Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

A key skill that every social worker should be equipped with is the ability to engage with all client systems. Communicating efficiently with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities is an important component of effective service delivery. As advanced practitioners, it is vital that we can recognize the link between the micro, mezzo, and macro systems. You cannot affect change on a macro level without being able to engage with the microsystems that make up the larger one. In my practicum setting, I am able to engage with the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

6.1 – Examine evidence-based practices to prepare for professional engagement across systems

Course Evidence: During Dr. Racovita’s Advanced Admisitative Practice course (SOCW-618), my group was able to learn about preparing for engaging professionally across systems to be able to create a new organization proposal for the city of Chattanooga. The proposal covers the many different aspects that the organization needs to cover including using evidence-based methods to reach out to the target population of the organization, and potential donors. To see the full proposal for Friends Helping Friends, please click here.

Field Evidence: At the beginning of my practicum placement with Centerstone, one of the first things that I was taught to do was to complete an intake assessment for my clients. For the first few intake meetings, I was able to observe my task supervisor complete a full intake before being able to complete one on my own. Once I was able to lead my own intake meeting, most of the information gathered is from the parent and then at the end, the child is also interviewed to see their perspective. The importance of the intake meeting was a way in which I was able to prepare for my sessions with my clients. Based on the diagnosis of the client, I would be able to prepare evidence-based interventions to work with the client. To see a copy of the paper intake form that I used while at Centerstone, please click here.

6.2 – Engage with systems utilizing evidence-based practice strategies

Course Evidence: When working on the new organization proposal for Advanced Admisitative Practice (SOCW-618), an important area that we worked on was looking at evidence-based tactics for soliciting private, corporate, and grant donations for the organization to be able to function. To see the fundraising plan and strategy for Friends Helping Friends please click here.

Field Evidence: When working in a local government, there are several systems in place for constituents to be able to communicate with their local representative. The two methods of communication that Commissioner Geter utilized were social media (specifically Facebook) as well as the Hamilton County online email communication form (to see an example of this form, please click here). This secondary communication method is how I was able to connect with several District 5 constituents and answer questions related to what Commissioner Geter and I were working on. To see an example of an email exchange I had with one of Commissioner Geter’s continents, please click here.