Field Directors

Hello! 

I'm reaching out to gather insights on how different schools handle situations where a student is terminated from their internship site. Currently, we follow a process that involves collaboration with the field department. However, there is a proposed change that would remove the field department from the process. The purposed change would have a committee of faculty members review the termination and make a decision on how the student should move forward and communicate it via writing to the field department.

One of the key arguments for this change revolves around power dynamics and potential legal concerns. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback you might have on this matter.

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Sarah Brown
Director of Field and Professional Education
Monmouth University School of Social Work
Long Branch NJ
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Hi Sarah, we used a phased problem solving process in the hopes of avoiding termination, and also so that ideally, by the time we would get to a termination, we have been involved and tried to mitigate along the way. This process involves first the faculty field liaison providing additional support, and then the field director. If a student is terminated from their internship, then the student has an academic review, which involves our MSW or BSW committees, depending on the student. This committee comprises of a few different faculty members, but as the field director, I sit on both. We also would include the students advisor and any other faculty involved in the situation. This allows the field office to provide information and be part of the decision making process as far as what happens next, but the decision is made collaboratively by the committee.

One thing I intend to develop but haven't gotten to yet, is a form for supervisors to complete when terminating an internship. We always get feedback, but we are looking into a more streamlined approach to ensure we get all of the right questions answered and documented.

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Lindsey Rinehart
Field Education Director & Clinical Instructor
West Virginia University
Morgantown WV
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Original Message:
Sent: Jan 31, 2024 11:00
From: Sarah Brown
Subject: Student Terminated from Internship - Process Question

Hello! 

I'm reaching out to gather insights on how different schools handle situations where a student is terminated from their internship site. Currently, we follow a process that involves collaboration with the field department. However, there is a proposed change that would remove the field department from the process. The purposed change would have a committee of faculty members review the termination and make a decision on how the student should move forward and communicate it via writing to the field department.

One of the key arguments for this change revolves around power dynamics and potential legal concerns. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback you might have on this matter.

------------------------------
Sarah Brown
Director of Field and Professional Education
Monmouth University School of Social Work
Long Branch NJ
------------------------------

Hi Sarah,

Our process is the same as what Lindsey has described.  If we get to the termination phase after attempted resolution steps along the way, the student would go before our Academic Review Committee which is made up of 3 tenured faculty members. I would attend the meeting as well as the student and their academic advisor to be able to weigh in, but the committee itself makes the final determination. They do weigh my input heavily as they know they don't often have all of the details and information that I would have having worked through the situation from start to end.

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Molly Hogan-Fowler
Director of Field Education
Salem State University
Salem MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 01, 2024 08:00
From: Lindsey Rinehart
Subject: Student Terminated from Internship - Process Question

Hi Sarah, we used a phased problem solving process in the hopes of avoiding termination, and also so that ideally, by the time we would get to a termination, we have been involved and tried to mitigate along the way. This process involves first the faculty field liaison providing additional support, and then the field director. If a student is terminated from their internship, then the student has an academic review, which involves our MSW or BSW committees, depending on the student. This committee comprises of a few different faculty members, but as the field director, I sit on both. We also would include the students advisor and any other faculty involved in the situation. This allows the field office to provide information and be part of the decision making process as far as what happens next, but the decision is made collaboratively by the committee.

One thing I intend to develop but haven't gotten to yet, is a form for supervisors to complete when terminating an internship. We always get feedback, but we are looking into a more streamlined approach to ensure we get all of the right questions answered and documented.

------------------------------
Lindsey Rinehart
Field Education Director & Clinical Instructor
West Virginia University
Morgantown WV

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 31, 2024 11:00
From: Sarah Brown
Subject: Student Terminated from Internship - Process Question

Hello! 

I'm reaching out to gather insights on how different schools handle situations where a student is terminated from their internship site. Currently, we follow a process that involves collaboration with the field department. However, there is a proposed change that would remove the field department from the process. The purposed change would have a committee of faculty members review the termination and make a decision on how the student should move forward and communicate it via writing to the field department.

One of the key arguments for this change revolves around power dynamics and potential legal concerns. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback you might have on this matter.

------------------------------
Sarah Brown
Director of Field and Professional Education
Monmouth University School of Social Work
Long Branch NJ
------------------------------

Hi Sarah:

I think it would be a significant mistake regarding field faculty's autonomy to allow an outside entity to make decisions about field students.  Our process involves a four step conduct process, starting with documenting the concerns on the professional disposition inventory (PDI), which outlines the concerns of field faculty, the liaison or the agency using the NASW Code of Ethics as the parameters for meeting with the student who has been terminated.  All documented concerns are connected to behaviors that are out of compliance with the NASW Code of Ethics.  The step 1 meeting outlines the concerns that brought about the termination and the student meets with two field faculty and a silent observer who takes notes.  The student can also have a support person in the meeting who must remain silent and not involved in the process.  No attorneys are allowed in this process as it is not a legal hearing and revolves around professional behavior and ethical standards. The student is able to address the concerns documented in the PDI and their perception of the issues.  If the matter is unresolved in the Step 1, a step 2  meeting is held between the Field Director, Program Director and Student, where resolution to the concerns and the student's ability to connect their response to professional ethics and practice are discussed.  While the meetings do confront behavior, the process is not adversarial and the prior parameters apply in this meeting.  Again the emphasis is on the concerns that the student has behaved in a manner outside the NASW Code of Ethics and professional expectations of a practitioner.  If the matter remains unresolved - a Step 3 occurs.  In this Step, the student is referred to the Dean of the School, who will review the recorded documents and make a determination on whether the student remains in the program.  The field director and program director make a recommendation but the Dean make the final decision on retaining the student or whether the student is subject to dismissal from the program or even the University, based on the student code of conduct.  A step 4 is always a dismissal from the program or school.  This process keeps the decision making and recommendations within the scope of field and social work faculty.  As the Director of Field, I have complete autonomy to make decisions about what happens in field, since my position is lateral to the program directors - and no decision is made without my direct input.  I would recommend to those outside of field, a process that allows for your input and assessment, since this is an area of expertise for you.  By the way, our legal department sanctions our conduct process, which is only used in the Social Work Department.  Other programs utilize the University's conduct process.  

I hope you find this helpful.  If you want to discuss further, please feel free to contact me directly.  

Sibyl

------------------------------
Sibyl R. Beaulieu, DSW, MSW, LMSW
Associate Professor
and Director of Field Education
SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES 
The Social Work Department @ UMass Global
T 951.413.2914 
sbeaulie@umassglobal.edu 
Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers
Preferred address by students: 
Dr. Beaulieu, Prof. Sibyl, Prof. Beaulieu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 31, 2024 11:00
From: Sarah Brown
Subject: Student Terminated from Internship - Process Question

Hello! 

I'm reaching out to gather insights on how different schools handle situations where a student is terminated from their internship site. Currently, we follow a process that involves collaboration with the field department. However, there is a proposed change that would remove the field department from the process. The purposed change would have a committee of faculty members review the termination and make a decision on how the student should move forward and communicate it via writing to the field department.

One of the key arguments for this change revolves around power dynamics and potential legal concerns. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback you might have on this matter.

------------------------------
Sarah Brown
Director of Field and Professional Education
Monmouth University School of Social Work
Long Branch NJ
------------------------------

Hi Sarah, 

I would not appreciate a process that did not involve the field team directly. I am curious about that proposed process.

We have a field review meeting that involves the student, Field Director and one other field department member, the Faculty Liaison, as well as the MSW Program Director and the Advisor from Student Services.

I am happy to discuss further with you if you would like.

------------------------------
Margie Quartley
Assistant Director of Field Education
University at Buffalo School of Social Work
Amherst NY
quartley@buffalo.edu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 31, 2024 11:00
From: Sarah Brown
Subject: Student Terminated from Internship - Process Question

Hello! 

I'm reaching out to gather insights on how different schools handle situations where a student is terminated from their internship site. Currently, we follow a process that involves collaboration with the field department. However, there is a proposed change that would remove the field department from the process. The purposed change would have a committee of faculty members review the termination and make a decision on how the student should move forward and communicate it via writing to the field department.

One of the key arguments for this change revolves around power dynamics and potential legal concerns. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback you might have on this matter.

------------------------------
Sarah Brown
Director of Field and Professional Education
Monmouth University School of Social Work
Long Branch NJ
------------------------------

Hi everyone,

Our process is different and frankly, most of the time when an agency has terminated a student it is too late for us to intervene or after we (the liaison) has attempted to find a resolution. We ask agencies to follow our process with challenges for the purpose of seeking a resolution that preserves the placement. However, that is often not in the best interest of/for the agency, their clients, or the student.  A termination from field is not an immediate dismissal from the program nor an immediate removal from the course. As the director, I gather information from the student and the field liaison via specific questions that require a written response. I also have documentation from the agency regarding why they terminated the student. I hold a meeting with the student and liaison as well. The purpose of the meeting is to determine if a student will be allowed a reassignment to another agency or not. More often than not, I allow a conditional reassignment-student has to complete reflective assignments, etc. 

The process is not as simply as I have written here. 

My question--off of Sarah's question is--what do you do when a student is terminated and the Office is not afforded an opportunity to intervene? At that point, I would imagine that some of the steps shared in this thread do not come into play. Also, when a student is terminated, then what? Are they allowed to go to another agency in the same semester? With various committee reviews, etc. what is the timeframe for responding? If the student is allowed to be reassigned, do the wait until the following semester? Are they given an incomplete?

Great conversation and dialogue!

------------------------------
Shenita Williams
Director of Field Education
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
804-828-0708
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 31, 2024 11:00
From: Sarah Brown
Subject: Student Terminated from Internship - Process Question

Hello! 

I'm reaching out to gather insights on how different schools handle situations where a student is terminated from their internship site. Currently, we follow a process that involves collaboration with the field department. However, there is a proposed change that would remove the field department from the process. The purposed change would have a committee of faculty members review the termination and make a decision on how the student should move forward and communicate it via writing to the field department.

One of the key arguments for this change revolves around power dynamics and potential legal concerns. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback you might have on this matter.

------------------------------
Sarah Brown
Director of Field and Professional Education
Monmouth University School of Social Work
Long Branch NJ
------------------------------

Hi Shenita:

We use the same 4 step process to address all concerns or challenges the student engages in during field.  The termination automatically triggers a Step 1 Conduct meeting, where we meet with the student discuss the details we know, listen to the student's view point and provide recommendations to address the concerns.  Often we do not get input from the agency until after they have determined to terminate the student, which is frustrating and prevents our intervening in a way that might salvage the placement.  But our use of the professional disposition inventory (PDI) to document concerns that arise and initiating the conduct process, allows for all voices to be heard, for offering of support to the student, (whether they bear responsibility or not for the termination), and student-centered resolution that includes the student's voice as primary in the process.  Often I allow for a secondary placement-after we have dialoged with the student about the concerns and the student has awareness if how they contributed to the process.  If not, we may have to work with the student more prior to re-engaging in practicum, but we always seek a way to restore the student to practicum and completion of their degree.  There are few times when we cannot and the student is dismissed from the program - but that is after a good faith effort to assist the student in addressing the ethical issues, on-going life issues or lack of ksv that are needed to proceed.

Hope this is helpful,

Sibyl, Beaulieu, DSW, MSW, LMSW

Director of Field Education

University of Massachusetts, Global

------------------------------
Sibyl R. Beaulieu, DSW, MSW, LMSW
Associate Professor
and Director of Field Education
SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES 
The Social Work Department @ UMass Global
T 951.413.2914 
sbeaulie@umassglobal.edu 
Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers
Preferred address by students: 
Dr. Beaulieu, Prof. Sibyl, Prof. Beaulieu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Feb 03, 2024 23:16
From: Shenita Williams
Subject: Student Terminated from Internship - Process Question

Hi everyone,

Our process is different and frankly, most of the time when an agency has terminated a student it is too late for us to intervene or after we (the liaison) has attempted to find a resolution. We ask agencies to follow our process with challenges for the purpose of seeking a resolution that preserves the placement. However, that is often not in the best interest of/for the agency, their clients, or the student.  A termination from field is not an immediate dismissal from the program nor an immediate removal from the course. As the director, I gather information from the student and the field liaison via specific questions that require a written response. I also have documentation from the agency regarding why they terminated the student. I hold a meeting with the student and liaison as well. The purpose of the meeting is to determine if a student will be allowed a reassignment to another agency or not. More often than not, I allow a conditional reassignment-student has to complete reflective assignments, etc. 

The process is not as simply as I have written here. 

My question--off of Sarah's question is--what do you do when a student is terminated and the Office is not afforded an opportunity to intervene? At that point, I would imagine that some of the steps shared in this thread do not come into play. Also, when a student is terminated, then what? Are they allowed to go to another agency in the same semester? With various committee reviews, etc. what is the timeframe for responding? If the student is allowed to be reassigned, do the wait until the following semester? Are they given an incomplete?

Great conversation and dialogue!

------------------------------
Shenita Williams
Director of Field Education
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
804-828-0708

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 31, 2024 11:00
From: Sarah Brown
Subject: Student Terminated from Internship - Process Question

Hello! 

I'm reaching out to gather insights on how different schools handle situations where a student is terminated from their internship site. Currently, we follow a process that involves collaboration with the field department. However, there is a proposed change that would remove the field department from the process. The purposed change would have a committee of faculty members review the termination and make a decision on how the student should move forward and communicate it via writing to the field department.

One of the key arguments for this change revolves around power dynamics and potential legal concerns. I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback you might have on this matter.

------------------------------
Sarah Brown
Director of Field and Professional Education
Monmouth University School of Social Work
Long Branch NJ
------------------------------