This artifact is a paper that I had to write for my Social Work–Social Welfare class. This is the first class that I have taken this year where it went into the social welfare system of the U.S. and how these policies will apply to my future as a Social Worker.

CPS Reflection Paper

We often had to do reflection papers for this class that explained two sides to a social welfare policy and make a personal statement, with research, about what we think could possibly be changed in regards to a certain policy. For this paper I chose to discuss Child Protective Services (CPS), one facet that was established with the passing of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 (CAPTA). This subject is very interesting to me as I discussed CPS from the differing perspectives from CPS workers and the families that they are working with. Most of the paper focused on how these two sides could become closer in views of CPS and what can be done to promote change and more support for families and the children that are directly affected everyday by CPS.

This paper really opened my eyes to a policy that is necessary in our society, but the extensive problems that exist within this policy and what I think should be done for change, based on research. Overall, it seemed to come to the conclusion that the U.S. needs to put more effort into taking preventative measures rather than the crisis intervention model that is currently in place. The U.S. currently struggles with overpopulation in the foster care system, mainly due to CPS, and I believe that one way this can be changed is to create programs that help parents and families who are struggling, before CPS needs to get involved or take their children.

This paper gives me a better idea of what I could be working with in my chosen profession and the possibilities to create change on a social welfare level. It is also important to always remember both sides of a story, I feel that sometimes as social workers we can get caught up in our work and it is important to always be thinking about everyone involved.

Early into first semester I heard about Ohio State’s chapter of UNICEF from a girl on my floor. It sounded interesting and I wanted to get involved in my first student organization after coming to Ohio State. Me and my three friends (featured in the picture) decided to go to a meeting and I immediately loved it. The people in the club are nice, selfless, and dedicated to making sure that we educate, advertise and fundraise for UNICEF and people around the world (and in the U.S.).

I helped plan multiple fundraisers throughout the year, including a masquerade ball, and being inducted as an official member (through attendance and activeness in the club) along with new and old friends. I recently applied to be on the UNICEF executive board for the 2016-2017 school year and got a position as the marketing director! I am excited to learn my new role as a member of this club and be more hands on with fundraising activities.

The picture featured above was taken at first annual Run for Refugees 5k, where our goal was to raise money and educate people about the Syrian refugee crisis that has been loosing media attention recently. This was a very special event for me because it was my first event on  the executive board. The 5k turned out fairly successful, but more importantly we raised money for a good cause and know what we will need in the future to put the event on next year!

This email is an artifact for me because it confirmed my acceptance to the College of Social Work here at Ohio State!

When I first came to campus I was very unsure what I wanted to do with my life and what path I wanted to go down when it came to a major. I felt very stressed at the beginning because I was so unsure of what I wanted. After taking the class Social Work 1130 (introduction to Social Work), I started to see myself in that position. After talking to my advisor and doing some self evaluation I decided that I was very passionate in this area and wanted it to be my major, and hopefully my future.

After learning about the class and officially deciding to switch to the Social Work pre major,  I eventually had to apply to the major mid February. As of second semester I finished the required prerequisites and was in good standing with the university and decided to apply to the major, officially, and (hopefully) be accepted. I filled out the application and a month later I had the results, I was admitted! I was very excited to be admitted and officially have more of an idea with what I want to do with my life! This email symbolizes my first step to what I will be working towards for the rest of my college schooling.

UN-Millennium-Goal-Project-Presentation-1c69061

For a Scholars class project, we were split into groups and were told to research a UN Millennium Goal, by picking a region that has been directly affe

cted by the goal. This artifact is the final project after researching UN Millennium Goal 6 that focuses on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Our group decided to focus on West Africa and their struggles with these diseases. We chose to focus on this area because it is one of the most heavily diseased areas in Africa and around the world. While noticing the problems, a major part of our research was noticing what has been done in the area so far based on the UN Goal, but also what can be done in the future to help out this area. We had to give a ten minute presentation discussing our focus area and goal based off of our research.

From this artifact I learned more in detail about the constant struggle with diseases in Africa. I also learned more about some of the lesser known countries in West Africa. While focusing on these diseases and these struggles that face most of the population, I started comparing this area to the United States and trying to figure out more ways in which we can help for education and not contracting some diseases, and the prevention of others with basic vaccinations or bug nets. This artifact broadens my understanding of international affairs, because it helped in realizing what can be done now to help our focused countries. This research also helped in understanding the basics of some organizations and actions of the UN, and how the U.S. and other countries are trying to do their part in helping others receive basic healthcare around the world.