Western Washington University addresses systems in the human services program philosophy statement: "Human services professionals effect change at all levels of society to enhance the well-being of self, individual, group, community, and global systems." Merriam-Webster defines systems as "a group of related parts that move or work together." (Merriam-Webster.com).
The Individual
Systems theory is present throughout the Human Services Program in our core courses. The Council for Standards in Human Services Education (CSHSE) Standard Twelve states: “The curriculum shall include knowledge and theory of the interaction of human systems including individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal and their interactions." I began looking at systems by looking at myself. Then I looked at the things that formed my character, the people who support and inspire me, and the people I hope to influence and assist as a professional. In HSP 301 Human Service Professionals and Personal Systems Who am I, (Appendix F) I compare myself to a drop of water falling into a large body of water. The ripples that I create as I assimilate into the larger systems in my personal network. In essence, countless systems intersect in our life, and in one way or another, we are all connected, and we are a part of something bigger.
Small systems
During my second quarter, in HSP 303 Human Services Professionals and Interpersonal Systems I became part of a dyad, the two of us coming together to work and learn from each other and become a well-functioning system. My classmate and I analyzed interpersonal communication, addressed and resolved conflict, and explored ways to develop and improve partnerships. I firmly believe that in order to affect changes in other people and larger systems we need to learn and use effective communication techniques. The book, Crucial Conversations has an excellent chapter on improving and changing the reader's life by turning ideas into habits. These small steps when repeated lead to new habits and improve the relationship within a system (Patterson, et. al, 2002). This text gave me a new perspective on dialog, negotiation, and introspective practices to de-escalate emotional or potentially volatile arguments.
CSHSE Standard 13: "The curriculum shall address the scope of conditions that promote or inhibit human functioning." In HSP 325 Interviewing for Human Services, I learned a broad range of helpful skills that will help me connect and develop a working relationship with my client(s). We will create a dyad in which a "Power Differential" exists. The client is vulnerable, and I hold power. I need to create adequate boundaries to promote harmony in the counseling relationship (J. Deiro, personal communication, Fall, 2013). Evidence of my learning is found in my essays for that class, Interview Critique (Appendix I) and Interview Self-Evaluation (Appendix J). There is not one script to prepare me for situations I may encounter. One strategy is to establish the terms of interaction that will develop this small group into an efficient system, where one person actively works to guide another to empower him or herself.
CSHSE Standard 21: "The program shall provide field experience that is integrated with the curriculum." Within my internships, I became a part of a small program at Hope Options, a small agency from the Everett Housing Authority. Our small system consisted of a Program Manager, two caseworkers, and two interns. The system we served consisted of adults, 65 years old and older who were in situations in which their housing became unstable. These adults also had some form of behavioral issues but were capable or living independently. When we keep these seniors from becoming homeless, we benefit the larger system that is the community.
Larger Systems
Standard 11: "The curriculum shall include the historical development of human services." When my godmother developed vascular dementia, we did not know where to turn. Her neurologist referred us to the Alzheimer's Association for services and support. The Alzheimer’s Association represents a larger system able to affect smaller systems such as individuals, couples, and families. It can also influence larger, powerful systems, such as Congress or groups of scientists from research Universities, by providing them with funding to study ways to prevent, treat, or stop the disease. This organization was created in 1980. Jerome H. Stone and a group of family support leaders met with the National Institute on Aging looking to create a national, non-profit organization to supplement federal efforts focused on Alzheimer's disease. The Association has been promoting and raising funds for research, supporting people in direct services through Care Consultants and advocating before legislators in favor of people with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The actions of more than 600,000 supporters in the United States influenced President Obama into signing a bill in 2014. The bill provided a $122,000,000.00 increase in funding for Alzheimer's disease research, education, outreach, and caregiver support (alz.org). In my paper, Alzheimer's System and Mission (Appendix K) for HSP 402 Human Services Professional and Organizational Systems. I analyzed the Alzheimer's Association and systems that interact with it, such as sponsors, political parties or coalitions, and ways in which the Association influences society. The reach of the Association goes from one-on-one- services, to global collaboration with scientists from other countries for research and development of treatment and care strategies. I have participated in Advocacy Day 2015 by telling my godmother's story to legislators in Olympia. These are the things that individuals like me can do to influence lawmakers within the larger systems and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
In this last quarter of the program, I am learning about global systems and the effects of globalization around the world through HSP 406 Human Services Professionals and Global Systems. Sadly, there are many things that could change to promote justice and equality for millions of people. We can all take responsibility and bring awareness to the issues of human trafficking, exploitation, racism, and oppression, among others. The book, Globalization: The transformation of social worlds is giving me a new perspective on the systems that operate all over the world and the adverse effects they have had in small and poor countries. For example, I had never thought of considering how nannies, maids, and sex workers all have an impact on a country's economy (Eitzen and Zinn, 2012). At any point in my career, I could meet a person whose livelihood and that of her family members in a faraway country directly relate to a job as a Nanny. This person could be exploited, and denied all benefits. Understanding how those circumstances occur can give me an insight into possible solutions, appealing to legislators, creating awareness in the community, and be sympathetic to her struggle.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about systems in such a gradual and in-depth manner. I examined myself as an individual. I then examined the people and things that surround me, then larger and larger structures, all the way to global systems that govern and impact the lives of millions of people all over the world. Many systems are not perfect and require changes in order to be effective while others have been around for a long time. In order to initiate change from my level, I need to speak up and educate others. When we can compromise, then we can work together to move and modify larger systems until we obtain the results wanted.
Additionally, I have been fortunate to experience practicum placements in which I applied the knowledge I had recently acquired to real world situations. I appreciated the safety and support of my field supervisor guiding me and encouraging me every step of the way.
All of the systems in existence are interconnected, whether they work correctly or not, there will be an impact on other systems. Our job in the human services profession is to create a balance so that every single component of every system can operate unobstructed and eliminate or minimize any damage they may cause. In order to generate a positive outcome, we must work on the individual components until there is no room for unfairness or prejudice. Different levels within a system hold different amounts of power, this program allows us to identify the level of power and use leverage to effect change and benefit our clients.
References
Alzheimer's Association (n.d.). About us: Our history. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/about_us_about_us_.asp
Council for Standards in Human Services Education (2013). National standards: Baccalaureate degree in human services. Retrieved from http://www.cshse.org
Eitzen, S., & Zinn, M. B. (2012). Globalization: The transformation of social worlds (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Merriam-Webster (n.d.). Dictionary: Systems. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/system
Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial conversations:
Tools for talking when stakes are high. New York: McGraw-Hill.
The Individual
Systems theory is present throughout the Human Services Program in our core courses. The Council for Standards in Human Services Education (CSHSE) Standard Twelve states: “The curriculum shall include knowledge and theory of the interaction of human systems including individual, interpersonal, group, family, organizational, community, and societal and their interactions." I began looking at systems by looking at myself. Then I looked at the things that formed my character, the people who support and inspire me, and the people I hope to influence and assist as a professional. In HSP 301 Human Service Professionals and Personal Systems Who am I, (Appendix F) I compare myself to a drop of water falling into a large body of water. The ripples that I create as I assimilate into the larger systems in my personal network. In essence, countless systems intersect in our life, and in one way or another, we are all connected, and we are a part of something bigger.
Small systems
During my second quarter, in HSP 303 Human Services Professionals and Interpersonal Systems I became part of a dyad, the two of us coming together to work and learn from each other and become a well-functioning system. My classmate and I analyzed interpersonal communication, addressed and resolved conflict, and explored ways to develop and improve partnerships. I firmly believe that in order to affect changes in other people and larger systems we need to learn and use effective communication techniques. The book, Crucial Conversations has an excellent chapter on improving and changing the reader's life by turning ideas into habits. These small steps when repeated lead to new habits and improve the relationship within a system (Patterson, et. al, 2002). This text gave me a new perspective on dialog, negotiation, and introspective practices to de-escalate emotional or potentially volatile arguments.
CSHSE Standard 13: "The curriculum shall address the scope of conditions that promote or inhibit human functioning." In HSP 325 Interviewing for Human Services, I learned a broad range of helpful skills that will help me connect and develop a working relationship with my client(s). We will create a dyad in which a "Power Differential" exists. The client is vulnerable, and I hold power. I need to create adequate boundaries to promote harmony in the counseling relationship (J. Deiro, personal communication, Fall, 2013). Evidence of my learning is found in my essays for that class, Interview Critique (Appendix I) and Interview Self-Evaluation (Appendix J). There is not one script to prepare me for situations I may encounter. One strategy is to establish the terms of interaction that will develop this small group into an efficient system, where one person actively works to guide another to empower him or herself.
CSHSE Standard 21: "The program shall provide field experience that is integrated with the curriculum." Within my internships, I became a part of a small program at Hope Options, a small agency from the Everett Housing Authority. Our small system consisted of a Program Manager, two caseworkers, and two interns. The system we served consisted of adults, 65 years old and older who were in situations in which their housing became unstable. These adults also had some form of behavioral issues but were capable or living independently. When we keep these seniors from becoming homeless, we benefit the larger system that is the community.
Larger Systems
Standard 11: "The curriculum shall include the historical development of human services." When my godmother developed vascular dementia, we did not know where to turn. Her neurologist referred us to the Alzheimer's Association for services and support. The Alzheimer’s Association represents a larger system able to affect smaller systems such as individuals, couples, and families. It can also influence larger, powerful systems, such as Congress or groups of scientists from research Universities, by providing them with funding to study ways to prevent, treat, or stop the disease. This organization was created in 1980. Jerome H. Stone and a group of family support leaders met with the National Institute on Aging looking to create a national, non-profit organization to supplement federal efforts focused on Alzheimer's disease. The Association has been promoting and raising funds for research, supporting people in direct services through Care Consultants and advocating before legislators in favor of people with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The actions of more than 600,000 supporters in the United States influenced President Obama into signing a bill in 2014. The bill provided a $122,000,000.00 increase in funding for Alzheimer's disease research, education, outreach, and caregiver support (alz.org). In my paper, Alzheimer's System and Mission (Appendix K) for HSP 402 Human Services Professional and Organizational Systems. I analyzed the Alzheimer's Association and systems that interact with it, such as sponsors, political parties or coalitions, and ways in which the Association influences society. The reach of the Association goes from one-on-one- services, to global collaboration with scientists from other countries for research and development of treatment and care strategies. I have participated in Advocacy Day 2015 by telling my godmother's story to legislators in Olympia. These are the things that individuals like me can do to influence lawmakers within the larger systems and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
In this last quarter of the program, I am learning about global systems and the effects of globalization around the world through HSP 406 Human Services Professionals and Global Systems. Sadly, there are many things that could change to promote justice and equality for millions of people. We can all take responsibility and bring awareness to the issues of human trafficking, exploitation, racism, and oppression, among others. The book, Globalization: The transformation of social worlds is giving me a new perspective on the systems that operate all over the world and the adverse effects they have had in small and poor countries. For example, I had never thought of considering how nannies, maids, and sex workers all have an impact on a country's economy (Eitzen and Zinn, 2012). At any point in my career, I could meet a person whose livelihood and that of her family members in a faraway country directly relate to a job as a Nanny. This person could be exploited, and denied all benefits. Understanding how those circumstances occur can give me an insight into possible solutions, appealing to legislators, creating awareness in the community, and be sympathetic to her struggle.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about systems in such a gradual and in-depth manner. I examined myself as an individual. I then examined the people and things that surround me, then larger and larger structures, all the way to global systems that govern and impact the lives of millions of people all over the world. Many systems are not perfect and require changes in order to be effective while others have been around for a long time. In order to initiate change from my level, I need to speak up and educate others. When we can compromise, then we can work together to move and modify larger systems until we obtain the results wanted.
Additionally, I have been fortunate to experience practicum placements in which I applied the knowledge I had recently acquired to real world situations. I appreciated the safety and support of my field supervisor guiding me and encouraging me every step of the way.
All of the systems in existence are interconnected, whether they work correctly or not, there will be an impact on other systems. Our job in the human services profession is to create a balance so that every single component of every system can operate unobstructed and eliminate or minimize any damage they may cause. In order to generate a positive outcome, we must work on the individual components until there is no room for unfairness or prejudice. Different levels within a system hold different amounts of power, this program allows us to identify the level of power and use leverage to effect change and benefit our clients.
References
Alzheimer's Association (n.d.). About us: Our history. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/about_us_about_us_.asp
Council for Standards in Human Services Education (2013). National standards: Baccalaureate degree in human services. Retrieved from http://www.cshse.org
Eitzen, S., & Zinn, M. B. (2012). Globalization: The transformation of social worlds (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Merriam-Webster (n.d.). Dictionary: Systems. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/system
Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial conversations:
Tools for talking when stakes are high. New York: McGraw-Hill.