Competency 6 Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
As a social worker, I understand that engagement is an ongoing component of the interactive process of the social work practice. I will value the importance of human relationships, and I also understand the importance of engaging diverse clients in order to advance practice effectiveness. Social workers understand how their personal experiences and reactions may impact their ability to effectively engage with diverse clients and constituencies. Social workers value principles of relationship-building and inter-professional collaboration to facilitate engagement with clients and other professionals as appropriate.
6.1: Examine evidence-based practices to prepare for professional engagement across systems.
Course Evidence: In my School Social Work Core Concepts emphasis course, I had the opportunity to do a Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment on a minor with the consent from the child’s parents. I developed a written report that outlined history, current issues, as well as the needs of the child. I conducted this assessment to address the biological, psychological, and social factors that can be contributing to a problem or problems with the child.This assessment reflects each component: Social and Developmental History.
Field Evidence: Throughout the month of February we celebrated “kindness month one million acts” throughout the county. I begin my groups that month by incorporating “kindness” activities. Studies have found that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of well-being. Helping others can also improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active. This, in turn, can improve our self-esteem. In order to be engaged with others to celebrate this month of kind gestures, we did an activity each week in order to model this behavior. As seen below, students were given the opportunity to make a kind letter and give it to someone they care about or look up to. This could be anyone in their lives that holds a special place in their hearts, even if it were a teacher/mentor. The activity was enjoyable for all and I enjoyed the following week’s meeting where we discussed how giving the gift of kindness by a special card or letter, impacted others in a positive manner. 
6.2: Engage with systems utilizing evidence-based practice strategies.
Course Evidence: In my Advanced Clinical Practice:Group Psychotherapy course, I had the opportunity to do an assignment regarding “breaking barriers.” Each day social workers help break down barriers that prevent people from living more fulfilling, enriched lives. By utilizing evidence-based implementation strategies to promote and sustain change, barriers may be broken down. It is important to evaluate outcomes by monitoring the process over time and modifying the plan as indicated in our work.We work on the individual level helping people overcome personal crises like food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, limited healthcare, and lack of mental health services. This paper demonstrates the importance of breaking down barriers to meet client needs and the strategy of welcoming vulnerability, commit to change, learn to win and accept losses, live in the moment and plan for what is next.To view, please click here: Breaking Barriers.
Field Evidence: Throughout my practicum, I worked with numerous groups as well as individuals. Art therapy was a practice behavior that I utilized throughout many of my interactions with students as this seemed to get them to open up and allow me the chance to gauge how they are doing/feeling. Art therapy can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships (Shukula et al.2022).There have been various literature reviews written that note the efficacy of artwork to calm emotions. In one of our group meetings I gave them direction to be creative and write poetry that reflects a little about them or how they view themselves. Below is one of the poems that I received from one of the group members. She wanted me to keep “Cola” as a reminder of how she knew that everything would one day be okay and the positive impact our group had on her from the beginning of group to where she now foresees her future. Reading her poetry gave me awareness and a lot of insight as to how many students reflect feelings internally that are much different than what meets the eye. Below is her poetry that she left me and wanted me to share with others: Cola.
Shukla A., Choudhari, S. G., Gaidhane, A. M., & Quazi Syed, Z. (2022). Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review. Cureus, 14(8), e28026. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28026
Skills Used: Through the completion of these learning behaviors, I was able to demonstrate open communication, empathy, an understanding of human behavior, as well as active listening.
Knowledge Used: Throughout this competency I was able to demonstrate knowledge instilled from School Social Work Core Concepts as well as Advanced Clinical Practice: Group Psychotherapy courses. Additionally, I demonstrated knowledge of interviewing skills, working with small groups, open communication, as well as empathy.
Values Present: Values play a vital role in therapeutic processes. Some values present throughout this competency are importance of human relationships as well as respect and integrity. Respect is essential among individuals as well as in groups. It includes treating others with kindness, fairness, dignity and honor despite differences or disagreements in beliefs. This was displayed in the “Kindness” activity above as an example. Integrity involves conducting oneself with honesty and adhering to ethical principles regardless of the circumstances around us.
Cognitive Processes Used: While completing this competency, there were several cognitive processes that were demonstrated such as identifying questions for the social work interview and taking note of the answers that were given. I was able to come up with artistic activities with my small group that further develop cognitive skills. Executive functions help facilitate behavior management through planning and decision making with creative learning.
Affective Processes Used: Affective processes were used throughout this competency with learning strategies that were centered around managing emotions, both negative and positive. Students in my small groups also focused on self-awareness and learning to respect one another which I modeled throughout my practice.
Theoretical Foundation: Both Behavioralism Theory as well as Social Learning Theory provided me with a useful framework for understanding others. By learning how past experiences influence present-day behavior, I can develop a research-backed approach to targeted care in individuals as well as with group work.