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Advancing Global Justice Through Forensic Social Work Education

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Advancing Global Justice Through Forensic Social Work Education Advancing Global Justice Through Forensic Social Work Education and Practice The Dialogue of the Day This webinar highlights findings from a new educational innovation advocacy report entitled, Global Justice and Forensic Education in Social Work: A Content Analysis for Curriculum Innovation. *It was commissioned and sponsored by the Justia Agenda at Fordham University and the Global Network for Rights, Justice, and Forensic Education and Training, which is a global collaborative of concerned forensic educators and trainers who seek justice in education and workforce development in rights, justice and forensic competencies. Objectives Participants will learn about and have the opportunity to discuss topics such as: • How forensic practice is an integrated and specialized practice method with a history of advancing human rights and justice for historically and emerging underrepresented and underserved groups • Findings from the report on how educators teach forensic practice knowledge, values, and skills in the pursuit of justice to reduce and eliminate health and justice disparities • Innovative teaching methods and assignments that integrate learning inside and outside the classroom • Recommendations on how educators and students can foster curriculum and professional innovation and educational advocacy. Meet Today’s Presenters and Participants Report Authors and Presenters • Dr. Tina Maschi, Fordham University GSS • Dr. Jo Rees, Long Island University-Brooklyn, Department of Social Work • Dr. George Leibowitz, Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare • Arlene L. Mbonu, PhD candidate Stony Brook University, School of Social Welfare, Long Island, NY • Margaret Bryan, MSW candidate Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, New York, NY Guest Participants • Dr. Darla Spence Coffey, President and CEO, Council on Social Work Education • Kathryn Dixon, MSW, NASW National, NASW-NJ • Plus Other Special Guests which include Social Work Leaders and Forensic Educators Method of Participation & Agenda Agenda 12:05-12:50PM: Discussion of report major findings and recommendations: other participants engage by using creative chat for questions and comments during this segment (via Zoom). 12:50-1:20PM: Expanding the circle for creative dialogue: open to all using text (chat). If applicable, participants can share using video (by 'raising their hand’ via the feature in the top toolbar). 1:20-1:30PM: Closing remarks, next steps, and announcements Salon etiquette: A human rights approach to communication Salon Etiquette The social work salon creates a safe space for participants to engage in creative shared dialogue. In order to facilitate that space, we have guidelines for participants to follow: • It is a free and open creative dialogue using voice (video/audio) and text (chat function) that respects the diversity of thought. • It is the expectation that everyone speaks to one another with dignity and respect. • All voices are welcome: diversity of thought makes us stronger and wiser! • The use of I statements is expected: speak for oneself and not for others. GLOBAL JUSTICE AND FORENSIC EDUCATION IN SOCIAL WORK: A CONTENT ANALYSIS FOR CURRICULUM INNOVATION Major Findings Background • The field of forensic social work is a practice specialization which has often been described as social work practice at the intersection of the law and sociolegal-political environment. • Despite its integrated practice and policy approach, it has historically been overlooked by the social work profession, especially related to advancing the profession’s human rights and justice aims. • There also has been a dearth of research examining both how forensic social work education is conceptualized and delivered. • Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a content analysis of forensic social work and social work and the law syllabi with implications for improving social work legal education. CSWE EPAS (2015) Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice Social workers understand that every person regardless of position in society has fundamental human rights such as freedom, safety, privacy, an adequate standard of living, health care, and education. Social workers understand the global interconnections of oppression and human rights violations, and are knowledgeable about theories of human need and social justice and strategies to promote social and economic justice and human rights. Social workers understand strategies designed to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure that social goods, rights, and responsibilities are distributed equitably and that civil, political, environmental, economic, social, and cultural human rights are protected. Social workers: • apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels; and • engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice. Methods •In order to identify relevant syllabi, a comprehensive search of the internet was conducted to identify publicly available forensic social work or social work and the law syllabi from Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited social work programs in the United States. •Twenty-two syllabi were identified and used to conduct a content analysis of the sample of syllabi that included course descriptions, objectives, topics, and assignments/activities. Overview of Major Findings • Results indicated that between 2000-2017, 22 forensic social work syllabi were posted on college or university websites with social work programs or schools. • An analysis of course content revealed an overarching theme of forensic social work and “the pursuit of justice.” • When defined, the syllabi most commonly referred to forensic social work as social work practice at the intersection of the law and/or legal system, commonly included a theoretical framework or approach to forensic social work that advanced rights and justice. • The majority of syllabi course objective also included psychosocial and legal skills, followed by knowledge and values/ethics. • Most syllabi measured student learning outcomes using a variety of written assignment, in-class assignments/activities, and experiential exercises outside of the classroom. Table 1 – Characteristics of Forensic Social Work Syllabi (N = 22) Characteristics % n Syllabi Year 2000-2010 13% 3 2011-2017 64% 14 Not Specified 23% 5 Country of Syllabi United States 100% 22 Region of Syllabi Northeast 32% 7 Southeast 46% 10 Midwest 4% 1 Southwest 9% 2 West 9% 2 Course Level MSW 73% 16 BSW 23% 5 BSW/MSW 4% 1 Course Title Forensic Social Work 36% 8 Social Work and Law 14% 3 Other 50% 11 Table 1 – Characteristics of Forensic Social Work Education Syllabi (N = 22) Characteristics % n Instructor Gender Male 23% 5 Female 54% 12 Not Specified 23% 5 Instructor Degrees MSW only 5% 1 JD only 0% 0 JD, MSW 5% 1 LCSW/LICSW 18% 4 PhD/DSW 5% 1 LCAC 0% 0 Two or more credentials 40% 9 Not Specified 27% 6 Table 2. Content Analysis of FSW Syllabi (N=22): FSW and SWL Description Categories/Themes for Syllabi Course Descriptions Categories/Themes % n Overarching Theme Pursuit of Justice 100.0 22 Subthemes 1. Definition/Description of FSW 54.5 12 2. Conceptualization (Theories &Frameworks) 40.9 9 3. Targeted Issues, Topics, or Focus Areas 54.5 12 Children & Families 50.0 11 Criminal Justice System 31.8 7 Health & Mental Health 22.7 5 Other Legal Issues 18.2 4 4. Targeted Populations 31.8 7 Vulnerable Populations 18.2 4 Children & Families 22.7 5 Offenders & Victims 22.7 5 5. Settings 59.1 13 Children & Family Services 40.9 9 Criminal Justice/Legal 59.1 13 Community/Public 27.3 6 Health & Mental Health 27.3 6 6. Knowledge, Values, and Skills 100.0 22 Table 3. Content Analysis of FSW Syllabi (N=22): Categories/Themes for Syllabi Course Objectives: Knowledge Attainment, Identification, Articulation and Demonstration Categories/ % n Example Course Objectives For Each Theme Themes Knowledge 50.0 11 · An understanding of how the law affects and reflects diversity (or a lack Attainment thereof) in our society, including: (a) Race, ethnicity and cultural differences (b) Religion (c) Gender and sexual orientation (d) Disability. · Students will know the functions of forensic social workers in clinical and judicial settings offering sentencing and program alternatives. · An understanding of the relationship between social work advocacy, the law and legal skills. · An understanding of how the legal system can be used to advance policies promoting social and economic justice. Table 3. Content Analysis of FSW Syllabi (N=22): Categories/Themes for Syllabi Course Objectives: Knowledge Attainment, Identification, Articulation and Demonstration Categories/ % n Example Course Objectives For Each Theme Themes Identification 36.4 8 · Identify relevant social work values and ethics, apply them toward resolving ethical dilemmas encountered in forensic social work practice, and critically appraise the relationship between legal and social work ethics. · Identify specific skills needed in different arenas of forensic practice, such as testimony preparation and duty to warn. · Identify social and legal issues and their relationship to social human rights, social justice, and social welfare. · Identify the roles played by social workers in the legal system, and describe the application of social work values to practice in legal settings. · Review knowledge of the legal system, procedures and processes. Provide specific
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