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Field Education Calendar 2018-2019 (PDF)
Social work majors take four field placement courses, Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II, and III. Each of these courses focuses on a different aspect of social work practice.
Introduction to Social Work (SWRK – 225) – The placement in this course which students take during the sophomore year, is an introduction to the social work profession. The focus of the field placement is to introduce students to the social agencies as the base for practice, and to offer the students a beginning experience in feeling comfortable interacting with clients. Student work habits, comfort with the agency structure, and ability to engage clients is the aim of supervision. The students are expected to work 80 hours during one semester. This course serves as a screen for the student’s continuation in the social work program, and is a requirement for admission to junior status in the program
Theory and Practice of Social Work I and II (SWRK – 325 and 326) – The placement in this course, which occurs during the junior year, focuses on social work intervention with micro systems (individuals, families and small groups). Students are assigned to a wide range of agencies in which social work is practiced. Sharing of experiences in class helps students to learn about practice in many settings. An in-depth examination of student practice, values and skills occurs during supervision. The student is expected to function as a beginning practitioner. The student is in the same placement for 200 hours for each of two semesters.
Applying to Theory and Practice of Social Work I & II
Theory and Practice of Social Work III (SWRK – 327) – The placement in this course, which occurs in the first semester of the senior year, focuses on social work intervention with macro systems (communities and organizations). Field placements focus on social change, advocacy, planning and administration. Students are in this placement for 200 hours for one semester.
Applying to Social Work with Agencies and Communities
Welcome to Theory and Practice of Social Work I and II field placement. You are probably reading this because you have been accepted to the Social Work Program and are preparing to enter field placement. We would like to make the process of obtaining your placements go as smoothly as possible.
Please read these pages before you have a field placement interview with Suzanne Badawi, Director of Field Education. Hopefully this material will give you most of the basic information about field so we can spend our time discussing your specific plans. Prior to meeting with Suzanne please:
You are about to embark on an exciting time in your social work education – your field placement. The majority of social work students throughout the country claim that their placements were the most important part of their social work experience. I hope that will be true for you.
At Ramapo College, we have three professional placements. They are connected to the Theory and Practice I, Theory and Practice II, and Theory and Practice III classes. Each placement is 200 hours (16 hours per week) per semester. Practice I and II are consecutive and are performed at the same agency. Practice III is usually at a different agency. The placement for Practice I and II runs concurrently with the course, which meets on Monday and Thursday from 9:45-11:15 A.M. The course focuses on the problem-solving model of the helping process. You are expected to apply concepts learned in the class to your work with clients in the field placement.
The focus of Theory and Practice I and II (held in the fall and spring semesters) is practice with individuals, families and small groups, also called “direct”, or “micro” practice. The focus of Theory and Practice III (held only in the fall semester of the senior year) is practice with communities and organizations, also called “macro” practice.
The Theory and Practice I placement begins some time in the second half of September. The Theory and Practice II placement is completed between the end of April to mid May. You will be off for Thanksgiving, a few weeks between mid December and the start of the spring semester, and during spring break. Agency holidays, sick time, and snow days cannot be counted toward your needed hours, and must be made up within the semester.
You will be assigned to a social work agency or host setting where social work is practiced. An experienced social worker, who holds a MSW (Masters in Social Work) Degree, will supervise you. That person is called a field instructor, as s(he) will play an important role in your education. Some of you may have a second supervisor, a task supervisor, who is usually an experienced staff member who does not necessarily have a MSW. This person will mentor you and provide assignments, but will not be responsible for the educational component of your supervision.
The field instructor will meet with you for at least one hour a week. She/he will review your work, read your process recording, discuss your clients, and help you develop new skills. You are expected to go to supervisory sessions prepared to discuss your work. We suggest students prepare an agenda before they go into a supervisory session.
Students are assigned a variety of tasks, depending upon the role of the social worker at the agency, and the level of skill of the student. In this placement, you are expected to conduct beginning social work activities. You are not there to be a clerical aide. At the beginning of the placement, you might be asked to shadow a worker, or you may be assigned to a specific individual client or group. The expectations of your abilities will rise as the year continues. You will experience:
During the school year, the teacher of your section of the practice course will follow your experiences in the field. In class, all students are expected to discuss fieldwork in relation to the course topics. Your teacher (called a faculty-field-liaison in this role) will make several telephone calls and at least one visit per semester to your agency.
Students will be assigned to the Theory and Practice I and II agencies by the Director of Field Education who will take your needs and thoughts into consideration. The purpose of the application form and the interview is for you to make your needs known to the field office..
In making the placement assignment, we consider several points:
You might be interested in working with a population/problem area that is very new to you. You might be interested in a population with whom you have previously worked. Please review the list of social agencies on the web page. Come to the field placement interview with a list of the population and problem areas that interest you, as well as any agencies that look interesting to you.
The list of social agencies is an inventory of most of the agencies that have been field placement sites in the past, though we do not presently use all of the agencies. Use it as a general guide. Students could also be placed in agencies not on this list. If you have an agency in mind that you would like us to consider, please bring the agency name, telephone number, and name of contact person with you to the interview.
During the interview, your interests and specific needs will be discussed. In addition, possible agencies, which may meet your needs, will be discussed.
After the interview Suzanne will contact appropriate agencies for your placement. When such an agency is identified, you will be requested by letter, to contact the agency, and arrange for an interview. Please attend that interview as soon as possible to confirm the placement. Unless you or the field instructor find a major reason why that placement is not appropriate, it is considered confirmed.
Please be aware that an increasing number of social agencies now require criminal background checks and/or fingerprints. These might be at either the agency or student expense.
Students are not placed in competition with other Ramapo students for a placement. Only one student per available site is sent for an interview. Agencies are not placed in competition with each other for a student. Students are sent to one agency at a time for an interview. Please do not ask to interview at several agencies and then expect to pick one. Ramapo College is only one of 15 colleges and universities seeking to place students in these agencies.
Read the list of social agencies: Practicum Sites
Read the NASW Code of Ethics found in textbooks and in the Student Handbook
Schedule an appointment with Suzanne Badawi, Director of Field Education
Congratulations, and welcome to the final segment of Theory and Practice of Social Work. You are probably reading this because you have completed your Theory and Practice I and II field placement and are now preparing to enter your final semester of field, Theory and Practice III. In order to make the process of obtaining your placement as smooth as possible, please read these pages . Hopefully this material will give you a lot of the basic information about the macro field placement.
Next steps:
You are about to embark on an exciting time in your social work education – your final undergraduate field placement. Many social work students had a better idea of what to expect from their micro (direct practice) placements than from this macro placement. Nonetheless, most find this an invaluable part of their social work experience, one that expands their understanding of what lies behind the direct practice in agencies. Most social workers engage in a combination of direct and macro practice in their jobs. We want to make sure that you develop a full range of skills.
At Ramapo College, the Theory and Practice III placement is 200 hours (approximately 16 hours per week) over the course of the fall semester of the senior year, generally at a different agency than practice I and II. Like the first two semesters in field, this placement runs concurrently with the course, and you are expected to apply concepts learned in the class. The focus of Theory and Practice III is practice with communities and organizations.
The Theory and Practice III placement begins early in September and is completed by mid December. You will have Thanksgiving off, but agency holidays, sick time, and snow days cannot be counted; they must be made up.
You will be assigned to a social work agency or host setting where social work, community organizing, and/or advocacy are practiced. An experienced macro practitioner or administrator will supervise you. This person will mentor you, give you your assignments, and is responsible for the educational component of your supervision.
The field instructor will meet with you for at least one hour a week. S/he will review your work, read any written work, discuss your work and help you develop new skills. You are expected to go to supervision prepared to discuss your work. We suggest students prepare an agenda before they go into a supervisory session.
You will complete tasks designed to develop your advocacy and organizational skills, as well as increase your understanding of the power structure of the organization and of the community. You may work behind the scenes to sustain the organization and/or participate in direct outreach activities. Your tasks will vary according to the agency’s purposes and needs, many of which may include:
During the school year, the teacher of your section of the practice course will follow your experiences in the field. In class, all students are expected to discuss fieldwork in relation to the course topics. Your teacher (called a faculty-field liaison in this role) will make several telephone calls and at least one visit during semester to your agency.
Suzanne Badawi, who will take your needs and thoughts into consideration, assigns students to the Theory and Practice III placement.
The purpose of the application form is for you to make your needs known to Suzanne. Please include all of the necessary information. Add any written comments you want to make.
In making the placement assignment, we consider several points:
The list of social agencies is an inventory of most of the agencies that have been field placement sites in the past, though we do not presently use all of the agencies. Use it as a general guide. Students may be placed in agencies not on this list. You may want to talk with the present seniors to hear about their experiences.
We will consider placements at specific agencies not previously used for Practice III. Please be aware that not all agencies or field instructors can provide a good macro practice experience. If you have an agency that you believe can provide the experiences outlined above, please have the potential field instructor write a letter to Suzanne Badawi. In the letter the person should state in detail what the agency does, what macro practice projects the student will work on, and how supervision will be provided. Suzanne will follow up with the agency director.
After carefully reviewing your application, Cardacia Davis will contact you via email or phone to discuss a potential field placement for you. When such an agency is identified, you will be requested to contact the agency, and arrange for an interview. Please attend that interview as soon as possible to confirm the placement. Unless you or the field instructor find a major reason why that placement is not appropriate, it is considered confirmed.
Please be aware that an increasing number of social agencies now require criminal background checks and/or fingerprints. These might be at either the agency or student expense.
Students are not placed in competition with other Ramapo students for a placement. Only one student per available site is sent for an interview. Agencies are not placed in competition with each other for a student. Student are sent to one agency at a time for an interview. Please do not ask to interview at several agencies and then expect to pick one. Ramapo College is only one of 15 colleges and universities seeking to place students in these agencies.
Adult Protective Services – Bergen County, Theory and Practice I & II.
Alternatives to Domestic Violence – Hackensack, NJ, Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II and III, outpatient counseling service for domestic abuse
American Friends Service Committee – Newark, NJ, Theory & Practice III
American Red Cross (Northern New Jersey) – countywide, Theory and Practice I, II and III, parenting programs and AIDS services
Armenian Home Sub-acute and long term care facility , Emerson NJ Theory and Practice I & II
ARC of Bergen and Passaic – Hackensack, NJ. Theory and Practice I and II. services for children and families with developmental disabilities.
ARC of Rockland County – Rockland County, NY, Theory and Practice I and II, day program, sheltered workshop and residential programs for the developmentally disabled
Association for Special Children and Families – Hewitt, NJ , Theory & Practice I, II, III, individual and group services with special needs children.
Bergen Center for Child Development Haworth, NJ Private therapeutic school for children and teens with special needs TP I & II
Bergen Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – Paramus, NJ, Theory and Practice III, planning and community education services for substance abuse
Bergen County Board of Social Services – Rochelle Park, NJ, Theory and Practice I and II, county run Adult Protective sServices program and Global Options
Bergen County Community Action Partnership, Inc. – Bergen County, NJ,
Bergen County Department of Family Guidance – Hackensack, NJ, Social Fieldwork, Theory and Practice I, II and III
Bergen County Department of Human Services – Hackensack, NJ, Theory and Practice III
Bergen County Office for Children – Hackensack, NJ, Theory and Practice III, planning services for children
Bergen County Special Services School District – Bergen County,Intro to Social Work, Theory and Practice I & II, special schools and vocational programs.
Bergen Family Center – Hackensack and Englewood NJ, Family Services, family and geriatric services.
Bergen Regional Addiction Services, Evergreen Treatment Center In and out patient addiction services TPI, II and III
Boys and Girls Club of Lodi, NJ Hackensack and Lodi, NJ programs for children and teens Intro to Social Work
Broadway Adult Medical Day Care Center Elmwood Park, NJ day care and activity center for seniors and the developmentally disabled Introduction to Social Work
Care One Senior living residences and programs throughout NJ Intro to Social Work, TP I & II
Care Plus – Fair Lawn, Paramus Secaucus and Montclair, NJ, Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I and II, and III community mental health out patient, day programs, residential, visitation and child services
Cedar Crest Village Pompton Plains, NJ Senior living residences and Programs Theory and Practice I & II
Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources Community and school based resources Intro to Social Work, TP III
Center for Food Action – Bergen County, Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice III, food bank for Bergen County families
Center for Family Resources Passaic County, NJ Head Start and Early Head Start Programs Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II & III
Center for Prevention and Counseling – Newton, NJ, Theory and Practice I, II and III, planning and community education for substance abuse prevention
Children’s Aid and Family Service – Bergen County, NJ. Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II and III. Wide range of residential and community based services for children and families
Christ Church Community Development Corporation – Hackensack, NJ, Introduction to Social Work and Theory and Practice I and II, Shelter and Case management services for homeless adults.
Christian Health Care – Wyckoff, NJ Theory and Practice I and II, geriatric and psychiatric services
City Green Paterson, NJ urban farming projects Theory and Practice III
Collaborative Support Programs of NJ Hackensack, Englewood, and other NJ locations, self help programs for the mentally ill, Theory and Practice I & II
Community Action Partnership of Rockland County, Inc. Spring Valley, NY outreach and planning Theory & Practice III
Community Awareness Network for a Drug Free Life and Environment (CANDLE) – New City, NY, community substance abuse education
Community Options – Boonton, NJ, Theory and Practice III, services for people with developmental disabilities.
Community Resource Council – Hackensack, NJ, Helpline for community resources Introduction to Social Work
Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center, Inc Morristown, NJ Soup kitchen and outreach center Theory and Practice III
Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare – Hackensack, NJ, Theory and Practice of Social Work I, II
Conklin Youth Center (DFG) – Hackensack, NJ Introduction to Social Work
DASI – Sussex County, Theory and Practice I, II, III program for women who are battered
Daytop NJ Substance abuse treatment services in many NJ locations Theory and Practice I & II
Dwight Morrow School – Englewood, NJ, Theory and Practice of Social Work I, II, high school
NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency – Statewide, Theory and Practice of Social Work I, II, public child welfare
Epilepsy Foundation of NJ – Bergen Co NJ, Introduction to Social Work, advocacy services for people with epilepsy
Eric Johnson Home – Morristown, NJ, group home for adults with AIDS Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II and III,
Esther Gitlow Towers – Suffern, NY , independent senior housing Introduction to Social Work
Eva’s Village – Paterson, NJ, food bank Introduction to Social Work
Family Intervention Services – Paterson and Sussex, Morris, NJ, services for abused and neglected children and their families, Theory and Practice I and II
Family Promise of Morris County Morristown, NJ shelter, programs and social services for homeless and low income families TP III
Family Service of Morris County – Morristown, NJ
Ginnie’s House – Newton, NJ, I, regional services for abused and neglected children Theory and Practice III
Hackensack River Keeper – Hackensack, NJ environmental activism, Theory and Practice III
Haverstraw Center Haverstraw, NY services for youth, families and adults Intro to Social Work, Theory and Practice I & II
HeadStart of Bergen County – throughout Bergen County (Program of Bergen Community Action Program) Intro to Social Work, TP I & II
Helping Hands – Spring Valley, NY temporary emergency shelter Introduction to Social Work
HIP Heightened Independence & Progress – Hackensack, NJ, planning for services the physically disabled, Theory and Practice III
Homeless Solutions, Inc. – Morristown, NJ, shelter and supportive services for the homeless, Theory and Practice III
Housing and Community Development Network of NJ – Trenton, NJ, Theory and Practice III advocacy and development of housing.
Interfaith Hospitality Network – Newton, NJ, services for the homeless , Theory and Practice I, II and III
Integrity House Substance abuse treatment center–Secaucus and Newark, NJ Theory and Practice I & II
Jersey Battered Women’s Service Morristown, NJ programs and services for victims of domestic violence Intro to Social Work
JCC of Metro West – Whippany, NJ, Theory and Practice III, planning programs for children in a community center
Jewish Home at Rockleigh – Rockleigh, NJ Nursing Home. Social Fieldwork
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Newton, NJ Hospice, bereavement and services for children and adults. Theory and Practice I, II and III
Legal Services of New Jersey – Edison, NJ, Theory and Practice III
Liberty School, Englewood, NJ Theory and Practice I and II, alternative high school
Maple Hill Elementary School – Middletown, NY, Theory and Practice I and II, school social work
Meals on Wheels – Nanuet, NY, Introduction to Social Work and Theory and Practice III , day care centers for seniors
Mental Health Association in Passaic County – Clifton, NJ. Wide range of mental health services. Introduction to Social Work, TP I, II and III.
Mental Health Association of Orange County – Goshen, NY, Theory and Practice I and II, III
Mercer Street Friends – Trenton, NJ, range of services for health care, families, children and adolescents in Trenton area, Theory and Practice I and II
Monmouth County Youth Services Planning – Freehold, NJ planning services for youth at risk or involved in Family Court, Theory and Practice III
Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation Montclair, NJ Community based social service not for profit agency Theory and Practice III
Morristown Neighborhood Association – Morristown, NJ, Social Fieldwork, community center
Mount Carmel Guild Union, NJ programs for the mentally ill under Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark Intro to Social Work
Multiple Sclerosis Society – Bergen County, Introduction to Social Work, planning services for people with Multiple Sclerosis
New Bridge Services – Passaic County, NJ comprehensive mental health services. Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II and III.
New Jersey AIDS Services (Eric Johnson House) – Morris County AIDS services Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II, III,
New Jersey Citizen Action – Hackensack, NJ organizing and planning services, Theory and Practice III
New Jersey Community Development Corp. – Paterson, NJ, planning services, Theory and Practice III
Northern Valley Senior Day Center – Dumont, NJ day program and activities for seniors Introduction to Social Work
North West Senior Center Midland Park, NJ Activity center for seniors Introduction to Social Work
NORWESCAP – Sussex and Warren Counties, wide range of direct practice and planning services, Early Head Start programs – services to families Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II and III
Orange County Citizens Foundation advocates in the interest of the Orange County community Theory and Practice III
Orange County Dept. of Social Service – Goshen, NY, Theory and Practice I, II and III, Children’s Services, child protective and foster care services, Park Ridge Rehabilitation Center, nursing home Introduction to Social Work
Pascack Valley Meals-on-Wheels Westwood, NJ Delivers meals to Norther NJ residents who aren’t able to cook for themselves. Introduction to Social Work
Paterson Public School 21 – Paterson, NJ, Theory and Practice I and II, substance abuse prevention program in an elementary school
Pathways at Christian Health Care – Wyckoff, NJ, Theory and Practice I and II, day program for people with developmental disabilities
Pony Power Therapies Therapeutic riding to children and adults with disabilities. Introduction to Social Work
Preakness Healthcare Center – Wayne, NJ, nursing home and behavioral health care Introduction to Social Work and Theory and Practice I and II, & III
Project Self-Sufficiency – Sussex County, Introduction to Social Work and Theory and Practice III, planning services for women
Project Youth Haven – Paterson, NJ, Social Fieldwork, shelter for adolescents
Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Center – Wyckoff, NJ (Program of Christian Health Care Center), inpatient, day hospital, nursing home for mentally ill seniors, Theory and Practice I and II
Reflections (BC Division of Family Guidance) Hackensack, NJ improvisational theater group for teens T & P III
Regent Care Center Hackensack, NJ nursing home facility Introduction to Social Work
Rehabilitation Support Services Goshen, NY housing, employment and support services for psychiatric and substance abuse population Theory and Practice I & II
Rockland Co. Girl Scout Council, Inc. – New City, NY, Theory and Practice III, planning for girl scout programs
Rockland Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependence, Inc
Rockland County Mental Health Assoc – Pomona, NY, Theory and Practice I and II, day program and supportive housing for the mentally ill
Rockland Family Shelter – New City, NY, Introduction to Social Work, children’s program in a shelter for battered women www.planet-rockland.org
Rockland Jewish Family Service West Nyack, NY adult, children and family programs Intro to Social Work, TP I & II
RSVP of Bergen County – Hackensack, NJ, Theory and Practice III, planning programs for seniors
SAGE Day Mahwah, NJ, Out of district special needs day school, Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I & II
SHARE, Inc. Ridgewood, NJ Supportive housing for seniors Theory and Practice III
Skylands CLEAN, Inc. Ringwood, NJ, Theory and Practice I II, community organizing on behalf of the environment
Social Services Assoc. of Ridgewood and Vicinity Ridgewood, NJ, range of emergency and food services for residents of 5 surrounding towns Introduction to Social Work
Special Homes of NJ Denville, NJ, group homes for the developmentally disabled Theory and Practice I and II
Straight and Narrow Paterson, NJ range of service for substance abuse www.patersondiocese.org Theory and Practice I and II
Strengthen Our Sisters Hewitt, NJ, residential services for battered and homeless women and their children Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II and III
Suspension Alternatives (BC Division of Family Guidance) short term school for suspended high school students, Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I & II
Sussex County Division of Senior Services Newton, NJ, planning and program evaluation of senior services, Theory and Practice III
Sussex County Youth Shelter Morris Plains, NJ, youth shelter (shared contract with Morris Co) Introduction to Social Work
Sussex Dept. of Health & Safety Franklin, NJ planning services for the elderly Theory and Practice III
Treatment Dynamics Newton and Florham Park, NJ Outpatient substance abuse services Theory and Practice I & II
Touchstone Hall (Vantage Behavioral Health) – Rockleigh, NJ, adolescent substance abuse program for boys, Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I, II, & III
Turning Point, Inc. Verona, NJ, residential program, Theory and Practice I and II
UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey Wayne, NJ, Theory and Practice III, planning services for the elderly
United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County Goshen, NY, services for the developmentally disabled Introduction to Social Work
United Labor Agency–Paramus, NJ and Passaic County, Theory and Practice III
United Way of Morris County Cedar Knolls, NJ, Theory and Practice III
United Way of Passaic County Passaic, NJ, Theory and Practice III
United Way of Rockland County Nyack, NY Theory and Practice III
UPO Passaic, NJ not for profit community service organization Introduction to Social Work
Vantage Behavioral Health – Dumont, NJ (formerly Community Centers for Mental Health), Theory and Practice I and II, wide range of outpatient, case management, day hospital and residential services for people with mental illness
Verona High School – Verona, NJ, Theory and Practice I and II, substance abuse prevention in a high school.
Visiting Homemaker Home Health Aide Service of Bergen County TPIII
Volunteer Center of Bergen County Hackensack, NJ Referral and resource information on volunteer opportunities Introduction to Social Work
Volunteer Counseling Service – New City, NY, counseling services for adults and adolescents and community planning and advocacy services. Theory and Practice I, II and III
West Bergen Mental Healthcare – Ridgewood, NJ, partial care, out patient services, group homes and services for children, adolescents, and adults with mental illness and Asperger’s and Related Disorders Introduction to Social Work, Theory and Practice I and II, & III
Women’s Rights Information Center – Hackensack, NJ, Theory and Practice III, community outreach for women’s rights services
Woodcrest Health Care Center – New Milford, NJ, Theory and Practice I, II, rehabilitation and long term care center.
Intro to Social Work Field Placement Application
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