A Child Called "It"

The social worker I interviewed, recommended I read this book. She said it would give me an idea of how things work when it comes neglect and child abuse. It is a biography by David Pelzer, he gives his audience a look into his childhood life and how he dealt with and overcame his abusive mother. In the book Pelzer mentions some of the things children and social workers go through when handling cases like his. I am planning on reading this separate from my research.

Blog 6 - Second Interview Preparation

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?
      My mentor is Laura Luna, she works for the LA County-Department of Children and Family Services.

2.  What five questions will you ask them about their background?

• Where did you go to school to become a social worker?
• What kind of degree do you have?
• How much of what you learned ,while taking classes is actually used in your everyday work life?
• What classes do you think are important to take for a student studying to become a social worker?
• What type of clients do you work with?

Blog 5 - Mentorship Reflection

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so fare in the search of a mentor.
 
After I decided I was interested in studying social work for my senior project. I remembered that I have a distant relative who is a social worker. Conveniently, there was baby shower coming up that I knew she would be attending. I approached her and asked her if she would be able to help me in any way. Since her office is in Los Angeles she told me she would contact some people she knows in the Pomona office so I wouldn't have to drive so far for mentorship. She is going to get back to me once she gets a reply from the Pomona office.
 
 

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?
 
The most important article I have read so far is chapter 2 "Child Protective Services Theory and Practice" from Child Protective Services: A Guide For Case Workers. One of the main authors is Diane Depanfilis, she is a professor and Associate Dean for research at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. I think the most important because it coordinates the theories with the federal and state laws. During the interview it was suggested that I read the Adoptions and Safe Families Act and called The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, this article gives really good examples of how those laws come into play.