Ongoing, extensive evaluation is essential to the advancement of social work practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness. As an advanced practitioner, I have demonstrated an understanding of the importance of continually evaluating processes and outcomes through the incorporation of evidence-based evaluation strategies. At my practicum setting, I have utilized components of the motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy practice models to measure the efficacy of the intervention strategies implemented with the clients I serve, in addition to collecting qualitative data from clients that will be used to measure the impact and effectiveness of the Eviction Prevention Initiative.
9.1: Select evidence-based evaluation strategies according to their efficacy with specific client systems
Course Evidence: In the advanced administration course, my group selected evidence-based evaluation strategies for the staff and volunteers of our proposed organization, Friends Helping Friends. The summary of the strategies we selected and evaluation forms can be viewed here.
Field Evidence: To measure the effectiveness of the intervention strategies implemented, I incorporated weekly check-ins with clients I served on the Eviction Prevention Initiative each week, incorporating components of the motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy frameworks. Utilization of this strategy and consistent communication allowed me to adjust intervention strategies as needed, and ensure the needs and concerns presented by my clients were met. The weekly check-in guide I utilized each week can be viewed here.
9.2: Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of practice outcomes across systems
Course Evidence: In the advanced clinical practice course, I completed an evaluation of myself conducting a pseudo cognitive behavioral therapy session with a client. This self-evaluation gave me the opportunity to evaluate the progress I made in strengthening my clinical practice skill set and to recognize the areas in which I needed to improve as an advanced social work practitioner. The self-evaluation I completed can be viewed here.
Field Evidence: The small, qualitative research study I am serving as co-investigator on continues to serve as a crucial tool in evaluating the effectiveness of the Eviction Prevention Initiative through the perspectives of clients served. As we continue to review the data collected thus far and highlight themes and trends throughout, we’ve been able to begin measuring the efficacy of the Eviction Prevention Initiative, including the strengths and weaknesses of the program. Over the next several months, the EPI will be working on the long-term goal of transitioning from a pilot project to a concrete program. I believe our research will prove incredibly beneficial as the EPI makes this transition. This document highlights the themes and patterns we’ve collected to date in relation the the evaluative interview guide we utilize during each research participant interview.
Skills Present: Fulfilling this competency required that I utilize critical thinking skills when determining which evaluation strategy would be most effective to implement with the clients and communities I served. I also continually demonstrated empathy, competency, interpersonal skills, communication skills, and active listening skills when evaluating the efficacy of the intervention strategies implemented with clients at my practicum setting and with pseudo clients.
Knowledge Present: The clinical practice courses gave me the opportunity to complete extensive self-evaluations of my clinical skill set throughout the semester. Through doing so, I was able to recognize my strengths and areas that I needed to improve. The knowledge obtained from these evaluations enabled me to effectively evaluate the efficacy of the intervention strategies I chose with clients at my practicum setting. The advanced administration course gave me the opportunity to examine evidence-based evaluation strategies at the macro level. I was able to utilize the knowledge I obtained from applying selected, evidence-based evaluation strategies to my group’s proposed organization when constructing the interview guide for the qualitative research study, which served as a vital tool in assessing the impact and effectiveness of the EPI.
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 effectively at both the micro and macro levels, I recognized the dignity and worth of each client and my responsibility to continually evaluate intervention strategies in order to better serve my clients and the greater community. I demonstrated competence through the selection and implementation of evidence-based interventions that allowed me to effectively evaluate and monitor interventions implemented at the micro and macro levels to improve practice effectiveness.
Cognitive Processes: For this competency, I had to analyze (analysis domain) the efficacy of evidence-based intervention strategies, validate (evaluation domain) the intervention strategies I chose for the client systems I served, and utilize critical thinking to assess (evaluation domain) intervention effectiveness.
Affective Processes: 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 evaluation strategies with client systems at the micro and macro levels.
Theoretical Foundation: An applicable theory for this competency is the theory of Selected Exposure. This theory asserts that after making a decision, we seek to avoid cognitive dissonance. As advanced practitioners, it is crucial that we remain aware of this innate tendency. When evaluating intervention strategies, it is imperative that we are able to critically monitor and evaluate the intervention strategies we choose to implement with clients and communities.