Social Work Field Education to Serve Vulnerable Populations

ABSTRACT

This article describes the development and first four years of implementation of a social work field project focused on homelessness. Developed in a northwest city, the project was created to provide opportunities for Masters in Social Work students to work with homeless individuals and families, including women and children who have experienced domestic violence. Social work graduate students were placed in community-based agencies serving homeless individuals and families. The project coordinator acted as faculty liaison to many of the students and facilitated integrative seminars with guest presenters from the community. The benefits and challenges of field placements in agencies serving vulnerable populations and suggestions for replication are discussed.