Kylee Versluis

Responsibilities

I shadowed Family Specialists and support workers in the Family Centered Services (FCS) unit. This included direct services, like attending Solution Based Casework (SBC) meetings. These meetings consisted of client orientation, initial and continual assessment of client strengths, needs, safety, and risk, as well as connecting clients to internal and external resources. Family interaction is another element of FCS, where another role was to supervise and transport clients for home and community visits. I participated in indirect services as well, attending court hearings, case reviews, solution-focused meetings, and child safety conferences. I learned how to properly document client interaction for the review of the Department of Health and Human Services as well as law professionals involved in the case. Additional training was provided to expand my knowledge of the characteristics of our diverse clientele and how to best serve them.

Accomplishments

My biggest accomplishment was seeing a full monthly case progress report come together with documentation that I did on my own for family interactions. As collaboration is a huge part of this role, it was cool to see my active listening and detailed observations be a part of this case's progression. Being able to paint the best picture you can for the department as well as the lawyers and judges is important as we (FCS) see the clients on a much more frequent basis, and I love seeing the actual proof that I've aided in this.

Learning experience

Your clients are NOT your friends! We're only human so of course, it's normal to feel more drawn to some people, distant to others, etc. However, boundaries are essential for a professional in the field of social services. Not telling a client what they need to hear due to the fear of being "unliked" fares a lot worse than letting things slide and creating a dynamic where you aren't respected. Try your hardest to be vocal about your limits and expectations, and try even harder to stick to them. As most of us describe ourselves as "people pleasers", it's hard to remember that saying no and being firm doesn't make you a monster!

What advice would you give?

As cliche as it is, expecting the unexpected goes a long way in this field. The odd and inconsistent hours are one thing that speaks for itself, and you'll realize that very quickly. On the other hand, you'll be surprised at how much your perspectives change as you meet people that you wouldn't necessarily have in your circle. You'll quickly see the issues surrounding substance use, sexual and physical abuse, neglect, etc., aren't at all black-and-white. There is so much room for personal growth in this field aside from what you can accomplish professionally. Allow your thoughts to be changed, it's a beautiful thing!