1. Practicum terms. Other terms for "practicum" are: internship, field placement, and learning experience.
2. Role of the practicum. The student's practicum activities are dependent upon the student's skills and experiences.
(1) The practicum focuses on the educational and professional development of the student.
(2) The student is exposed to broad experiences without being given full responsibility.
(3) Primary practicum areas in Child Welfare (CW) are Child Protective Services and Permanency Planning.
3. Practicum activities. Examples of appropriate activities for a student in a county CW educational placement include, but are not limited to:
(1) serving as the secondary, not primary, worker on permanency planning cases;
(2) completing assessments and treatment plans;
(3) shadowing a worker on an investigation and other investigation assignments, as appropriate;
(4) transporting children;
(5) copying records, taking legal documents to court, and performing limited support activities;
(6) completing pre-CORE activities, as appropriate;
(7) supervising visits between children and parents; and
(8) visiting children in out-of-home care when serving as a secondary worker on a permanency planning case.
4. Disciplines.
(a) College and university programs that access a CW practicum include:
(1) human relations, family relations, and child development;
(2) behavioral sciences;
(3) psychology; and
(4) social work.
(b) Each discipline has different requirements regarding practicum experiences, activities, and supervision. The CW staff person assigned supervision of the student is responsible for coordination with the student and the school to ensure the educational needs of the student are met.
(c) Schools of Social Work require a Teaching/Learning Agreement be developed by the student, field instructor, and School of Social Work that defines the learning experiences and specific activities for the student.
5. Field instructors. The Social Work student is assigned a field instructor who has a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW) and two years of post-degree experience. This is a requirement of the Council on Social Work Education which accredits all schools of social work.
(1) The field instructor’s role is that of a teacher. The field instructor is required to meet with the student a minimum of one hour per week. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
(A) evaluating progress;
(B) documenting concerns; and
(C) keeping the college or university informed regarding the student.
(2) The CW field instructor educates the practicum student regarding confidentiality in CW matters. [OAC 340:75-1-11 and OAC 340:75-2-11 through OAC 340:75-1-46]
(3) The college or university provides guidance and consultation to the field instructor and serves as a resource.
(4) Daily supervision and assignment of work may be the responsibility of a CW staff who does not have a BSW/MSW degree.
(5) County CW offices without BSW/MSW staff may serve as a practicum provided the college or university arranges for the field instructor component.
6. Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program (CWPEP). CWPEP students are recruited as potential CW employees and enter into a contractual arrangement with their university and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). Participants receive a stipend through federal Title IV-E dollars and in exchange take specific CW classes, complete a practicum in a CW office, and complete CORE. The student is obligated after graduation to work in a child welfare office for a specific amount of time or repay the federal Title IV-E funds expended for the student's education.
7. College recruitment project. Graduates with a BSW or MSW degree from an accredited social work program can be hired through the OKDHS College Recruitment Project. BSW or MSW students in their last semester at an accredited school can also be hired through this program. The graduate or student must receive a passing score on the CW specialist exam. These students can be direct hires.