Competency 4: Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
Introduction: Research is the source and support of social work practice, methodology, and intervention. Being aware of current research and also ensuring that practice is evidence-based ensures that our work is more effective and efficient to meet individual, group, and community needs. Research demonstrates what interventions are most successful to meet a particular need.
4.1 – Engage in a review of contemporary best practices
Course Evidence: Completed a literature review and the topic I want to educate and advocate for was the impact parent involvement has on a child’s academic success. This research informed of barriers to strong school-parent and school-child relationships, as well as programs created to increase involvement. This research also included comparing parent involvement of predominantly caucasian schools versus minority urban schools. I chose this topic because it will inform my practice as a social worker in a school setting in building positive connections between the school, parents, and students for academic achievement. Common practice methods mentioned were to increase sense of belonging and connection, equity, improved open communication, and collaboration and respect between families and school staff. All of this information is useful because research showed that when parents are not involved the learning process is hindered.
Field Evidence: Conducted research on classroom management techniques to better help present the child sex abuse prevention lesson at Elementary schools. I included diversity in my search so that my knowledge would be well rounded to accommodate for various school environments. I incorporated what I found into my presentations of positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, varying teaching style through humor and real world examples, and equity.
4.2 Conduct research that responds to social work practice needs
Course Evidence: For group project researched how a current community organization that woks with sex trafficking survivors could improve their services and expand their outreach b incorporating residential housing. The program proposal created was supported by research to better serve the needs of a group of people and strengthen community. Research showed that there are various organizations that provide services throughout Tennessee. Two agencies in particular have residential housing but they are located in Nashville. Unfortunately, there is not a residential program in Chattanooga, which is how we identified this as a need. To ensure that the program would benefit survivors we had to explore the needs of our community and what the literature states about best practice methods.
Field Evidence: Helped families obtain medical services by researching for community organizations and agencies that would best meet their needs. Common services needed by families of pediatric cancer patients are financial assistance to cover expenses or medical bills and transportation. I made contact with organizations via phone or e-mail to inquire if their services are fitting for the family. To ensure that resources were not only from a single agency for all the families, applications for other agencies were completed. Doing this helped the family but also started a partnership between the hospital, Austin Thatcher, and the agency. When determined that a resource would meet the specific need the family was contacted accordingly.