“We have the opportunity to really shape how someone’s current situation is and how their future looks. And that’s a pretty amazing power.”
-Theresa Houck
COMPETENCY 4- Research
Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
As a competent social worker, I will engage and integrate practice-informed research and research informed practice by committing myself to collecting and analyzing data to guide my decision-making process. I will additionally rely on research to identify best practices, interventions, and evaluations to ensure I am accommodating the needs of my clients.
PRACTICE BEHAVIORS:
4a: Engage in a review of contemporary best practices.
Academic Evidence: In the course, Advanced Administrative Practice: Program Development my colleagues and I completed a review of contemporary best practices for addressing problems associated with police brutality in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Needs Assessment and Program Proposal includes a literature review which highlights evidence based practices such as implementation of community policing approaches, social workers within the department, and annual diversity training. The aim of the program will include the understanding of diversity awareness, racial trauma, and cultural competence. This assignment helped me understand the importance research has on implementing evidence-based practices to address community and agency needs.
Field Evidence: During my time at the City of Refuge, several programs were being designed and implemented. Along with two competent social workers, I conducted research on health equity and wellness. This research allowed us to collaborate and design a program to meet the needs of children and families in the Whitfield County area. Additionally, research allowed us to collaborate on grant writing in order to receive the needed funding to implement the program. The Grant Program Summary and the Uphill Wellness and Workforce Development Program Proposal Plan outline the programs and research assisting with the design of the programs. This research helped me better understand health equity and wellness as well as how to educate clients on the topics.
Other Evidence: In the course Mental Health Practice in Social Work: Evolving Perspectives and Advance Contemporary Practice, I had the opportunity to write a Therapeutic Intervention Lit Review and Analysis on the effectiveness of Person Centered Therapy. This literature review helped me better understand the key components and process of this therapeutic intervention as well as how to implement it with clients.
4b: Conduct research that responds to social work practice needs.
Academic Evidence: In the course Mental Health Practice in Social Work: Evolving Perspectives and Advance Contemporary Practice, I conducted research to convince (affective level: valuing) my colleagues of the importance of Exercise and Nutrition in Mental Health. During my research, I found ways to intervene with clients using exercise and nutrition as they have been found to improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood. This method of intervention is also beneficial to social work professionals to reduce the risk of vicarious trauma and burnout. I demonstrated the NASW values of competence and integrity.
Field Evidence: During my time at the City of Refuge, I conducted research that responds to social work needs. Utilizing research allowed the City of Refuge to identify a need for several new programs which would ultimately meet the needs of children and families relating to wellness. Research topics consisted of Community Health Needs Assessments for Whitfield County, grant identification and completion, and wellness. After compiling (cognitive level: synthesis) this information, Uphill Wellness and Workforce Development Program Proposal Plan was created to include highlighted research.
Other Evidence: In the course Mental Health Practice in Social Work: Evolving Perspectives and Advance Contemporary Practice, I created (cognitive level: syntheses) a Medication Analysis which conducted research on Schizophrenia and commonly used medications for the diagnosis. This research helped me better understand the DSM-5 diagnosis of Schizophrenia and best interventions used with the diagnosis. I demonstrated the NASW values of competence, integrity, dignity and worth of a person, and service.