Social Services

Address: 435 W. Starin Rd., Whitewater, WI 53190-1125

Telephone Number: 262-473-2140

Contact Person(s) for Field Placement: Valerie Cole, C.A.P.S.W., Director of Social Services

Services Provided: Fairhaven is a visible ministry of God's love to older men and women. Its primary mission is to provide housing and health services which promote dignity and well-being with spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and recreational vitality. Fairhaven is associated with the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. Fairhaven Social Services staff members assist residents in maintaining or improving their ability to manage their everyday physical, mental, and psychosocial needs. Staff members maintain contact with families, make referrals and obtain services from outside entities, discharge planning, provide counseling services, perform assessments, promote actions that maintain or enhance each resident's dignity, assist residents in determining decisions about their health and be a "listening ear" to nursing home patients as well as the independent apartment residents. The retirement community population has multiple services available under it's own roof. Fairhaven has a staff of professional nurses, certified nursing assistants, laundry and housekeeping departments, maintenance staff, nutritional services personnel, dietician, social workers, therapists and various other staff members. Fairhaven is a "team" and the resident is the most important person in our mission.

Summary of Expected Responsibilities and Learning Outcomes of Student Interns: Potential social work interns need to possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action. A student intern, after a brief orientation, will be expected to become and serve as a social worker at that facility during their tenure there. Interns need to possess patience, a cheerful disposition, be tactful, kind, personal integrity, be flexible, must be able to relate with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times, hostile people. Nursing Home--Retirement Home social work interns will be responsible for assessments, give tours, take referrals, participate in care planning conferences, assist with groups (newcomers, Alzheimer Support and grief), create care plans, complete Minimum Data Set forms on the computer, assist residents with understanding and completing Advanced Directives to Medical Care and, a variety of other responsibilities. Self-motivation is essential in this position.