Communication

            This past week at my placement, I have continued doing a lot of the same tasks I have been doing.  I am continuing to do my crisis line shift, and I will be given two more shifts this upcoming week that will continue on for the rest of my time at Sarah’s Inn.  I was able to observe another intake this week, and I talked to my supervisor about getting my own intake slot.  Because another intern just finished their placement this past week, I might be taking her intake slots and crisis line shifts.  I have also continued working on a research project I was assigned at the beginning of my placement.  Sometime spending a long time on the computer is tedious, and I need to break it up by walking the four flights of stairs in the building, or going and talking with some of the other interns and staff.

            Some challenges I faced, and other staff members faced this week we were two difficult cases.  When I was on the crisis line two weeks ago, a troubled client called looking to get connected with our legal advocates because she wanted to get an order of protection.  One of the staff members that meets with her regularly brought up in our group meeting how she was able to receive a 60 day order of protection, but is still really scared he will approach her or harm her regardless.  She is trying to leave the state to stay safe, but they have a child together and have a pending DCFS case.  This was brought to our group meeting to see if our legal advocates or other staff knew what her rights were, and how she should go about the move if it’s even possible.  This is a challenge because we want what’s best for her, but it has to be done legally so it doesn’t work against her. It was hard.

            It was rewarding to be given more responsibilities, and getting more experience working with clients.  I’m excited and nervous to do my own intakes, but it’s great experience and I’m sure I’m just overthinking it.  In my supervision meeting, it was rewarding to have my supervisor recognize all the hard work I have put into my research project, and to give me helpful feedback to make more improvements. 

Communication

            It feels like everyone at my placement is in constant communication with each other.  Communication flows up and down throughout the agency.  When new procedures or regulations come out, we will hear all necessary information from the executive director and other supervisors.  Other staff members also relay information about whether procedures are meeting the needs of our clients, which gives the supervisors and executives to revise them when necessary.  Most of communication is followed through email, and there are many strands of “all staff” emails that go out each day regarding political news that can impact us, different client situations, and other information.