Wendy L. DuCassé, MSW, LCSW AIM username: InstructorWLD HN205: Applied Skills for Human Services Unit 1: Introduction to the Interview Process

Welcome! Welcome to class! Tell us: -What do you prefer to be called? -Where are you from? -What are your areas of interest in human services?

It’s a Balancing Act! I know you have a lot of responsibilities to juggle. Balancing a job, education, and family can sometimes feel overwhelming

Help Is on the Way! Whether you are new to the online learning environment, or a seasoned veteran, I am sure you will find some helpful information in this presentation that will assist you in making this semester a successful one.

How Do I… The most common question students may have (but not ask) is “How do I do well in this course?” Guess what! **This is nothing to lose sleep over. **Following are some simple hints you can follow to increase your chances for success.

Hint 1: Print AND Read the Syllabus “When a project is due?” “What is my instructor’s AIM username?” “What is the late work policy?” All this information (and a lot more!) is contained in the course syllabus!

About the Discussion Board It’s important because: 1. This is our classroom! 2. Your posts show your level of understanding of the concepts. AND! Remember that your DB posts will account for 36% of your grade…so even if you do everything else perfectly, your final grade would be a 64%

More on the DB… Quality DB posts will: -be written in complete sentences with punctuation, correct spelling, etc. -reference the week’s reading/topic(s)—it’s time to show what you know! -be 100 words (initial response) **responses to peers: words

Projects… There are three projects for the term: -Unit 2, worth 125 points -Unit 4, worth 145 points -Unit 6, worth 125 points -Unit 9 (Final Project), worth 200 points

Submitting Your Work… All work is due by 11:59p.m. EST for that week’s unit. For example, your Unit 1 DB posts are due on Tuesday, March 8 th by 11:59p.m. EST. All work is due by Saturday of Unit 10. Refer to the syllabus for additional details regarding this policy and other policies.

Netiquette Netiquette (Net Etiquette) Here are three quick reminders about etiquette on the Discussion Board and for seminar: 1. Please do not type in all caps. THIS LOOKS LIKE SCREAMING TO SOME PEOPLE AND MAY BE OFFENSIVE. 2. Avoid using acronyms whenever possible, unless you clarify what they stand for. For example, “DB” stands for Discussion Board to us, but it could be a number of things to other people—Defensive Back in football, data base, decibel, David Bowie, date before…see what I mean? 3. Avoid the use of curse words and other offensive language.

To Sum it Up… 1. Read the recommended readings for the week. 2. Develop a time management plan—it will be imperative that you learn to juggle life and education successfully. 3. Communicate with me. If you are experiencing a family emergency or something else, let me know! I will do what I can to work with you. I can’t help if you don’t let me know! 4. Refer to your syllabus for grading expectations. Use the grading rubric as a guide to ensure that you’ve included all important information in your submissions.

Now…What We’re Here For! An interview is “a professional interaction entailing a dialogue between helper and client”. Focus: -basics -making an initial assessment -engagement

Big Understandings Understandings of Interviewing: -Competent practitioners know how to begin interviews. -Competent practitioners know how to focus them on relevant issues. -Competent practitioners know how to conclude interviews.

Things to Consider: The Single Interview Processes and stages within the single interview Beginning the interview effectively Responding with a range of reflective and empathic responses Managing direction and movement throughout the interview Achieving the work of the interview Managing the conclusion

Things to Consider: Several Interviews Stages: 1. making a connection, exploring, gathering 2. identifying strengths, finding direction, setting goals 3. action strategies

Challenges and Barriers The following are factors that may impact the interviewing process with clients: -personal and social contexts -values contexts (us vs. them) -organizational contexts of our work -gendered contexts of our work -culture

Final Thoughts?