of the pre-planning group list Birk: pg 344-345 and answer the 9 bulleted areas as part of your group work paper. After developing the group according to the pre-planning stages briefly answer these questions. ▪ What life cycle stage are most of the members of the group? ▪ What needs are related to this life cycle and how does this life cycle influence the group’s interaction? ▪ Take the reader through the first meeting if this is a group you are making up. If this is an already established group, discuss the development stage the group is in currently providing examples to support the group phase that you identified. ▪ What can be considered a strength of the group? ▪ Identify at least one activity or strategy you would use with the group for individual and or group empowerment. ▪ Identify the major diversity(ies) in the group. The diversity may be based on age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities, race, sexual orientation, social class, spirituality/religious belief, other. ▪ Discuss the effect(s) such diversity may have on the individual or group. ▪ Might the members be considered at risk or oppressed? If so, how and why. ▪ Develop a sociogram indicating what might take place among members. ▪ What would be one indication for you to start the termination process with this group? ▪ Using your empathy skills, what are possible feelings members of this group might have or exhibit towards being part of such a group? ▪ What feelings would you have if you were part of such a group as a member? ▪ How will you know when you have or have not accomplished the goal (s)? ▪ What method or tools will you utilize to evaluate? Research components • Use the APA citation style. • Read and give a summary on one article related to the type or population of your group • Give the complete bibliographic citation of the article. • Find a relevant Internet resource related to the population of your group; provide a brief summary of the web page highlights; provide the name and citation for the site.