I understand that interventions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities are critical and ongoing social work components. I will continuously study and implement clinical evidence-based interventions that may help my clients and their diverse situations. Proficiency in evidence-based interventions applies to the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work. I plan to include effective models in my expertise for each level and integrate them accordingly to meet established goals. I will also seek interprofessional consultation as needed when deciding the most appropriate interventions.
8A – Implement clinical evidence-based interventions with individuals, families, and groups.
Course Evidence: A final assignment for my Advanced Clinical Practice: Individual and Family Interventions was a full-length Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Session with an individual pseudo client. I demonstrated skills from the generalist practice model, including engagement, assessment, planning, and intervention. During the session, I was able to educate the pseudo client on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, as well as how to identify and challenge automatic thoughts. We also collaborated to set SMART goals for the client to overcome her current struggles of anxiety and stress. I focused on the person-in-environment approach while promoting self-determination and empowerment.
Field Evidence: I utilized the Systemic-Relational Approach Model with a child and biological father as an early intervention to strengthen the familial bond and dynamic. I taught the family different calming and connecting exercises that could be used in the home, as well as communication skills that include physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and linguistic means of communication. I also completed De-escalation Training during my practicum. I had many opportunities to utilize the interventions from the training with foster youth in moments of crisis. The de-escalation techniques were helpful to promote mindfulness and emotional regulation.
Additional Evidence: I completed a course on transforming family game night into fun family-focused interventions. I took the information learned and created a list of game ideas for foster families using Jenga, Candyland, and Twister. All of the games had an added therapeutic component of provoking questions for each family member to share emotional and historical experiences with one another. Included in the game list set were corresponding examples of responsive dialogue to provide helpful interventions.
8B – Integrate macro-level evidence-based strategies with organizations and communities.
Course Evidence: I completed the FEMA: Introduction to the National Incident Management System training during my Trauma and Emergency Management Foundation course. The National Incident Management System provides a comprehensive approach for the whole community, all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents.
Field Evidence: Omni Visions focused on properly training staff and foster parents on evidence-based interventions that may improve child and family permanency to decrease the high number of disruptions in placement that occurred in 2019. I completed Therapeutic Behavioral Management, Empowered to Connect: Trust-Based Relational Intervention, and Attachment Regulation Competency (ARC) model training (see certificates tab for ARC). I learned knowledge from these models to help teach Omni workers and foster parents how to meet the complex needs of foster youth and mitigate behavioral crises in the home setting. Since most foster children have histories of ACES and trauma, these models offer caretakers a more specialized approach on how to attune and respond to behaviors.
Additional Evidence: My Advanced Administration Practice: Administrative and Leadership Skills group created the RISE Independent Living Nonprofit Organization for Tennessee foster youth that have aged out of the foster care system. This population is at risk of homelessness, poverty, unemployment, lack of education and healthcare. RISE offers services of housing, independent living skills classes, case management, mental health services, and educational services to help this population reach their potential in a safe and supportive environment while they transition into adulthood.