SWK 115 Community Resources

Spring 2004

W 10:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

Two hours Blackboard/community work per week

Location: B101

Instructor: Sheri Narin

Office: L130

Office Hours: Posted by Office Door

Phone Number: (336) 599-1181 Ext. 424

E-mail: narins@piedmont.cc.nc.us

Course Website: http://courses.piedmont.cc.nc.us/

Faculty Website: http://www2.piedmont.cc.nc.us/faculty

Textbook:  Successful Community Leadership: A Skills Guide for Volunteers and Professionals by Tropman, J.E., NASW Press, 1997

Other Required Materials: A large three-ring binder is required. Section dividers will also be required.

Course Description: This course introduces community resources essential to social work practice. Emphasis is placed on awareness of and the interaction with community service personnel. Upon completion, students should be able to identify resources and assess critical community needs. This course is a unique concentration requirement of the Social Services Concentration in the Human Services Technology Program.

Classroom - 2 Lab - 2 Clinic - 0 Credit - 3

Prerequisite/Corequisites: SWK 110 or permission of the instructor.

Course Objectives:

1. Student will identify at least 25 community resources and give detailed descriptions of the services available at these resources.

2. Student will develop and maintain an easily usable community resource notebook about these resources.

3. Student will identify the steps necessary to write a grant. Student will demonstrate an understanding of these steps through writing a mock grant.

4. Student will identify needs and problems in the local communities and match resources to the needs.

5. Student will identify physical location of at least 5 community resources and describe the process of getting assistance at this site.

Evaluation

A combination of in class and homework assignments (25 points, 2.5% of your grade), notebook evaluation (250 points, 25% of your grade),  profile postings  (25 points, 2.5% of your grade) blackboard postings (200 points, 20% of your grade), and grant development and presentation (500 points, 50%) will comprise the basis of evaluation for this course. Evaluation will be based on an accumulative point system with a total of approximately 1000 points available. Total point value is subject to change.

 Homework

You will be given several homework assignments. Assignments are to be turned on the due date and at the beginning of the class period due. Late homework assignments lose 3 points per day.

Notebook

You will maintain a three-ring binder with information from each community resource about which you learn. Information will be filled out on a profile form and each agency will have a separate area of the notebook (separated by dividers). Information should be neatly written and easily readable. Working effectively in the community depends on building relationships with other professionals in the community. Thus, personal contact with agency representatives is important. 

You will be responsible for contacting agencies and arranging interviews on your own. You will have a list of agencies and should do at least five interviews every three weeks for a total of twenty-five interviews done on your own by the end of the semester. Every time your notebook is collected, there should be five additional profiles, plus profiles from anyone who comes to the class. The interviews may be done in person or by phone but must be done by you, not copied from someone else. You may arrange for several students in the class to meet with someone to interview them at the same time. You can choose any of the twenty-five agencies from the attached list. If you have another agency at which you would like to do an interview, please contact me first to get permission. There may be some agency representatives who will be coming to the classroom. 

Notebooks will be collected approximately every three weeks. Grades will reflect accuracy and presentation of information as well as completeness.

Notebook Postings on Blackboard

You will also responsible for posting a note each time you complete a profile. You will see a forum for each month and each time you complete a profile, you will need to post a note saying 'Profile # 1" (or whatever #), and in the message, post when you did the interview, with whom you spoke, whether the interview was in person or by phone, and one interesting thing you learned from that interview. If several of you interviewed the same person at one time, each person is still responsible for posting a message.  Profiles should be posted within three days (including weekends) of your interview.  Late notebook postings will lose ½ point per day.

Discussion Board Postings 

Each set of blackboard responses will be given a grade. Late responses will lose a point per day late. Your response will answer the initial question. If the question asks for an opinion, you will not be graded on the content of your opinion, as long as you can back up your opinion (Explaining why you feel or think that way, including what experiences/knowledge led you to that conclusion). Answers are expected to be well thought out and in full sentences. An example of an appropriate answer is: "I think that these services exist because of this event (be specific) and this problem (be specific). These services are valuable because..."

You will respond to two of your classmate's answers as well for each question. Your response to their answer will indicate agreement, disagreement, or further thoughts that your classmate's answer provoked. An example would be, 'I disagree with your answer because of this point, and wondered if you had thought of this further point.'

Students are encouraged to start discussions by replying to other students' responses to your answers.

Questions should be answered each week by 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Your response to other students should be posted by Sundays at 8:00 p.m. Some weeks' questions may be posted ahead of time; please do not answer questions any more than one week ahead of due date.

Grant Project

Fifty percent of your grade for this class will come from your grant presentation with 20% reflecting the work you do up to the final presentation, 20% reflecting the final grant project, and 10% reflecting your oral presentation. However, failure to get a 'C' or higher on your final written and oral presentation will result in an 'F' for the class. You will turn in weekly progress reports or your group’s work.

Work you do on the project will include assignments to be submitted, work on the group discussion board every other week, and a group progress report to be submitted the opposite week that you participate on the discussion.

EXTRA CREDIT! 

Extra Credit: Perfect attendance will result in 1.5% added to your grade at the end of the semester. Being on time for every class will also be rewarded with an extra .5% points at the end of the semester.

You can also do up to three extra profiles, to be submitted with your last notebook submission.  However, you can only get these points if you have submitted the twenty-five required profiles. 

GRADING SCALE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON FINAL POINT VALUE TOTAL):

1000 to 900 = A; 899 TO 800 = B; 799 TO 700 = C; 699 TO 600 = D; Below 600 = F.        

ATTENDANCE:         Regular attendance at all class meetings is necessary for students to learn important concepts. In this regard, the following class attendance policy is established:

1. A student is expected to be regular and punctual in meeting all classes. To receive credit for a course, the student must attend prior to the census point and a minimum of 80 percent of classes, labs and shop hours. Failure to attend class is an absence, regardless of the reason. Absences are counted from the first scheduled meeting of the class, not the first day the student attends. All work missed during absences must be made up to the satisfaction of the instructor. Failure to complete required assignments will negatively affect the student's final grade.

2. A student who exceeds the 20 percent limit of absences may be dropped by the instructor through the eighth week of the semester. If a student exceeds the 20 percent limit after the eighth week, the instructor is authorized to award the student the "I" or "F" grade as warranted by the student's performance.

3. Any exceptions to this policy must be authorized by the instructor.

Attendance Policy for this class

Attendance and participation are important components of learning. In addition to the Piedmont Community College attendance policy, the following policies will apply: Perfect attendance in class at the end of the semester will raise your overall grade by 1.5% points. Thus, if your average at the end of the class is an 88.5 % and you have perfect attendance, your grade will be increased to a 90%, or an A. Being on time for every class will result in another .5% grade increase. After three absences, every subsequent absence will result in an overall grade reduction of 3%. Every fifteen minutes missed of class counts as 1/3 absence; thus, three incidences of being late or leaving early or not coming back from a break within the specified time will count as an absence. For example, if you have 2 absences, were late three times and left early three times, this would count as 4 absences and your final grade would be reduced by 3% points, such as an 82% being reduced to a 79%.

CLASS POLICIES:     

1. You are expected to be on time and prepared for class. If you are unable to be in class, you are expected to let the instructor know by leaving a message by phone or email previous to the class period.

2. Assignments are to be turned in on the date due and at the beginning of the class period due. You are

responsible for making up any missed in-class assignments; however, some assignments cannot be made up.

3. As noted in the attendance policy, excessive absences will reflect negatively on your grade.

4. You are expected to be on time for class.

5. The ability to write well is an important skill for your professional development. Assignments that are difficult to read due to handwriting will be returned with one opportunity to redo the assignment, within 2 days. Typing is strongly recommended. Some assignments require typing and will not be accepted if not typed. Assignments with excessive grammatical or spelling errors (excessive as subjectively defined by the instructor) will be returned with one opportunity to make corrections.

6. According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary on the internet (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary), to cheat is:

(transitive senses)

1 : to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud

2 : to influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice

3 : to elude or thwart by or as if by outwitting <cheat death>

(intransitive senses)

1 a : to practice fraud or trickery b : to violate rules dishonestly (as at cards or on an examination)

Cheating includes copying someone else's work, taking credit for someone else's work, as well as what is traditionally thought of as cheating. An example would be: Copying someone else's homework, when it is an assignment that is supposed to reflect your work/thoughts. An example would be an assignment of finding words you do not understand and finding definitions for them; copying someone else's homework in this instance would be considered cheating. The consequences for cheating are the same as for plagiarism, listed below.

7. Copying directly from the textbook or any resource for assignments or tests, or taking someone else's thoughts or ideas without giving them credit is plagiarism and is illegal and unethical. This also includes printing information from the Internet without identifying and referencing the source. The consequences for plagiarism are as follows:

 Please note that this applies to all assignments in the class.

8. Respect other students' opinions, even if you do not agree with them

9. Respect confidentiality. Being actively involved in class may involve some level of sharing of personal information. You are expected to treat the classroom with the same level of ethical responsibility with which you would treat a job or internship. Do not share personal information about other students outside of the classroom. This includes discussing this information with your fellow classmates.

10. If you choose to drop the class, you are responsible for completing and turning in the withdrawal slip. If you have stopped coming to class but not turned in a withdrawal slip or contacted the instructor to discuss this, you will receive an 'F' for the class.

11. Cell phones and beepers should be turned off or on vibrate in class. If you do get a call, please leave the classroom before answering the call.

 Location Schedule:

 All classes will meet in B101, unless otherwise noted.

Student Success Center: Piedmont Community College now offers a comprehensive package of services to assist students with their academic success. The Student Success Center, located in Room G-204, provides a variety of free learning support services including computer access, tutoring, supplemental instruction, study groups, and other academic services. Visit or call Gloria Bennett, Coordinator of the Student Success Center, at 599-1181 ext. 276 to access this valuable student resource.

Students with Disabilities: If you have a learning or other disability, and you want to request special accommodations to ensure equal access to education at PCC, please see Shelia Williamson at the Office of Student Development. The information that you provide to Ms. Williamson will be kept confidential.

The last day to drop this class with a "W" is March 5, 2004.

CLASS SCHEDULE (Subject to change):

For each week, there will be one or two discussion board questions to be answered.  Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

There will be other assignments given in class as well.

Week One: Wednesday January 7, 2004: to Sunday, January 11, 2004: Class #1: Wednesday January 7, 2004. Orientation and Introduction

Week Two: Monday, January 12, 2004: to Sunday, January 18, 2004:  Class #2: Wednesday January 14, 2004. Dr. Butler will talk about grant writing.  Group Discussion Board Posting One Due.  Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Three: Monday, January 19, 2004: to Sunday, January 25, 2004: Class #3: Wednesday January 21, 2004.  Dr. Butler will talk about grant writing.  Group project progress report one due. Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Four: Monday, January 26, 2003 to Sunday, February 1, 2004: Class #4: Wednesday January 28, 2004.  Dr. Butler will talk about grant writing.  Notebooks due with five profiles.  Group Discussion Board Posting Two Due. Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Five: Monday, February 2, 2004: to Sunday, February 8, 2004: Class #5: Wednesday February 4, 2004. Group project progress report two due.

Week Six: Monday, February 9, 2004: to Sunday, February 15, 2004: Class #6: Wednesday February 11, 2004.  Group Discussion Board Posting Three Due. Group project progress report one due. Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Seven: Monday, February 16, 2004: to Sunday, February 22, 2004:  Class #7: Wednesday February 18, 2004. Notebooks due with five profiles.  Group project progress report three due. Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Eight: Monday, February 23, 2004: to Sunday, February 29, 2004: Class #8: Wednesday February 25, 2004. Group Discussion Board Posting Four Due. Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Nine: Monday, March 1, 2004: to Sunday, March 7, 2004: Class #9: Wednesday March 3, 2004.  Group project progress report four due. Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Spring Break: Monday, March 8, 2004: to Sunday, March 14, 2004

Week Ten: Monday, March 15, 2004: to Sunday, March 21, 2004:  Class #10: Wednesday March 17, 2004. Notebooks due with five profiles.   Group Discussion Board Posting Five Due.  Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Eleven: Monday, March 22, 2004: to Sunday, March 28, 2004:  Class #11: Wednesday March 24, 2004.  Group project progress report five due. Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Twelve: Monday, March 29, 2004: to Sunday, April 4, 2004:  Class #12: Wednesday March 31, 2004.  Group Discussion Board Posting Five Due. Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Thirteen: Monday, April 5, 2004: to Sunday, April 11, 2004: Class #13: Wednesday April 6, 2004.  Notebooks due with five profiles.   Group project progress report six due.  Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Fourteen: Monday, April 12, 2004: to Sunday, April 18, 2004:  Class #14: Wednesday April 14, 2004. Group Discussion Board Posting Six Due.  Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Fifteen: Monday, April 19, 2004: to Sunday, April 25, 2004: Class #15: Wednesday April 21, 2004.  Group project progress report seven due.  Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Sixteen: Monday, April 26, 2004: to Sunday, May 2, 2004:  Class #16: Wednesday April 28, 2004. Notebooks due with five profiles.  Grant Project Due.  Grant presentations.  Group project progress report two due.  Please post your response to discussion board questions by Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and response to two other students, for each question, by Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Week Seventeen: Monday, May 3, 2004: to Saturday, May 8, 2004:  Class #17: Wednesday May 7, 2004. Make-up class if needed.

List of Agencies/ Departments:

1)         Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services (Carol Thomas)

2)         Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services

3)         Department of Social Services, Foster Care

4)         Department of Social Services, Public Assistance/Work First (Gene Gentry)

5)         Guardian Ad Litem (Gwen Moore)

6)         VIP (Very Important Parents) (Cindy Hicks)

7)         Club Creative (Corlis Green)

8)         Person County Group Homes

9)         North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (general profile)

10)       Family Connections (April Duckworth, Carla Johnson)

11)       4HYES (Malinda Davis)

12)        Employment Security Commission

13)        Economic Development Commission (Randy Reynolds)

14)       Smart Start/Partnership for Children/Child Care Resource and Referral

15)       Head Start (Carolyn Royster)

16)       Home Health and Hospice of Person County (Joyce Franke)

17)       Person County Health Department, Baby and Child Services

18)       Person County Health Department, Adult Services

19)       Roxboro Housing Authority (Pecolia Beatty)

20)       Person County Council on Aging

21)       Person Counseling Center (Marion Whitt)

22)            American Red Cross

23)       Drug Court (Dr. Alfred Faulkner)

24)       Person County Mentors

25)       Person County Recreation Department

26)       Early Intervention Program (Sharon Womack)

27)       OPC System of Care Children's Services (Lisa Lackman)

28)       Person County Medical Center/Dental Clinic

29)       PATS (Person Area Transportation)

30)       Roxboro Nursing Home

31)       Safe Haven

32)       Generations Adult Day Care

33)       Caswell County Partnership for Children

34)       Piedmont Community College Human Resources Department. You do not need to speak with the person mentioned; that is an initial contact person. You must talk directly with at least one agency representative, however, for each profile.