In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a meeting with a state senator who is responsible for passing laws and setting policies for the state. The meeting is led by a school social worker in a multicultural high school with a support group for LGBTQIA+ youth. The State Assembly has passed a law that will make it illegal for teachers and school employees to discuss issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity. The social worker's goal is to advocate that the senator vote against the bill and explain the work they do, how it impacts students, and what voting yes/no would mean to their students. During the simulation, students will be prompted to use their advocacy and persuasion skills to address the senator's concerns and explain the importance of supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in schools. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to advocate for policies that support marginalized communities, including advocacy, persuasion, and cultural competence. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to individuals and communities in their future social work careers.

In this simulation activity, social work students will participate in a case involving Christina and Max Pierre, middle-class Haitian immigrants seeking assistance from a social worker at a non-profit agency for undocumented immigrants. The Pierres are trying to reunite with their two children, Analisse and Brigette, who were caught trying to cross the Mexico/United States border with a smuggler and were sent to a detention center, where they were separated. Christina and Max are concerned about their children's safety and feel helpless as immigration is offering no assistance. During the simulation, students will be prompted to work with the Pierres to develop a plan to reunite the family while addressing their legal and emotional needs. This simulation is designed to help social work students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with immigrant families who have experienced trauma and are facing legal challenges, including advocacy, empathy, and cultural competence. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to immigrant families in their future social work careers.

In this simulation activity, mental health students will participate in an outpatient mental health assessment with Chris, who is attending for an initial assessment. After a combative altercation in the waiting room, Chris' social worker notes that they have listed several different names on their intake form and did not answer several demographic intake questions. Chris is clearly affected by the incident in the waiting room and is non-verbal. During the simulation, students will be prompted to use their active listening and empathy skills to build rapport with Chris, address their non-verbal behavior, and complete the intake assessment while addressing their concerns. This simulation is designed to help mental health students develop the skills and confidence needed to work with clients who have experienced trauma and are facing mental health challenges, including active listening, empathy, and cultural competence. By practicing real-world scenarios in a safe and supportive environment, students will be better prepared to provide quality care to clients in their future mental health careers.