Running head: EVALUATION OF PRACTICE PAPER

Evaluation of Practice Paper

Bryan Blattert
SW 4443
April 3, 2016

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Evaluation of Practice Paper
My field placement has provided me with community systems experience. I have had the
opportunity to sit on a variety of community committees while interning at United Way. The
committees are made up of representatives from the counties non-profit agencies. I worked on
committees to solve societal problems in Livingston County such as hunger, poverty,
homelessness, and early childhood education. Macro social work is something I did not have any
experience with so at first it took a little getting used to. I was able to contribute ideas and
strategies while at meetings. As I began to understand the topics and target goals, I began to
understand the macro social work mission of community change. I thoroughly enjoyed working
with other non-profits to create change and alleviate social issues in Livingston County. I
enjoyed meeting representatives from other agencies, learning about the work they do, and
collaborating efforts to make the strongest impact in our community.
Impact of my Community Systems Work
Working with community systems typically doesnt show immediate results, and the
work is not short term. When I worked on events that served the public in need is when I saw the
most impactful work. I was able to contribute to the planning, development, and coordination of
several events. The events were based on meeting societal needs such as resources or held for
fundraising purposes. Planning and coordinating for larger events was a great learning
experience for me. This taught me the difficulties in coordinating event with several hundred
volunteers and over a thousand attendees. While working at events I saw a direct result of my
efforts. I saw the needs a many be met by the culmination of our hard work and planning. One
specific event in particular that I saw my impact was Community Connect. This event was a one

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stop shop for the community to connect with resources they need. It took the planning and
coordination between the majority of agencies and churches in Livingston County. The event had
over 450 volunteers and over 1100 people from the community in attendance. Resources were
gathered from different drives and offered from many area non-profit agencies. Attendees had
the opportunity to connect with a multitude of services including hair-cuts, clothing, legal
services, counseling, bedding, womens needs, and childcare items. Working the event enabled
me to reflect back on all of the hard work we had put in as a team to pull the event off.
Skills needed for Current Field Placement Setting
The skill I learned and utilized during my field placement will be an asset in my future
career as a social worker. Majority of the worked performed has been macro social work up to
this point. Skills I saw to be a value were program development, program planning, training,
strategic planning, and marketing. I was able to learned and grow in all of those areas as a result
of my placement at United Way. I was able to create, develop, and initiate a meat donation
program through the local meat processors. The donations go to Gleaners Food Bank are get
distributed to all of the local food pantries in the county. I was able to connect the director of
Livingston County Gleaners Operations with several of the local meat processors that I know
from doing business with them when I harvest my own animals. Training is another skill I used
at United Way when we had to schedule, hold, and instruct training sessions for volunteers at the
events we were holding. I was able to participate in the strategic planning process with the Great
Start Livingston school readiness program. This process was a great opportunity to be a part of
and I am able to leave with a much better understanding on strategic planning. I attended several
networking/marketing events while interning at United Way. Marketing and community
education is a large part for a successful non-profit agency such as United Way. Some of this was

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marketing geared towards retaining volunteers, donors; while other marketing was geared
towards educating the public about the work we do at United Way.
How the Field of Practice fit me
The populations I worked with at my field placement covered a broad spectrum of
demographics. I was able to work with populations I am familiar with and gain experience with
populations that I did not have any experience with. The community organization field of
practice in the macro social work setting was very enjoyable for me to learn. I came in with a
narrow view on working in the micro setting as a mental health therapist. I still feel that is the
route I want to pursue, I am not opposed to macro work now and am grateful for the experience.
I think some of the skills I learned will enable me to practice any type of social work in a better
manner. The population and field of practice both seem to fit me because the nature of the work
fits my passion in life. I genuinely like to help and serve others, especially when I can make a
difference in their day or life. Helping and serving others in the macro setting consists of
planning, coordinating, developing, and strategizing. Interning at United Way provide me with
the opportunity to learn how to impact the lives of others through macro social work.
Improving my Social Work Practice with Community Systems
I feel that I have acquired a good base knowledge of macro social work, something to
build upon leading into my career. I plan to purse graduate school after field placement, where I
will further my social work education. Along with that I plan to seek additional certifications in
order to generate a deeper experience in areas that I wish to learn more about. To improve my
social work practice with community systems I can continue to volunteer in the non-profit sector.
This will keep me current and keep me in the learning setting for community systems. Gaining

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experience improve my community systems practice. After just practicing for the last several
months I feel I possess a good starter skillset and knowledge of community systems practice in
Livingston County.
Ethical Social Work Practice
During my internship at Livingston County United Way I gained exposure to a large pool
of social workers. The non-profit sector is millions of dollars from donors and it is up to
volunteer boards and a few paid staff to manage this money appropriately, addressing social
problems. The staff at United Way was ethical and acted responsibly in order to make the most
impact on the community. The staff and collaborating body pursued social change and advocated
on behalf of oppressed individuals. Individuals served by the Livingston County non-profit
sector are treated in a respectful fashion, engaging diversity. I feel fortunate to have worked with
others that have strong character, demonstrating the importance of integrity. United Way
collaborates the efforts of the non-profit sector to better alleviate social problems. They do so
promoting healthy change in the community and funding accordingly. During my field
placement experience I learned from people who have countless years of experience and
expertise, continuing to build on their knowledge base. It was a very positive experience to see
how many people that are out there to advocate ethically to improve the quality of the lives of
others.
Social Work Values Exposure
According to the NASW Code of Ethics (2008), service, social justice, dignity and worth
of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence are core values of a
professional social worker. Throughout my field placement experience I was exposed to the core

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values that a professional social worker possesses and the ethical behaviors that follow them. As
demonstrated by the ethical behaviors in the above paragraph, those I came in contact with
abided by the NASW Code of Ethics and what I would describe as a professional and effective
social worker. Community wellness is what United Way works to promote, funding the
collaborate efforts from non-profit agencies around Livingston County. The focus is consumer
based and aimed in improving the lives of county residents.
Conclusion
My field placement at Livingston County United Way was a dream come true for me. I
feel very fortunate to have been placed there to work with the people I have and to serve the
people that I have. I look into the future knowing that this experience will be an asset, along with
those I met during the process. After spending a semester in the field, I feel that I had the
knowledge that I need to enter the workforce as well as graduate school. I look forward to my
future career as a social worker and what it has to offer.

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References
Code of Ethics (English and Spanish) - National Association of Social Workers. (2008).
Retrieved April 03, 2016, from https://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp