This page provides observations on social work and child welfare casework that give some insight into the values that the Tom Moan Award wishes to recognize and promote.

OBSERVATIONS OF SOCIAL CASEWORK
Ken Viegas, September 2007

I happened on a book that Tom had given me. It was signed Thomas C. Moan and dated April 1972. The book was a favorite of his and it clearly reflects the issues in Social Work at that time. The volume is entitled "Perspectives on Social Casework," Helen Harris Perlman, 1971. Perlman was a Professor of Casework and Personality Development at the University of Chicago. 

Perlman provides an overview of the conflicts and trends with the focus on Social Casework. The Council of Social Work Education defined the fields of practice as Casework, Group Work, and Community Organization and Social Planning.
Perlman explores: 

1) The move from Freudian psychology to ego psychology
2) The inherent conflict in the role of casework--should we engage in promoting
changes in individuals rather than changing the social structure that "causes the
problem?" 
3) The need to provide persons in need with informed intervention. 

Tom and those who completed graduate education in social work in the 1960s were exposed to the changes Perlman suggests had occurred, or were underway. Social work had been through a period in which Freudian psychology held sway. The trend was in the direction of ego psychology and emphasis on the social influences on an individual's ability to function. 

Putting the "social" back in social work was a primary intellectual theme reflected in the curriculum prescribed by the Council of Social Work Education. A social movement that promoted change in the "system" rather than helping humans to adjust or to conform to the existing reality confronted this theme. Social workers found themselves under attack for maintaining a perceived destructive social environment. 

Academics and practitioners confronted this attack by enhancing the curriculum to incorporate more of existing social science knowledge about human interactions with systems and with one another. 

Perlman and others clarified the role of social casework in relationship to the "Social Agency." This unique relationship between the caseworker and the organization leads to a quite different practice framework. The client, recipients of service, and the caseworker do not exist independent of the agency. The organization is sanctioned to provide certain services within a stated framework. The goals, methods and expectations reflect the "community" that provides the support.
 
In Oregon, child welfare functions are under the State of Oregon auspices and, therefore, reflect a wide range of expectations and regulations. 

This relationship has been a significant source of stress from the beginning of modern child welfare practice. At the time Tom entered the organization, it appeared the State was moving toward professionalization of the work force. Supervisors were required to have a Masters Degree in Social Work and the State provided a grant program for those attending graduate school and returning to the agency for a minimum of two years. 

Over time, support for professional social workers eroded for a number of reasons. Some in the profession were reluctant to exclude "good people" from serving in child welfare. Other disciplines did not wish to be excluded from the field and resented the social work "monopoly." And some policy makers sought to have an inexpensive work force. Some authors argued the conservative movement believed the poor did not deserve competent, expensive intervention. 

The dominant role of the organization combined with the lack of a distinct professional identity has led to an extremely difficult role for the caseworker. Caseworkers must be aware of myriad rules with respect to "managing" the caseload. The rules are a composite based on often anecdotal observations made by a variety of groups. The outcome of the rules on the consumer is seldom measured. 

Caseworkers must follow the organizational framework for reporting and for required activity. 

Caseworkers must demonstrate ability to interact with a variety of those requiring intervention: frightened children, angry parents, relatives, neighbors, CASA, and CRB. Attorneys and judges are to be treated with respect and understanding. 

Caseworkers are expected to act in the best interest of the family, child and community. As Perlman noted, the caseworker also must challenge the policies and rules if they do not coincide with the organizational goals and intentions. 

Caseworkers are expected to determine the nature of the problem and to link the client to the proper resource. This entails communication, verbal and written, with a variety of professionals who operate under their rules and ethics and play quite different roles from their clients. The caseworker has to negotiate this maze in order to serve the clients. 
 
I believe these facts underline the difficult and important role filled by the caseworker in child welfare. The Tom Moan memory is best kept alive by focusing the award on the caseworker role.