Analyze the working relationship between Nathan and Ayana. In spite of the circumstances—language barriers, full-time ESL classes, dependence on second-hand information about her from Ibsaa—Nathan believed that Ayana’s “case was going about as well as could be expected.” Do you agree? Were there things Nathan could have done differently to establish more direct contact with Ayana?

Question

Nathan Bierwirth, BSW, worked as an employment counselor for Pathfinders Social Services, a nonprofit agency serving the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Pathfinders provided employment services for people leaving welfare, persons with disabilities, the homeless, and immigrants, refugees, and asylees. Part of Nathan’s caseload consisted of newly arrived refugees enrolled in Minnesota’s time-limited Refugee Cash Assistance–Employment Services (RCA-ES) program. Individualized Employment Plans (EPs) helped refugees transition from welfare to employment and self-sufficiency. EPs required a minimum of 35 hours per week of RCA-ES–approved activities, including employment services and formal education (limited to 20 hours per week). Nathan’s client, Ayana Tuma, a refugee from Ethiopia, had no educational or work experience and knew no English. This prevented her from effectively participating in employment service classes, so she enrolled in a full-time English as a Second Language (ESL) program. When Hennepin County audited Pathfinders, clients like Ayana, who exceeded the 20 hour instruction limit, could be sanctioned and even terminated from the program. As the audit approached, Nathan wondered if he should report Ayana’s ESL hours accurately or falsify her Employment Plan.

Answer 1

Students may react quite differently to Nathan’s working relationship with Ayana. Some may agree with Nathan’s assessment that, all things considered, he is doing as well as one could expect. Other students, undoubtedly, will harbor deep misgivings about this working relationship. Nathan demonstrated a number of strengths in his practice with Ibsaa and Ayana. He exhibited concern for and commitment to his client’s well-being. He was knowledgeable and respectful of Ibsaa’s and Ayana’s Muslim religious beliefs and practices and their cultural differences. He was flexible in the initial intake and enrollment interview and he honored and encouraged his clients’ right to self-determination. He was particularly concerned with helping Ayana learn English. Nathan also used Ayana’s family, particularly Ibsaa, as a resource.