What Does the Social Worker Do Anyway?

Social workers at the Boston Center for Blind Children function in the following areas: supportive casework with the parents of handicapped, visually-impaired children; coordination of services and resources to the children and families involved; and dissemination of information to the staffs of other agencies regarding Boston Center. The most difficult area is supportive case work with parents which involves such tasks as becoming aware of one's own reactions so as to be able to deal constructively with parental anger and frustration, providing emotional support to parents and helping them feel more comforable in relating to their child, and providing parents with an increased repertoire of activities in dealing with their child. The social worker facilitates contact with local and state agencies (such as the Visiting Nurse Association Assistance, which might be helpful in times of family disorganization, and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind) and educates parents concerning laws which mandate a variety of services for the visually-impaired, multihandicapped child and his family. It is important for the social worker to make other agencies aware of Boston Center's program and services so that appropriate referrals can be made speedily. (GW)