Spring 2026 SOWK 531 Week 01 - Intro to Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities
Spring 2026 SOWK 531 Week 01 - Intro to Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities
title: Spring 2026 SOWK 531 Week 01 - Intro to Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities date: 2026-01-23 22:42:02 location: Heritage University tags:
- Heritage University
- MSW Program
- SOWK 531 presentation_video: > “” description: >
In our first session, we will orient ourselves to the course’s goals and explore the foundations of generalist social work practice at the macro level. This week is a synchronous class session on Saturday, 01/24/26. Students will read the introduction to generalist practice by Kirst-Ashman and Hull (2018). We don’t have forums this week, but in class, we will be engaging in the following:
- Follow up on course information
- Overview of the generalist intervention model
- Case Study considering interagency communication
- Exploring professional social work roles
- Discuss macro practice and the community impact project
- Compare NASW and international ethical principles
Learning Objectives
- Describe the generalist intervention model and its application across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.
- Identify and reflect on the various professional roles social workers engage in when practicing at the macro level.
- Apply principles of generalist practice to organizational and community-based contexts through case study and group discussion.
- Compare the NASW Code of Ethics with international social work ethical principles.
- Explore interests and possibilities for their own macro-focused community impact projects.
Week 01 Plan
Agenda
- Follow up on course information
- Overview of the generalist intervention model
- Case Study considering interagency communication
- Exploring professional social work roles
- Discuss macro practice and the community impact project
- Compare NASW and international ethical principles
Learning Objectives
- Describe the generalist intervention model and its application across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.
- Identify and reflect on the various professional roles social workers engage in when practicing at the macro level.
- Apply principles of generalist practice to organizational and community-based contexts through case study and group discussion.
- Compare the NASW Code of Ethics with international social work ethical principles.
- Explore interests and possibilities for their own macro-focused community impact projects.
Meet Your Instructor
At the top of the syllabus, you will notice…
You can just call me Jacob or Dr. Jacob (Campbell is fine as well… but)… Related Power/privilege
- Work and teaching experience
- Research and population interests
- Associate professorship
- Contact practices and office hours
Questions About the Syllabus or the Course
I made a video going through the syllabus, but I’m open to talk about any of the parts of this class that you might have questions about.
Assignments: Overview of Significant Assignments this Semester
The following are the significant assignments for the semester.
Community Impact Project Proposal
Monday 03/02/26
- Write a macro-focused project proposal.
- Complete an assessment and planned intervention.
- Use research-informed, culturally responsive approaches.
Community Impact Project Presentation
Saturday 04/25/26 during class
- Present the implementation and outcomes of your project.
- Explain what worked, what didn’t, and why.
- Reflect on learning and future practice.
Community Assessment Group Project
Monday 03/30/26
- Conduct a group-based community assessment.
- Identify needs and possible macro interventions.
- Create a pamphlet and group presentation.
[Whole Group Activity] Discuss what peoples needs and desires are for getting a rubric for this assignment, and groups. (We read content weeks 7 and 8, this is due at the start of week 11).
PODCAST Discussion
Deep Dive: Kirst-Ashman and Hull (2018)
- Generated by Google Notebook LM
- Doesn’t Replace Reading
- Overly sensational
Discuss my purpose in sharing and solicit thoughts ideas.
Generalist Practice: What does it look like and connection to macro practice
I want to ground us in what is the generalist intervention model and how we can define and consider generalist practice.
- Foundation for Generalist Practice: Practice is grounded in social work knowledge, skills, and values, which guide all intervention decisions.
- Step 1 – Engagement: The social worker builds relationships, establishes trust, and clarifies roles with individuals, groups, or systems.
- Step 2 – Assessment: Information is gathered and analyzed to understand needs, strengths, challenges, and the broader person-in-environment context.
- Step 3 – Planning: Goals and strategies are collaboratively developed based on assessment findings and available resources.
- Step 4 – Implementation: Planned interventions are carried out at micro, mezzo, or macro levels.
- Step 5 – Evaluation: The social worker examines outcomes to determine whether goals are being met and interventions are effective.
- Step 6 – Termination: Services are intentionally concluded when goals are achieved or change is no longer appropriate.
- Step 7 – Follow-up: The social worker checks in after termination to support sustainability of change.
- Decision Point: Based on follow-up, the process may involve reassessment or discontinuing contact, reinforcing that planned change is cyclical rather than linear.
We can think about this same process for each level of service delivery
The following is how might conceptualize generalist practice.
- Organizational Structure: The generalist practitioner operates within an organizational context that shapes practice and decision-making.
- Generalist Practitioner: Practice is centered on the practitioner’s integration of knowledge, values, and skills.
- Application of Principles and Processes: The practitioner applies core social work principles and professional processes to guide intervention.
- Principles / Values:
- Empowerment: Supporting systems in building capacity and control over their own change.
- Human Diversity: Recognizing and respecting differences across individuals, groups, and communities.
- Advocacy / Social & Economic Justice: Promoting fairness, access, and equity within systems and structures.
- Processes:
- Professional Roles: Adopting appropriate roles based on context and system needs.
- Critical Thinking: Analyzing situations thoughtfully to inform ethical and effective practice.
- Research-Informed Practice: Using evidence and data to guide interventions.
- Planned Change: Applying a structured, intentional approach to intervention.
- Target System: Interventions may be directed toward different system levels.
- Micro System: Individuals and families.
- Mezzo System: Groups, organizations, and communities.
- Macro System: Policies, institutions, and broader social systems.
(Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018)
[Whole Group Activity] Watch MindTap Chapter 1 Video Activity: Domestic Violence Prevention
Chapter 1 Case Study: Interagency Communication
We watched a short video hearing about how a program can start. Lets consider how an agency might be able to colloborate
[Small Group Activity] Review and Discuss Chapter 1 Case Study: Interagency Communication
You are a social worker employed by the Detroit Neighborhood Center, which works with adolescents in the community. The center provides a variety of services, including afterschool tutoring, vocational training, social skills training, and financial management training. Many of these adolescents also receive services from a variety of other workers and professionals.
Recently, you’ve realized that the wide range of professionals serving these adolescents are not communicating with each other, despite working with many of the same clients. For example, school social workers have no established procedures for conveying information to protective services workers who, in turn, do not communicate readily with probation and parole workers. Consequently, you decide to assemble representatives from the various agencies that serve the center and establish more clearly defined communication channels.
- How will you contact these professionals and invite them to the meeting? Identify at least three types of information that you will need to gather before the meeting.
- What information do you hope to gain from the participants during the meeting? What are your overall goals?
- At the conclusion of the meeting, what actions will you ask the attendees to take going forward?
- How might this look different in a more rural community? (added by me)
[Whole Group Activity] Progressive Whole Group Sharing Start with one group share their response they discussed. Determine other ideas from other groups. Move to the next item.
(Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018) from MindTap site.
Professional Social Work Roles in Macro Practice
There are many professional roles we might take on as we engage in generalist practice and that can be connected to the work we do at a macro level.
- Enabler: Helps organizations or communities recognize strengths, build capacity, and gain confidence to address shared problems and pursue collective goals.
- Mediator: Assists groups, organizations, or community stakeholders in resolving conflicts, improving communication, and reaching mutually acceptable agreements.
- Manager: Oversees programs, staff, and resources within organizations to ensure services are effective, ethical, and aligned with community needs and organizational missions.
- Educator: Provides information, training, and skill development to community members, leaders, or organizations to support informed decision-making and collective action.
- Analyst/Evaluator: Collects and examines data to assess community needs, program effectiveness, policies, and outcomes in order to guide planning and improvement.
- Broker: Connects organizations and communities with resources, services, and opportunities by linking them to appropriate systems, networks, and funding sources.
- Facilitator: Guides group processes, meetings, and collaborative efforts to promote participation, shared understanding, and effective problem-solving.
- Initiator: Sparks action by identifying unmet needs, proposing new programs or initiatives, and motivating organizations or communities to address emerging issues.
- Negotiator: Represents or supports organizations and communities in discussions with other systems to secure resources, resolve disputes, or influence decisions.
- Mobilizer: Organizes and energizes community members, coalitions, or organizations to take collective action around shared concerns or social change efforts.
- Advocate: Works to influence organizational practices, policies, and systems to promote equity, social justice, and improved conditions for communities and populations.
[Small Group Activity] Discuss Professional Social Work Roles
- In what ways have you seen these roles enacted in your practicum setting?
- What are some of the skills required of a practitioner to engage in these roles?
Descriptions start on p. 19
[Whole Group Activity] Professional Social Work Roles Share Out
(Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018)
Circle Group: Macro Practice and Community Impact Thoughts
We are going to do a restorative practices style group. The following are some norms I like to use for these from Clifford (2013):
- Respect the talking piece: everyone listens, everyone has a turn
- Speak from the heart: your truth, your perspectives, your experiences
- Listen from the heart: Let go of stories that make it hard to hear each other
- Trust that you know what to say: no need to rehearse: no need to rehearse
- Say just enough: without feeling rushed, be concise and considerate of the time of others
[Whole Group Activity] Have people situate chairs in a circle. Go around for each of the questions.
- What experience do you have in engaging in macro practice, and what is your interest in pursuing it in your career?
- Describe your practicum setting, the services offered, and what you do.
- What are some potential examples of ideas that somebody might do for their community impact project?
PREPARE: Specific Steps for Pursuing Planned Change in Macro Practice
P Identify Problems to address R Review your macro and personal Reality E Establish primary goals P Identify relevant People of influence A Assess potential financial costs and benefits to clients and agency R Review professional and personal Risk E Evaluate the potential success of a macro change process
More discussion in chapter 6
IMAGINE Model
I Start with an innovative Idea M Muster support and formulate an action system A Identify assets G Specify goals, objectives, and action steps to attain them I Implement the plan N Neutralize opposition E Evaluate progress
More discussion in chapter 7
NASW vs International Code Ethics Discussion
[Small Group Activity] Comparing Statements of Ethics
Review the NASW Code of Ethics and the International Federation of Ethical Principles. Compare and discuss the similarities and differences between these two documents.