[Type the company name] | Special Populations Paper | | |

|

Special Populations Paper In the field of human services, there are numerous special populations from which case managers may find themselves working with. A client may range from a young child all the way up to an elderly adult and they may present problems such as behavior problems at home or school, developmental challenges and handicaps, and/or chemical dependency/substance abuse problems. The important thing for anybody put into the position of caseworker to remember is, we are advocating and working on the behalf of this particular client; it is paramount that you do not give anything less than your very best when working for them because in some cases, you are the only voice they have that anyone else really acknowledges or hears. In reviewing various populations in the behavioral health area of the Dorland Health Case Management Resource Guide, I was most drawn to two separate and respective populations; one being individuals who experience and are living with mental health issues and the second being those individuals suffering from substance abuse issues. After giving the two some careful thought and consideration, I selected the special population of substance abuse. The population of substance abuse was selected because it was the one that I had the most interest in and also because I have more knowledge and experience as it pertains to this topic than I do with mental health issues. I have had first and second hand experience in dealing with this problem and I know how it affects those around the individual who is abusing the substance, whether it be alcohol or one or more of a various amount of drugs. I’ve known my fair share of people, both friends and family members who have suffered too long with this issue either from the inability to afford help or from simply not being willing to seek out help from professionals in the first place. I’ve also seen the damage that is done to more than just the individual who has the substance abuse problem; immediate family members and close friends can be dragged along for the ride when the individual tries to ignore, avoid, or argue their need for procuring help. I have been witness to the ups and downs associated with the individual seeking out and going through counseling, interventions, rehabilitation and the end results that follow. If I can help to reduce the duration of or the lasting effects on the individual and his/her family, than I would give my all to do so. I bring to this particular field of helping, a lot of patience and understanding. I know that we all have our struggles and some people have more than others. I carry with me, the knowledge of what you can and cannot do when dealing with a person under the control of a controlled substance. I also bring with me, the knowledge of what other people have shared with me as it pertains to their own personal experiences with this subject matter and what steps had to be taken to bring about positive and much needed change. I also bring with me, my own battles with my personal demons; all of which have helped me to become more compassionate and caring for people who have otherwise been cast aside because they have “too much baggage” in or they have seemingly lost all control over their lives. I would use case management to help this population by utilizing every last resource and tool that was available to me in order to help the client. I would maintain their confidentiality, but would make use of as much assistance that I could that would be available to the individual client. With any luck, I would have colleagues and from them, I would have their experiences to help build upon the services I would be able to help provide to my client. After all, what good is an available resource or tool if you do not use it for the benefit and anticipated improvement of the client? I am human and that said I do bring my own set of strengths and limitations with me where ever I go. Some of my limitations are I bring a very soft heart for people in need of help; I have had people in the past, abuse my sympathy and compassion for their own enjoyment. I have basically enabled them to continue to do as they please and when they need help or guidance, they know I would be right there to help them. I also can get overly involved in helping and wind-up being hit very hard if and when something goes wrong. But, on the same token, the fact that I give my “all” to everyone I meet that needs help, is also one of my greatest strengths in working with this population. I don’t discriminate against people in need of help; if they are coming to me in hopes of gaining some assistance or guidance, than I will give my all to help them; because that to me, is one of the first steps to fixing the problem (i.e. admitting they have a problem). Through my strengths, I would have learn and be willing to acknowledge that I cannot save every person by myself and also that not every person that seeks out help will be as serious about receiving it as I will be about giving it. When performing this type of work, you can and often do encounter a wide range of different types of people; the longer is in this line of work, the greater the likelihood that multicultural issues will arise. A person who is dealing with substance abuse from the inner city faces different obstacles as it pertains to seeking out help, getting clean and staying clean than does a person from a rural area. A person working with substance abusers must realize the that the challenges faced by one client versus another are never going to be the same; friends, family, employment, income level and so on and so forth are different from person to person, so to assume that client #1 and client #2 can be given the same services utilizing the same resources only serves as a roadblock to all current and future clients who fall under this person’s service. As employees in the human services field and more specifically, case managers, we must be alert and ready on a moment’s notice to do all that we can to help each and every client we are given. The best way I know how to address and handle these types of issues is to be as honest and straightforward with the client as possible. If the client states something that I do not understand the importance or significance of I must be willing to ask for clarification or else I am not doing my best to help the client. I also need to make sure that I understand the support systems that can differ from person to person and even more so depending on the various races of my clients. After searching the internet for local resources that are available to those dealing with substance abuse, I came upon two that really stood out to me and that best served those in need in this particular population. The United Community Hospital offers both outpatient services as well as home services. They are located within a 15 mile drive from the center of the town I live in. Another resource I found is called the Rainbow Recover Center. They provide a counseling service and a short-term rehabilitation service that is off-site. This company is located within a 20 mile drive from the center of my town as well.

References
Dorland Health. (2011). Case Management Resource Guide. Retrieved from http://www.cmrg.com/