Client Paper

Tabatha Jones

BSHS/305

11/22/2014

Ellen Biros

Client Paper

In this essay I will be explaining the range of problems facing human services clients today. In the human services field, we run across so many people that are down on their luck, have hit a rough patch, or are just having a hard time providing for themselves or others. It is our goal to take these clients in and take all the negative in life that they are facing and strategize, categorize, and solve whatever problems we are able to. Ultimately coming to us is the first step that they have taken to becoming self-sufficient again, whether they see that or not. And as a human services worker, you have to realize that each client coming in has their own unique needs and goals that they hope to get out of this newfound relationship, and it is our job to do whatever we can to meet these goals, even if it means referring the client elsewhere. Given all of this, I will be only briefly touching on some areas of issues that human services clients face. And to follow, I will explain some of the necessary skills that will help a human services worker progress in helping clients try and resolve these issues. Needs It is estimated that 671,000 people are homeless on any given night, and 1.2 to 2 million people experience homelessness during one year. The numbers of homeless increased in 2008 and 2009 reflecting the economic downturn (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2009) For many people their need can be as simple as needing shelter, somewhere safe to live, or to get away from an unhealthy living environment either for their children or themselves. And when looking at this need as a whole, you have to consider the factors that have brought them to this point. In some situations it may be a lack of employment. Which can stem from something like them not having the skills or knowledge to maintain gainful employment. In other cases it may be due to something more internal, like drug addiction or mental health issues. Another cause may be a little more physical, like they were in an accident, or are physically unable to care for themselves due to being elderly, or developmentally unstable.

How we can help Human services workers help clients who are unable to care for themselves, such as children and the elderly, by coordinating the provision of their basic needs. With each client and each situation, the skills needed for this task differ. One of the most important skills needed is the ability to listen. A client needs to know that when they are confiding all of their biggest worries and fears into you that you are truly listening, and if you are not then believe they will notice, and you will have a harder time making any progress. The second most important skill you should utilize as a human services worker, is empathy. If a client does not feel that you truly know what they are going through then the chances of them fully opening up to you or having faith in your ability to help them, will be limited. Patience is another skill that is very important in this field. You work with many people from many walks of life and each will be mentally and emotionally in different places and different temperaments and you will need to be patient with each and every one. As equally important as the for mentioned things, you need to respond both verbally and physically in the correct ways. You need to always be aware of your physical demeanor, make sure that the vibes that you are sending off are not negative in any way. You will need to especially remember with culturally different clients that body language means different things in different cultures. So constantly take that into account. Native Americans and Latin culture for example feel as though it is disrespectful when you look them in the eyes, as with Americans, it is a sign of respect. You also need to be able to differentiate from what you clients are saying verbally and with their own body language and what they really meaning. People don’t always say what they mean, especially when they are stressed, upset, and embarrassed. And lastly, you need to be driven and not one to give up easily. Clients will be challenging and battle you constantly even though you are truly trying to help them. In order to be successful in this field and helping your clients meet their goals, you need to always stay focused and on top of everything on a regular basis. A very important phrase to live by as a human services worker is, “Lead by example.”

Conclusion In Concluding, human service workers can’t force help on someone who doesn’t want it, and they can’t take over a client’s life. Instead, they try to help every client make good decisions, find resources to overcome problems, and inspire the client to make improvements. Ultimately, it is a good thing to remember, that everyone has stresses and problems, it is a normal part of life, but it is the way that these stresses and problems are dealt with that matters. So whether you are someone who is just not quite able to be as self-sufficient as they used to be or you are a human services worker that is bringing on a new client, as long as the long term goal for each party is the same, then you really aren’t that different. In the human services field, we have come leaps and bounds. And though the problems of clients are becoming more and more complicated each and every day, our knowledge and skills are as well.

References http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2011/fall/art03.pdf http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/the-state-of-homelessness-in-america-2012