Documentary Review 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. Abstract
3. 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 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.
4. 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
5. 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 example of how the intervention was used
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 social workers violate? Define the code of ethics you
chose and give an example of how it was violated.
6. Reflections
a. What do you think you would have done differently if your supervisor instructed you to
do something against your code of ethics?

b.Which intervention would you have chosen had you been Gabriel’s social worker, what