Competency 1: Ethics & Professionalism
Ethical and professional behaviors are important in all careers, but are especially crucial in social work. It is essential for social workers to establish boundaries with clients and to act in a way that allows clients to feel comfortable coming to them for help. Many ethical conflicts can occur in the social work field due to the nature of the work and how close and personal social workers get with clients. It is important to recognize and prevent these ethical conflicts such as issues with confidentiality, self-determination, boundaries, moral beliefs/values, and/or dual relationships. It is essential to be respectful and polite to all individuals regardless of their background or current situation. As an advanced social worker, I will continue to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics, use critical thinking skills and self-care strategies when necessary, and conduct myself professionally in my behaviors and communications. I will continue to grow as a practitioner through research, education, supervision, and self-evaluation.
1.1 Develop a practice framework for analysis of complex environments that is ethical, value-grounded, and evidence-based
Course Evidence: In my Advanced Clinical Practice class, we learned several evidence-based interventions for individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions and group therapy sessions. I conducted faux therapy sessions which were recorded as baseline sessions and final sessions. For my final, I wrote a self-evaluation that reflected on an ethical situation that occurred during my faux group therapy session, and reflected on my growth and performance as an advanced autonomy practitioner. I was also asked to add a section that discussed my experience using technology in the second half of the semester due to COVID-19 restrictions. I found that over the year, my affective domain evolved from receiving, where I simply listened to and was aware of practice behaviors, to characterization where I am able to implement those practice behaviors while respecting the worth and dignity of people in all situations. Group Therapy Self Evaluation
Field Evidence: I utilize the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics to guide my practice behaviors. During my internship at Mending Arrow Ranch, I identified a possible ethical dilemma with one of my students and discussed this issue with my task and field supervisors. I wrote a reaction paper regarding this ethical dilemma and how my supervisors and I handled the situation. In this situation, I was able to use the cognitive domain of evaluation to reach a conclusion based on the NASW Code of Ethics. Ethical Dilemma
Additional Evidence: I completed an online Core Humanitarians Certification through Humanitarian U and DisasterReady.org. This certification helped expand my practice framework to include humanitarian principles and standards in providing disaster relief and community development with clients in third-world countries. The four fundamental principles are very similar to social work values and include: humanity (similar to the importance of human relationships), impartiality (the concept that aid is provided by need regardless of race, religious observance, political alignment, gender, or nationality), neutrality (refraining from taking position in conflict and continuing to provide services to all in need), and independence (similar to the the dignity and worth of the person). The one humanitarian value that is different from social work values is the concept of neutrality. As a social worker that provides humanitarian services in developing countries, I would still work towards bettering their communities and advocating for change within their society as able. But the concept of neutrality also discusses that sometimes people in third world countries are forced to take a side during conflict without wanting to be in that position (ie. child soldiers). Therefore, it is important to provide services to individuals on both sides of the conflict regardless of political/personal views. This certification allowed me to use the cognitive domain synthesis to integrate knowledge obtained through my social work studies with the humanitarian studies. Core Humanitarian Certificate
Prior to obtaining my BSW degree, I was studying to become an outdoor emergency services nurse and my course schedule included classes in outdoor leadership. I composed an article on the Philosophy of Outdoor Leadership which discussed the benefits of outdoor activities with individuals and society as a whole. As a social worker, I still believe in the outdoor leadership principles and that outdoor activities enhance spiritual, emotional, cognitive, physical, and social well-being and health. I will continue to use outdoor leadership techniques and activities in my work with clients as an advanced practitioner. Philosophy of Outdoor Leadership
1.2 Implement supervisory and self-care strategies that integrate professional strengths, limitations, and challenges
Course Evidence: In my Advanced Social Policy class, I was asked to examine my personal values and how those values affect my view on policy practice overall. I discussed some of the challenges and limitations I have experienced in my own personal life. I then explained how my experiences have shaped my worldview and how that has led me to advocate for certain policy changes. This post demonstrates the affective domain of valuing where I have discussed my preferences and convictions as well as organization where I theorize and formulate a perspective of the world based on experiences and learning opportunities. Personal Values Discussion
Field Evidence: I met with my field supervisor every Friday at 9:00 am onsite at Mending Arrow Ranch to discuss events at the Ranch and social work behaviors over the past week. If there was a complication with the time/place for a specific meeting, I would communicate with my supervisor via text or phone call per her request to reschedule. During the COVID-19 outbreak, we met via Zoom a couple times due to restrictions. In my supervision sessions, we discussed my professional strengths, limitations, and challenges that were experienced during the week. I wrote a reaction paper on some of the challenges I faced at my internship and what my supervisor recommended to overcome those limitations. I used the cognitive domain analysis by working with my supervisors to differentiate between traditional advanced social work behaviors and advanced social work behaviors in an equine-based setting. Supervision: Challenges
Additional Evidence: I completed an online training on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Micro-Interventions. DBT is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that focuses on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and relationship building to help individuals overcome stressful life events or trauma. This training provided information on how to incorporate and inform clients of DBT micro-interventions within a small time frame in daily practice. Not only did I learn ways to incorporate DBT interventions with clients, I also learned ways to self-regulate and I continue to utilize DBT interventions as a self-care strategy in my own life. One example of a DBT Micro-Intervention strategy I use for self care is cold water therapy to help calm me down when I am anxious. DBT Micro-Interventions Certification
1.3 Exhibit commitment to professional growth through continuing education, supervision, and ongoing consultation
Course Evidence: During my time at Southern Adventist University, I participated in the online Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training, which provides information on how to develop and implement ethical research. There are several different courses in the CITI training, and I completed the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course. This course focuses on biomedical research and includes topics on plagiarism, research misconduct, and research involving human subjects. CITI Certification
Field Evidence: I attended the 5th Annual North Georgia Autism Conference with my task supervisor, and we set up a vendor booth for Mending Arrow Ranch in order to network with potential clients and sponsors. I attended a couple of the classes offered and learned valuable insight on how to communicate and interact with clients with Autism. I also learned sensory techniques and activities that help children with Autism calm down when they are overstimulated, and I implemented some of those activities in the Brave One program and Mindfulness Camp at Mending Arrow Ranch. Pictured below is our Mending Arrow Ranch vendor booth at the Autism Conference.
Additional Evidence: During my time at Southern Adventist University, I completed the online Six Sigma Training and obtained the White Belt Certification. This training outlined several different strategies and techniques to develop and operate a successful organization. It seeks to eliminate waste and inefficiency, which increases customer and client satisfaction overall. Six Sigma Certification
1.4 Demonstrate professional oral and written communication skills
Course Evidence: In my Advanced Administrative Practice and Leadership class, I worked with a team to develop a nonprofit organization for men who are in recovery for substance abuse issues called RightWay Recovery. As part of the planning process, I composed a case for support to send to potential donors in order to obtain funding for the organization. This letter included statistics about substance abuse, an overview of the organization, the current need of the organizations, and the goals for the organization. Case for Support
Field Evidence: I assisted in creating and editing a grant proposal to the Tucker Foundation to obtain a covered arena for Mending Arrow Ranch which was submitted to the Foundation. The grant proposal included the project description, amount requested, grant request summary, total project budget, the problem/need the project would address, specific/measurable objectives and changes/benefits that would potentially result from the project, activities developed to accomplish the objectives, evaluation plan for the project, other agencies collaborated with on the project, organizational background, additional sources of funding, and optional supplemental information. Tucker Foundation Grant Proposal
Additional Evidence: During my internship, I assisted my task supervisor in revising and uploading weekly social media posts for Mending Arrow Ranch to provide educational information and keep students informed on current events at the Ranch. The social media posts included pictures of students participating in activities (with appropriate consent), infographics, flyers and event invitations, applicable news articles and policies, and educational videos. I also designed a few social media posts encouraging individuals to donate on Giving Tuesday. These posts included information about Giving Tuesday, how to donate to the Ranch, and how donations towards daily operations at the ranch are used for each of the horses and ponies. Click the pictures below to view up close.
