but I HAVE to go into work today. Two more client visits to meet for this month. One of them I finally got into the community from the nursing home yesterday after about FOUR long years. He needed a lot of that rehab time, trust me, but it was so nice that this his discharge has actually happened now.
I saw him at the center earlier this week and he hadn't started packing. I don't think he really believed it was going to happen.
Discharges to our program often can end up taking years because of the process in general......everything from being approved, a sudden change in the client's status, to the ever fun.........finding of housing.
So yeah, it's exciting that one of my people has finally come home so to speak.
I am going to go do my field visits, stop in the office and pick up my check and maybe sneak out a little bit early today........I just want to sleep and sleep. And even that's not really happening with this cold.
I haven't been able to go to one yoga class this week either because I totally felt like death warmed over by the end of each day. I hope I can shake this by the weekend!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
I hate
apartment management companies and their blatant discrimination against people with disabilities.
I know not every tenant in all of your complexes is an angel (even a few who are disabled), but with all of your power and money, don't try to screw over one of my clients based on someone you might have had to evict in the past.
I am also pretty sure that your refusal to accept a check from the Department of Social Services on behalf of my client who is disabled, not in arrears, but on SSI and not able to come up with the $$$ you are asking for on their own----is pretty much breaking the law and I will go as far as I have to to prove that it is.
That is all.
Oh, and the bed bug madness continues......
I know not every tenant in all of your complexes is an angel (even a few who are disabled), but with all of your power and money, don't try to screw over one of my clients based on someone you might have had to evict in the past.
I am also pretty sure that your refusal to accept a check from the Department of Social Services on behalf of my client who is disabled, not in arrears, but on SSI and not able to come up with the $$$ you are asking for on their own----is pretty much breaking the law and I will go as far as I have to to prove that it is.
That is all.
Oh, and the bed bug madness continues......
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saw this in another social worker's office today.......
and it made me laugh. I SO can TOTALLY relate.......how about you?
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, And Nobody
This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, And Nobody
This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done
Fronting money for client-related expenses
I just realized this is something that REALLY annoys me about my job.
I often have to front money for client-related expenses mostly centering around transportation. I refuse to take clients in my own personal vehicle for a couple of reasons........first is the independence factor. I don't want them to think that just because I am their social worker, I should be readily available to drive them where they need to go. The second, is for the liability factor. I really have no desire to get sued, and risk losing my house if we get into a bad accident.
Anyways, because of this issue, I often find myself fronting $$$$ in advance for expensive things like cabs. I spent $75.00 a couple weeks ago on what was literally the cabride from HELL and have to do it again this morning. I get reimbursed obviously, but some weeks are leaner for me then others (especially with DH's situation), so it can be hard, and I do feel resentful.
I know it's even harder for some of my co-workers who make less money than I do (one lady told me she had to borrow money from her husband so she could go out of area to see a client she is bringing back into the community from a nursing home).
We have brought this up at a recent staff meeting, and have encouraged the company to look into leasing a cheap vehicle or do something like zipcar for these kinds of things. They are still "looking into it" but in the meantime.............this is our system.
I am going to bring this issue up again. We need some kind of petty cash system or our own company debit card.......do you have this issue at work? How do they address it?
I often have to front money for client-related expenses mostly centering around transportation. I refuse to take clients in my own personal vehicle for a couple of reasons........first is the independence factor. I don't want them to think that just because I am their social worker, I should be readily available to drive them where they need to go. The second, is for the liability factor. I really have no desire to get sued, and risk losing my house if we get into a bad accident.
Anyways, because of this issue, I often find myself fronting $$$$ in advance for expensive things like cabs. I spent $75.00 a couple weeks ago on what was literally the cabride from HELL and have to do it again this morning. I get reimbursed obviously, but some weeks are leaner for me then others (especially with DH's situation), so it can be hard, and I do feel resentful.
I know it's even harder for some of my co-workers who make less money than I do (one lady told me she had to borrow money from her husband so she could go out of area to see a client she is bringing back into the community from a nursing home).
We have brought this up at a recent staff meeting, and have encouraged the company to look into leasing a cheap vehicle or do something like zipcar for these kinds of things. They are still "looking into it" but in the meantime.............this is our system.
I am going to bring this issue up again. We need some kind of petty cash system or our own company debit card.......do you have this issue at work? How do they address it?
Coffee and a smile...........
I've been up since 3AM with my son. He has a cold and had a bad cough. I am wide awake now, as is he, so it doesn't make much sense to try to go back to bed.
I have to go down to one of the NYC HRA office's today to apply for a one-shot-deal for emergency funds for a client.
What is normally so not a good time on a day with sleep, should be even better with almost none!
DS is watching tv so I actually took advantage and washed a sink full of dishes, changed the cat's litter box and mopped the floor. Go me!
Time to get some coffee and a smile. That's all you can really do in moments like this :).
I have to go down to one of the NYC HRA office's today to apply for a one-shot-deal for emergency funds for a client.
What is normally so not a good time on a day with sleep, should be even better with almost none!
DS is watching tv so I actually took advantage and washed a sink full of dishes, changed the cat's litter box and mopped the floor. Go me!
Time to get some coffee and a smile. That's all you can really do in moments like this :).
Monday, October 25, 2010
Words for the day(s)..............
A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked:
"How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.
The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work or whatever is bothering you down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow."
"Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. So, my friend, put down
anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while."
Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be "Recalled" by their maker.
* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.
* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
* Nobody cares if you can't dance well, just get up and dance.
* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names,
and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. ---Will Rogers
"How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.
The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'
He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work or whatever is bothering you down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow."
"Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. So, my friend, put down
anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while."
Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be "Recalled" by their maker.
* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.
* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
* Nobody cares if you can't dance well, just get up and dance.
* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names,
and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. ---Will Rogers
Friday, October 22, 2010
Ugh
Things have not been going good lately on the homefront.
DH has not taken in any money now in close to two months and told me today he doesn't expect to get paid in November either. He actually asked me to do some online applications for him for local retail places. I did that earlier today. Obviously his lack of income continues to be very stressful on us, and I don't know what he is going to end up doing.
Clearly something is NOT working with this self-employment thing though. He can't keep working 10 or 12 hour days 7 days a week and not bring ANY money in.
He keeps talking about the possibility of selling.........and then putting that money into our savings........and then getting a "real job", whatever a "real job" means........
I also have encouraged him to get some kind of job somewhere, and do his construction stuff on the side.......I don't know though.......it has just been rough and it's not one of those conversations that we can sit down and easily discuss.
We are fortunate because I have a good job that meets a majority of our bills, and we have our savings........but even that is going down a lot BECAUSE of the business.
This can't go on for much longer...........something needs to be decided...........
DH has not taken in any money now in close to two months and told me today he doesn't expect to get paid in November either. He actually asked me to do some online applications for him for local retail places. I did that earlier today. Obviously his lack of income continues to be very stressful on us, and I don't know what he is going to end up doing.
Clearly something is NOT working with this self-employment thing though. He can't keep working 10 or 12 hour days 7 days a week and not bring ANY money in.
He keeps talking about the possibility of selling.........and then putting that money into our savings........and then getting a "real job", whatever a "real job" means........
I also have encouraged him to get some kind of job somewhere, and do his construction stuff on the side.......I don't know though.......it has just been rough and it's not one of those conversations that we can sit down and easily discuss.
We are fortunate because I have a good job that meets a majority of our bills, and we have our savings........but even that is going down a lot BECAUSE of the business.
This can't go on for much longer...........something needs to be decided...........
Friday, October 15, 2010
Floating on a cloud
I'm on a bloggity roll today........but I just had to post that for once, when the entire team expected the worst for a client related to the overall bureacracy of the "system"...........well, the system actually surprised us ALL and came through for him!
A whole big ball of stress has totally been lifted from my chest. I just wanted to share because it seems like there is always so much negativity associated with what I do for a living........it takes only one positive like this to remind me why I do what I do, and absolutely make me LOVE my job despite all that's negative.
That is all :)
A whole big ball of stress has totally been lifted from my chest. I just wanted to share because it seems like there is always so much negativity associated with what I do for a living........it takes only one positive like this to remind me why I do what I do, and absolutely make me LOVE my job despite all that's negative.
That is all :)
NIMBY
A message board I frequent started this topic. As a social worker I always find everyone's feelings about this interesting, but in most cases, really sad.
What do you think?
I'm mzsocialworker1 on that thread by the way ;).
What do you think?
I'm mzsocialworker1 on that thread by the way ;).
Since I'm not that creative...........
I figured I'd do another Fill in the Blank Friday post.
This week has been pretty crazy and stressful at work (ha, what the heck else is new ;). I did meet my goal of getting to three yoga classes though at night. I am also very pleased with myself because I can finally get deeper into a lot of stretches I have been struggling with. I am going to try to get in at least one class this weekend if DH's schedule allows..........Anyways........on to Fill in the Blanks......
1. Blogging is....something that I enjoy, but really more to read other peoples' blogs. I think everyone is a lot more interesting and creative then me.
2. A current fashion trend I wish I was brave enough to wear is........the leggings look. I do wear them on occasion, but I often feel super self-concious. I also have to have a long sweater or something that covers my butt completely.
3. My greatest accomplishment in life thus far is ......probably getting my Master's and also being able to juggle all the things that I do. (Work F/T, parent, wife as well as get in some "me time" for my yoga classes).
4. If I had to choose between a mountain or a beach vacation I'd choose the mountain vacation. I am close to the beach and I miss being close to the mountains and all kinds of related mountainy/country stuff like orchards and hiking.
5. A talent I wish I had is being able to do something artsy.....sing, dance, paint, draw, sculpt............whatever. I don't think I have an artsy bone in my body.
6. A talent I do have is the ability to multitask and somehow get all of the important things done I need to get done.
7. This week is finally over...thank goodness! (Although I am still on call today, boo!).
This week has been pretty crazy and stressful at work (ha, what the heck else is new ;). I did meet my goal of getting to three yoga classes though at night. I am also very pleased with myself because I can finally get deeper into a lot of stretches I have been struggling with. I am going to try to get in at least one class this weekend if DH's schedule allows..........Anyways........on to Fill in the Blanks......
1. Blogging is....something that I enjoy, but really more to read other peoples' blogs. I think everyone is a lot more interesting and creative then me.
2. A current fashion trend I wish I was brave enough to wear is........the leggings look. I do wear them on occasion, but I often feel super self-concious. I also have to have a long sweater or something that covers my butt completely.
3. My greatest accomplishment in life thus far is ......probably getting my Master's and also being able to juggle all the things that I do. (Work F/T, parent, wife as well as get in some "me time" for my yoga classes).
4. If I had to choose between a mountain or a beach vacation I'd choose the mountain vacation. I am close to the beach and I miss being close to the mountains and all kinds of related mountainy/country stuff like orchards and hiking.
5. A talent I wish I had is being able to do something artsy.....sing, dance, paint, draw, sculpt............whatever. I don't think I have an artsy bone in my body.
6. A talent I do have is the ability to multitask and somehow get all of the important things done I need to get done.
7. This week is finally over...thank goodness! (Although I am still on call today, boo!).
Monday, October 11, 2010
Local news post......Thoughts and how this impacts us as social workers?
The man accused of stabbing a boy repeatedly with a hunting knife as the child played a video game Friday in a Westbury arcade spent weeks casing Long Island malls looking for a suitable victim, Nassau police said Monday.
"He's been scouting locations in the area to find an appropriate place to kill a young boy," said Det. Lt. Ray Cote of the Third Squad of the suspect, Evan Sachs.
"He was looking to find a young boy who had been separated from supervision and a place where he could escape without being arrested," he said.
Sachs, 23, remains behind bars and under medical supervision after being detained Friday night by an employee of Dave & Busters and the father of the 8-year-old boy who was stabbed. He is charged with attempted murder, assault and weapons possession. At his arraignment on Saturday, Sachs' attorney said he has been under psychiatric care.
The boy was at the Dave & Buster's, an arcade-restaurant on Old Country Road, with his family when Sachs approached from behind, grabbed him by the shoulder, and plunged a knife into the boy's back five times, police said.
The child survived but remains hospitalized. Police said he is expected to recover, although details of his condition were not available.
After the attack, Sachs put a black folding knife into his pocket and walked toward the front door leading to the parking lot, Cote said. But finding the area in confusion, he turned and walked back into the arcade, where an employee stopped him and held him with the help of the victim's father. He was arrested without incident.
Officials said Sachs was carrying a computer-generated note he wrote addressed to "anyone who might encounter him after this incident ... seeking to explain his actions," Cote said. He declined to discuss the contents of the note but said it and later statements Sachs made to police "made it clear his intended victim was a young boy."
Cote said the unidentified boy's father was standing a few feet away from the child as he played a video game but was momentarily distracted as Sachs approached. The boy's mother was also seated nearby. Detectives are currently reviewing surveillance video taken inside Dave & Busters.
Over the last several weeks, police said Sachs visited at least four malls - Roosevelt Field, Walt Whitman Mall, Green Acres Mall, and Broadway Mall - in an attempt to find a young boy to kill.
"This was his first attempt," Cote said. "If he planned to continue this assault plan, I'm not aware of it."
Sachs has no criminal record and no known previous contact with police. He graduated in 2004 from Sanford H. Calhoun High School in Merrick and later from the University at Albany. He works as an usher at the UA Farmingdale 10 movie theater in Farmingdale.
"He's been scouting locations in the area to find an appropriate place to kill a young boy," said Det. Lt. Ray Cote of the Third Squad of the suspect, Evan Sachs.
"He was looking to find a young boy who had been separated from supervision and a place where he could escape without being arrested," he said.
Sachs, 23, remains behind bars and under medical supervision after being detained Friday night by an employee of Dave & Busters and the father of the 8-year-old boy who was stabbed. He is charged with attempted murder, assault and weapons possession. At his arraignment on Saturday, Sachs' attorney said he has been under psychiatric care.
The boy was at the Dave & Buster's, an arcade-restaurant on Old Country Road, with his family when Sachs approached from behind, grabbed him by the shoulder, and plunged a knife into the boy's back five times, police said.
The child survived but remains hospitalized. Police said he is expected to recover, although details of his condition were not available.
After the attack, Sachs put a black folding knife into his pocket and walked toward the front door leading to the parking lot, Cote said. But finding the area in confusion, he turned and walked back into the arcade, where an employee stopped him and held him with the help of the victim's father. He was arrested without incident.
Officials said Sachs was carrying a computer-generated note he wrote addressed to "anyone who might encounter him after this incident ... seeking to explain his actions," Cote said. He declined to discuss the contents of the note but said it and later statements Sachs made to police "made it clear his intended victim was a young boy."
Cote said the unidentified boy's father was standing a few feet away from the child as he played a video game but was momentarily distracted as Sachs approached. The boy's mother was also seated nearby. Detectives are currently reviewing surveillance video taken inside Dave & Busters.
Over the last several weeks, police said Sachs visited at least four malls - Roosevelt Field, Walt Whitman Mall, Green Acres Mall, and Broadway Mall - in an attempt to find a young boy to kill.
"This was his first attempt," Cote said. "If he planned to continue this assault plan, I'm not aware of it."
Sachs has no criminal record and no known previous contact with police. He graduated in 2004 from Sanford H. Calhoun High School in Merrick and later from the University at Albany. He works as an usher at the UA Farmingdale 10 movie theater in Farmingdale.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Fill in the Blank Friday
I am stealing this from this cute little blog:
1. The first thing I do in the morning to start my day is feed the pets, get my son his soy milk and sit him down in front of Nick Jr. then read my email/check my fave message boards/blogs.
2. Today I wish I was not on-call for work. But it's my Friday agreement so I don't have to go into the office.
3. If I had an extra $100 in my bank account today I'd probably put it into savings or pay off some debt.
4. Tomorrow I will be taking Matt to his Saturday class at his toddler gym.
5. Two things that don't go together are me and being woke up to just "chat" with the DH.
6. Something I can never pass up at the grocery store is ICE CREAM! I get at least one or two containers a week.
7. The last time I tried something new was HOT YOGA back in February. I've been hooked ever since and so wish I had the time to go more often!!
1. The first thing I do in the morning to start my day is feed the pets, get my son his soy milk and sit him down in front of Nick Jr. then read my email/check my fave message boards/blogs.
2. Today I wish I was not on-call for work. But it's my Friday agreement so I don't have to go into the office.
3. If I had an extra $100 in my bank account today I'd probably put it into savings or pay off some debt.
4. Tomorrow I will be taking Matt to his Saturday class at his toddler gym.
5. Two things that don't go together are me and being woke up to just "chat" with the DH.
6. Something I can never pass up at the grocery store is ICE CREAM! I get at least one or two containers a week.
7. The last time I tried something new was HOT YOGA back in February. I've been hooked ever since and so wish I had the time to go more often!!
Made it through the week
and things have calmed down a lot since I last posted. I still have plenty to follow up on, however, in terms of my discharges, some unexpected things have happened and several of them are just on hold for now.
I also made it to yoga twice this week. I really wanted to go last night, but opted for dinner in with DH instead and an early bedtime.
Today I am home with DS. I am going to try to take him to a morning free play at his toddler gym.
I am welcoming another weekend of just rest and relaxation!!
I also made it to yoga twice this week. I really wanted to go last night, but opted for dinner in with DH instead and an early bedtime.
Today I am home with DS. I am going to try to take him to a morning free play at his toddler gym.
I am welcoming another weekend of just rest and relaxation!!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
So busy
at work that I can't breathe and have very high amounts of anxiety. I have about 25 things to do that are all top priority and of equal importance. I don't even know where to begin!!! (None of this work includes things that just happen that require follow up). Everything also needed to be done "a week ago". HELP!!!! Any tips? I really did inherit a mess!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Recharging for the week ahead
It has been a pretty calm and relaxing weekend, which is good because I know this week is going to be pretty CA-RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAY-ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
I have 3 client visits tommorrow morning----one of them is because the bed bugs came back to the guy's apartment and staff are protesting now and don't want to work there. Another, to sign a new lease. Third, is actually an interview with a new client.
I then have to catch up on a ton of paperwork (Mostly inherited from former co-worker).
Write several service plans. (About 20 pages each!).
Take a client down to DSS to apply for a one-shot-deal so she can move out of a nursing home, and into her own place. (This will probably be an all-day event).
I also have to fit in an interview with another new client who I already can tell is going to be quite challenging.
For ME, I want to try to make it to at least THREE yoga classes this week. I went to two this past week. If DH gets home at a normal hour, and I make no excuses, I should be able to meet this goal.
I have 3 client visits tommorrow morning----one of them is because the bed bugs came back to the guy's apartment and staff are protesting now and don't want to work there. Another, to sign a new lease. Third, is actually an interview with a new client.
I then have to catch up on a ton of paperwork (Mostly inherited from former co-worker).
Write several service plans. (About 20 pages each!).
Take a client down to DSS to apply for a one-shot-deal so she can move out of a nursing home, and into her own place. (This will probably be an all-day event).
I also have to fit in an interview with another new client who I already can tell is going to be quite challenging.
For ME, I want to try to make it to at least THREE yoga classes this week. I went to two this past week. If DH gets home at a normal hour, and I make no excuses, I should be able to meet this goal.
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