Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Advanced practicing social workers must be capable of engaging with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and/or communities. The social worker is to be prepared with an evidence-based approach for engagement in their practice. The importance of human relationship and dignifying the worth of a human being must be a top priority when conducting engagements. The engagements can be performed in a micro, mezzo, and/or macro level. Regardless of the level, the engagements will be professional and done in a warm and welcoming manor so that the client(s) feel safe to be involved. Personal opinions that are not relevant to services or evidence-backed should not impose on the engagement.
Practice Behavior:
6.1 – Examine evidence-based practices to prepare for professional engagement across system
Course Evidence: In SOCW-611, Advanced Clinical Practice: Clinical Interventions, we learned about the evidence-based practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and how to prepare for professional engagement across system in individual psychotherapy session. I wrote a Synopsis on how I would educate a client about CBT that includes how I would professionally engage and present CBT to the client. It also includes how the client received the material or information. In addition to the synopsis, a peer and I created a Case Conceptualization a fictional client that had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. In this course assignment, we demonstrated our ability in preparing professionally for micro level engagement a client. Here is the Case Simulation Link, and here is the Case Presentation of the fictional client.
Field Evidence: In my practicum, I received a handout about ADDRESSING Model Framework from a colleague. I researched the model since I was not aware of it and discovered that it was an evidence-based model. I incorporated this model with my note I use for the intake sessions and created a first session note for engagement during my one-on-one therapy sessions, or “callouts.” I documented this practice behavior in Week 4 of my April Monthly Journal.
6.2 – Engage with systems utilizing evidence-based practice strategies
Course Evidence: In SOCW 618, Advanced Administrative Practice: Administration/Leadership, I worked with my peers to create a New Organization Proposal Plan where part of the assignment required engagement with other organizations for donations and fundraising. The engagement and methods we decided to use were evidence-based supported by academic journals. The strategies for engaging with these systems can be found starting on page 22.
Field Evidence: In the third week of April, I was observing a colleague that works with the General Population (GP) at Auburn Correctional Facility. She is employed under The Office of Mental Health (OMH), and through the Central New York Psychiatric Center, she is able to provide therapeutic services to incarcerated individuals that are not in mental health programs or do not have a diagnosis. There are various departments, units, and organizations that provide services within a Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facility as shown in this list of Mental Health Program and their Descriptions. She had a therapy session, or “callout,” with an incarcerated individual that was in the Protective Custody (PC) unit, and he was interested in the Intermediated Care Program (ICP). I am placed in the ICP unit, so I engage in discussion with him about the structure differences between the systems of DOCCS’s PC unit and OMH’s ICP unit. I documented my practice behavior in my April Monthly Journal.
While observing and engaging with the incarcerated individuals in the GP with the same colleague, we came upon an individual that we believed would benefit from being referred from GP to the Transitional Intermediate Care Program (TrICP). We discussed during the session the services he would be provided with and that he would still be available to participate in programming and work. We submitted a referral to TrICP – I was not able to sign it since I was an intern and not placed to work with GP.
