I’m working on a writing multi-part question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.
Assignment: The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
Guidelines and Prompt
This semester we will be watching the Netflix docuseries, “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez,” in class,
however, if you miss class you will be required to watch it on your own time (links to the episodes will be
provided in Canvas). Due to the pandemic, we will be transitioning your volunteer assignment
requirements to this docuseries review assignment. This assignment will require a combination of
research of LA County Child Welfare Services Department, examination of all other people involved in
Gabriel’s life, along with reflections of the course outline, class lectures, and small group discussions.
Your Assignment Must Consist of the Following Sections:
1. Cover Page
2. Agency Introduction
a. What is the LA DCFS mission statement? You will find a lot of information using the
following link: https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/about/who-we-are/
b. Describe the target population DCFS serves in detail, including pertinent information
related to age, gender, socio-economic status, race, culture, ethnicity, etc. (What
population does the Department of Child and Family Services Serve)
https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/about/who-we-are/
c. Does the agency respect self-determination? Describe how the agency does or does not
respect self-determination.
d. Give one specific example to support your point of view.
3. Social Work Theories and Approach – Choose one of the following social work theories or
approaches and apply them to the work being done at The Department of Child and Family
Services (DCFS). (Which theory do DCFS social workers utilize in their work?) The Strengths
Perspective, Ecological Systems Theory, Systems Theory, Person-in-Environment
a. Define the theory/approach you chose
b. Give an example from the Gabriel Fernandez Docuseries that either illustrates DCFS
using the theory/approach you chose, or an example of how they did not use it.
4. Social Work Interventions – Choose one of the following social work interventions: Individual
Casework, Case Management, Individual or family counseling, Group work, Client
advocacy, Community organizing (to include outreach work and attempts to change social
policy or legislation)
a. Define the social work intervention you chose
b. Give an example of how the intervention was used, or how it could have been used to
better assist Gabriel Fernandez
c. Were these interventions effective or ineffective? Why or why not?
i. Be sure to support your statements with at least one example from each of the
interventions that you have chosen.
d. Which NASW code of ethics did authorities who interacted with Kalief Browder violate?
i. Define the code of ethics you chose
ii. State which authority you are referring to
iii. Give an example of how it was violated by the authority figure you chose
5. Reflections
a. If your supervisor instructed you to do something against your code of ethics, how would
you respond and what actions would you take?
b. If you were assigned Gabriel to your caseload what would you do to support his health
and well-being?
c. What areas of Gabriel’s life would you make sure were being addressed and why?
6. Assessment – What did you learn about yourself from watching this docuseries? After completing
this assignment I realized (feelings, thoughts, experiences)? Did anything show up for you
personally or what about this case was challenging? What did you learn about yourself?
7. References Page
You are expected to use a minimum of 3 quotations/citations from the Netflix Docuseries “The Trials
of Gabriel Fernandez, “course/outline, to define and support the use of social work theories, approaches,
values, and practice methods in this assignment.
Submission Options:
Video Submission: Video submissions must be a recording of you speaking – presentation style. You
must use/provide a PowerPoint – a minimum of 10 slides – No more than 30 words per slide (That way
you cannot simply read off the slides). Minimum length 15 minutes – however, I expect thorough
answers. Must include References Page slide (Making for a total of 11 slides).
Paper Submission: APA format, 12pt. Times New Roman font, double spaced, & one-inch margins.
Minimum 8 pages – Maximum 9 pages.
Paper Formatting: APA has very specific formatting requirements. Your paper MUST include the
following topic headers in italic font. The paper will have the following sections, in the order provided
below. Topic headers are essentially titles of each section, written in as follows:
1. Cover Page
2. Abstract
3. Agency Introduction
4. Social Work Theories and Approach
5. Social Work Interventions
6. Reflections
7. References Page
References Section
1. There will be one “References” section for the paper, located at the end of the paper, in APA
format. A sample APA format “References” page is available with a sample APA format paper
located in Canvas under “Files.”
