Final Project & Exam

Final Project: Philosophy of Care Statement & Practice Pastoral Visit

Bring the course together in two parts. Everything may be handwritten. Part One is a personal philosophy-of-care statement. Part Two is a documented practice pastoral visit, done as a role-play in class (not a real visit), with a written reflection. Use one of the composite scenario cards below; each person is a composite example. Card A: Ms. Lorraine, 67, is in the hospital after a fall. She tells you she is Catholic and asks whether a priest can bring her Communion. She is worried about her cat at home. Card B: Tasha, 29, lives on your housing unit and just learned that her grandmother, who raised her, has died. She cannot attend the funeral. She says she is not sure she believes in God anymore. Card C: Mrs. Patterson, 54, is staying in a shelter after a fire destroyed her home. She is Christian and asks you to pray, but mostly she wants to talk about what she lost. Card D: Amira, 35, is a new resident who is Muslim. She asks where she can pray and whether she can get a prayer rug and meals that fit her faith. Do not include details of real people, cases, or facility security.

Requirements

• Philosophy of Care Statement (one to two pages): your biblical foundation with at least two KJV verses (including Matthew 25:36 or Hebrews 13:3); the ministry of presence; your role and limits as a chaplain assistant or volunteer; how you will serve people of all faiths and none without pressure; listening and visitation; prayer and Scripture; confidentiality and its limits; and care for yourself
• Visit Plan for your chosen scenario card (revised from Module 6): preparation, introduction, open questions, what you will offer and how you will respect a no, close, and follow-up
• Practice Pastoral Visit (role-play, eight to ten minutes) with a classmate, observed by a third classmate
• Visit Record for the practice visit: date, general setting, initials only, type of visit, what was offered, requests, referrals, and follow-up, with no sensitive details
• Observer Feedback Form completed by your observer
• Reflection (one page): what went well, what you would do differently, how you respected the person's faith and choices, any referral needed and to whom (for example, the chaplain arranging a priest or imam), and what would have made this a get-help-now situation
• Caregiver Care Plan: your rhythm of rest, prayer, and support (from Module 8)

Timeline

• Module 6: choose a scenario card and write the visit plan
• Module 7: draft the philosophy-of-care statement
• Module 8: conduct the practice visit, complete the record and reflection, and submit all parts

Grading Rubrics

Every rubric uses the same four levels. Your instructor will mark the level that best matches your work for each row and add a short comment.

Module Assignment Rubric

Total possible: 16 points.

Reflection Journal Rubric

Journals are graded on effort and reflection, never on spelling, grammar, or the details of a personal story.

Total possible: 16 points.

Participation Rubric

Scored at the end of each module. Average the eight scores for the Attendance & Participation grade.

Total possible: 16 points.

Final Project Rubric: Philosophy of Care Statement & Practice Pastoral Visit

Total possible: 20 points.

Chaplaincy Assistant Quick Guide

Keep this guide with your important papers after release.

When to Get Help Immediately

• ☐ Any talk of suicide or self-harm
• ☐ Any talk of harming someone else
• ☐ Abuse or someone in danger
• ☐ A medical emergency
• ☐ Inside a facility: go to staff or the chaplain right away
• ☐ Outside: call 911 for emergencies; call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, U.S.)
• ☐ Stay with the person if it is safe; never promise to keep it secret

A Chaplain Assistant Never

• ☐ Acts as a counselor or clinician, or diagnoses anyone
• ☐ Gives medical, legal, or medication advice
• ☐ Carries messages or items against facility rules
• ☐ Pressures anyone in crisis to accept her beliefs
• ☐ Promises total secrecy
• ☐ Handles a crisis alone

Chaplain and Assistant

Six Steps of a Visit

Serving All Faiths and None

• ☐ Ask, don't assume: Is faith important to you?
• ☐ Pass requests for a person's own faith leader to the chaplain promptly
• ☐ Offer prayer; honor a no gladly
• ☐ Answer questions about your faith briefly and gently, when asked (1 Peter 3:15)
• ☐ Never make help depend on belief

Limits of Confidentiality

Say at the start: I will keep what you share private, except if someone's safety is at risk. Then I would need to get help. Rules for professional chaplains and volunteers differ by role, setting, and state; ask your chaplain what applies to you.

Visit Record (No Sensitive Details)

• ☐ Date and general setting
• ☐ Initials only, or no name
• ☐ Type of visit
• ☐ What was offered (presence, prayer, reading)
• ☐ Requests and referrals
• ☐ Follow-up needed

Calming Steps for the Caregiver

• ☐ Breathe in slowly, then breathe out even more slowly; repeat
• ☐ Name five things you can see around you
• ☐ Pray a short, honest prayer
• ☐ Debrief with the chaplain or a trusted person (no gossip)
• ☐ Rest, eat, and keep your rhythm of Scripture and prayer

Scriptures for Pastoral Care

My Next Steps

Chaplaincy or volunteer office I will ask about serving: _______________________________

My question about rules for former residents: _______________________________

My debrief partner (by role): _______________________________

Local resources (ask your case manager): _______________________________

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.— Philippians 1:6 (KJV)