tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7114051345745830132.post856094992667437094..comments2023-10-30T10:44:12.635-04:00Comments on Just stuff: Clients who don't fit in........Blubtrflygrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513178415945991947noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7114051345745830132.post-35471813899487957642012-05-31T18:35:05.603-04:002012-05-31T18:35:05.603-04:00Exactly. Part of the philosophy of our program, i...Exactly. Part of the philosophy of our program, is that clients have the right to make a decision, even a bad one. We do our best to educate them, but in the end, it's their choice. I also personally am very judgmental when it comes to things like substance abuse so have my own opinions about what should/should not be allowed, especially with dare I say the tax payers' money?! Other social workers and human services staff can be more flexible, but that's why it's usually good to work amongst a team of qualified individuals ;).Blubtrflygrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513178415945991947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7114051345745830132.post-58877563770021422002012-05-30T09:52:47.790-04:002012-05-30T09:52:47.790-04:00Interesting...
The program I work in is "supp...Interesting...<br />The program I work in is "supportive housing" so clients reside in mixed housing (like what you describe) receive a subsidy on their rent and agree to meet with me at least once a month for mental health support (typically much more than this, although maybe lower level of intervention than what you describe). <br />It seems a compromising position to be put in, that your staff may have to "prove" drug use. We are not exactly housing first either, but generally it is accepted that I am not there to enforce good behaviour, or get them in trouble/cut off if they are participating in something illegal. If they are doing something that is putting their housing at risk, I can advise and offer support or resources. <br />These are the ways that clients fall through the cracks, right? When they need the most help, but providers are too scared or ill-equipped to offer it. I guess this is the basic idea of your title "clients who don't fit in".Nectarinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16957078633582883380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7114051345745830132.post-79324094232648438782012-05-29T06:53:11.769-04:002012-05-29T06:53:11.769-04:00P.P.S. One more "fun fact" regarding the...P.P.S. One more "fun fact" regarding the housing piece: Our clients find housing all over the place, in regular buildings and apartment complexes where you, I and the general population also reside. They sign regular leases and must abide under the same "rules" as everybody else.Blubtrflygrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513178415945991947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7114051345745830132.post-83854032289846017982012-05-28T14:53:18.952-04:002012-05-28T14:53:18.952-04:00P.S. I have heard of "housing first" kin...P.S. I have heard of "housing first" kinds of programs, but we are far from being one of them.Blubtrflygrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513178415945991947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7114051345745830132.post-32049404032321831382012-05-28T14:51:58.279-04:002012-05-28T14:51:58.279-04:00We're not a substance abuse provider; we are a...We're not a substance abuse provider; we are a home care agency. Not only that, but the program we provided services under has all clients sign a contract that they will not engage in any illegal activity. Most of our clients require staff with them for at least several hours a week, which would be problematic and unsafe if they are using. There is a substance abuse component to the program, but no providers who do this, at least in my area of the state. We often run into difficulty "proving" a client is using, especially if their door is closed (their right) and staff smell marijuana ;). Which last I checked is still an illegal drug........It's tough all around in these situations.......Blubtrflygrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513178415945991947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7114051345745830132.post-47878901568672014452012-05-28T14:21:16.598-04:002012-05-28T14:21:16.598-04:00I'm interested that you mention your agency co...I'm interested that you mention your agency considers clients who are active drug users as too difficult to serve. Just out of curiosity (and I realize you are only the messenger here, not the one who makes the rules) does your agency have a policy regarding clients with Concurrent Disorders (mental health and substance abuse) I think it's usually called Dual Disorders in the US. Do they have a harm reduction framework?Nectarinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16957078633582883380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7114051345745830132.post-88048052753667239132012-05-26T04:11:36.926-04:002012-05-26T04:11:36.926-04:00It is always a bummer being the bad guy. But it i...It is always a bummer being the bad guy. But it is interesting reading about the role you play and how your agency works, it sounds really frustrating sometimes, but it must be so rewarding when you help people and realize the difference you've made.katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03631786849974735563noreply@blogger.com