INTERNATIONAL TRIPFRESNO CA August 2014

Siobhan McHugh 3rd Year Social Work QUBNatalie Goodall 3rd Year Social Work QUB

Siobhan and Natalie, On Route to Fresno, long trip!

Learning Opportunities experienced, thanks to Dr Kris Clarke.

18th August: Madera Social Services.Shadowing experienced social workers for the day.• Attended Madera family court. • Natalie: Madera Crisis response team.• Siobhan: Madera Fieldwork team.

19th August: Angels of Grace (Foster family Agency).Spending the day with Lisa Casuez MSW, CEO of Angels of

Grace. • Introduced to the team, at facilities of Angels of Grace. • Visit to foster children in Hospital.• Introduced to foster carers.

Learning opportunities continued:

20th August: Spirit of Women, (Non-profit organization providing a holistic substance abuse program)

Spending the day in the Residential facility with woman and their children.

• Introduction to Audrey Riley, founder and Executive Director.

• Assisting with caring duties and play activities with babies and children in the crèche facility.

• Talking to mothers on the program.• Talking part in: Anger management class : Good parenting class.

Learning opportunities continued:21st August: Juvenile Justice Youth Prison.• Tour of Juvenile Justice Prison.• Talking to program facilitators. 26th August: Fresno State University.• Opportunity to sit in Dr Clarke’s Social Work class.• Met with and getting to know students.• Deliver Presentation on Social Work in Northern

Ireland.27th August: Kings Canyon School district.• Visit to Reedley Middles College, High school.• Introduction to schools program: Conflict resolution

skills, restorative justice program, peace building initiative positive behavioural interventions, building healthy teen relationships.

Learning opportunities continued:28th August: Fresno Unified School Services.• Visiting a number of schools in Fresno.• Meeting Children.• Talking to Administration staff.• Talking to School based Social Workers.

29th August: Soul School, (last stop before kids are permanently expelled).

• Visit to school.• Presentation on life in Northern Ireland.• Talking to and answering questions from

children.

Presenting at Fresno State University

Meeting the Children and Presenting at SOUL school

Spending the day with Lisa Casuez MSW, Angels of Grace Foster Family

Agency

Population of Fresno compared to Northern Ireland

FRESNOCulturally diverseHigh levels of PovertyHigh levels of HomelessnessLoyal communitiesCommunity DevelopmentEnvironmental injusticePoor Life expectancyEducational attainmentGangsGun CultureDroughtAgriculturePoor Public Transport

Snap shot of learning outcomes:Self-awarenessMind stimulatingCritical thinkingReflectionUse of Resources, I am a resource.New Appreciation of UK Welfare StateImportance of Social policyAccess to educationAdvocating for the vulnerable

Personal Statement of learning outcomes: Natalie Goodall

“The exchange programme to Fresno allowed me to ‘think globally, act locally,’ as we are now all operating in conditions affected by globalization. The exchange programme increased my cultural competence. It gave me the opportunity for me to become critically reflective as a global citizen of my own personal awareness of my own identity, prejudges and attitudes of globalization and its effects. The exchange programme allowed me to explore different skills and values that broadened my mind. It also increased my knowledge base by exploring different ways of providing best social work practice. The exchange programme allowed me to view social issues that happen locally in a new vision by comparing similarities in different contexts”.

“We need diversity of thought in the world to face new challenges and Fresno gave me that opportunity”.

Personal Statement of learning outcomes: Siobhan McHugh

“The International Social Work experience to Fresno was an excellent opportunity to enhance my knowledge of global issues and social work experience. In Fresno, along with state provided services, Social Work is intricately linked with the idea of charity work. Passionate individuals with charismatic characters provide many needed services in the state. We had the privilege of meeting a few of these fascinating personalities and had an insight into their social work world. For me, the visit to Fresno increased my cultural competence by recognizing the strengths that exist in other cultures. It encouraged me to develop an understanding of my own personal and cultural values and beliefs, it raised awareness and an appreciation of the importance of heritage and multicultural identity in others. The Fresno experience has linked teaching from lectures at Queens to real life situations and enriched learning and understanding, helping on our journey to be more culturally competent for practice in a diverse, multicultural and global world”.

Thank you

Special thanks to:Dr Janet AnandDr Kris ClarkeRick ClarkeQueens UniversityFresno State University