Week 3
Trattner Chapters 9-12: 9/28/2012
Thinking back over the past week-what would you say were three most informative and useful things you learned this week from the reading... and how do you see them informing your practice today?
I thought it was interesting to read about the voluntary statewide aftercare system that was launched in New York for the insane. I think caring for the mentally ill is a very important priority because these people are not in control of themselves, which is dangerous for them as well as other people around them. I was happy to read that after a year, interest grew for this area of healthcare. Another informative piece of information I learned was about the dependent children situation. I think it is imperative that children are taken care of when certain situations arise. The only problem that exists regarding the topic of foster care is that now a day this type of care may not be in the child’s best interest depending on the intentions of the foster parents. I see some foster homes with five or more children and it is hard for me to believe that each child’s need is being taken care of. Sometimes it is about the money, which hinders the mental growth of the children. But, the idea of caring for those children who have certain situations that must be removed from their own home to be cared for by other loving families is headed on the right track for these children. The third thing that I found to be fascinating was what the meaning of “profession” once met which was a term that embraced the ministry, law, and medicine. Then as years past, many other organizations became a profession as well, such as teachers, engineers, geologists, chemists, etc. Now the word profession includes so many occupations that it is hard to believe that it was so generalized. I see these pieces of information helping me in practice by allowing me to have an open mind, and also reminding me not to generalize, not only in word meanings, but in regards to clients and even organizations. It also helps me by showing me the importance of aftercare for the mentally ill, and also showing me the importance of having a loving family to care for dependent children.