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The Role of Social Work in Reintegration. Kathleen Ray, PhD, MSW, LCSW Rita Torres, MSW, LCSW Social Workers, NJ WRIISC. Goals of Talk. Identify determinants affecting reintegration Distinguish the social work process of assessment Recognize the role of social work on the WRIISC team
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The Role of Social Work in Reintegration Kathleen Ray, PhD, MSW, LCSWRita Torres, MSW, LCSW Social Workers, NJ WRIISC
Goals of Talk • Identify determinants affecting reintegration • Distinguish the social work process of assessment • Recognize the role of social work on the WRIISC team • Implement social work expertise within the PACT Team setting
Reintegration • Transition from combat deployment and return to community life • Active military service to civilian roles and activities • Common pathway, but different for everyone • Success depends on a multitude of individual and environmental factors
Determinants of ReintegrationBody Function • Pain • Mental Health • Sleep
Determinants of ReintegrationBody Structure • Obesity • Physical Injuries/limitations
Determinants of ReintegrationPersonal Factors • Self-efficacy • Alcohol/drug use • Life philosophy
Determinants of ReintegrationActivity • Activities of Daily Living • ADL’s • iADL’s • Physical Activities
Social Work • Trained in identifying determinants of reintegration • Uses ecosystems framework to understand relationships, vocation, living circumstances on bio-psycho social concerns • Targets areas need to strengthen for optimization of medical/psychological well being. • Tailors discharge plan
Ecosystems Perspective • Framework of practice • Concepts from ecology and general systems theory • Interaction and adaptation between people and their environments
Implications for Change • Social Workers and clients join forces against problematic fit of client and environment rather than judge clients to be deficient • Change in one part of system will change other parts • Focus on strengths
WRIISC (War Related Illness and Injury Study Center) • What is the WRIISC? • Clinical Evaluation • Research • Education
Treatment Plan • General • Specific • Goal – as close as possible to providing a ”seamless transition” between Veteran’s military lifestyle and re-integration to civilian life.
What Helps Make the Social Worker More Effective on a Team • Part of the team • Inclusion from the beginning • Access to both Veteran and family to develop effective supports for treatment implementation • Recommendations must be practical and feasible
How PACT can Utilize Social Work Services ** • Gather information not necessarily provided during a physical exam • Offer guidance for realistic recommendations • Identify barriers to access care • Provide supports to maximize Veteran ability to implement WRIISC recommendations • Empower Veteran to direct own health care • Educate Veteran on navigating system and advocate for Veteran as needed • Follow up on recommendations