Importance of Project/Issue

Guardianship is a wide experienced situation for individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness. It’s an overlooked topic and many pieces of information is assumed or presented incorrectly. The majority of the clients I have worked with have had an experience with guardianship. There is many different forms of guardianship and rights that govern the guardianship. Further, even, the rights that may be restricted on the individual level. Guardianship can impact someone’s freedom, ability to make certain choices in their lives, and potentially, due to misunderstandings, have rights infringed upon. Thus, resulting in limited autonomy and happiness in their lives. I will most likely work the rest of my career with adults who have severe and persistent mental illness as it’s simply where my passion lies. I wish to make a difference with this vulnerable and disadvantaged population.

Skills, competencies &/or capacities learned

• Identify and use knowledge of relationship dynamics, including power differentials.

• Identify and articulate clients’ strengths and vulnerabilities.

• Research and apply knowledge of diverse populations to enhance client well-being.

• Use knowledge of the effects of oppression, discrimination, and historical trauma on client and client systems to guide treatment planning and intervention.

• Synthesize and differentially apply theories of human behavior and the social environment to guide professional practice.

• Assess clients coping strategies to reinforce and improve adaptation to life situations, circumstances, and events.

• Contribute to the theoretical knowledge base of the social work profession through practice-based research.