Fresno State: Swrk 180: Agency Analysis

1. Agency Analysis:
Agape Inc.
Carter G. Woodsen
Alyssa Cruz
Social Work 180
TTH 9:30-10:45
Professor: Chris Clark

2. Mission & Vision Statement
• Mission- To provide adequate resources within the
community for youth and families to succeed, by
developing, expanding, and reaching out to those most
in need.
• Vision Statement- To provide quality educational
opportunities that leads to improved social
development, higher learning, and economic
independence. Agape will be a change agent for youth
and families by fostering community and civic
responsibility among youth.

3. History
Agape Schools Inc. is a non-profit corporation, consisting of 3 school sites in Fresno.
My field agency/school site is called Carter G. Woodsen- composed of about 406 712th grade students attending both the site based program (M-F classes) or I.S.
(Independent Study/classes twice per week)
•
Carter G. Woodsen (1875-1950)
• Known as the “father of black history”
• Born to a former slave, Woodsen knew the
“importance of proper education is when striving
to secure and make the most out of one’s divine
right of freedom.”
• The second African American to earn a PhD at
Harvard University

4. Community Context
•
Location: 3333 N. Bond St., Fresno CA (1st St./Shields Ave)
•
Demographics (2011-2012:
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15% of students were English learners (Spanish & Hmong most spoken
languages at home)
72%- Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity, 13% African American, 7% White, 4%
Asian/Pacific Islander
Income- 95% reported low-income (Earned less than $41,348/year for
family of 4)
Average Class size: 22
Staff: 22 full-time, 10 teachers all with full teaching credentials
Students commute from all areas of Fresno;
•
Those who live 2+ miles outside the radius of the school
qualify for bus tokens- to and from school
• According to federal standard, Woodsen did not
make adequate yearly progress (AYP) from high school
exit exam scores, graduation rates and student test scores
•
Now on program improvement (PI)

5. Agency Structure
• CA non-profit, public benefit corporation, 501(c)(3) exempt status
• Governed by: Board of Directors and School Site Council Governing Board
• Top Management Positions at Carter G. Woodsen/Agape Inc:
• Superintendent- Linda Washington
• Assistant Superintendent- Diana Padilla
• Woodsen Principle- Victor Martinez
Supervisors/decision making for all school sites is designated to the
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, which also includes
supervision of interns. At individual school sites, Principle holds
management responsibility regarding school relations/events

6. Role of Client in Agency
Students at Carter G. Woodsen are the clients of this agency where they
receive direct services at no cost. Student enroll directly to the school by choice
and can be enrolled or un-enrolled immediately. Students can also be dropped
because of attendance or disciplinary issues
Students involved in:
• Choosing classes of interest, ability to do after-school or night program to
attain credits and graduate on time
• Individualized Learning Plans (ILP)- encourage parent and student
involvement when choosing path/classes to graduate, providing access
to services needed ( tutoring, counseling…), discussing immediate and
long-term academic and career goals and paths to achieve these goals
Students not involved in:
• Class policy or course development; Although students are surveyed
about their interests or needs, final decision authority is given to
administrative staff

7. Services Provided
•
Carter G. Woodsen strives to provide “quality academics, truancy
prevention, mental health counseling, vocational training and the
development of a higher education plan”
• Resources provided by:
• Guidance counselor- 2 full-time staff who work with students to
increase credit attainment and academic success. Teach career
exploration course about college and job skills and conduct ILP’s to
plan for life during and after high school
• Drop-out Prevention Counselors- DOP consists of 2 full time staff who
devote time to reduce truancy, tardies and behavioral issues. Conduct
parent meetings and home visits with students
• Contracts are given to students to pledge attendance, time spent on
assignments and completion of assignments. If students do not
complete they are held responsible and corrective action is taken if
necessary

8. Service Provided Con’t
• After-school program offered to earn additional credits, tutoring
sessions, CAHSEE (High school exit exam) tutoring, nightschool availability
• Counseling services provided in cooperation with Generational
Changes (outside agency)- Free mental health or substance
abuse treatment given on campus
• Big Smiles- partnering with Woodsen to provide school-based
dental program. Free dental care to student who do not have
health insurance

9. Carter G. Woodsen and Social
Work Values
•
Human Rights: Article 26- Everyone has the right to free education at elementary and
fundamental stages. Education shall direct the full development of human personality and
to the strengthening of respect. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education
that shall be given to their children.
• At Woodsen, students are given a free education, with the goal of producing wellrounded and productive citizens.
Social Work Values• Social Justice- Woodsen challenges oppressive barriers for students and provides
needed information, services and resources. Regardless of student background or
current situation, all students are welcome to attend and all are given equal resources
while in school
• Cultural Competence- Staff and administration are composed of different ethnic
backgrounds. When one staff member is not able to communicate or understand the
students or families, they able to receive assistance from other staff.
• Empowerment- Allows students are in charge of their own future. Woodsen tries to
provide tools and guidance in making a plan for life during and after high school.
Provides many resources to help students eliminate or alleviate barriers of
completing their high school education

10. Agency Abroad
•
Westwood International School- Gaborone, Botswana
• K-grade 13 American-based curriculum
• In 2011-2012, enrollment was 430 students with 51 faculty
members
• Offers student support like: learning support, ESL (English
as a second language) support, emotional, social and
behavioral counseling and college & career guidance
• School-wide focus on social and emotional learning (SEL)
• Similar to Woodsen, in that many of the
support/resources given are parallel and strive
to produce well-rounded productive students

11. Agency Abroad Con’t
•
Differences
•
Functions as a private charter school. 88% of income comes from tuition
and fees
• Students apply for admission and must complete assessment and show
proof that they can benefit from the educational learning that is offered
• Individual teachers are responsible for the success of students with
disabilities instead of being assigned a team to help come up with best
learning plan for student
Although not directly aligned with U.S charter schools or Carter G. Woodsen
in particular, Westwood International would be the closest example of an
agency abroad. The idea of American charter schools is becoming more
mainstream and hopefully more charter schools as we know them will begin
to emerge globally