Running Head: FINAL PROJECT f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 1
HSE101 : 7-2 Final Project Submission: Agency Exploration
SNHU
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 2
I. Human Services Profession
The specific agency that I have chosen where I would like to get employed is the ‘Portland
Refugee Support Group.’ The agency has committed itself to empower refugees by extending
social support as well as education (Our mission. Portland Refugee Support Group, 2021). I
have chosen the specific agency since its mission is to help its clients and service users navigate
a path to lead a successful life in the United States of America. The core values that the agency
focuses on have played an instrumental role and drawn me towards its dedicated services. Its
chief values include respect, diversity and inclusion, integrity, compassion, trust, collaboration
and community.
While making the selection of the agency, I also considered other agencies such as Lutheran
Community Services Northwest Portland and Community Pathways, Inc. (CPI). However, I
decided against choosing these agencies since I felt the scope of their services was broad, and it
could be overwhelming for me to engage with a broad range of service users who are in a
vulnerable position.
I have chosen to be employed at the ‘Portland Refugee Support Group’ agency since it has
dedicated itself to creating and offering services for people who are mostly neglected in society.
Refugees and immigrants are one of the most vulnerable groups that exist in the community.
The lack of services that are designed for them increases their desperate situation, and they do
not get an opportunity to get out of their situation. The Portland Refugee Support Group is
committed to creating a community setting where refugees can feel safe and will be empowered
to lead a life of dignity, respect and safety. By working in the agency, I will get an opportunity to
engage and interact with refugees and play an instrumental role in offering quality social
support services to them. One of the main highlights of the agency is the integration of a diverse
range of programs that intend to meet specific needs of refugees. For example, Supplement
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers food-purchasing assistance to no-income and low-
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 3
income people in the nation. Similarly, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
program has been designed to offer cash assistance to low-income families with kids. By
joining the agency, I will get an opportunity to become an active part of such programs and
bring about a positive change in the lives of refugees.
The Portland Refugee Support Group is mainly responsible for offering social support
services along with educational services to refugees in the community setting. One of the chief
services revolves around building community connections where training is offered to
community members to establish a trust-based relationship among refugees. Community
wellness services involve counseling sessions for adults and children. Community education
initiatives are taken to help clients learn English and thereby take an important step towards
integration into the community. The agency also offers emergency financial assistance to its
clients so that they can lead their life on a positive path (What we do. Portland Refugee Support
Group, 2021).
In the selected agency, a diverse range of professionals exist to offer integrated services
to the service users. Volunteer coordinators play a key role in ensuring that the volunteers get an
opportunity to take part in community activities and enhance the quality of social services that
are extended to refugees. Community Health workers are responsible for assessing the health
needs of refugees and devising an effective care plan to improve their health status. The agency
also creates an opportunity for volunteers to play a proactive role in engaging with refugees in
the region and establishing trust-based relationships with them. Professionals with diverse
skills and knowledge work in the agency to offer high-quality integrated human services to
refugees.
The selection of the human service profession is a tough task as some important
responsibilities have to take by them and meet the health needs of vulnerable people. The
selected agency, ‘Portland Refugee Support Group,’ is running with so many roles and
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 4
responsibilities to deliver better services to the refugees that have been clearly defined in the
next part.
II. Agency Description
The specific client-facing role that has been identified in the context of the Portland
Refugee Support Group (PRSG) is Community Health Worker (Who we are, 2021). By playing
the role, human services professionals within the organization are able to assess the health
needs of refugees in the community setting and offer proper health and medical services that are
aligned with their health needs. An in-depth insight has been presented into the role and
responsibilities in the PRSG agency setting.
Role – Community Health Worker
Responsibilities – The chief responsibilities that are carried out by the Community Health
Worker within the Portland Refugee Support Group are as follows:
• Facilitation of communication and engagement between refugees in the community and
healthcare organizations. f
• Ensure the facilitation of healthcare access among the vulnerable refugee groups in the
community so that their health outcomes can be positively impacted.
• The human service professional is also responsible for advocating and educate the
vulnerable group about healthy practices and behavior so that the health outcome and
quality of life can be enhanced.
• The Community Health Worker serves as the frontline public health worker who builds
effective and long-lasting relationships with the community members by focusing on
trust and respect.
• Establish strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders in the community setting in
order to support and strengthen the community outreach and referrals.
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 5
• Empower individual refugees in the community setting so that they can effectively
manage their own health and well-being. f f
The Community Health Worker plays an instrumental role in the context of PRSG to
minimize the vulnerability of vulnerable individuals in the society. They work along with the
refugees and focus on their health needs so that their life can be rebuilt. These human service
professionals have a close understanding of the community that they serve. They use their
position to not only identify the health needs of the vulnerable refugees but also create trust-
based relationships with them. They furthermore create an opportunity for the refugees to form
connections with other members of the community so that they can form valuable relationships
and associations with others in the society.
The professionals adopt a comprehensive approach while engaging with refugees in the
community setting. They not only focus on the health needs of the individuals and families but
also on their social needs so that their core needs can be optimally met, which can improve their
life while living as refugees in Portland. The professionals use their position and knowledge to
educate refugees about the importance of health and available healthcare services so that a well-
defined path can be navigated for the clients, which can enable them to lead a successful life in
the U.S. (Who we are, 2021).
The Community Health Workers working in the Portland Refugee Support Group take a
number of steps that contribute to the larger helping process for refugees. For example, the
human service professionals focus on community collaboration so that the health and social
needs of the refugees and their families can be met. Emphasis is laid on trust so that a sincere
and honest relationship can be established between the professionals and the clients, and
refugees can get the opportunity to reside in a community where they have a sense of
belongingness. The professionals carry out their functions in a compassionate and empathetic
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 6
manner by promoting diversity and inclusion. Every refugee in the community is treated with
respect and dignity, regardless of their diverse attributes. The Community Health Worker adopt
a multidisciplinary approach and acts as a vital part of the support group, which helps in
creating a safe, nurturing and comfortable environment for refugees where their fundamental
health and social needs are fulfilled in an effective manner.
After understanding the specific role, responsibilities and services provided by the human
services agency, its crucial to look at its history, it can help to understand the current trends that
can be set up and provide the right solutions to the needy.
III. History and Current Trends
The chosen agency for the research is the Portland Refugee Support Group (PRSG).
This organization is considered a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. It was founded in 2016 and
has grown by bounds and leaps. This organization was established to help refugee families.
Presently, the amazing volunteer team of Portland Refugee Support Group helps more than 200
refugee families of 12 various ethnicities throughout Vancouver, Washington, Portland area &
Salem, and Oregon. The organization aims to provide support services to refugees involved
through resettlement agencies. It has been identified that the Portland Refugee Support Group is
dedicated to working with refugees with the aim of empowering them to be effective members
of society and become independent through psycho-social support, education, and life skills
training. The organization understands the difficulties of refugees who are trying to acclimate to
a new life. It has faith that refugees will be able to survive on their own in their new house and
will adjust faster with the right support (Who we are, 2021).
The mission of the Portland Refugee Support Group
Portland Refugee Support Group has a mission to help its clients and service users
navigate a path to lead a successful life in the United States of America. The organization has
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 7
some core values that focus on an instrumental role and draw attention towards its dedicated
services. Research shows that the chief values of the Portland Refugee Support Group include
respect, diversity and inclusion, trust, integrity, compassion, collaboration and community (Our
mission, 2021).
The focus of the Portland Refugee Support Group
The Portland Refugee Support Group's work focuses on some important major components
such as:
• Community education about refugees through media, lectures, panels, and others.
• Child and adult education, including assistance with school work and tutoring.
• Provide life skills training to refugees to increase their ability and confidence to care for
themselves, their houses, and their family members.
• Give psycho-social support to the refugees through social events to build social capital
and form community connections. Along with that, it also supports referrals to mental
health care and personalized counselling (Our mission, 2021).
Historical Event Relationship
The Portland Refugee Support Group has conducted many historical events in the past
with an aim to empower refugees by extending education and social support to them. In this
section, the major focus has been given to the differences and similarities between the history of
the human services field and the historical event of the Portland Refugee Support Group.
In April 2022, the Portland Refugee Support Group organized an event on food and
supply distribution for Afghan refugees (Our mission, 2021). At this event, the organization
played an important role in supporting Afghan refugees by supplying food. Further, this event
has aimed to provide legal support, education, housing, and living supplies. Portland Refugee
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 8
Support Group is always ready to help refugees in different forms. However, the research has
identified some similarities between the history of the human services field and the historical
event of the Portland Refugee Support Group; both work for the improvement of people's life.
On the contrary, the history of the human services field and the historical event of the
Portland Refugee Support Group has some dissimilarities. Usually, the history of human
service says that they work to meet a range of human needs by implementing interdisciplinary
experiences and knowledge. While the Portland Refugee Support Group's social event on food
and supply distribution for Afghan refugees access resources to improve their circumstances.
Overall, this research has highlighted the overview of the Portland Refugee Support
Group. Along with this, it has elaborated on the differences and similarities between the history
of the human services field and the historical event of the chosen agency. Now, it's important to
throw light on the theories, ethics and values to make a clear-cut decision in human service.
IV. Theories, Values, and Ethics
When providing services to vulnerable people, the care provider or health service
provider must follow an important code of ethics, values and theories. A code encourages
compliance and ethics discussions and empowers staff to manage ethical dilemmas that they
face in everyday work. The code of ethics is also considered a valuable reference that helps the
organizational staff to locate reliable services, documents, and other resources associated with
organizational ethics. The learnings about the code of ethics in the class is helpful to understand
the roles and responsibilities of the human service professionals and how it can impact the
provision of selected 'Portland Refugee Support Group' agency. It has been identified that the
ethics and integrity of the human service profession have been maintained by the professionals
and improve their professional growth by promoting the community and clients' well-being.
According to the National Organisation of Human Services, the human services profession has
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 9
fundamental values that include promoting self-determination, respecting the people's welfare
and dignity of all people, acting with objectivity, honesty, integrity, and genuineness, and
advocating for social justice (Scott, 2021). If the 'Portland Refugee Support Group' agency is
not considering the ethical-decision making processes, then there is a chance to occur conflicts
between this laws and codes, cultural practices, workplace policies, personal beliefs, and
credentialing boards. Even the code of ethics can affect their vision and mission to provide
respect, trust, integrity, compassion, diversity and inclusion, and collaboration to vulnerable
people.
Ethical Standards must be maintained among Human Service Professionals, where the
staff should maintain an appropriate and professional relationship with the clients. No biases or
personal values should be imposed on a client in one or different form. In the context of 'The
Portland Refugee Support Group agency, it will be more challenging to implement ethical
standards while accommodating diversity, compliance and governance, and empathetic
decision-making. However, human services might feel less challenging to reduce
discrimination and harassment and resolve conflicting goals as it will be easy for the service
providers to deal with such issues within the organization.
While working with the clients in the 'Portland Refugee Support Group agency, I would
like to apply social learning theory because it helps to learn about further improvement in the
services by modeling their behaviors through observing others. The social learning theory helps
to form intervention strategies, which use reinforcement and positive modeling to create
positive behavior among vulnerable people (6 important theories in Social Work. CORP-
MSW1 (OMSWP), 2022). For instance, I would apply this theory by observing the current
behavior of the refugees so that I can identify their real problem and accordingly I can remodel
their behavior with the help of human service professionals.
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 10
Overall, understanding the theories, ethics and values is essential for human service
professionals to provide the right solution to vulnerable people. Along with understanding
ethics and theories, it is crucial to understand the role of the helping process while working in a
human service agency, which can help assess the specific health needs of refugees and provide
accurate medical and health services.
V. Role in the Helping Process
The helping process is one of the important aspects while playing the role of a human
service professional. After analyzing the whole research, I came to understand that the role of a
Community Health Worker is important in human service. This role I can use this in each stage
of the helping process. At the Portland Refugee Support Group agency, I would like to assess
the specific health needs of refugees and provide accurate medical and health services in
community settings aligning with their health needs. Research shows that some specific stages
of the helping process in the human service domain include engagement, planning, assessment,
evaluation, intervention, and termination. At the first stage of engagement, I would like to take
the refugees' consent and explain setting boundaries while conducting the session. In the second
assessment stage, I would assess the client's problem by determining the strengths and
weaknesses to provide better treatment to vulnerable people. As a Community Health Worker, I
would like to set proper goals and objectives to decrease negative thinking and cope strategies
to enhance vulnerable conditions. Next, I would take interventions working on distorted
thoughts in the community settings and take initiatives to improve their health conditions. I
would like to impose cognitive behavioral therapy to cope with the anxiety level of vulnerable
people. When I ensure that the condition of the refugees has been improved and there is no need
to give health services, then the process can be terminated with the client’s consent. f
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 11
Based on the research, it has been identified that going through each stage of the helping
process can help improve the refugees' health conditions in community settings. As I have
chosen the role of a community health worker to play in the agency, it is crucial to understand
the further career options in this field so that I can contribute effectively to the human service
profession.
VI. Career Opportunities
While doing research on the Portland Refugee Support Group agency, I have identified
that the selected agency has more available career options that can enhance my role to serve in
the human service profession. As I am interested in pursuing my career as a community health
worker, I would like to choose an entry-level position to help me meet my goal. Thus, I have
chosen the position of an assistant community health worker who plays an important role in
minimizing the vulnerability of refugees in society. To apply for this position, I must qualify for
the position. Research shows that an assistant community health worker or community health
worker requires to get a high-school diploma, must have the training to deal with the health
needs of vulnerable people, must have completed a bachelor's program in public health or
health and wellness, and received Health Education Specialist credential certification (Finding
a job | indeed.com - indeed career guide, 2021). I feel I am eligible for the entry-level position as
I possess the qualification of a bachelor's program in public health, have a high-school diploma,
received essential training to deal with health needs and received a Health Education Specialist
credential certification. However, I need to gain some skills, such as resourcefulness and
analysis skills, to qualify for the position.
Overall, I have learned many things from the class that can help me grow my career
opportunities and apply this knowledge in my day-to-day life.
VII. Summary of Learning
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 12
In this course, I have understood the important role of human service professionals who
are working hard to meet the health needs of vulnerable people. A deep insight into the human
services profession has been received that can help me choose a good career. I also got to know
about the human services agency and their provided services that can help vulnerable people in
community settings. This course has also taught me about the history of the human services
field and its relation to the current trends in services. Along with this, I learned about ethics,
theories, and values that are more important in serving the health needs of vulnerable people. I
have also understood each helping process step that can help make better decisions for
vulnerable people. I feel this course has more human services employment opportunities that
can uplift my career as a community health worker.
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 13
References
6 important theories in Social Work. CORP-MSW1 (OMSWP). (2022, April 25). Retrieved
December 9, 2022, from https://www.onlinemswprograms.com/social-
work/theories/#:~:text=Psychosocial%20development%20theory%20can%20influence,
certain%20stages%20of%20psychosocial%20development.
Finding a job | indeed.com - indeed career guide. (2021). Retrieved December 9, 2022, from
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job
Maine shared Community Health Needs Assessment. Maine CHNA | Public Health Data | Maine
CDC. (2021). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/phdata/MaineCHNA/
Our mission. Portland Refugee Support Group. (2021). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.pdxrsg.org/-our-mission.html
Scott, T. (2021). Ethical standards for HS Professionals. MemberClicks. Retrieved December
9, 2022, from https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-
professionals#:~:text=The%20fundamental%20values%20of%20the,%2C%20honesty
%2C%20genuineness%20and%20objectivity.
What we do. Portland Refugee Support Group. (2021). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://www.pdxrsg.org/what-we-do.html
Who we are.(2021). Portland Refugee Support Group. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from
https://www.pdxrsg.org/who-we-are.html
Final Project f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 14
Who we are. (2021). Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.pdxrsg.org/who-we-
are.html
