{"id":168,"date":"2022-11-06T01:39:55","date_gmt":"2022-11-06T01:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/?page_id=168"},"modified":"2023-10-27T17:33:22","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T17:33:22","slug":"competency-5","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/competencies\/competency-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Competency 5:"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Engage in policy practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction:\u00a0 Social workers are the center of policy as their focus is on the whole person.\u00a0 Policy affects all aspects from micro, mezzo, to macro.\u00a0 I will strive to stay informed in current events and the impact those events have on the individuals I serve and the community. I will remain mindful of how history, race, religion, culture, economics, society and environment impact policy and the individual. As I social worker, I will strive to advocate for change and the improvement of policies that will promote social justice for the community I serve, the State and the Nation. I will strive to take on an active role in policy change and be a voice for those who are marginalized. Social workers strive to improve policy as it affects the services received and quality of life that clients experience. I will strive to set an example to stand against oppression and discrimination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5.1 – Advocate with and inform stakeholders to impact policy change<\/span><\/p>\n

Course Evidence:<\/span><\/p>\n

During my Advanced Policy Course, I created a project with my group that addressed gaps in care for individuals with substance abuse disorder. Our group decided to focus on individuals that are just over the income cut off for Tenncare coverage. My group created a policy that included increased funding to cover individuals who cannot afford a treatment program for substance abuse. During this semester-long course, my group conducted a needs assessment to determine the need for intervention within our community. <\/span><\/p>\n

Click \u00a0Policy Plan Form <\/a>to view this project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Field Evidence:<\/span><\/p>\n

At my internship at the Crisis Center, I identified the need for policy reform.\u00a0 One in particular is the need to have a federal law in place to ensure a person in crisis gets transport. Each county we serve regarded CON’s differently. Agencies from law enforcement to hospitals had varying attitudes toward mental health and this had an impact on the care clients received. I advocated for clients by informing my supervisor when they were not given proper care. I had the opportunity to educate law enforcement officers on occasion by informing them of laws pertaining to involuntary commitment and mental health stigma. I encouraged others to advocate for mental health in our community. I used social media to spread awareness and advocate for issues that affect clients. I wrote a letter to Representative Fleischmann asking for support for enforcing current policies in place to ensure individuals get the mental health care they need. Click\u00a0 \u00a0letter to Rep. Fleischmann<\/a> to see my letter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to see Tennessee’s law concerning Certificate of Need.<\/span><\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to view the Facebook post I shared to spread awareness of the need for collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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5.2 – Develop and implement a policy and\/or advocacy plan\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Course Evidence:<\/span><\/p>\n

In my program development class, my group developed a peer support program in the effort to prevent or reduce bullying. In my policy class, my<\/span> group developed a policy that addressed the opioid crisis and met gaps in care. Click Needs Assessment and Program Proposal Plan <\/a> to view this project.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Field Evidence:<\/span><\/p>\n

I analyzed and advocated to improve policies that affect my clients such as<\/span> the enforcement of CON’S.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

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Knowledge: Knowledge gained from my Advanced Policy Course were utilized in this area of competency. Knowledge of the Tenncare coverage and BHSN program regarding coverage for substance use disorder treatment was used. Understanding of person in environment aided by ability to have empathy for this population. Cultural competence was used for this competency to be informed of knowledge pertaining to clients with substance use disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Values: While evaluating the need for policy change I exercised values of social justice, competence, dignity and worth of the human being. By staying informed on substance abuse and root causes such as person-in environment, I remained competent in this area.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Skills: While determining solutions to gaps in care I utilized critical thinking, problem solving, organization. I used my skills in research and analysis to aid me in this competency. I used effective communication skills to articulate concerns to my supervisor and to spread awareness through communication with stakeholders.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cognitive: I synthesized information and used critical thinking to determine changes needed in policy that affects clients at the Crisis center. Identifying and recognizing gaps in care and a need for policy change. Facilitating methods for change to be possible. Evaluating and analyzing the impact change will have on the community. I used problem solving to address improvements needed in the care clients receive.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Affective: Empathy is needed to build rapport and foster trust with clients I serve. I used critical thinking skills to determine solutions that will improve client care. I attended weekly supervision and monthly staff meetings where I identified needs and analyzed the impact change would have on the individual and the community.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Theoretical foundations: Systems theory involves observing individuals in multiple environments to understand behaviors. In working with individuals in crisis, it is important to meet them where they are and show empathy. Understanding the clients’ environment is an important aspect of their life that contributes to their well-being, allows me to have genuine empathy <\/span><\/span>Systems theory equipped me with the knowledge needed to understand a client’s behavior as they are a product of a complex system influenced by many factors. Solution focused therapy involves identifying a problem and creating a solution. I utilized this theory to guide me in my goal of achieving more favorable outcomes for clients.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0Engage in policy practice. Introduction:\u00a0 Social workers are the center of policy as their focus is on the whole person.\u00a0 Policy affects all aspects from micro, mezzo, to macro.\u00a0 I will strive to stay informed in current events and the … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":872,"featured_media":0,"parent":81,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-168","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/872"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=168"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":385,"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/168\/revisions\/385"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/81"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swpro.org\/laurettar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}