How can Tamara engage a community like The Ridge? What would be some specific techniques for gaining entry into such a closed community system?

Question

Tamara Simms, a 32-year-old school social worker, had worked in a rural community called The Ridge for more than six years, since 1997. She was assigned a case which caught her off balance. There was something going on in the Anderson home that she couldn’t quite grasp. She had concluded from a home visit that the father was neglecting the children. The home had unsanitary conditions. Sarah Jane, a third grader, had the worst case of head lice Tamara had ever encountered and her lips were severely blistered, a condition that hadn’t healed despite treatment. Furthermore, Tamara sensed that there was something more serious going on in the Anderson home. She suspected that Mr. Anderson was involved in internet pornography and she feared he may have involved his children in some way. In spite of her “hunches” she had no clear evidence to report to Child Protective Services. As seasoned as she was, Tamara still “brought her work home” with her. Although her own family needed her, she could not stop worrying about Sarah Jane and her two siblings. Written for a bachelor’s- level capstone or integrative seminar in social work, the case may also be useful for courses in macro- or micro-level practice, diversity, or international social work. The case situation may be useful for discussion of multiple topics such as social work ethics, policy issues (including policy related to crime victims and to undocumented clients), diversity, language, agency settings, crime victimization, and professional use of self. The case also may be appropriate for MSW foundation courses dealing with these topics.

Answer 1

It has taken Tamara Simms several years to gain acceptance into The Ridge. Even after making home visits for several years in this community, she is still at times perceived as “the meddling outsider.” She would be able to gain entry by making the acquaintance of certain key members of the community, such as store owners, volunteer firefighters, and pastors. By accessing these key persons, Tamara may gain gradual acceptance by residents of The Ridge. Also, if she determines other indigenous leaders and engages them, Tamara will be viewed as a nonthreatening helping person. She might attend community functions such as the firefighters’ fish fry or church gatherings. Tamara also might gain acceptance by providing concrete help and problem solving with other residents of the community. For example, at Christmas she could provide links to community agencies or churches in Timbers that might provide seasonal charity on The Ridge, such as “toys for tots,” or Christmas baskets. Tamara must be patient, as engagement of this community could take two to three years to accomplish.