Competency 9: Evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Introduction:
As an advanced practicing social worker, it is important to have certain tools within the social work tool belt. Some of the tools that are needed are engagement, assessments, and evaluation. The social work field is not limited to clients but grows with individuals, families and communities. As an advanced practicing social worker, I will be able to equip families, individuals, self and communities with these different tools for their tool belts. This will be exhibited by engaging clients, assessing situations and intervention when needed as well as build on evaluations.
9A – Select evidence-based evaluation strategies according to their efficacy with specific client systems
Course Evidence: For SOCW 618, I developed an FPCN-Organization-Proposal-Final-Paper which included a Human Resources Plan (2.5, 2.6). We researched evidence-based evaluation strategies for the human resources department of our proposed organization.
For SOCW 611, I completed an assignment where I recorded a session using the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model. The purpose of this activity was to practice CBT and evaluate my progress in learning this therapeutic modality. After the session, I wrote a paper reviewing the CBT skills I used, analyzing my clinical strengths and areas for improvement, conceptualizing the client, connecting my conceptualization to the interventions, and providing an overall review of my CBT skills. The Rational Choice Perspective informed my self-analysis, helping me understand the rationale behind my actions and methods in the video. This reflective process allowed me to refine and improve my CBT skills.
Here is the video link.
Field Evidence: For my Special Project, evaluations were completed of the special projects to elicit feedback to create a self-care policy that would be tailored to them. Here is the self-care policy Parkridge-Valley-Self-Care-Initiative.
9B – Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of practice outcomes across systems
Course Evidence: SW 612 – Logic Model and Evaluation Plan (will be added once completed at end of semester)
Field Evidence:
I evaluated the Special Project Evaluations via Google Forms which then helped me create my Parkridge-Valley-Self-Care-Initiative and the Special-Project-Comparative-Analysis.
Pictured: Parkridge Valley Behavioral Health Hospital
Skills: Communication, empathy, critical thinking, and time management were skills that I relied on for this competency.
Knowledge: I used the knowledge gained from my Program Development Courses and Advance Policy Course to evaluate interventions adequately, obtain appropriate fundraising options, and figure out the key players.
Values: Dignity and worth of a person and integrity were the two social work skills implemented.
Cognitive: The two cognitions utilized were knowledge and evaluation. I utilized knowledge by demonstrating what I have learned in coursework in practice during my Pseudo CBT session. I utilized evaluation during my special project to determine if my PowerPoint presentation was effective.
Affective: The affective processes involved included receiving, responding, and characterization. I demonstrated receiving by actively listening to controversial topics, maintaining an open mind, and respecting others’ viewpoints, especially those of individuals who are experts in their own experiences. My responding was reflected in my completion of class assignments. Characterization emerged through my objective approach, showcasing my ability to work both independently and collaboratively while upholding ethical and professional standards.
Theoretical foundation:
The theoretical framework guiding this competency was the Theory of Change, Monitoring, and Evaluation. This theory examines the relationships between activities and their resulting outcomes (Standford PACS, 2024). It seeks to clarify what objectives are being pursued and the strategies for achieving them (Standford PACS, 2024). This framework was crucial for my group, as it enabled us to define our goals and develop a clear plan to reach them. Understanding our objectives allowed us to effectively analyze literature and other resources to ensure we met our needs successfully.
Stanford PACS – Scholars. Practitioners. Leaders. (2024, October 3). Stanford PACS. https://pacscenter.stanford.edu/