University of Houston-Downtown Social Work Program
Course: # 3313 Case Management Adjunct Instructor: Angela M. Goins, LMSW
Paper # 1 Rubric/Instructions Case Manager Interview-Due On-Line
This assignment is 15 % of your overall grade.
Each student is required to interview a case manager in the field of social work. The case manager must choose a practitioner who holds either a LBSW, LMSW or LCSW. If they are not licensed, you can still interview them. But, they have to have a social work degree. The student chooses an area of social work where case management is conducted by the practitioner. Areas of case management to choose from include but not limited to working with clients with mental health issues, HIV, youth at risk, children in foster care, elderly in nursing homes just to name a few examples.
The interview can be either over the phone or in person. Interviews in person, however, tend to provide a richer experience. This assignment will require time outside of the classroom. Included in the rubric are 14 areas that you will develop your own questions to ask the case manager. Their answers and reflections to the questions and your own written reflection of the experience will be at least 4 to 5 pages (not including the title page and the reference page). The paper can be longer if you desire. Be sure to inform the case manager before the interview that this interview may last between 30 to 45 minutes.
This assignment will provide students the unique opportunity to practice interviewing skills with social work professionals who do
case management already in the community. It will also provide the student with the opportunity to apply case management concepts, phases, models, goals, principles and components learned in class to actual “real world” experiences of case management practice. You will also have the ability to observe and learn the dimensions of values, skills, knowledge, affective and cognitive processing that is required as a social worker through your interviews with your case managers. (We will discuss these dimensions more in class.
If you use outside references in your paper, be sure to cite the references and give credit in APA style.
The paper is comprised of two parts:
1. The 14 discussion areas listed below are provided for the actual interview you will conduct and must be covered in your interview. These areas will address information about the case manager and the type of case management that the interviewee does in the community. YOU DEVELOP YOUR OWN QUESTIONS. This exercise allows you the opportunity to develop skills in interviewing and communicating with other professionals. You will then be required to apply your interview answers as they pertain to case management concepts. You must address all 14 areas fully in order to get credit for this assignment.
2. After you address these required areas, you will write a short reflection of this experience and what you learned about case management as a technique used in the social work profession. This section of the paper can address any observations, reflections and knowledge received during this interview.
Interview Discussion Areas
Provide a detailed description of the Client system the case manager services. This question should address services provided, type of agency, brief history of the agency, specific client population served, number of years that this case manager has done this type of work, official title of the case manager.
Identify two barriers the case manager engages with Clients they service.
Describe in detail techniques of the case manager’s assessment phase (i.e. initial contact, screening, intake etc.)
Describe in detail development of the case manager’s planning phase (i.e. Client participation, resources etc.)
Discuss in detail how the case manager incorporates the implementation phase with their client. Be specific.
Describe how your interview with a case manager reflects what you have learned in class about case management thus far. Be specific.
Describe in detail how the case manager applies the components and principals of case management to their work.
Discuss in detail the case manager’s contribution to the amelioration/improvement of social and economic injustice(s) with the population they service.
9. Discuss in detail the case manager’s experience with social policy at the local, state or federal levels that impact well- being, service delivery, and access to social services while providing case management to clients. Possibly all or some of these levels may be applicable to their case management practice.
10. Describe the model of case management the case manager uses. (Role, organizational etc.). What role/roles does this case manager utilize when providing case management to clients in their respective setting.
11. Ask the case manager to briefly describe either a client success story while doing case management with a client or a time of disappointment as a case manager and why.
12. Discuss what type of technology if any is used in their case management practice such as electronic caseloads, emails, recording devices, process notes etc. as it relates to the area of ethics. Also, discuss ethical issues/dilemmas that may arise when dealing with matters of confidentiality between client and practitioner.
13. Discuss with the case manager how they effectively engage clients, families, groups, or organizations with diverse backgrounds as applicable in their practice.
14. Ask the case manager what they do for self-care in their role as a case manager and what advice or recommendation can they give you as a potential social worker or case manager.
Good Luck and Enjoy!
