Proposal for a Specialized Group: Students will develop a plan for a specialized group at their field placementthat addresses the needs of a population-at-risk (e.g., children in foster care, a court-mandated substance abuse treatment group for adolescent mothers, victim of domestic violence, etc.). The proposal must be for a new group and not one that is already being offered at the field placement. The paper is to demonstrate a literature search and critical thinking in the analysis, integration, and synthesis of research methods and findings and to utilize evidence-based practice and research. You must have a minimum of seven resources from the year 2000-present. These references are to be based on peer-reviewed literature (i.e., obtained from your Loma Linda University [LLU] library website) and include empirical studies (i.e., original research). You must use your textbook as one of your resources (in particular Chapter 6) but it is not to be the primary or over-utilized resource. You may NOT use popular magazines (e.g., Psychology Today). You must use research from your LLU library system. An exception is the use of the following websites and only with professor permission: SAMHSA, NAMI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or other “.gov” or “.org” sites. Paper should include all of the sections from the outline below and follow APA guidelines. Please include headings and subheadings that correspond to the outline below. You will be marked down in grading if the writing is less than professional and if the formatting is incorrect.
Outline:
Introduction (i.e., What does your research reveal about this population?):
Identify the population at risk and discuss the biopyschosocial-spiritual factors, human diversity issues, and environmental stressors that specifically impact this population.
The Evidence Base (i.e., What does your research reveal about group work with this population? Carefully review the literature for evidence-based practices with this population. At least three of your references must refer to evidence-based group work practices. Provide a summary of the articles that includes the information outlined below. You may provide a separate summary of each article or a synthesized summary of all three articles):
Identify the benefits and challenges of group work with this population.
Identify and explain the recommended group type(s).
Describe the prevalent group dynamics in regards to communication and interaction patterns, group cohesion, social integration and influence, and group culture.
Identify the salient therapeutic factors referenced (explicitly or implicitly) in the articles.
What theory(ies) and/or practice model(s) were utilized to address the needs of this population? How do they address those needs?
What is the role of the group leader? Is the leader more content or process-oriented? Give examples to support your answer.
Group Proposal (This is your original work! Create a group proposal that addresses the unique needs of your population/setting and synthesizes and integrates your research on group work with this population. Use and translate your research findings as well as the information on planning from Chapter 6 of your textbook to support/provide rationale for your proposal. Be sure to include a rationale for each section of your proposal.):
Abstract: Provide a short statement summarizing the major points of the group.
Purpose: What problem(s) and/or need(s) are you hoping to address with this proposed group? Are there gaps in services for this population that the proposed group will fill? How will the group accomplish its purpose? In your response be sure to identify the type(s) of group you propose (e.g. support, educational, growth, therapy, socialization) and explain how it fits the purpose of the group. Also identify a minimum of three therapeutic factors that will be primary for accomplishing the purpose of your group.
Agency sponsorship: Provide a brief description of the agency, including its mission, goals, objectives, and available resources. Describe the fit between the policies of the organization and the purpose of the proposed group.
Goals and objectives: State the goals and objectives of the group in specific, measurable terms. Clarify how these advance the concerns of the population-at-risk.
Membership: Who will be recruited to participate in the group? Will the group be composed of mandatory or voluntary members? What organization and community resources will be utilized to enhance member participation (e.g., transportation, childcare, sliding scale fee, etc.)?
Recruitment: What strategies will be utilized to recruit group members?
Composition: Describe the ideal composition for your group in regards to both homogeneous and heterogeneous characteristics. How many group members will be selected? Will membership be open or closed?
Orientation: Describe your screening and selection process. Identify criteria that will be utilized to screen potential members. What are your specific exclusion criteria? Describe your preparation process. What will members be told about the group and how will they be informed? Will the group be more content or process-oriented and why? How will the here-and-now be incorporated into your group?
Contract: What are the important group procedures: frequency, duration, length, time, and place of the group meetings? What are the attendance requirements, procedures to ensure confidentiality, ground rules, and fees?
Outcome evaluation. Thoroughly describe the method you will use to evaluate the process of the group as related to its stated goals and objectives. Clarify the methods you will use (e.g. pre-test/post-test, self/family reports, worker’s assessment, etc.) and your rationale for using those particular methods in a way that clearly demonstrates your understanding of the method, its purpose, and its relevance to the established goals and objectives of the group. Describe in detail how you will implement the evaluation method and how you will apply your evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness. A suggestion includes using content discussed in your course textbook by Toseland & Rivas on evaluation.
Environment: What is the ideal physical setting for the group? What kind of meeting room is needed? What special arrangements will be necessary (e.g., physical accessibility, assistive technology, interpreter, etc.)?
The first session: How will you structure the first session? What primary role(s) will you assume? What strategies will you use to establish a sense of cohesion? Do not generalize. Be specific to the type of group you are doing.
Ethical considerations: What specific ethical and value issues should you consider in conducting group work with this population? Be sure to also discuss your potential vulnerabilities and address areas of diversity between you and the group members that may influence your judgment in working with members of this population.
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