Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Social workers understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice. Social workers understand theories of human behavior, person-in-environment, and other interprofessional conceptual frameworks, and they critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in selecting culturally responsive interventions with clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand methods of identifying, analyzing, and implementing evidence-informed interventions and participate in interprofessional collaboration to achieve client and constituency goals. Social workers facilitate effective transitions and endings.
Social workers:
a. engage with clients and constituencies to critically choose and implement culturally responsive, evidence-informed interventions to achieve client and constituency goals; and
b. incorporate culturally responsive methods to negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of clients and constituencies.
Competency #8 In Practice
Intervention is one of my favorite parts of social work. As we can see from the slew of other competencies, it is only made possible by and through an extensive process of engaging, assessing, advocating, researching and then evaluating in order to make our interventions not just something we do but something our profession does as effectively as it can be done. This competency challenges and engages me by calling me to action, both on a micro level in my future therapeutic practice by also on a community level as I address systemic issues that affect the communities I work with. I am committed to intervention because I am committed to advocating for the dignity and worth of each person and the importance of human relationships in my local communities and in the organizations I work with.
Evidence from class work:
In this Groups Video for my Social Work Practice in Groups Class, I display enthusiasm for the subject, use empathetic validation to respond to the situations faced by the participants, and help the group connect with each other to brainstorm solutions. This assignment helped me develop the ability to engage participants in meaningful discussions, respond empathetically to their needs, and foster a sense of connection and collaboration within the group. I chose this assignment as evidence of this competence because it allowed me to showcase my skills as a group facilitator and demonstrate how I can effectively intervene in a small group setting. Through this assignment, I was able to develop mastery of our intervention competency by applying theory and practice to create a supportive and productive group environment where participants felt empowered to work together to achieve their goals.
Evidence from field:
In this redacted court report I presented to the Bradley County Court, I shared recommendations and findings with the judge based on the conversations I had with the children involved in this case, their mom, her partner, and the now custodial aunt and uncle. I included this evidence as a demonstration of my mastery of the competence of intervention because my testimony played a direct role in the court’s decision to grant custody to the petitioning aunt and uncle. Pro se juvenile court is often a “he says, she says” situation. Thanks to the advocacy CASA provides, an unbiased testimony on behalf of the child is heard, and given weight when the court decides which interventions to the court order. This case was messy, but I’m glad the intervention to find the children a safe and stable home was successful. In compiling evidence for, writing, and finally presenting this court report, I demonstrated mastery of intervention at my practicum.
Other evidence:
This is a fundraising letter that I wrote during my time as a student missionary in Bolivia in 2021. In this letter, I am addressing former donors, telling them stories from the kids I interacted with and asking for their support to fund more stable houseparents. By taking pictures, writing and organizing a fundraising campaign for my location, and contacting donors with the need of this organization, I was a part of the intervention process for at-risk children needing a home. From Facebook engagement, email newsletters, physical mailings, and Go-fund-me campaigns, we had a very multifaceted fundraising approach. Once I returned to the United States, I spoke at several churches, and a donor stepped forward to fund a major vehicle repair needed and sponsor several kids. At least one of those churches has integrated Familia Feliz into their regular ministry funding rotation and continues to hold fundraising events for them. It was and is rewarding to see the effects of this intervention continue to grow. Through organizing a multifaceted fundraising campaign, contacting donors, and speaking at churches, I demonstrated a mastery of intervention by effectively supporting and advocating for at-risk children in Bolivia who need stable houseparents.