Practice Behaviors:
9.1: select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes.
9.2: apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes.
9.3: critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes.
9.4: apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Competency 9 Narrative:
Evaluation is essential to the advancement of social work practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness. As social workers, it is crucial that we recognize evaluation as an ongoing component of social work practice and that we do not underestimate the importance of continually evaluating processes and outcomes. As a competent social worker, I have demonstrated an understanding of the process of evaluation. I have applied this understanding through the ability to consistently evaluate myself as well as the intervention implementation and strategies with the clients I serve each day.
Evidence 1 (Field):
Evaluation is crucial at Child Protection Services. We are required to see each child on our caseload each month, as well as continually evaluate the interventions implemented throughout the duration of the case. Several times a month, I accompany my instructor to visit the children at school or at home. I speak with them in a room privately and ask them the required questions we ask each child, as well as any other questions pertaining to their individual case. A list of the questions I ask each child can be viewed here . Additionally, a journal entry about completing a face to face follow-up meeting with a child can be viewed here (Week 4, November 25).
Evidence 2 (Class):
For our Social Work Practice with Individuals class, we were required to complete process recordings. Process recordings are an assignment that consists of three columns. In the first column, in which we write out the verbatim dialogue from three minutes of conversation from three different sections of the dialogue-beginning, middle, and end. In the second column, we evaluate each question/statement we make to the client, identifying which skills we used. In the third column, we make a comment on everything we said regarding wether it was satisfactory or unsatisfactory and provide an explanation as to why. I completed a process recording regarding my session with a pseudo client who was a single mother recently referred to DCS for lack of supervision and nutritional neglect. This process recording can be accessed here .
Evidence 3 (Additional):
At my practicum setting, I continually evaluate intervention strategies and outcomes with my clients. A particular situation in which I was able to initiate empathy and understanding while evaluating intervention implementation with a client proved to be successful in encouraging her to continue completing the mutually-agreed upon interventions. It was an incredible learning experience as I was able to recognize how different practice behaviors complement one another and how different practice behaviors can be utilized during the evaluation of interventions with clients. A journal entry detailing this can be viewed here (week 4, February 26).
Skills Used: One of the main skills required to complete this competency is interpersonal skills as I had to continually communicate with clients in order to effectively evaluate the intervention strategies implemented. Another skill demonstrated was critical thinking in order to effectively monitor and evaluate evaluation processes and outcomes.
Knowledge Used: For the aforementioned practice behaviors, I incorporated knowledge gained from the Social Work Practice with Individuals class. This class taught me the skills needed in order to critically evaluate my approach as well as chosen intervention strategies. The ongoing experience of assisting my field instructor in evaluation of the interventions implemented with our clients also contributed to the development of the skills utilized for this competency.
Values Present: The social work values of service, dignity and worth of the person, and competence were present within the evidence provided. In order to serve my clients effectively, I recognized the dignity and worth of each client I served and utilized critical thinking skills in order to effectively evaluate and monitor each intervention implemented and to improve practice effectiveness.
Cognitive Processes Used: For this competency, I had to analyze (analysis domain) the interventions implemented with clients and utilize critical thinking to assess (evaluation domain) intervention effectiveness.
Affective Processes Used: Through consistent examination (organization domain) and review of intervention program and processes, I was able to internalize (characterization domain) the information reviewed and integrate (organization domain) effective strategies and ideas to improve goal-attainment outcomes for families served by my agency.
Theoretical Foundation: An applicable theory for this competency is the theory of Selected Exposure. This theory addresses the fact that after making a decision, we seek to avoid cognitive dissonance. As social workers, it is crucial that we remain aware of this tendency and, when evaluating intervention strategies, we are able to critically evaluate both ourselves and the intervention strategies we choose to implement.