1. THE SPECIALIZED PRACTICE FIELD PLACEMENT PROCESS
Field Learning & Community Partnerships
Silver School of Social Work

2. INTRODUCTION
Primary goal of the SP field placement is moving from generalist approach to increasingly complex and specialized practice.
This webinar reviews the placement process:
Timeline
Fields of Practice
Focused Learning Opportunities
Factors in decision making

3. LOCATING PLACEMENT MATERIALS
All placement materials are easily accessible on the SSW website under: field learning/manuals/forms:
Consult:
MSW manual
Fields of Practice/FLO Document
Specialized Practice Process Checklist
Specialized Practice Field Placement Questionnaire

4. STEPS IN THE PLACEMENT PROCESS
MEETING WITH YOUR ADVISOR:
January/February-planning meeting with your FA
Discuss the following:
FOCUS ON YOUR PRIORITIES
Educational goals for SP year: what opportunities you hope to have given gaps in GP year; populations of interest; settings
Special needs? Requirements in a placement?
Review Fields of Practice and Focused Learning Opportunities
Any placement ideas you may have (there are no guarantees!!)

5. PLACEMENT PROCESS (CONT’D): SUBMITTING YOUR RESUME
Complete online SP Questionnaire and update resume for submission to Field Learning
Update all demographic information: current address, phone, (professional) and GP placement information
Provide alternate summer contact information
Resume is agency’s FIRST impression of you: Should be professional and thorough
Consult FA or Wassermann Center
Field Faculty member will return unprofessional resume for revision before sending to agency

6. PLACEMENT PROCESS (CONT’D): COMPLETING THE SP QUESTIONNAIRE
After FA meeting, you will complete SP online questionnaire
Be clear, specific and thorough
Field of practice choices are not rank-ordered
Elaborate on specific interests and prioritize
REMEMBER: One placement setting CANNOT offer everything you may be looking for!!
Summarize and detail your GP placement experience so that your learning needs and goals are clear for SP year

7. QUESTIONNAIRE (CONT’D)
If interested in Focused Learning Opportunity, indicate at the end of the form
Apply to only one FLO
FLO requires advisor reference and summary of your GP experience and interest in FLO

8. REQUESTING A SPECIFIC SITE
Do not request specific field agency, but rather a prototype of where you would like to be placed
Field learning office cannot guarantee specific site, especially when demand is high
Field learning office welcomes new ideas for placements, however we ask that you do not arrange independently; provide the office with the contact information and we will assess feasibility
Avoid settings where you might have “dual relationship”

9. MATCHING AND CONFIRMATION
Questionnaires are sorted and given to appropriate field faculty member (area coordinators listed on the website)
DO NOT BE CONCERNED: Process begins in March and continues throughout summer therefore some students inevitably placed earlier than others
Once matched, you will contact agency for confirmation meeting (this is NOT a formal interview)
Agency will follow up with field faculty member re: confirmation

10. MATCHING & CONFIRMATION (CONT’D)
Questions and concerns may be directed to field faculty member who placed you
If placement not confirmed, field faculty member will seek new site
Once confirmed, and commitment made to agency, placement will only be changed for extenuating circumstances.

11. FIELDS OF PRACTICE
Field Learning is organized along different fields of practice
Consult Manual (pp 47-49) and Fields of Practice booklet online for listing of these
They are as follows:
Child, Youth & Family Services
Adult Services (all psychosocial issues affecting adult populations, but NOT adult mental health specifically

12. FIELDS OF PRACTICE (CONT’D)
Aging
Health
Mental Health
Developmental Disability across the Life Cycle
Social Work and Law
School Based Services

13. FIELDS OF PRACTICE (CONT’D)
Fields may overlap, therefore interests and priorities must be specified/clarified to facilitate best match

14. FOCUSED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES (FLOS)
SP students are offered some focused learning opportunities that consist of field placement with concurrent enhanced learning: seminars, suggested courses, etc.
Some FLOS have placement with stipend and are therefore competitive, requiring application and interview; most are available to all students pending interest and advisor reference
Pay attention to notices of FLO opportunities (especially those funded) so as not miss FLO information sessions and application deadlines

15. FLOS (CONT’D)
Field information sessions will be held in the month of February
Fields of Practice covered
FLOs covered (grant funded opportunities and non-grant funded)
Must attend FLO session for competitive opportunity and meet all deadlines for application
If not granted a placement with stipend, paperwork will be returned to field faculty member within that specific practice area for placement assignment

16. CLOSING
Consult SP placement timeline to be sure you are meeting all required deadlines
Questions? Consult:
Faculty Advisor
Field Faculty member of practice area of interest
GOOD LUCK!!!