Pre-Placement Visit Experience

Author

Institution

Introduction

Rehabilitation organizations have played a key role in enhancing the quality of life that many people lead. It goes without saying that the world has seen quite a large number of people suffering from different problems. While there exists various types or categories of institutions or agencies, rehabilitation agencies are arguably some of the most crucial institutions. For my class assignment, I visited an agency known as Recovery Way Home.

A. Recovery Way Home is located at Lompoc, California approximately 45 miles North of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County. It falls under the Good Samaritan Services. Recovery Way Home offers a wide range of services with the sole objective of delivering drug-free babies, as well as assisting on the process of healing. This is for women, as well as their children who are affected by substance abuse. It is worth noting that the programs are specifically designed for parenting and pregnant women who have dual diagnosis issues.

Names of field instructor, preceptor, educational coordinator, and/or staff (with their position in the organization) met during the visit: a.

The success of my visit was marked by the presence of various officials of the organizations. The Field Instructor Professor Anothony Sillemon and the Educational coordinator Mr. Wayne Barnstone were present, as well as the Preceptor Mrs. Suzanne Newman who also doubles up as the Recovery Way Counselor. There were also some members of the staff including Julie Barba (Counselor), Dana (Child Care Specialist), Dawn (Case Manager) and Pat (Psychologist).

Travel to Agency

During travel to the agency, please observe and reflect on the experience of traveling to and from your appointment from a client’s perspective.

A.How did you feel about traveling through the area? Was the agency easily accessible? –

As much as I looked forward to making the visit, I must admit I felt nervous about the entire affair. This is especially considering that I was visiting a new place and meeting new people, as well as the fact that the institution deals with individuals who have a history of substance abuse. I did not know what I should expect from the entire visit as I had never done it before that time. However, the nervousness was worn out by the ease of accessing the place.

B. Was parking easily available, did you have to pay to park, did you have to walk a distance, did you feel safe parking and walking into the agency? The visiting experience was also improved by the ease of having parking within the agency. As much as there was no paid parking, parking was easily available. Not only was parking easily available but the place felt extremely safe even to walk around.

C. Is there public transportation available that could be used to get to this agency?

For individuals who do not have private means of transport or prefer public means of transport, the agency would still be accessible as there is a bus stop about a block away from the agency. In addition, the agency offers transport services, in which case transport would not be a problem ( HYPERLINK “http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!lompoc” http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!lompoc).

Waiting Area Observations

4. Please observe the waiting area from the client’s perspective:

a. How did you feel while waiting to meet with the field instructor? Did you feel welcomed? How are the clients greeted by staff?

Once I got to the agency, I initially felt awkward as there was no one at the reception. However, my fears were blown away when the receptionist came, at what time I asked for Suzanne. I was informed that Suzanne was a bit held up as she had just got out of a crucial staff meeting. Nevertheless, she assured me that she would be right with in no time. I finally met her after 15 minutes. I noticed that the members of staff extended respectful but warm handshakes to clients thereby making them feel welcome. In addition, making enquiries in the agency was extremely easy thanks to the polite and helpful members of the staff.

B. What is the condition of the waiting room? Is it clean, does it afford comfortable seating, what is the noise level, what is the atmosphere, are there current reading materials, and are there age-appropriate materials for clients? Did the condition of the waiting room affect how you felt? How? The waiting room was extremely clean and well-organized. This made the environment to be extremely inviting and conducive, irrespective of the fact that the seating was a bit outdated. This was complemented by the low noise levels and the kid-friendly atmosphere. It is worth noting that the waiting room also incorporated age-appropriate materials. In addition, the childcare area was easily accessible and visible from the main lobby. This underlines the safe feeling that engulfed me. I must admit that the atmosphere positively affected the way I felt about the entire visit. I felt relaxed and at home.

c. What did you hear while you were waiting? What did this mean to you? How did you feel?

While the atmosphere was extremely refreshing, it was severely interrupted by the complaints of the clients. This was especially in cases when they felt that Suzanne was not giving them the first priority. Suzanne on her part seemed extremely busy and overwhelmed thanks to the numerous things that she was trying to clear out. This was worsened by the fact that I wanted to interview her, as well as the clients who were striving for her attention. I remember wishing she relaxed a bit and set some time to focus on the clients. Her being overwhelmed made me feel that I was standing on her way.

Meeting with Field Instructor

During the meeting with the field instructor please inquire about the following topics:

a. What is the agency’s mission?

The agency has the sole mission of providing emergency, support and transitional services to the homeless, as well as individuals in recovery all over the Central Coast ( HYPERLINK “http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!employment-opportunities” http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!employment-opportunities).

B. How does the agency define its community and what role do they see themselves playing within this community?

The agency defines its community as parenting and pregnant women who have drug and/or alcohol problems, as well as dual diagnosis issues ( HYPERLINK “http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!lompoc” http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!lompoc). However, it mainly prioritizes on Lompoc residents and IV users. It has launched the Turning Point program which defines its role as delivering drug-free babies, as well as assisting women and children affected by substance in the process of healing.

C. Who are the clients served by the agency? Are they mandated to serve anyone and why?

The agency has its main clients as parenting and pregnant women with drug and/or alcohol problems, as well as dual diagnosis issues (California. Dept. of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Audit Services Branch, 2002). It is worth noting that the agency is not mandated to serve any person except in cases where a person has paid for the services. This is because the institution is a private institution rather than a public one.

d. What is the role of the student in the agency? What will you be doing during your internship?

The internship will offer me an opportunity to learn quite a large number of things including individual counseling, leading group therapy and case management. In addition, an intern would undertake drug testing and earn intake procedures.

E. How can you best learn about the agency itself and the larger community that the agency serves?

The best way of learning about the agency and the larger community that it serves would be through interviewing the parties concerned. Officials of the agency would come out as especially useful in gaining knowledge about the agency and the community at large. In addition, a visit such as the one I made would offer insights as to various aspects of the agency.

Self-Reflection

How did you feel before, during, and after the meeting with the field instructor?

While I consider the visit as largely successful, I must acknowledge that I felt incompetent. Initially, I was extremely nervous as it was the first time that I was visiting the place. However, I felt pretty relaxed during the meeting though there were instances when I did not know what to say. After the meeting, I felt overwhelmed by the knowledge that I know quite little and have quite a lot to learn.

References

Good Samaritan Shelter: employment opportunity. Accessed 29th September 2012 from HYPERLINK “http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!employment-opportunities” http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!employment-opportunities

Good Samaritan Shelter: Lompoc. Web accessed 29th September 2012 from HYPERLINK “http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!lompoc” http://www.goodsamshelter.net/#!lompoc

California. Dept. of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Audit Services Branch, (2002). County of Santa Barbara Drug Program, Good Samaritan Shelter, Inc., July 1, 1997 Through June 30, 1998, Final Audit Report. California: State of California, Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Audit Services Branch