Treatment Group Proposal —-SEE BOTTOM FOR THE GROUP INFOMATION
The primary focus of this assignment is to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to assess and intervene with groups. Another focus is to attend to professional roles and boundaries. (EPAS 1a/1b, 6, 7)
Students will develop a group proposal that outlines a plan for the implementation of a social work treatment group that might occur in the context of their field work agency. Within the context of your field setting, complete a group needs assessment in order to identify one client concern for which the application of group work methods would be appropriate. Consult with your field instructor, agency personnel, and clients in relationship to the planning of this potential group. It is the intention of this assignment to lead you toward a group you may be able to conduct now or in the future. Select a focus that would contribute to the clients served by the agency and to its mission. Discuss with your field instructor/supervisor whether or not it may be feasible to actually develop and lead this group. If it is not, then your proposal will be hypothetical rather than actual; either will be acceptable.
This paper is also to include references useful in working with the client population identified. In-text citations must be appropriately documented using APA 7th edition style. You must integrate, using appropriate APA in-text citation format, a minimum of six (6) scholarly, peer-reviewed published articles from 2007 to the present.
Follow this format, using the headers to structure your paper. Adhere to it very closely in developing your proposal:
I. TITLE
a. Your title should identify the specific information contained within the proposal.
i. Example USE: Proposal for a Support Group for PARENTS
SUFFERING WITH SUBSTANCE USE WHILE WORKING WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE
SERVICES
II. INTRODUCTION/OVERALL SCOPE AND BACKGROUND
a. Introduce and provide an overview of the proposal which introduces the overall purpose of the group; client population and key client characteristics; primary problem(s) and its scope; range of factors contributing to the importance of the identified problem; significant psychosocial/spiritual concerns or themes; the type of group you have selected; suitability of group intervention for problem and client; and proposed intervention strategies or methods. Cite at least one reference in this section.
III. COMMON THEMES/SIGNIFICANT PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
a. Discuss the broad range of psychosocial concerns associated with the primary client problem. These concerns must pertain to client circumstances that either contributed to or are a consequence of the primary problem, and must fall within the scope of social work intervention (as opposed to the focus of other professions) and relevant to clients who would actually come to your group. Also indicate what specific client strengths are likely shared by this client population.
b. Address themes of the client population and how they are targeted as psychosocial problems. Identify how these problems are relevant for group intervention. Identify which of the concerns you intend to address with group treatment and provide a rationale for social work group intervention, and for the significance of the problem identified. Support your argument with at least two (2) recent scholarly references (within the past seven years).
IV. PAST GROUP TREATMENT INTERVENTIONS
a. Summarize and appropriate cite at least three (3) scholarly journal articles (within the past seven years) about effective and/or evidence-based group treatment interventions that have been used (preferably with your chosen client population or the primary problem you are addressing). Describe the relevance of each article to the current group proposal. What has been done in the past that may contribute to the development of the group you propose?
V. BENEFITS OF GROUP WORK
a. Indicate the general benefits of group work for the particular clients and themes/concerns you intend to address with the group. Identify the general advantages of group work as well as any specific advantages. [Specific advantages link significant psycho-social/spiritual issues of this client population with advantages of group work.]
VI. AGENCY CONTEXT
a. Name the agency (setting) where the group will be conducted and briefly describe its mission. Do not just provide a direct quote of the agency’s mission statement. Given the mission of the agency, explain why you believe this is an appropriate agency for the group being proposed (give the rationale).
VII. TYPE OF GROUP/LEADERSHIP/OVERALL PURPOSE
a. Indicate the specific type of group that is being proposed. Explain the rationale for the selection made. The type of group chosen should be able to address the significant themes or concerns indicated above. Link the type of group to the group’s overall purpose or goal (describe). Identify whether the group will be open-ended, closed-ended, and be sure to discuss the reason for your selection.
b. Include a discussion of the role of the group leader and whether or not you would use a co-leader (and reasons for this decision). Describe the most important leadership skills that will be required. Also discuss how the group leader will maintain professional boundaries and the role of supervision and consultation.
c. Describe, in 1-2 succinct sentences, the purpose of the group. Show how the purpose is linked to the field agency’s mission and the clients it serves.
VIII. COMMON GROUP GOALS
a. List three to five (3-5) common group goals you intend to achieve with the group. Common group goals are directives that the majority of members should be expected to achieve. The common group goals should be targeted changes or goals related to the concerns/issues which are the focus of the group that clients would be expected to achieve as a result of their participation in the group. It is often helpful to begin each goal statement with “Clients will increase/ decrease…; or “Clients will learn to…” These common group goals should link to the type of group you are proposing as well as the significant psychosocial concerns that are the focus of the group.
IX. IDEAL MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION
a. Describe who will ideally be in the group. Discuss criteria for group membership and client selection, such as primary problem and significant bio-psycho-social-spiritual concerns/issues.
b. Beyond these, consider: symptoms related to primary problem, shared history, stage of recovery, and other characteristics such as age, gender, health condition, sexual orientation, etc. State the reasons for your selections.
c. Be able to distinguish between potential clients (anyone who experiences the primary problem) and those who will optimally benefit from group work intervention (those who are characterized by significant psychosocial themes or concerns).
d. State the desired number of group members and provide a rationale for that number.
X. PLAN FOR MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT
a. Discuss the specific steps planned to recruit ideal members to the group within the specific agency environment (pre-group interviews, advertisements, etc.).
b. Describe the types of clients you want to recruit, and why.
c. Explain the process you will apply in selecting potential members for those characteristics important to the group intervention you are proposing (i.e., what information will be important to obtain of potential members).
d. Develop a plan indicating how you will obtain this information. Identify at least one potential obstacle that might be encountered in the actual recruitment of potential members (resistance, lack of motivation, screening out inappropriate group members, etc.).
e. Discuss what procedure(s) you might apply to overcome these obstacles.
XI. DURATION OF GROUP
a. Indicate the length of time and time of day that the proposed group will meet, and the number of sessions planned for the group, and why. Is the group to be open/closed? Give a rationale for open/closed membership decision.
XII. ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THE GROUP
a. Describe at least three (3) activities or techniques planned for the group. Be specific! If you plan to show a DVD, provide the title. If you plan to teach clients about a topic, provide the source of information. Activities should link directly with the common group goals. Provide sufficient detail to determine the usefulness of each activity. This could be done session by session or by phases of group development (beginning, middle, end).
b. Consider what theories (must describe at least one theory, citing at least one article) might be applied in meeting common group goals.
XIII. STRENGTHS-BASED/EMPOWERMENT APPROACH
a. Discuss how a strengths-based and empowerment approach could be used. Explain how client strengths will be enhanced through group activities.
XIV. PLANS FOR TERMINATING THE GROUP
a. Discuss plans for termination of the group as a whole (in the case of a closed-ended group), and/or plans for terminating individuals from the group.
b. Explain how special needs of the people in this group would be addressed.
XV. EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GROUP
a. How might you evaluate the success or effectiveness of the group? Describe at least one (1) specific outcome/goal you would want to evaluate. Does your evaluation plan link to the purpose and goals of the group?
b. Describe your method for performing an evaluation. What measurement tools might you use for evaluation?
XVI. PROPOSAL FORMAT/APA
a. Proofread your paper. Check APA 6th edition for in-text citations and formatting a separate References page. You must integrate, using appropriate
APA in-text citation format, a minimum of six (6) scholarly, peer-reviewed, recently-published articles (from within the past seven years).
USE THIS GROUP!!!!!!!
Services. The community of Geauga County would benefit from the creation of a support
group forthose suffering with substance USE or parents of children who were removed
due to substance use concerns.
This group service would demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to families that have
concerns for substance use. This group would be open to those working with Child
Protective Servicesand the public. This group would provide support, guidance, and
compassion for the community members of Geauga County. In this group would be case
workers who could provide support and guidance during group meetings and discussions.
Groups would be held twice monthly at Geauga County Job and Family Services Agency.
Group leaders would include licensed social workers from the Child Protective Services
team and presenting speakers on substances use would be available each
meeting. Group discussion will include various topics regarding substance use and trauma. This group
will be emotionally supportive and educational for participants in their journey while remaining child
safety centered. Group members must abide by the agreement of confidentiality for the
safety of all members. Informing members of the group that information shared in the group stays in
the group.
The goal of the group is for those working with Child Protective Services an environment for
a supportive and compassion environment. This environment will encourage members to
find connection in others in the community to progress towards their sobriety goals and
ensure child safety.