About MNHSWA
Our Mission
Dedicated to enhancing Total Person Care through advocacy, education, leadership, and support.
Social services are provided directly to residents and their families to promote psychological well being. The social worker assists in fostering a therapeutic environment which is conducive to enhancing quality of life, as well as helping residents retain identity, individuality, and independence.
To accomplish this mission:
- Social services should be structed as a department directly responsible to the administrator.
- Social services must be an integral part of the interdisciplinary team.
- Social services is responsible for the provision of direct services to resident and families, including psychosocial assessment and planning, casework services on an individual, family, or group basis, advocacy and assistance with discharge planning and utilization of community resources.
- Social services functions as the resident’s representative in policy development and other appropriate committees of long term care facilities, as well as in daily activities affecting resident’s rights.
- Social services will contribute to staff knowledge of the rights and psychosocial needs of residents and their family members through assisting with planning and/or presenting inservice education, consultation, and advocacy.
- Social work professionals have the right and responsibility to pursue their own professional development. This is done through participation in continuing education opportunities and membership in professional organizations. Minnesota Statute 148E requires licensure of persons using the title Social Worker and/or the practice of social work.
Our Purpose
- To cooperate in the ongoing definition and development of the social worker in the care facility.
- To provide consultation, mutual support, and resource materials to professionals delivering social service in care facilities.
- To promote cooperation and understanding among care facilities, and with other resources service the aging and disabled.
- To interpret the social work role in care settings to other professionals through planning and participating in conventions and other educational programs.
- To promote and participate in a public education program on the needs of the aging and disabled in care facilities, and the role of the social worker.
- To represent the needs of the aging and disabled in care facilities and the role of the social worker to state regulating agencies and public policy makers.